In Cahoots

September 10, 2013

I am inviting a pastor, Park and Rec representative, two school teachers, a corner market owner, the manager at Icy Cup and whomever else is interested in sorting out a solution to the increase in criminal activity in our neighborhood. One fellow Block Club member sent out the app for the police dispatcher so we can hear the incoming calls to the police station. How calming, after a day at the kennels, to overhear a conversation regarding a narcotics bust on MY block! A website was passed along to the group, allowing us to see all of the crimes of the area, week-by-week…wow, another serene night spent wondering when the drug-induced thieving dudes are coming to my house. I deleted everything from my phone. Would rather watch a horror film (and I hate them!) than live in that kind of anticipatory fear.

I got home too late to canter around the neighborhood in the daylight. We passed by a woman walking next to her daughter, riding her bike on the sidewalk. A young man, out smoking, enticed me into a conversation about Tyrus’ breed. A young couple, who responded to my “Hello” and several people, strolling by, on their own, looking entirely ready to break into song rather than jump me for the dog poop bag I carried. Ty is rarely on a leash so I typically cross to the other side to avoid scaring the crap out of people. He is big and has an extra large head and jaw line, which can be intimidating. I let people know, as long as I am not threatened, he won’t hurt them. I am actually not certain my dog would do anything, to anyone, but I don’t let on.