Grieving Mothers Plead for Change as Saginaw Faces Rising Gun Violence and Election Uncertainty

 

In an emotional appeal to Saginaw, Michigan’s city council, Tiffany Owens spoke of her unimaginable losses in the hopes of sparing other families from similar pain. Owens, who has spent her entire life in Saginaw, described the trauma of burying two of her children, both victims of gun violence. Her 12-year-old son Tamaris was killed by a stray bullet in a drive-by shooting, and nine years later, her 26-year-old daughter, Tamarea, also lost her life to gun violence. Owens' niece, Tonquinisha McKinley, was fatally shot in 2013 during a family celebration, deepening the family’s sorrow.

At the council meeting, Owens stood alongside other grieving mothers, each holding photographs of children lost to violence in a city struggling with one of Michigan’s highest crime rates. Saginaw, a city marked by industrial decline and poverty, has seen over 180 murders in the past decade, primarily due to gun violence, with 20 homicides already recorded this year. Many families in Saginaw continue to call on city leaders to address the violence, which they see as exacerbated by poverty, lack of resources, and limited community opportunities.

Tamara Tucker, another grieving mother, echoed Owens’ plea, highlighting the community's struggle to create safe spaces and opportunities for youth. Tucker’s journey through grief began when her 17-year-old brother was killed. Later, she lost her own daughter, MoeNeisha Simmons-Ross, who was fatally shot by her boyfriend. Tragically, Tucker's sister and nephew also became victims of gun violence in Saginaw.

Barbara Clark, whose son was killed by another teen, has dedicated herself to understanding the criminal justice system and its limitations in addressing violence. She criticized those who attribute Saginaw’s crime solely to parenting issues or gang activity, pointing instead to the city’s economic struggles. Clark cited the closure of car factories, abandoned homes, and diminished city services as factors contributing to rising violence and the lack of opportunities for young people.

The council meeting, held just before local elections, saw council members express condolences and discuss potential solutions. Council member Michael Flores, not seeking re-election, read the names of young people lost to violence, lamenting the continuous loss of Saginaw’s future. However, frustration with the council’s spending of federal aid, particularly the $52 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, was evident. Half of this funding filled budget gaps, while plans for the remaining funds, including $10 million for community programs, remain undecided.

Flores and city council candidate Carly Hammond argued that more ARPA funds should target youth facilities and affordable housing rather than upscale developments aimed at wealthier residents. Hammond criticized the council for failing to apply for additional federal community development funds, attributing this lapse to excessive bureaucracy.

Community members, including the president of the Saginaw police union, Matthew Carpus, voiced concerns about public safety, with many officers reportedly frustrated by the lack of support in addressing the city's crime. Despite additional patrols by state police, some residents argue these efforts have led to racially biased policing rather than meaningful crime prevention.

As Saginaw faces a critical election, many look to the city council for decisive action and to the White House for broader support. While President Biden has directed funding to low-income areas, Clark fears that former President Trump’s return to office could jeopardize such programs, impacting communities like Saginaw most acutely.