April 14, 2005
the 'hood
we love St. Elmo, but I'm pretty sure my mom doesnt. we feel relatively safe, and try not to worry about stuff like break-ins and various trouble, but it seems like there's always something coming up when the folks are around. most of it is just kids being loud, but this week we had a bit more excitement.
there was a stolen car chase or something (I never got the details) and we had the pleasure of watching the cops arrest the guy across the street. it was certainly the buzz of the block for a while, with kids coming and going (and then ultimately going away rather quickly when the cops apparently got tired of them).
then last night a neighborhood kid came yelling down the street, pursued by another much older kid with shouts and vague threats. the little kid made it to the neighbor's yard safely, and dave tried to check out why a 16-year-old would want to beat up an 8-year-old. the punk just did a lot of posturing and shouting about him not coming around there, so we all walked away shaking our heads, wondering why these kids think have to think they're so tough with their "territory." I must admit he was effective though, as I wont be letting my kids wander down that street until things change a bit.
it'd be nice if we were in a "safer" neighborhood, but we like being close to friends, and having a home we can afford. I guess we'll take solace in our fenced-in yard, and our watch-pup, and trust that God will protect us from harm as He sees fit (besides, I pity the thief who bothers to break down our door, as we really have little of value). when grandma worries, they remember that they had drug dealers upstairs when I was a baby, and my dad would get chased out of people's yards when he was a kid, so not much has really changed.
I dont think we're very good at it yet, but I hope we can live in this neighborhood with more love than fear. after all, "There is no fear in love."
Posted by bobw at April 14, 2005 05:00 PM
I yell that sorta stuff at the Stavens and Halvorson's ever time they walk past our house. Sometimes I yell at Joseph too in the office. Though I'm not sure that's about territory. I just like yelling at Joseph.
I saw that too. There was at least 8 cop cars at 53rd and TN. I watched a cop fly in reverse down 53rd and hit the telephone pole (the one on beulah at the intersection). He was trying to be cool and do a quick turn. The kids loved it.
At the last SEIL meeting, it was mentioned by the attending police officer that St. Elmo has the lowest crime rate in the city. Just a little fact to pass along.
(And we called the cops last night because of someone's music being WAY too loud for WAY too long.)
I grew up at 5107 Beulah and when we moved to 4106 St Elmo the noise changed from domestic violence to loud truck breaks. I have always felt safe in St. Elmo. Unlike some of my friends growing up there. I'm impressed the cops showed up. The neighbors that gave us so much grief might still be there at 5108 Beulah. There was a man welding a gun one Easter yelling, "dont say that about my mama!" The main thing our family made sure to do was lock the car and shut the gate. But our cars still got broken into. My only car that was stolen though was parked across the street from Covenant College back in 2000!
I didnt know you grew up exactly one block from us. there's still a little trouble on that block, but it seems to be getting better. and yes, having spent a little while on St. Elmo Ave, I'll never go back. TOO LOUD!
Bob- The excitment on your street last week was just a kid deciding to take a car for a joy ride.. They didn't chase him much, but of course he didn't exactly want to come in willingly. I am living downtown now, and my parents feel the same way about the neighborhood we are in too ( it is simular to St Elmo in activity) God put us here for a reason, and he will protect us according to his will. It doesn't mean i don't take safegaurds. i.e. i don't let the girls play outside without me there. But i don't spend my time worrying either....
"Safe" is an illusion, Bob. But you know that. Just be glad a car chase is rare enough to get the kids excited.
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