Women In Community Service Inc.

Citizens On Patrol Faces Challenges

Mar 22, 2000

As many of you may know, when a person or organization decides to "do good", it will often come against odds that will try to thwart its efforts.

This community formed it's Citizens On Patrol group several years ago and has had to endure many attacks from those who do not wish to have increased vigilance in Glen Lee. It seems that there are many suspicious persons in the world and not without good reason. We have come to realize that even some of our own United States government leaders have betrayed us and led us down "the primrose path" over and over. But to succumb to the negativism of our times and doubt every motive is to have become the victim of the naysayers and folded into a kind of introverted individualism whose creed is "All for me and none for all."

To those who sincerely believe that the end of the world is here and we must all shut out our neighbors far and wide, their end truly has come but it's by the doing of their own hands and hearts. Those folks have made their stand and I hope they have "counted the cost". Yes, we were all created as individuals, our very anatomy has us each confined to our own skin and equipped with our own brain and heart. The next truth is though, that we were also created to live in pairs and groups and communities. Our eyes and ears and mouths made for communicating and expressing. I respect their choice, regardless.

This article is directed to those who have less than vituous reasons for not wanting an extra set of eyes watching the neighborhood. We have had to endure accusations of harassing our neighbors and even engaging in illegal activity. In every instance we have prevailed and have been exonerated. Two years ago we welcomed an investigation by the Houston Police Department which had been instigated by our detractors and all accusations were determined unfounded and malicious.

It is of the utmost importance that we all remain accountable to those around us and if and when we are found to have trespassed against our neighbors, be eager to make things right. It can be disheartening though, to have someone come against you when you believe you are giving from your heart with the best of intentions. It then becomes necessary to understand that those who do so maliciously are most often a minority and more often have been "put up" to their nasty little deeds. We have been able to hang on to the the truth that "all things done in darkness, will be revealed".

So to all the "bad guys" out there. "Never luck next time!" To those who apreciate our efforts and whom we have dedicated to serve - "We will keep on keepin' on with your support."

WICS