I live in the town I grew up in. This was not planned; in fact, growing up all I wanted to do was run far away from here and never look back. Circumstances fell into place and now I sometimes feel "stuck" living in a town that has changed drastically from when I was a kid.
My town is not unlike many others across the country. The economic downfall of 2008 hit us hard. Drive up and down our main street and you see the affects. Empty businesses are plenty. Crime has gone up and overcrowding is an issue.
From my home in a suburban neighborhood I can often hear the roar of cars on the highway less than a mile away. There is also a major shopping mall about 1 mile away. Woodbridge Center is the 3rd largest mall in a state infamous for shopping malls.
Growing up here, I was a child when the mall was built on top of clay pits. When I was a teenager the mall was expanded. The mall was someplace teenagers would go, hang out and meet up with others. It was a place that many teens found their first part-time job.
A week ago a shoplifter who was being chased down by an off-duty cop grabbed an innocent shopper and held her hostage. He was shot dead by an off-duty Woodbridge cop who was moonlighting as security at the mall. We had heard the sirens that evening and just assumed there had been an accident on the highway.
When we saw the report on the news we were shocked and disturbed.
Once the facts of the case came out it was less disturbing but it still felt unsettling. The town really has gone downhill.
Last night as we ate dinner we again heard sirens. This time we also noticed news choppers flying overhead in the area of the mall. Dread overcame me as I tried not to think the worst.
Later I saw where there had been an armed robbery at the mall.
Enough already.
My daughter is a student at the local high school and casually mentioned to me about a classmate bragging about being a member of a gang.
Many who live in my town and are long-time residents talk about the gang presence growing and how the criminal element from areas like Perth Amboy and Newark are attracted into our town because of the mall.
I feel stuck. It takes money to move and I don't have it. I am ready to pick up and start over somewhere else. I don't much like this town. I feel there are not many opportunities for me job-wise, the school system has gone downhill and honestly, because of all the condos built by the mall, it has attracted a class of people that have helped to introduce more crime, traffic and negative elements to the town I once felt "safe" in.
With two violent incidences at the local mall in a week's time, I don't want my teenager going there with her friends. I don't even want her working there as her sister did at her age.
I am not living in fear; just being cautious.
I have given a lot of thought to leaving this town and never looking back. What holds me back right now is my parents who are older and honestly, not open to change. Sure they both have had to notice what this town has turned into. They don't seem to care of have the attitude that it is like this everywhere.
I don't believe that. I believe there are places that you can feel safer than here.
Maybe it is my restless spirit that is pushing me towards taking the chance and moving on. There really isn't much here for me. As long as I have my child with me, I am open to exploring the options.
Times are hard and I am sure that many areas that were once "safe" now have changed. I refuse to live in fear and have changed my ways of living but will it be enough?
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