There’s a lot of good news in Valley Stream, too

I’ve heard complaints about Valley Stream. Jokes. Accusations. But I’ve also heard rebuttal, and in a lot of cases, pride. It’s easy to complain about problems here, especially after a crime. But I know more people that agree our reputation is what’s negative, not our community.

The home invasion on Dana Avenue last Monday brought a bad spotlight to Valley Stream. Incidents like this, awful as they are, do happen everywhere and it’s a sad thing they get more media coverage than good events. If the news is tipped towards the cynical, it’s no wonder that people have a skewed perception.

One thing that is noteworthy in the Jan. 19 Herald article about the home invasion were the positive comments directed toward the responding officers, who were both courageous and an integral part in the incident not escalating into something worse. There was also mention of the support of school psychologists and social workers who were offering help for anyone affected.

This is what we need to see more of. Bad things garner interest and they always will. But if local politicians and organizations used this escalated coverage, the story could spin another way. It wouldn’t be exploiting a crime, but rather turning attention to the positives — like people banding together — and maybe getting preconceived notions out of people’s minds.

Taking action right away is integral, because that’s when it’s fresh in people’s minds and they’re ready to do something about it. Already, one community organization, Envision Valley Stream, is gaining increased interest for upcoming meetings. For me, witnessing the open discussions at the meetings shows all the positives in our town and the potential we can strive toward. If we encapsulate this attitude of involvement, we can showcase that we are more than what’s said about us.

We can all find something wrong with our country, town or even our street. But why waste time complaining? We would be playing into the notions of everyone who’s ever said a bad thing about Valley Stream. We need to make our own opinions, and if we’re lucky, change theirs.

Maybe a bad event can do more than spark debate — it can be a catalyst for people to take action. Nothing is going to be solved overnight, but thankfully, it doesn’t have to be. Even one step forward can get us moving in the right direction and before we know it, we’ll be on the news more often for our achievements instead of our conflicts.

The Herald is seeking contributions from Valley Stream residents on local issues for our Valley Stream Voices column. Contact editor Andrew Hackmack with your ideas at (516) 569-4000 ext. 265 or ahackmack@liherald.com.