Two recent home invasion-type crimes, the murder of a prostitute, and drug dealing on every corner have gotten the natives riled up again. My neighbor and I have revived the neighborhood assocation. The first meeting after the murder was well-attended. I knew that it would be entirely taken up with horror stories of panhandling, urinators, drug deals, prostitutes and petty theft, and so, although I helped plan the meeting (even designed a catchy flyer: Interested in SAFETY IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD? [duh]), pleaded an inability to sympathize & skipped it.

My neigbhor reports that during the bitch session, three attendees revealed that they were carrying concealed weapons. Yes, even into the fellowship hall. One man came to say he was getting out and that he wanted to tell everyone else to move out of downtown, too! Um, you won’t be joining our group, I suppose, sir?

Still, we’re going to try all over again to get organized & get some action. I’m not sure if we’ll have better luck this time, but at least I don’t feel like I’m trying to do it alone. Next meeting, we’re taking back the floor, at least. It may be the only thing we can control.