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Health & Fitness

Neighborhood Watches Combat Break-Ins

The problem, though, is that folks get interested for about a week, and then that is that.

Dear Readers:

It was a drizzly night, 1am. I am lying in bed reading. 

The phone next to me beeps (do phones ring anymore?) It is my neighbor calling asking me if I have seen or heard any strange noises outside.

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No, not exactly although just a few minutes before one of my cats came running through the house and hid under the bed. He went on to tell me that some guy had tried to break in the back door.

He accosted the man and wanted to know just what this is all about. The unkempt man said he wanted to know if this was the house for sale! My neighbor went to get his 9mm and his wife was busy calling 911. The man quickly ran off. 

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The police arrive and a search of the yard discover a pair of shoes and socks. The next day he asks other folks if they heard or saw anything. One person further down said yes he saw someone running through his yard but he did not want to "disturb" anyone at that hour. I don't think that 911 keeps regular hours (9-5) so I can't imagine what he was thinking. 

This brings up the "neighborhood watch" program that we have had here for years. Our police chief, Charles Sewell, told me that yes they do have pamphlets available at the station and I know we give them out at every public meeting.

The problem here is that folks get interested, for about a week, and then that is that. In our case my neighbor and I have our own watch system where we both have our phone numbers and we inform each other when we are going somewhere for any time and that if so and so in a Rolls Royce pulls up then they are ok. It seems to work out and we can both go places knowing that our neighbors are watching best they can. 

Here is the point: The PD cannot go to every house and check up unless you plan to be gone for long trips. Still an alert neighbor is really the best bet. It is also a good way to get to know your neighbor without being nosy. If you call 911 they are are there. We have a good dispatch system where whatever police jurisdiction is nearby they will be on the case.

As it turns out in our little drama, the PS police checked into this. They also noted that the dummy left his wallet with his shoes so they went to visit him. His folks said that he was a drunkard and yes that was likely something he would do.

I guess its alright to be a drunk but you really should stay at home. It is also dangerous should you manage to break into an armed household. At least this guy was not driving so that makes him a little bit less dangerous but the above sentence holds true.

When the new gun range opens, they have three new customers, me, my neighbor and his wife. I think that it will be a big success because folks are tired of drunks, thieves and such causing trouble. And, don't believe this nonsense about having a gun around is more dangerous then doing nothing.

That is simply not true according to stats and there are lots of folks resting easier having a gun around. They are not in the stats but they are plenty. I guess the guy down the street thinks that his neighbors will save them if something serious happens. Maybe we will, but at least call 911. 

Thanks for reading,

Thomas D. Bevirt

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