Every year, the Carroll High School homecoming festivities transform the city, drawing alumni and supporters from far and wide, but when a tragic event pierces the heart of such celebration, it calls for reflection and accountability.
The block party spontaneously coming to life on Renwick Street has become a cherished tradition. Food trucks and vendors dot the thoroughfare, each adding flavor to the festivities. It’s a time of jubilation, where former students, now successful professionals, bring their families to relive memories and create new ones.
The economic benefit to the city is palpable. Hotels are booked, malls are bustling, and local businesses prosper.
Why did Monroe falter on the most crucial night of the Carroll homecoming festivities? Why did the police pack up and leave hundreds of people without protection?
The horrifying events of Saturday night have left an indelible scar. A young life, full of promise, was snuffed out at just 14 years old. Visitors who came to join in the festivities will now carry home tales of horror instead of joy. Some returned home carrying bullets they received as bystanders.
The question that looms large is – could this have been avoided?
It’s an alarming paradox. On one hand, the city ensured that the football game’s guests, Franklin Parish High School, were heavily guarded. However, they didn’t buy a hamburger or fill up at a service station.
On the other, the streets were brimming with residents and visitors alike who were left vulnerable on the last night. To their credit, they were present all week, but they went elsewhere Saturday night.
The decision to not provide protection on this critical night is not just an oversight—it’s an egregious lapse in judgment. If this is reflective of the city administration’s approach, it’s no surprise that the motto “To Protect and Serve” has been removed from city police cars by this administration. It’s even less surprising that Monroe ranks high on the list of America’s most dangerous cities.
The Carroll homecoming festivities are a symbol of pride and unity and are big money makers for the city. They are an embodiment of the city’s heritage. But now, they also bear the weight of grief and trauma.
Whoever made the decision to leave the streets unprotected must answer for it. As the city mourns, it deserves an acknowledgement of the negligence and a commitment to ensure it never happens again.
The shooters who took this young man’s life and wounded so many people should be held accountable.
The person who made the big mistake that left hundreds without police protection should also be held accountable.
Monroe can and must do better.
