Tuesday, there was a town hall meeting sponsored by the North Okaloosa Ministerial Alliance and the Crestview Area Ministerial Association. Local residents attended the meeting to discuss being proactive about a number of issues.
Mayor David Cadle, Crestview Police Chief Tony Taylor and Okaloosa Sheriff Larry Ashley fielded questions about anticipated actions if — however remote the possibility might be — an incident similar to Ferguson, Missouri or Baltimore, Maryland occurred in Crestview.
As men and women — young and old, African-American and white — asked questions and shared information, a growing realization made itself known: when it comes to being a part of a community, most of us have the same concerns.
One of those concerns centers on finding the kind of love and acceptance in appropriate places that will prevent people from trying to find it in the wrong places.
One gentleman raised concern for children between ages 8 and 13 whom he has seen out in the street at 2 a.m. without adult supervision.
That is appalling.
Do the parents not care enough to ensure their children’s safety?
Are parents unaware that under cover of darkness all sorts of evil lurks looking for vulnerable prey?
What such inattentiveness conveys to children — albeit nonverbally and subconsciously — is: “You are not worth my loving attention. Don’t mess with my lifestyle, kid.” Such unspoken rejection reaches deep into one’s heart and has a tremendously negative impact on a child.
Gang leaders, drug pushers and sexual predators recognize the signs of such children and exploit them. These people recognize the symptoms and provide a façade of loving and caring. And a child craving being loved and accepted is then swayed to “the dark side.”
As Christians, as a community, we are called to advocate for those who cannot stand up for themselves. We are called to treat each other with love and respect, regardless of age. We are called to love the children in our midst so they will know what it is to be cherished.
Don’t wait for someone else to do it, because that “someone else” may just be the evil you wish to avoid.
The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: Unloved children are vulnerable to predators