Letter to the editor: A call to action: Uniting against gun violence in Sumter

As a young person in the Sumter community, I am deeply troubled by the growing gun violence that continues to tear apart the lives of families across our neighborhoods. This is not just a problem for law enforcement to solve; it's a community issue that demands a united response. Every bullet fired rips through the fabric of our community, leaving behind grief, fear and division. These are our children being killed, and every day we wake up to the heartbreaking news of another life lost to gun violence. The question remains: When will it stop?

I believe the time has come for our community to come together and take action. We need safe spaces for our youth - places where parents can feel confident that their children are safe and where our young people can find guidance and support.

We must confront this issue head-on and make it clear to those contributing to the violence that they are not helping our community - they are destroying it. Sumter should not be a place of fear, where parents live in constant worry, unsure if their child will make it home at night.

The time is now for us to stand together and take meaningful action.

I urge the community to join me in this fight. Let's ensure that our young people grow up in safe environments, where they can thrive without the constant threat of violence. Together, we can bring about change.

IRVIN ROACH

Sumter