I recently heard about the shooting at 144th and Blondo at the Mega Saver, and honestly it shocked me. That corner is not just some random place to me. I grew up right there. My parents' house is in the neighborhood next to that Mega Saver, and I used to go there all the time before school and after school. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon reality for many people all around Omaha. And now, due to a lack of safety planning, a family’s life has been changed forever. 

What makes this hit even harder is that so many of us in Omaha know these places as part of our everyday routine. We stop there on the way to work, after school, on lunch breaks, or when we need something quick. Nobody should have to wonder whether a basic stop at a neighborhood store could turn into violence. Even when no one dies, injuries, trauma, and fear stay with a community long after the news cycle moves on.

That is why I am asking Omaha convenience store owners and managers, especially at high-traffic locations, to strengthen parking lot and entryway safety. Stores should have working cameras, clear lighting, visible staff presence, and a real plan for responding when arguments start escalating inside or outside the business. If these businesses serve our neighborhoods every day, they also need to take reasonable steps to help keep those neighborhoods safe.

If you live in Omaha and you are tired of acting like this is just normal, please sign. If you have ever gone to a store like this before work, after school, or late at night, this affects you too. We deserve neighborhoods where familiar places still feel safe.