My neighborhood has been experiencing an increase in drug and gun violence recently which not only frustrates me, but leaves me feeling powerless at times.
Be a nosy neighbor – it matters!
But, as typically happens, when I feel the most powerless, something happens that makes me realize perseverance is the key.
I recently received a call from a woman who was concerned about her elderly neighbor. When I first took the call I wanted to politely tell her I wasn’t the person she should be calling.
I did ask if she had called Adult Protective Services and had she called the Marion Police Department. She replied she had called both and still had concerns.
So, I offered to also make phone calls and I did. Now, this is not about what I did, but a lesson on the importance of being a nosy neighbor, because it matters.
A few hours later Marion Police Chief Angie Haley called me to let me know the elderly woman was in need and had been transported by ambulance to the hospital and that an investigation in to the woman’s care was happening. (Thanks to Marion Police Officer Gary Henderson for his persistence at the neighbor’s house)
Had her neighbor not kept calling, what might have been the lady’s outcome?
In today’s busy world we sometimes get caught up in our own lives and don’t take the time to see how others around us are living and coping.
So, I challenge each of you to take the moment to look outside your door and walk down the sidewalk and say hello to your neighbor.
And, if you hear what you think is gun shots, call the police. If you see what you think is drug activity, call the JEAN Team at 664-0019 or email JEAN Team members at: jeanteamdtf@gmail.com.
The key to stopping the problems in Marion and Grant County is getting involved. (I will also encourage if you call the JEAN Team or email them, be specific with what you are seeing. Tell them what time the drug activity is taking place, give a description of the vehicles involved, license plates etc.)
I am not saying it is easy. It is much easier to stay comfortable in our homes -behind closed doors. But as the lady who called me about her neighbor reminded me, doing nothing is not acceptable.
I for one, plan to retire in the home my husband and I are raising our three children in, and having drug activity and gun fire is not part of my plans for my neighborhood or my community – please don’t let it be part of yours either.
