PALATKA, Fla. – Palatka Commissioner Justin Campbell Sr. hosted a town hall meeting on Thursday to discuss ending violence and other topics in the community.
Campbell said he was looking for constructive solutions that could lead to meaningful change.
“This evening is basically to address some of the issues that we have been facing, not just recently but what we have seen going on for quite some time now,” Campbell said.
This comes after the Christmas night shooting near the Palatka Daily News parking lot that left 2 people dead and 1 in critical condition. The Palatka Daily News building was riddled with bullet holes, but no employees were in the building during the shooting.
The Price Martin Center was packed with more than 80 fed-up Palatka residents. They came to voice their concerns about crime and gun violence.
Some residents blamed the lack of parenting as one of the reasons behind some kids and young adults committing violent crimes.
“If the parents haven’t been taught anything, then they don’t know anything to teach the children. They don’t know anything about respect,” Slyvia Cooper said.
Cynthia Asia shared similar statements.
“We have to do a better job of educating them as well as their parents, making sure the parents are actually involved with their children,” she said.
Another resident who attended the meeting offered a different perspective on the crime problem, citing social economics as an issue.
“A lot of people always immediately blame the parents. It’s got to be the parents' problem. But it’s also a lot of people don’t look at the fact that Palatka is a city that has high poverty. We’ve seen a lot of small businesses close,” Daniel Biddle said.
Before the meeting concluded, residents offered solutions such as community programs and volunteer opportunities for the community to mentor young people.
Palatka Police Chief Jason Shaw noted the lack of voices from the younger generation at the meeting could be a disadvantage.
“I believe the only way you will get youth to attend the table is to go to them and you have youth amongst them to bring them in and communicate with them. We know without them, we’re just preaching to the choir. We’ll get key information, but it won’t fall on the right ears,” Shaw said.