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[Scroll down to read Mayor John Moor’s response.]

Editor, the Asbury Park Sun,

This is going to be short and to the point. While the shooting on July 4^th was a harrowing experience to many, how many shootings have taken part in Asbury Park prior to that? Have we ever seen the Council address the killings on the West Side so quickly? Not only so quickly but in a press release.

Jehadje McMillan was shot and died less than one mile from the beach two weeks prior. What about his family? Everlasting Saunders, a local business succumbs to gunfire on the highway.

In the case of Jumal Small and Yovanni Banos-Merino, the community outpouring of sympathy and love was there. But let us not forget the families who suffer in silence following the death of a loved one. That burden falls on us. By that, I mean churches, support groups, schools, relatives and friends.

But I say to our public officials, “Don’t forget those who are passed over in death. Don’t forget the poor people. Remember the little people.” Is it any coincidence that a shooting took place on July 4^th, forty-nine years after the uprising in Asbury Park.

When our family dog Caine was unjustly shot and killed in front of my wife and daughter years ago by an Asbury Park police officer, [then] Mayor Kevin Sanders and Public Safety Director Louis Jordan came to our house to offer condolences. That is the empathy that our public officials need to show for all citizens.

Mayor John Moor told me once to stay on them when I see something I feel needs to be corrected. Well, I am demanding that the Council treat all killings and shootings with the same urgency.

Dan Harris

Ridge Avenue

MAYOR JOHN MOOR’S RESPONSE:

Editor, the Asbury Park Sun,

I have treated all shootings, stabbings, whatever the same, I believe. 

In the recent case you are referring to, yes I  responded because I was called.  Did you want me to deny it or sweep it under the rug?  Not my style; and some in law enforcement were upset I said anything.

Many think the Council knows everything going on; as per the recent shooting, I know exactly what you know by reading the papers because it is an ongoing investigation being handled by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

I have gone to too many houses, too many hospital rooms, and too many funerals. I and other council members have tried to go to others with the Police Chaplins and were told we were not welcomed by the family, which we respected.

Mr Harris is correct, I told him to call me out on anything, which at times he has done, but usually, it’s with a phone call before to get all the facts.  So, I guess yes, I am disappointed Mr Harris did not call me before sharing his letter with the press.

Mr. Harris and I did speak Friday night and I believe we both ended the conversation with mutual respect and agree we all have to work together.

I have said, anyone can reach out to me; my home number [732-988-7915] has been listed for over 40 years.

Mayor John Moor

Asbury Park

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