🚀 go-pugleaf

A few months ago, my wife thought she saw someone moving in the house next
door. She was certain the neighbor wasn't home, so I went over and knocked at
the door. We didn't know the guy real well; he writes software and pretty
much keeps to himself (like so many others in our town). Most people in this
neighborhood are renters like me and my wife. 

Anyway, he he WAS home and he answered the door. When I explained why I was
there, he sneered and said sarcastically, "Yeah, that neighborhood watch
stuff really works, huh?" I got the feeling like it was *me* who was
intruding, so I left quick. That was a few months ago, as I said. He's since
moved out and new, equally solitary people have moved in. I was ready to
chalk it up to renters being less engaged with their neighbors than owners.
Then:

Yesterday, I was talking to the head of a homeowner's association in a
neighboring town. He happened to be out knocking at doors promoting a
neighborhood watch meeting when I saw him. This guy is very knowledgable and
straight as an arrow. I asked how he was doing in his endeavor. He surprised
me by sighing and saying how he did this every year and out of 326 houses
belonging to his association, only 40 or so were interested in participating.


"The guy who lives over there," he said, pointing to a very nice home down
the street, "he's always says he'll be out of town when I organize one of
these things. But then I see his car coming and going on the day of the
meeting...I guess he's just not interested."

I couldn't believe it. These were home OWNERS, not renters, behaving just
like they didn't have any stake in taking care of their neighbors, thus
losing the unbeatable security of having caring neighbors around them! Geez.
People wonder why there's so much crime. They holler to have stricter laws
passed and more sever penalties. They complain loudly when they're
victimized. Yet when offered the opportunity to actually DO something about
it, they're too busy or too sophisticated or too something. 

Well, I'm here to tell you that it doesn't take a whole lot. I participated
at the last apartment complex I lived at. All it took was an active interest
in keeping your home and your neighbor's home inviolate. You didn't have to
like them or agree with their politics. You didn't have to be friends, even.
All that was require was to keep an eye out for each other. If that turned
into friendship, great. But mostly it didn't. I watched my neighbor's
apartment while she was out of town, and she looked after mine. Otherwise, we
didn't associate much. But I sure felt better knowing that she was there
while I wasn't, and I'll bet she felt the same way. 

I guess all that's left to say is that the next time you hear of a child
kidnapped or hurt by strangers; or someone's home violated by burglars; the
next time you get shivers down your spine wondering if it could happen to
you, think about participating in a neighborhood watch program. If nothing
else, it shows the authorities that the people who live there care about each
other, and, by extension, about themselves. You might be surprised at what a
difference it makes.

   
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