Making Galesburg, IL, Railroad Days festival safer published 6/29/18 in Register-Mail newpaper

It’s very sad for “Our Town” that community gatherings and festivals are infested with the violence that is rife everywhere.  Friends of mine witnessed the Thursday evening mob incident, where a gun was displayed, but no shots fired; still bystanders were terrified, running for safety, including a pregnant woman, children crying, and people left upset.  That incident influenced our decision to not allow our teenage grandson to go there on Saturday evening, which turns out …. was a good decision, as shots rang out that evening.  We remember that early Easter morning a beautiful, young mother was killed downtown by a stray bullet, while trying to celebrate her birthday with friends on Seminary Street.  I have no useful ideas to make Galesburg safer, since there is a prevalence of firearms, angst and homegrown terrorists.   Americans can hardly feel safe attending their church, schools, movie theatres, malls or music concerts anywhere.

Trish Forsyth Voss