What do you propose? I guess we should be thankful for a mere Concern Troll after all the actual trolling on this topic, but please suggest something for discussion other than “it sucks”.

More cops? How many? For how long? What would satisfy you?

Me personally, I'm fine with the Fun Tower. It certainly shows they are taking the situation about as seriously as they can. I'm sure manpower and equipment are precious, so it seems unrealistic to ask for a cop on every corner indefinitely. The Tower installation shows that the cops want to make it clear that eyes are open.

Making those arrests so quickly and getting the tower installed are about as much as one could hope for, no?

I trust my government always to do the right and just thing without prejudice or discrimination based on socio-economic status.

I eagerly await the time when I find myself stopped on street-corner checkpoints and asked to present my identification–just to feel that extra bit of love–a love only possible when living in a surveillance / authoritarian society.

–Winston Smith

Keep these discussions informative, productive, and sane and please ignore the obviously extremist commentators.

I have also read of people urging individuals to defend themselves. If you just can’t go on living without your precious ipod, have at it… but in the real, logical world, possessions are not worth a life. If your life is threatened, it is your duty to bring the situation to a swift end… be it by running, screaming, or what have you but keep in mind that it is a very real possibility that you may suffer a fatal blow of some sort. Defend yourself if you must. Hold onto that thin thread that is life for as long as you can… in any way that you can.

Be safe, friends.

Personally, I am creeped out by the tower thing. I have read some of you referring to this action as “overkill”… I tend to agree but then again, I was not one of those who lost my senses over a slight increase of crime. Keep in mind that I am not bad-mouthing any of you who were so concerned about the events. You have full right to voice your concerns. But there are times where one must take into account that a high number of complaints will produce a grand display . This display may or may not be effective but is to quiet or slow the incoming complaints. Its the classic “See, we are doing our job” maneuver.

But at what cost?

How many of you have noticed the dramatic increase of vehicles being towed since the tower was brought in? Yeah, yeah yeah… the law is the law but should we expect the police to be present and rule crime with an iron fist, well, we have no room to complain.

I have also read of people urging individuals to defend themselves. If you just can’t go on living without your precious ipod, have at it… but in the real, logical world, possessions are not worth a life. If your life is threatened, it is your duty to bring the situation to a swift end… be it by running, screaming, or what have you but in no other instance should this be an option.

Not only do we need an effective neighborhood watch but we need to get the word out about any local self defense classes. We need to arm ourselves with practical detourents and/or weapons. Pepper spray, a key chain panic whistle, or a stun gun can be effective. (P.S. stun guns do not work like they do in the movies. Learn how to use it before you rely on it.) A camera phone can also be a great help in identifying an attacker. We need to alert any potential criminal that an official neighborhood watch does exist. Posting signs can do this well.

I could sit here all day long and preach about the things we need to do or have but really it all comes down to looking out for one another and traveling smart.

Now the gated community idea… If that is truly what you want, move to Arizona. Isolate yourself. Such a decision would have intense effects upon this neighborhood. Right now, we have a flourishing community. Should we surround ourselves out of fear and/or distaste for our extended neighbors, our neighborhood would surely fail.

On another note, I promise that should I ever run across an individual in need of my assistance in a dangerous situation, I will not hesitate to lend a hand. I’ve got your back, neighbor.

I’m sure roadkill has a ton of experience playing the Deer Hunter game in bars and he’s probably really wicked at that. Based on his experience shooting a little red light at a TV screen he probably considers himself an expert shot. Heck I’m willing to be that he’s got the high score at Barcade.

Dudes like roadkill need to give their collective heads a shake.