Just as an FYI, any time you see someone soliciting in the neighborhood that you aren't 100% certain is legitimate, it's good to call 911 to have them checked out, according to our neighborhood police officer. But please also post to the list, with as much detail as possible about both appearance and behavior, as it's very helpful when they return the following day to try a different story one street over!

I understand Bridgette's reaction, because of course we all know that young black men face undue suspicion in their everyday lives, and I think Keith has done  a nice job of explaining why he was uneasy with the man who appeared on his doorstep. White, black, and brown folks have all been caught breaking into homes in this area, and the economy is drawing more people to illicit means of making ends meet, so anyone unfamiliar should be looked at carefully.

Remember that about half of the folks at our community watch meeting last summer had experienced a break-in during the time they've lived in our neighborhood, myself included. When you've had a cab driver stabbed to death in front of a house on your block, and two people walking through the neighborhood shoot a man in his car a few streets over, it's both natural and wise to be wary of strangers knocking on your door even a few years later. (But the relative rarity of such incidents today is a great indicator of how much better the area has become since we formed the neighborhood watch!)

What all of this says to me is that we must continue reaching out to get to know everyone in the community by face, if not by name. When we have more confidence in our ability to recognize who is out of place--and we easily recognize others as a particular neighbor's adult child or family friend or cousin--we are all safer. Events like the recent post-tornado block party also go a long way toward building a strong community. (I know that where I grew up, plenty of people got into trouble, but they went outside their own neighborhoods to do it, because it was too easy for someone to call your grandmother or otherwise identify you! Likewise, when people from outside the community see that neighbors here introduce themselves to unfamiliar faces and ask where you live, etc., they tend to choose a different area to target for crimes.)

By the way, would anyone like to volunteer themselves (or their neighbor) to take over the leadership duties for our Neighborhood Watch? I've had a hard time getting meetings scheduled since going back to work full time, and if someone else can do more, I'd be glad to hand over the reigns! Contact me off-list and I can share more about what's involved.

Your friendly (albeit neglectful) neighborhood watch captain,
Rebecca



On Wed, May 30, 2012 at 12:38 AM, Keith Emrick <keith.emrick@gmail.com> wrote:

A couple things:

After the tornado we were SWAMPED with solicitors who wouldn't leave our property. It left a bad taste.

Canvassing is fine. I've conversed with many in the past who were obviously official.

No badge, no clipboard, nothing to identify any purpose.

Possibly under the influence of drugs, wasn't walking straight and looked completely out of it.

A 115 lbs dog going bezerk didn't deter him. He stayed on our porch for minutes before leaving eventually but still looking back every few steps

He didn't go next door. He knocked on our door and disappeared.

I felt these actions to be suspicious.
Would I prefer the person not to not have been a tall black guy? Yeah that would save me a lot of grief. Next time I'll just call 911 and skip the racist accusations.

Thanks.

On May 30, 2012 12:20 AM, "Bridgette Burge" <bridgetteburge@gmail.com> wrote:
How many emails about unknown white folks going about business in our neighborhood do we post?
 
Bridgette

On Wed, May 30, 2012 at 12:15 AM, Julia H <juliakhenderson@gmail.com> wrote:

How interesting that you take that interpretation; here I was thinking visual descriptors would help in identifying anyone unknown going about business in the neighborhood, but what do I know?

Julia

On May 29, 2012 11:59 PM, "Bridgette Burge" <bridgetteburge@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello neighbors,
 
Why is it frightening for a tall Black man to knock on someone's door?
 
In the past, I've been a volunteer canvasser going door to door for a variety of causes. I think it's fabulous when people answer the door and dialogue for a minute or two about an issue. I've also quickly told knockers that I'm not interested in whatever it is they wish to talk about, ask for, or sell.
 
People chosing to do what makes them feel safe is important. But, it concerns me that a good number of our emails are about people of color deemed suspect - because they are people of color. In my mind, that is very different than witnessing a wrongdoing and describing what one sees.
 
Bridgette
1116 Culpepper Lane
 
 
 


 
On Tue, May 29, 2012 at 10:50 PM, <jvinson@nc.rr.com> wrote:
I don't open the door for anybody I don't know.
JV
---- Keith Emrick <keith.emrick@gmail.com> wrote:
> Anybody else have a knock on the door this early evening from a tall black
> man in blue jeans, plain white shirt and white shoes on? If I don't know
> you, I don't answer the door so I don't know what this guy wanted. He
> wasn't scared away by our massive dog trying to get him through the window.
> He stayed on the porch for a while and eventually walked away north on
> Marlborough while looking back. Anyone else?

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--
Bridgette Burge
 
 


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--
Bridgette Burge
 
 


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