Before I continue with the story here, I want to say a couple things. First, I realize that my blogging activity has been rather inconsistent lately. There are many reasons for this, some having to do with what is going on here, and for other reasons as well. Since some of you might be wondering what has happened to me during these long intermissions, I want to state two things related to this. First, if something “bad” does happen to me, I am sure the many local bloggers that I know will hear of it and will report on it. So, unless you hear otherwise, you should just assume that I have not been shot by somebody. Also, although I hope this blog will eventually have served its purpose and no longer be necessary, I will not just let it fade away. When I make my last post, I will announce it as such, and give my final analysis on the situation here. So, in the absence of such a post, you should assume there is still more to come.
The second subject I want to cover concerns my frequent switching between posting about current events and posting about stories from the past. Initially, I only intended to tell the story in chronological order from the beginning . But things have often gotten too intense here at times not to blog about the present circumstances. Often, I have used this as a means of applying pressure against FWPD, to try and convince them to take stronger action here. I have said before that I am certain that someone within FWPD is getting wind of my blog. Whether they are reading it themselves, or some other reader is speaking to them about what I am saying, I am convinced that some of FWPD’s recent actions here are in direct response to the sentiments I have expressed on this blog.
As should be apparent to any regular reader by now, my feelings towards FWPD range from immense respect to utter contempt at times. Of course, the problems here are ultimately driven by those who commit the crimes, but it can not be denied that FWPD’s treatment of those criminals, as well as of law-abiding citizens, greatly exacerbates the problem at times. Although I do expect better than what FWPD has offered in the past in this regard, I do not expect perfection.
The members of FWPD will always make some mistakes, simply because they’re human. And in a high crime area such as my neighborhood, those mistakes will probably be greater than in other areas. Generally speaking, I consider myself to be an understanding and forgiving person, and if my treatment of FWPD here indicates otherwise, that is merely a reflection upon how great their transgressions have been at times. I do not want to nit-pick and constantly harp on FWPD. I really want nothing more than to sit back and let them do their job, as they have often requested of me.
For the time being, I am going to go back to retelling stories from the past. My lack of commentary on the current actions of FWPD should not be taken to indicate that they have achieved perfection, only that I feel their current actions are reasonably appropriate for the circumstances here. And while some of these past stories might seem very unflattering towards FWPD, keep in mind that this is the old FWPD I am talking about, the way things used to be.
Finally, some of you might be wondering why I still feel it is necessary to blog about the past, if I am reasonably content with the present situation. There are two reasons for this. First, during my twelve years here I have seen great fluctuations in both the drug dealing activities as well as the behavior of FWPD. In short, there is no reason to assume that today’s current situation will hold. There are still some important changes which need to be made before a long-term positive impact can be assured. Continuing this blog with stories of the past seems like a rational way to keep readers interested enough so that I will have somebody to hear me if things do turn worse again.
The second reason I’ll continue concerns something I have alluded to on this blog as well as my comments on other’s blogs, but which I have not clearly defined and explained. It is something that goes far beyond my particular circumstances, and it is something that I think most regular bloggers will feel some affinity towards when I do explain it. Although I am not going to cover this issue in depth at this time, as a prelude I would ask you to contemplate the following questions.
Why haven’t you heard of my story before you read it on my blog? Why were none of you aware that within a two block square of town there have been at least; three acts of arson; two murders (I’m certain the number on this is higher, but these are the only two I can recall at this time); a person who was doused with gasoline, set on fire, then stabbed in the head (And no, this is not one of the murders, because this guy actually survived); numerous rapes and robberies, and an unimaginable number of shootings? Why did you not realize that FWPD has allowed an open-air drug market to operate here for at least fifteen years ?
Well, I’ll just let those questions rumble about in your mind for a while. Feel free to give your own answers to these questions, and eventually I will give my own explanation. In the mean time, I’ve got a story to tell.
I enjoy your blog! Although, I have been in your neighborhood as a school worker, tutor, volunteer, church member and library patron, I realize that there are a number of individuals who do not go into that neighborhood for fear. However, there are a number of great people with big hearts who really want to work really hard, and would love to do something great. So my question is that how can average citizen get involved in your neighborhood and give it a boost?
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