Page 4 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, June 20, 2025 ~ Guest Commentary ~ A Mother's Plea: The Urgent Need for Productive Conversations About Gun Violence By Julvonnia McDowell W hen I bought my 14-year-old son a crisp, navy suit with a yellow bowtie for his upcoming spring formal, I never imagined that I'd have to bury him in it just days later. My radiant, joyful boy went over to a family member's house, where he and his cousin found an unsecured gun in a drawer, hidden beneath a t-shirt. They started playing with it, not realizing it was loaded. Minutes later, JaJuan was gone. The phone call we received that afternoon was every parent's worst nightmare. And it was entirely preventable. My husband and I had always been protective of JaJuan. We'd taught him as a child to look both ways before crossing the street and not to accept rides from strangers. And we'd always ask other parents the usual questions -- about screen time, video games, and curfews -- before letting JaJuan go to a friend's house. But we never asked: Is there a gun in the house? If so, is it stored securely? It never occurred to us that the thing that posed the greatest risk to JaJuan's life would be a firearm. But gun injuries are the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States. One of the things I've realized since my son passed away is that addressing gun violence and its impact -- especially on children -doesn't have to be a partisan issue. Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net Everett Supplies Aluminum 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Celebrating 66 Years in Business! •Vinyl Siding •Free Estimates •Carpentry Work •Fully Licensed •Decks •Roof ng • Fully Insured • Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! With our children and teens at the center of this crisis, it can't be. A recent study from Johns Hopkins showed that gun injuries claimed over 2,500 children's lives in 2022 -- more than car crashes, overdoses, or cancers. Whether you're a lifelong gun owner or someone who has never touched one, we all want our children to be safe, including reducing suicides and unintentional shootings -- which in 2022 accounted for nearly 60% of all gun deaths. To save lives, we need a cultural shift. That starts with conversations that help people understand how asking simple questions, practicing secure storage and understanding the signs of a mental health crisis can prevent irreversible loss. For starters, ask other parents, friends, and relatives if they keep firearms and how they're stored. It might feel awkward at first. But GUN | SEE PAGE 15 Temporary Weekday Closure of DPW Yard Due to Construction T he City of Malden is informing residents of a temporary change in access to the Department of Public Works (DPW) Yard as a result of construction related to the ongoing Malden River Works infrastructure improvement project. The DPW Yard is closed Monday through Friday until further notice. Active construction is taking place at the site, and no materials of any kind will be accepted during the week. This includes yard waste, trash, recycling and all other materials. Saturday access only: To accommodate residents’ seasonal needs, the yard remains open Saturdays only, from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., for the drop-off of yard waste only. Residents are reminded that trash, recycling, bulk items and all other materials will not be accepted on Saturdays. Rules and drop-off policies will be strictly enforced throughout the construction period to ensure public safety and maintain operational efficiency. For more information or questions regarding this temporary change, residents may contact Director of Public Works Bob Knox Jr. at rknox@cityofmalden. org or 781-397-7160. To learn more about the Malden River Works project, visit www.maldenriverworks.org/project Spring is Here!
5 Publizr Home