New Jersey Hates Children

terribly early in the morning on Friday, the 24th of August 2007 by Chad

N.J. town’s residents boo group homes for children

CHERRY HILL, N.J. â€“ Two group homes for children with emotional and behavioral problems will likely not come to Cherry Hill because public opposition to them is so intense.
An overflow crowd of more than 350 people filled the township council room Thursday and nearly all made it clear they were dead set against the homes coming into the Brookfield and Cherry Hill Estates neighborhoods.
People shouted, “Not in my backyard.”
Others shouted, “Send the kids to Mars.”
Some suggested putting them on a farm in an isolated area.
State legislators and officials from the New Jersey Department of Children and Families who were in attendance to answer people’s questions said it was clear the children would not be welcomed into the neighborhoods.
“In my 12 years of government this is the ugliest public meeting I have ever been at,” said Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald, D-Camden. “It’s the saddest meeting I have ever seen.”

Yeah, that’s pretty damn pathetic. None of the children would be sex offenders or convicted of crimes. They’d be supervised 24×7. They’re in group homes because they’ve been abused and neglected, and need training, support, and therapy so they can move on with their lives. And now residents of Cherry Hill would probably be happy enough having them put down like stray animals.

Would anyone notice or care if Cherry Hill was wiped off the face of the map along with all its residents?