Sadly, it no longer appears to be safe to walk in Community Park near the swimming pool at night — unless perhaps one stays close to the lighted tennis courts. Sadly, a certain subset of homeless folks appears to have occupied the area under the defunct solar panels on a more permanent basis. This last weekend, one of them even pitched a tent.

My wife and I used to walk our dog in the direction of the library on Sunday evenings, but, sadly, no longer. In the past, we were often accosted by several snarling dogs that belonged to these folks. Sometimes they were tied up and sometimes not. The people themselves usually have been busy watching their laptop computers and a variety of other electronic paraphernalia that somehow they seem to own even in the worst of times.

Sadly, this last weekend, we actually had to dodge golf balls as one of them worked on his swing, hitting several at us as we walked by. Sadly, and perhaps inevitably, this last weekend we were assaulted by a pit bull barely able to be controlled by a couple of the lost youth of America who now seem to be communing with the folks who have set up camp there.

But, saddest of all is the response to the 911 call that resulted in being told, instead of offering to take a report, “Sorry, there’s not much we can do…” The response was akin to a call made a couple of years ago by our neighborhood complaining that certain homeless individuals living in the railroad tracks creek bed near the old tomato factory were regularly stealing things from us and were starting fires that burned the trees nearby. Again, we were told there was nothing that could be done.

Ah, there used to be a time I guess but, sadly, no more.

We’ll make the adjustment and no longer walk in that area of Community Park that’s unlit and now apparently becoming more unruly as time passes. And heads-up to other folks as well; sadly…

Rory Osborne
Davis

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