Chester mayor responds to ‘dangerous’ label
On Tuesday, March 21, 2017, there was an article in the Delco Times titled “Most Dangerous City In Pa”. When I first read the story a series of emotions began to stir up within me. Anger, resentment, frustration and then finally hurt. I was hurt because there seems to always be this outside element that tries to paint this horrific picture of the community that I have lived in all of my life. A community where I have raised my children and my grandchildren. A city where my mother taught for over 30 years, my younger brother taught for over 25 years and my sister taught for over 40 years. Educators who believed so much in the children that graced their classrooms that they to chose to live in the very same community. Why? Because they believed it then just as I believe it now, “What Chester Makes Makes Chester”.
This disheartening information came from an individual from the Pittsburgh area I assume in an attempt to bring himself some attention at the expense of Chester residents. Probably someone who has never visited our great city. Well just for the record, I have visited Pittsburgh on numerous occasions and guess what? They have their violent crime issues as well. Already they have had a number of murders and violent encounters this year, but for some strange reason the author of the so called research never mentioned that fact.
The real story and the true facts are that all of our communities are going through some difficult times. Whether it be opioid addition, unemployment, struggling schools or violent behavior ALL of our inner cities are having to find ways to make life better for the people who live there.
My anger springs forth when I see this type of article because I would not raise my family here (Chester City) if I believed it was such a dangerous place to be. I would not subject the flock that I shepherd to risk their lives to come into the city to worship every Sunday, nor would I encourage young people to come to the after-school program three days a week to better themselves academically, socially and spiritually. I would not do it. I would also think that reporters would fear for their very lives if Chester was so violent. I don’t recall any reporter ever being physically assaulted when they came to do a story in Chester. Please correct me if I am wrong. I stay here because I love the inheritance that my mother and father have left me and now it is my job, as well as others, to fix our inheritance so that generations to come might live in peace. I have been all across this great country and I still come to the conclusion that “There is no place like home (Chester).”
Therefore, I resent it when persons who have not been a part of our rich history and our unwavering support for one another choose to mischaracterize the many for the actions of a few. And then the resentment goes even deeper when I read some of the racist comments made by those who live in other communities. These are the same persons who deliberately choose not to point out the positive things that are evolving daily in Chester. Things like the renaissance of our Over Town (Downtown) area. Young people and older persons investing in a once desolate area. Black, White and Asian persons all working together to do better. A brand new School of the Arts being built in our city so that our children may excel academically while showcasing their many God-given talents. Young people who believe in being a part of the solution by accepting the challenge to “Protect and Serve.” Thousands who would dare to come into this place we call home to enjoy a Major League Soccer game without fear of personal harm. A new restaurant where families, friends and visitors come to dine and enjoy one another (UNO’S). A world renowned and respected university that provides the highest quality of educational opportunities to students from all across this country as well as the world (Widener University). The construction of a new hotel in downtown Chester and so much more.
And finally it becomes frustrating when you work so hard to make things better someone always comes along to try and portray the place that you call home as the worst place in the world. The Bible reminds us that one ought not focus on the speck in another’s eye when they have a rather large beam protruding from their own. With that said I welcome the researcher from Pittsburgh to come to Chester and see for himself. Are we perfect? No! Can we do better? Yes? Are we a community on the rise? You better believe it !
Oh and by the way, these type of articles only make us (Chester) “Stronger in Him.”
You will get that on Morning. Sunday