Days before we gather with friends and love ones to offer thanks, many former Clarksdale residents were giving thanks for their decision to leave a city that has seen, within a 19-day time span, three murders and an officer-involved shooting.
For at this time of Thanksgiving, it’s not turkey and dressing and football and family gatherings that are on our mind – rather, it’s the questions of how do I keep my family safe and is Clarksdale the place for me?
The reaction to the latest shooting that left a 27-year-old Clarksdale man dead and injured three others has been startling.
As of Sunday evening, some 30 hours after the news brief about the shooting was first posted to The Press Register’s Facebook page, the story had reached more than 41,000 people, been shared 667 times and seen more than 150 comments.
In comparison, most of the posts on our Facebook page will reach perhaps 1,000 people, be shared with two users, and have perhaps three folks offering comments.
And the feelings shared on Saturday’s shooting mirrored those heard within Clarksdale.
There were prayers for family and the community and a good many spoke of God and his role.
“My heart is so broken. Praying for my hometown,” wrote Yolanda Moton.
Stanley Flagg posted the comment, “Have faith. God is still in control. Keep praying. God got us covered. In God's time, he will fix it. I believe this.”
There were Facebook users who put the blame on corruption, failures within the local police and court systems, and a struggling Clarksdale sinking under the weight of an abundant drug trade and flourishing gangs.
Jeremiah Wright wrote, “Clarksdale, my hometown, been out of control for years. Too much corruption and too many desperate people.”
And there were a shocking number of former residents saying they were so lucky to leave Clarksdale when they did.
“Me and my husband left in 2000, but his parents and brother still live there,” said Margie Williams. “I hate that Clarksdale has come to this. Prayers for everyone who still live there and the families of the ones that got shot.”
Douglas Nelson wrote, “Have so many great memories of growing up in Clarksdale. It’s sad to see this time and time again. Place has so much potential, but if this continues, nobody will be willing to take a chance on it. Stay safe up there!”
And there were the thoughts shared by those of us who currently call Clarksdale home.
“It’s getting too scary to live here,” said Anna Elizabeth Glenn.
Lee Pitts wrote, “My wife and I own a business here, and this is one of the reasons why we will be selling our property soon and possibly moving. It's sad how we kill each other over foolishness. Praying continually for a change in Clarksdale.”
And Lee Pitts is correct.
There has to be something done. Clarksdale has now seen 12 homicides in 2018.
City officials have reached out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for help and officers with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reportedly made an arrest for a parole violation at a home on Cherry Street on Thursday. Weeks earlier, the home had been the scene of a shooting where multiple gunshots were fired.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation was called in to assist with Saturday night’s shooting, and the Coahoma County Sheriff’s Office continues to partner with the Clarksdale Police Department in an effort targeting drug sales and gangs.
The Clarksdale Mayor and Board of Commissioners voted in its last meeting to offer employment to five new officers, bringing the CPD’s police force up to 38.
And CPD chief Sandra Williams continues to make the changes within her department and partner with outside agencies such as the Mississippi Highway Patrol, ATF and MBI.
But, the answer is not going to be simple. It’s going to take all of us.
Whether it’s parents taking a responsible and active role in the raising of their children or our educators and school leaders providing a foundation for a child to learn and flourish.
Whether it’s economic development officials bringing jobs and economic opportunities for our work force and our local businesses, large and small, willing to offer jobs and competitive pay for those deserving.
Whether it’s our churches offering spiritual guidance and healing and the community service organizations that volunteer time, resources and funds to assist those needing a helping hand.
Whether it’s our law enforcement officers who investigate and arrest those who step outside of the rules of our society, and the court system that prosecutes and penalizes those who have done wrong and the attorneys who represent those wrongly accused.
I believe the desire to improve our community lies within all of us.
These are the people and resources that are here. And can happen here.
And that is why we give thanks.
Michael Banks is the editor/publisher of The Clarksdale Press Register. He can be reached at 662-627-2201 or email mbanks@pressregister.com or follow him on Twitter @MichaelBanksMS.
