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How Long Will We Sit Back and Do Nothing
Have we really turned into a society where we no longer care? Are we truly only concerned about those things that affect our homes and nothing else? Could it be true that we no longer get sick to our stomachs when we hear about vicious murders, rapes, and children being molested? Are we really settling into a mind set that there is nothing that we, as individuals, can do as we watch our country slide into patterns of increased violence and victimization? I can only hope that this is not true, but we sure seem to be heading that way.
There is story after story about children being abused, raped, and killed by their own parents. Stories about our residents being assaulted in their own homes by home invasions and our children being attacked while at school. Then there are gangs spouting boastfully, and publicly, about how certain areas of our communities "belong to them." What are we doing? If this is not the time to speak up and be heard, then there will never be a time! We have become so complacent that we depend on our police officers and law enforcement to do everything. The truth is that law enforcement cannot do it on their on. In order to keep our streets safe, we must all be involved in this battle. Safety comes from all walks of life including law enforcement, civic and community groups, and especially our churches.
Every great army has many divisions when they prepare a battle plan. The soldiers are only part of it. We must prepare a battle plan whereby we not only fight the criminal element on the streets but we must formulate a plan that deals with proactive and reactive responses that will do just as much to alleviate the problems that now plague us. Programs that are aimed toward youth at risk, programs that assist our seniors and educate them against the many predators that have focused on them, and crime prevention programs for our home owners must be utilized. However, these programs require participation. I recently went to a homeowner's meeting in a large neighborhood that was concerned about gang activity. The concern was so great that 15 people actually attended the meeting. But, the first time one of these residents, who did not bother to come, sees a sign of gang activity close to their home, we will hear about how they are outraged.
We need to let our judges know that we are serious about people meeting the full extent of the law when they are convicted of crimes that are beyond any human reasoning. Criminals must realize that there are consequences for their actions and this will only be proven to them by example. Disrespect for laws and life is a tide that must be turned and second, third, and forth chances will do little to reverse this mentality.
The only problem with acting like an ostrich, with our heads planted firmly in the sand, is that once our heads are removed there is so much dirt in our eyes that it is too late to see what is going on right in front of them. We need to hold our heads high, clear of obstruction, and with our eyes open wide to protect our community from those who rely on our complacency. Then, and only then, will we see a difference. An ostrich is a mild animal until someone threatens it. We need to feel threatened. If we sit on our hands much longer and do nothing, the circulation begins to decrease and we risk the possibility of losing all feeling. Can we really afford that?
For further information, visit www.voice4victims.com
If you are interested in having Mr. Hall speak at your next club or group meeting, please email contact information to:
SHallBadgeNotes@aol.com
070204
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