We owe our children safety from violence, abuse and neglect. But our focus is often more on other things. We seem to take for granted children's welfare or to choose not to notice threats to them.

Khalil Singleton's death is terribly tragic for his family and friends, and I extend my condolences to them. It can also give the impression of this community's apparent apathy and acceptance of physical and armed violence.

If we truly believe and want our community to be unique, standing idle now is unacceptable. We owe Khalil our anger and our resolve to do better.

I hope we, as a community, will reveal our true character and commit to having our children grow up in safety. Doing nothing is tacitly accepting the opposite.

David Ames

Hilton Head Island