With all the cultural violence we are living through right now, sadly too often it is hard to truly feel safe.  Schools, libraries and churches are places we would expect to be safe.  One could argue that each of these places is even sacred.  But the pain and disconnection that is ripping through both individual people and our society as a whole has brought violence into all of these safe, sacred spaces.

Even when we suspect violence is to come, as those close to Nikolas Cruz, who killed 17 people at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida did, and as neighbors of Jeffrey Yao, who killed a woman and wounded a man at the Winchester Public Library in Winchester, Massachusetts reported and feared, the pathway to make a difference and stop potential violence is not clear.  People reported concerns about Cruz to appropriate authorities.  Nothing was done.  Neighbors feared Yao would kill someone.  Sure enough, he did.