My neighbors Parker and Patty are always telling me how proud they are to be a part of Port O Connor, Texas. They say it is a great community and so friendly.
Tuesday night they took the grands to the POC Night Out. What fun. They had food, activities, special guests and some tours of the rescue boat, ambulance and fire truck. The kids really enjoyed it. Leon and Kathryn Brown really did a good job of organizing this event. There is a national Night out against Crime in August, but the state of Texas waits until October to schedule and observe this night. If you are a Texan, you know why. It is still too hot in August, and school often hasn’t started yet. But on cool and clear October evenings, Texans everywhere gather on their porches and patios, driveways and cul de sacs, in parks and community centers to stand up against crime and stand out against indifference. The biggest reason community crime and vandalism occurs is the apathy and indifference about what happens in our neighborhoods. Many of us have become too busy and too disconnected to even know our neighbors much less care about what is happening in their garage or storage building. We need to rebuild those connections and grow that true sense of community that says ‘I am safe because you are safe, When I respect you I respect myself, and In protecting and standing up for others I myself am protected.’ A sense of community brings a sense of safety.
Still, POC is small and we know lots of our neighbors. We have a pretty safe community. But, some random crime still happens. So Parker and Patty wanted to know how to stop the random crime here. Things like break ins and thefts and drug sales have occurred some lately. So, Patty and Parker asked the Night Out Participants how to stand against crime. Patty met a watch member at the Night Out, and this wise community volunteer shared that those who have ‘stuff’ around their home are insulated from random crimes. Those porch swings, dirty ice chests and children’s toys that we did not quite get washed and moved and stored away are signs of life and say someone is busy living here. So, weekenders and part timers need stuff, maybe just a little junk, left near and around their homes. Empty looking homes are a target.
A sheriff patrol told Parker that calls to the Sheriff’s office are often key to tracking who did what, when, and where each time sheriff’s team investigates reported crimes. This dedicated patrolman said he would rather have a dozen reports of minor concern to check out than no reports at all because sometimes those concerned citizens that call in and speak up lay a groundwork of facts and information that make it possible to stop and even legally prosecute those who commit the not so minor crimes. So, the officer encouraged Parker to call and report what doesn’t feel right in his neighborhood.
And one victim of one of those random break-ins in our community last year proudly told Parker and Patty that they now are full-timers in POC and one of the reasons is because not one, not two, but five different neighbors nearby called, texted, emailed and checked in when they noticed damage to their then weekend home. They had taken the time to meet and trade contact info with those in their neighborhood, so when their door was open but no cars home, they got the calls and felt the concern. Then they knew that their neighborhood cared and would make a great retirement spot when they were ready. These victims-no-more encouraged Parker and Patty to plan a block party, send cards, take a walk, do something to know each and every neighbor, trade contact information and then use it if and when you notice anything that doesn’t seem right. You never know what a difference you might make.
So, Parker and Patty learned quite a lot at the Night Out Against Crime. They said it was to raise crime prevention awareness, increase support of POC Watch, and build community cooperation. Boy did it do that! The sheriff and his crew were there, our Coast Guard, EMS and VFD helped, neighborhood watch members recruited new volunteers, and many made connections with neighbors and friends they had not met before. Still, it just might be that the connections made count the most. One chord alone is easily broken, but a three strand chord is stronger and can do more. How many strands do you have connected in the chord that makes up the neighborhood network where you live? Parker and Patty are adding new chords to their safety rope this week, all thanks to the POC Night Out Against Crime.
