To Be Afraid or Not To Be Afraid

I love living in Westwood. The architecture, the community, the location...If we have to live in the city and not on a several-acre spread, this is the place to be. Having said that, things are apparently not going well in our neighbourhood right now.

A few weeks ago, someone attempted to steal Morgan's car. They didn't succeed, but in the process they destroyed the steering column. It was an odd attempted-theft, because the radio, cds, parts under the hood, and even a few dollars in cash were left alone. We made a police report, and her car was undrivable for a couple of weeks because Phillip had to get the electrical damage and steering column sorted out.

We have a new neighbour across the street, who bought the foreclosed upon home back in April. I was chatting with them and learned they had all their plumbing stripped for the copper just before they closed on the house. So they can't move in until they get that finished.

Today, we found out our next-door neighbour had his garage burgled a couple of nights ago. Thing was, he woke up and heard them, and dismissed the noise as drunks walking down the sidewalk. He got up the next morning to find his garage partially open and a few things missing. I can't believe we didn't hear the ruckus, because we sleep with the upstairs windows open and his garage is so close to our house.

Just after we found this out today, another neighbour from a couple of doors down came down to chastise me for leaving my door open during the day. She hinted at some trouble the previous owner had, but did not get specific, so I don't really know what to think about that. I would be interested to find out what happened. She indicated that it was the reason the previous owner moved, but I also know the previous owner was just short of being upside down on her mortgage. And also, she and her kids had outgrown the house. So what the real story is, I don't know. I would love to find out, though.

I know my neighbour has a valid point...I shouldn't invite trouble, and I should be more careful. Plus, something that hadn't really occurred to me...the economic situation being what it is, people are more desperate and are taking bigger chances.

I am not much of a fear-monger. I have always felt safe here, mostly. I do take precautions like having Archie play out back rather than out front if I am not going to be outside with him. We lock up when we leave the house and at night. And if I have the door closed, it is usually locked, much like in the winter time, or in the summer when I run the air conditioning. I enjoy the light and fresh air the open door brings into the house. So do I huddle in my home like some sort of agoraphobic, hiding in my overly stuffy home behind my locked windows and doors waiting for it all to go away???

I think some sort of action is in order. I know not everyone believes in God or in destiny. I am a live and let live sort of gal when it comes to stuff like that. However, I believe in both God and destiny. I believe God places certain situations in my life to lead me into a direction, or a destiny I should be fulfilling.

I found a group on Facebook called Good Guy Loitering. It's where civic minded people in the community bring their coolers and lawn chairs and spend a few hours on Friday night just sitting on problem corners in Westwood. What a great concept! So there's these areas where there are reports of drug dealing, prostitution, or whatever. And regular folks like me get together and just sit on the sidewalk, corner or whatever's available. Just being present. Taking back their community. There's a loitering event next Friday and I am thinking of attending.

Also I am thinking of checking out the Citizens on Patrol in my community. I'm not sure about that yet, would need to find out more information. I don't want to do anything confrontational with would-be criminals because, well, frankly, I have a lot to live for right now!! But I feel I am being led to do something positive in my community in whatever capacity I can.

One of the things I love most about Westwood is how community-minded we are. There are so many apartment complexes and reasons that the community could've gone the way of Over-the-Rhine (our less-than-stellar community, among a few others) by now, but it's the residents who care who make Westwood a great place to live and raise a family.

Regardless, I do not want to sit here and be afraid in my own home, where I am supposed to feel safest. And despite the happenings of late, I still don't feel that way. But I feel I should be taking steps to take back my neighbourhood. Still, in light of what I've been hearing, I will be heeding my neighbour's warning. No more open, unlocked door during daylight hours. Sorry, criminals...go find someone else to burgle.