This Is Too Dang Close...!

I know at some point in time, we have all said " it could never happen to me " or "It would never happen in my neighborhood", right?

Well, my friends, it can, indeed, and in my case...it did! Picture this, if you can!

It's 9:00 P.M. and is rather dark on the street. Suddenly, the door bell rings. An older woman, in her 80's and living alone, goes to the front door. "Who is it?" she calls. A male voice answers and says something that she can't understand, but sounds like "security check".

"Well, what do you want?' she asked. Again, the male voice answers in a barely audible voice something she can't understand. Can you see where the obvious dangers are, what could be a very deadly occurrence if she opened the front door?

This happened to my Mother Tuesday night, and lucky for all involved, she did NOT open the front door. Instead, she called me. I live right behind my Mother's house.

I went to her house, going in the back door where she quickly explained what had happened. I immediately went outside, but there was no one there. No strange cars were parked on the street, which meant that whoever it was, was probably on foot!

Many older women live alone on this street, and I instructed her that I thought she should call the police and let them know what had happened. Too many attacks lately on elderly women living alone in this cesspool of a city occurring recently to ignore.

I stayed outside until a police car came by, about 20 minutes after being called. I spoke to the officer and explained what had happened. He agreed that we had done the right thing by calling and assured me that he would pass on the information to his fellow officers in the area and that patrols would be beefed up nightly.

There are some important lessons to be learned here. Not only learned, but practiced!

1. Porch lights and security lights only work if they are turned on!

2. The neighbor's dog barking loudly and in a furious way should never be ignored!

3. Emergency phone numbers for all county offices, including the sheriff, should be close at hand or memorized!

4. Never hesitate to call law enforcement. It's your taxes that pay their salary!

5. Be aware of any strangers walking in your neighborhood at night, or strange cars cruising or parked in the day time. Know who belongs and who doesn't!

6. Probably the most important one...NEVER open the door to a stranger, regardless of who they say they are! Again, never open the door to a stranger...NEVER!

Fortunately, everything turned out fine this time for us. It could have been very different! Just remember, it can happen in your neighborhood. It can happen at your house, your Mother's house...anywhere! Anytime! Please, PLEASE...be careful!

Now, my friends, let's get some coffee and sit in the kitchen for a bit! Rain outside, I'm afraid!