The next morning, Dennis pulled up video from our newly installed outside camera system. This is what we saw: Prowler Guy backing into our driveway with his truck, sitting for a bit, opening truck door and sitting for a bit more, standing outside his truck awhile, walking over towards our shop and looking around, then he walked to the front of the house and knocked on our front door, as he leaves, he continues scanning everything he walks by from plants to garden gee-gaws. Now, I know we have a lovely yard, but what the heck are you planning Prowler Guy?
The neighborhood we live in is not a crime area, but in the last few years there have been more incidents of stolen mail as well as a few break-ins⎯thus the installation of our secure mailbox and a camera system. Yesterday, I grabbed my anger by the balls and did something about it. With thirty copies of Prowler Guy and his truck, I canvassed the neighborhood. No easy feat as this hillside has four dead ends and everyone has five or more acres. It turned out to be a rather interesting and amazing day. I met people in other cul-de-sacs I have never met before. We talked about the incident, we exchanged phone numbers and I heard various stories about this and that. Yesterday, this neighborhood became just a little bit smaller, while we close ranks and protect what is ours.
When the sheriff’s office opens tomorrow morning, they, too, will have a picture of Prowler Guy. My neighbors will be posting Prowler Guy’s picture on their front doors as if to say,
“We know what you look like, what you drive and your license number. Are you really sure you want to be in this neighborhood?"I know this was a wake-up call and we are snapping to attention. This is not something I intend to be fearful about, and I won’t take this lying down. Being proactive helps me maintain a sense of balance and allows me whatever control one can have in a situation like this. Done and done!
Good things come out of potentially bad things and I will not forget the day I met the entire neighborhood. Now when I head out for a run, I won’t just be waving at the people who live in the area, I will be waving at my new friends as we look out for one another.
