What Didn't Happen
A relatively slow news week for Parkville and the Southern Platte County area, a week in which we report on what didn’t happen instead of what did, and rejoice in that.
As reported on page one, one Platte County family narrowly averted the nightmare we’ve read about all too much of late – the kidnaping of a child. Thanks to the quick wits of the child and the concern of a responsible and well-to-do adult, a tragedy was averted.
The suspect in the case, a scumbag wearing all black and a stocking cap matches a description that would seem to come straight out of the darkest recesses of our mind. I’m reminded of a crime drama, where a man commented to an officer that he must see unthinkable crimes and the officer replied matter-of-factly that people do think of these crimes, that’s why they happen.
The people that seek to do our children harm, those that perpetuate unspeakable against their hearts and bodies are worthy of much more than our contempt – they are worthy of as harsh a sentence, of as much justice that can possibly be meted out by a civil society.
More important, however, is the fight to keep our children safe. The name of the woman who slowed her car, who stuck out her neck because common sense and her sense of community would not allow he to pass by silently, is a true hero. I encourage this woman to contact our offices at The Luminary so we can personally thank her, but my gut tells me this woman feels rewarded enough, that she was doing what any responsible adult in the same situation would do. Still, the family of the child and the police would like to speak with her so more can be learned about the incident.
A woman lamented to me the other day about our children. They’re supposedly more obese than ever (getting the soda out of the schools would be a start) but we’re afraid to let them walk to school nowadays. Platte County and Parkville are largely rural in nature, but a major, crime ridden city lays only a stones throw away.
Don’t give in to fear, but be vigilant. The reason why you chose to live in this area was because it was safe, because it had a strong school system, because of the values of the people who live here. Sticking your neck out, like the Samaritan woman we’ve written about this week, is what a responsible adult does. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Call the local police or the Platte County Sheriff’s department. That’s what your tax dollars are paying for.
Secondly, you think you have had a rough day? Try getting hit by a train, severing your aorta and having both of your lungs collapse. That’s precisely what happened to young Craig McCormack last week while pulling out of Ball Enterprises’ parking lot. Luckily, Mr. McCormack is going to survive and he is expected to return home to St. Joseph this weekend. Several people have asked in wonder how Mr. McCormack could have not seen the train as it barreled toward his truck and if you think of what the odds would have to be – even if he wasn’t paying attention at all, the odds of being on the track just as the train was passing through – it is a remarkable story.
The crossing at Ball’s is a true safety hazard that needs to be dealt with. I’m not pointing fingers at the owner of the property, but we’ve averted two deaths in the past two and a half years, and we’ve got to do better for the people at that intersection. Something needs to be done.