Two Millville Cities

Gunshots heard in Millville. Bullets fly in Millville. Street criminals run rampant on Millville streets. Cars and homes riddled with bullet holes as thugs and predators shoot at each other and endanger small children. A much different Millville than 30 years ago, so what happened? Almost to a person when asked that question, many believe the rapid up tick of criminal behavior is the result of the invasion of the criminal elements from Camden and Newark over the past few decades. Added to the homegrown criminal element this invasion overwhelmed local authorities.  And so over time I believe two separate Millville “cities” emerged.

Millville #1 consists of decent law-abiding citizens bent on teaching their children manners, respect and civil responsibilities. These residents support local sports events, maintain their property in a neat manner, work with law enforcement when needed, are educated, intelligent and try to make the county and their city better places to live. They normally do not engage in criminal activity, they pay their bills and willingly volunteer to help others in need. They believe in justice, self-responsibility and can be trusted to do their civic duties when called upon.

Millville#2 consists of an underworld that hosts a plethora of criminal activity. These are people who engage in drug use, drug sells and armed assaults on a daily basis.  They care little or nothing about the county or the city and even less about the people who live in Millville #1.  They have no respect or fear of law enforcement and often times will confront and engage police officers in gun battles or some other assault. They shoot weapons at each other and care little if a stray bullet might hit a child. They usually have little or no self-respect and could care less about the safety and human rights of others.

Both “cities” are linked by geography and through municipal services and it is easy for someone from city #2 to affect the lives and welfare of any of the law-abiding citizens in city # 1. This is done almost on a daily basis through high-speed car chases, running gun battles, theft, intimidation of seniors, hold ups and home invasions to name a few.  It is hard to identify the residents of each “city” on sight in most cases, but a daily read of the local newspapers clearly supports the existence of two Millville “cities.”

The fear is that the criminal element will eventually overpower the abilities of the authorities to protect the citizens that are not criminals. Even today seniors are afraid to go out of their homes, and small children are at risk playing in some city neighborhoods. 

Hard core criminals are not afraid of law enforcement officers, arrests, nor prison time as some view prison terms just like going to “college” where they learn how to be a better criminal.  Some say we must “hug” the criminals and rehabilitate them.  Well we have “hugged” and imprisoned for many decades and what do we have today?  Bullets fly in Millville. Gunshots heard in Millville. Street criminals run rampant on Millville streets.

I believe two Millville “cities” exist today side-by-side, uneasily, with trepidation and with fear. Meanwhile law-abiding residents are left to wonder just how long will it be before criminals utterly destroy the Holly city and make it inhabitable for decent people?

Jimmie L. Hollis