Mixed in with a party for the community with bouncy houses and games for the children, plus hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone, was a serious message from the Boys & Girls Club of Lake County about gun violence.
Germain Castellanos, the organization’s chief executive officer, said the club is a place where the area’s youngsters can have fun while growing at the same time. It is also a place they feel safe.
“We want the kids to have a good time here,” Castellanos said. “We want them to know this is a safe place. We want their parents to know this is a safe place for them.”
The club opened its summer activities with a celebration of life Friday at its Waukegan location with a theme of “keeping our kids safe” to combat gun violence.
As the youngsters were enjoying themselves both on the playground and in the gym, the room was full of age-appropriate ways for people to express themselves about gun violence. Representatives from 15 organizations were also there to support those in need.
A long line of children formed outside a Waukegan police car, where youngsters were able to climb inside and get instructions on how to operate the searchlight, illuminate the flashing lights on top of the vehicle and learn about the computer inside.
“This is great,” Arnie Hardy said, wearing an orange shirt given to all attendees as a message against gun violence. “Turning on the lights was fun, I really liked this one,” he added, referring to the searchlight.
Instructing the youngsters was Waukegan police Officer Brad Grosskopf. While explaining how the lights and siren worked, there was also some education.
“This is our computer,” he said, pointing to the screen inside the car as Arnie sat inside. “When we get a call, it shows us where they are so we can go to help them.”
Craig Neal, a deputy police chief, said exposing youngsters to their cars and equipment at a young age builds trust between the community and the department. Hopefully, it will motivate them to avoid bad decisions and help the police keep them safe, he said.
“This is a good way to begin the summer,” Neal said. “It will help the community feel they can cooperate with law enforcement. Hopefully, this will help put an end to this senseless gun violence.”
Both Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor and North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham Jr. were on hand. As they watched children playing outside, they said they understood the seriousness of the evening.
At the east end of the gym was a board where people could write messages about their feelings on gun violence and experiences with it. As a young boy wrote about love being the answer, Demia Byers was penning her message beside him.
Byers’ message was, “Protect us, not hurt us, the next generation.” She said too many people close to her were victims of gun violence. Some of the wounds were fatal, but they all had an impact. She wants something different for her five children who range in age from 4 to 13.
“My brother, my sister, my cousins, a nephew,” Byers said, referring to family members shot. “There is a lot of gun violence around us. Love is the answer. I tell them I always will (love them) no matter what.”
Above Byers’ message was one written by another youngster — “Schools are for learning, not lockdowns.”
The Rev. Angel Roman, a unit manager in the club and the youth pastor at Immanuel Church in Gurnee, said community members play a key role. When he was young and in the area, he said there was a woman who would see him on the street, tell him it was not safe where he was going and to return home. People like her are needed now, he said.
“As we grow up, we have to love ourselves and our neighbors,” Roman said. “When we love our neighbors, we begin to love our community. When we love our community, we look out for our community and keep our community safe.”
