Trouble in the hood

We've had multiple break-ins in the complex where I live. Part of it is management indifference, part of it is the construction site next door (which allows unfettered access to our property without the nuisance of a working fence or gate), and part of it is the same gang of people have figured out that we're a pretty easy mark.

Other parts? This neighborhood happens to be where the cool stuff is that criminals like to steal and sell, and the ol' economic meltdown is making people desperate all over, from the crackheads to the suburban couples over their heads in second and third mortgages.

But even the cops we've talked to have found the recent escalation pretty alarming. I mean, when the bad guys start stabbing dogs to death, then it's getting pretty damned serious. This was right across the courtyard from me. I saw the blue flashing police lights through my bedroom window, but didn't bother checking it out -- that's not such an unusual thing around these parts.

Anyway, the neighbors have been getting together and pressuring management to do more to secure things around here. I feel fairly good about my set-up and the measures I (and they) have taken since my place was hit back on the Ides of March '08, but I know there's more that should be done for the area in general.

One thing I've come to realize from all this is how disconnected I am from most of my neighbors. I'm totally out of the loop. When I'm in my apartment, I'm in it. When I'm leaving, I'm on my way to an appointment (and I don't build serendipitous chit-chat time into my schedule). And when I'm coming back, well, I've usually got stuff waiting for me to do inside.

In fact, the people who are really hooked in are the dog owners. They spend a lot of time in the courtyard meeting and chatting while their dogs run about. So I'm trying to network in the way I know best -- I've set up a message board for us.

I'm not TOO worried, but it's definitely on my mind. The other night my back door alarm went off. It could have been someone just accidentally bumping it, but that's never happened since I installed it and it kinda scared the bejeezus out of me.

But other than that, I feel safer in my home than I do out on the streets. Which seems to also be a bit of a problem lately.

Ah, well. Still wouldn't live anywhere else. Well, no other neighborhood, at least.