Fertilization One

The injection of angst to this process arrived in my neighborhood with the return of the accused felons who live two houses down. In the past 15 months or so, the adults had their children taken away, thank goodness to relatives (Child protection could do nothing despite repeated calls on neglect, drug use and...), had two dead bodies on their property, both dead from overdoses, been allegedly caught purchasing drugs for resale from undercover narcs, been accused of first degree, now third degree murder, are out on bail, finally sold their house, and are still here taking trailer loads of junk from the house. The last body, which we assumed stimulated the police to action was found just under the bedroom window of another neighbor's 5 year son.

OK so there are worse scenarios in everyone's lives. Our community is truly a "middle class family community." Well integrated with race, religion, outlooks on life etc. No surprise that there are drugs here as less than fifty percent of all drug users are found in the inner city.

What bugs me is the several years before the deaths of the two individuals, and the weeks after the second individual was found when the police department seemed to do nothing to protect our neighborhood. Only two dead bodies in ten months was nothing compared to the numbers in rougher neighborhoods. Do I personally care about the other neighborhoods, of course. What is the solution?

We have tried harsh punishments. Poor criminals. We have tried rehabilitation. Poor society. We have tried a legal system with integrity. It is as long as you view equality based upon power (either money or political.)

I guess we just live doing the best we can with the hand dealt us and watch as accused murderers are allowed back into the neighborhood, when they have already sold their home by caring new owners. The new owners obviously did not witness the rotting teeth of the elementary aged children that used to live there or the three quarter naked 28 year old women under the window of their new 5 year old neighbor.

You have an answer let me know. Our community ethos, our legal system, and our politicians have not come up with one yet.

Form one: How can we create a community ethos that allows people to live in a safe, free, and caring environment... oops maybe I should call this Eden and we should spit out that darn apple.