Night out

This week is the 24th National Night Out, when across the country citizens make a point of showing criminals that we will not live in fear, will not surrender the streets to the bad guys. It is somewhat concerning that on the street where the event is to be held, there have been two violent crimes against African American youths in the past months. The protest is in the very heart of need here in Temple City. I meet with the District Attorney’s office a couple of times a month and the Deputy DAs I talk to work in the Elder Abuse Crimes Section. The older folks that seem to become victims of crime are not walking late at night and getting caught up in inter-racial violence, they are often sitting home when someone comes to offer repairs and ends up working a confidence scheme. I absolutely encourage the Older Adults in the community to attend on Tuesday night and take a stand against crime. I encourage younger folks to offer to take an elderly neighbor to the park for a hot dog and movie. Leave your porch lights on as a sign of solidarity. But keep in mind; the battle is in guarding against someone new wanting to do too much, asking for your checkbook, talking about power of attorney. Becoming like a son or daughter too quickly. A healthy older adult learns to shift attachment often because the longer you live, the more times you have to make new friends. A healthy older adult also knows that protecting your estate and property is a job for professionals, not the guy who mows the lawn.