Neighborhoods and Fighting Back

It would be easy enough to feel some sense of satisfaction at the news that people in Cincinnati have had enough of crime. Instead of the potential controversy of a police crackdown we have evidence of Joe and Sally Q. Public drawing the line at being attacked, robbed, and beaten (often for a few dollars) by an underclass that is caught up self-destructive, glorified thug culture.

What's incredibly sad is that the fighting back is too often an extension of the culture of death. Nine of the homicides this year may qualify as self-defense. Pulling a gun and killing an aggressor is the ultimate solution when you are faced with your own immediate extermination, but there should be no doubt that it takes an incredible toll on citizens who, after all, are usually not trained in law enforcement or the military. According to the article:

Even if they survive the encounter, they often face significant legal, financial and emotional costs.

"I still have nightmares," said Samson Aregawe, the deli owner from Winton Place who shot and killed a would-be robber last month.

Prosecutors cleared him of wrongdoing, but he's still coming to terms with taking a life.

"I'm really depressed," Aregawe said. "I cannot sleep."

The best defense is simpler. It involves knowing your neighbors, keeping the lights on, and simply walking down the street. I live in the city, next to a park, and I know the neighborhood. And for every Quavale Finnell there are ten kids who are just teenagers, trying to look tough, bragging in front of girls, and without enough parental supervision. These are the common characteristics of kids everywhere.

Once in the year we have lived here there were a couple of kids smoking weed in the park around dusk. (And if you think that doesn't happen in Westchester or Mason, you're embarrassingly naive.) One of my neighbors didn't hesitate to walk up to these kids and tell them to leave or he was going to call the cops. He didn't stay in his house in fear, nor did he pull out a gun. And he certainly didn't bother to call the cops - he just told them to get lost, or else.

There are times when that isn't enough, of course. Hardcore criminals who have been the system over and over have little to lose, and they're going to use force and fear to get what they want from any easy target. There is no choice but to use the police or even lethal self defense in those situations. And the word is out that the tide may have turned, and the next time these criminals without a conscience try to prey on innocent criminals they may end up getting hit right back.

Tags: Cincinnati, Crime, Police, Self Defense