Walking through our neighborhood this morning, I saw a flyer touting a new face for Chile's leadership. It felt distant and disconnected from what we're facing in our homes every night. But then I heard the news: José Antonio Kast is now Chile’s president-elect.

Imagine if someone who had ties to an era of dictatorship became your local mayor, with promises to make streets safer overnight. That's what many parents are feeling as they watch children head off to school this week.

Kast ran on a platform promising stability and law and order in the face of spiraling crime rates that have left Chileans scared and disheartened for years now. His rise to power, however, isn’t without controversy; critics highlight his connections to the Pinochet regime during its darkest hours when human rights violations were commonplace.

Parents like me are torn between hoping he can deliver on promises of security or fearing that history might repeat itself under a new guise. The streets we walk down every day feel less safe now, not more secure.

The challenge for Kast’s administration is enormous: to address the crime epidemic while also healing wounds from decades past and restoring faith in government institutions. In our neighborhood, hope for change has turned into a heavy weight on parents’ hearts as they watch over their children.

What kind of world are we leaving them? Every time I walk my dog past the local park where kids play soccer, all I can think is what if this new leadership fails to deliver?

The fear is real. It’s not just about crime; it’s about trust in our leaders to do what's right for future generations.

Parents everywhere need to stay vigilant and informed. We must hold our elected officials accountable, especially when they come with a past that many consider troubling.