Remember When

By Roger Hypes

the only crime(s) when you were growing up was pretty much petty things.  What made me to think about this was one evening this week, I received a call (later discovered it was an “all call”) from the town of Locust.  The first call I could not find the ‘flash’ button.  A few minutes later; the “all call” came through from our mayor – Scott Efird.  Our mayor gave cautionary message concerning break-ins, vandalism, etc.  It was a lengthy message but the mayor wanted all the residents to be diligent and maintain a watchful eye on not only their own residence but their neighbors’ properties as well.

            I remember when, growing up, the crimes seemed to be in localized areas of town.  One such place was called “cabbage patch.”  There were several acres of cabbage planted, but it was also known to have some houses that moonshine or “bootleg” alcohol could be acquired.  There was another such area in town on the “west” side (also known as the worst side) of town.  Just at the edge of the city limits was an area called “back track.”  Bootleg and moonshine was also available once you crossed the tracks and headed down toward the river.

            Both of the aforementioned areas were known for those that wanted that type activity.  Most “customers” would go but not linger.  A few customers might go in the house(s), and drinking and card-playing may lead to “rowdy” behavior.  There could also be some of the customers that would walk to these areas of town.  If one had too many drinks, they may stagger and stumble which brought “unwanted” attention to them.  When that happened, the local police would deal with the drunk and maybe disorderly.

            These same areas may have an extra wild time on Saturday nights.  Sometimes, because of the extra wild time, a scuffle or fight could break out.  Most of the time; it just involved somebody getting beat up.  Knives and guns were present but most people resorted to the fist fights.

            I remember when you might hear of someone ‘stealing’ chickens from the chicken coop.  The ironic thing about this would be: if the person needed the food or even some money, the victim(s) for the most part, would give the person anything that they needed.

            Back to the “all call” that our mayor did to the citizens of Locust: everyone works hard to have what little they have and the ability to live in a country where we enjoy so many freedoms, yet, there are a few that would steal that away from us is inexcusable.   Whether it is meanness or drug involvement, I am afraid that someone will get hurt.  We work hard for what we do have and we want to be able to enjoy our homes and our families.  The mayor gave some good reminders and advice about protecting what we have.  Locks, lights and awareness can become a great deterrent to criminal activity and removes the “opportunities” for those that wish to take what is not theirs.  Advice for the day: clean your ears clean your eyes and report anything and anybody that does not belong in your space!  Cabbage patches, back tracks, and chicken coops should serve as a reminder crime has a place and there are places for the criminals when caught.     

Roger 

  “hoose gal”