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“Holy Gumdrops, Batman! We’ve been invaded!!” “ Au Contraire, Robin. We’ve just been negligent and the criminal thugs have been in our midst all along”.
When one looks at the criminality and it’s increase within the community of Oracle over the past year or so, one might surmise that all of the criminals that were run out of the fictitious megalopolis of Gotham City by the caped crusader and his devoted companion, ended up in the little town of Oracle, Az. For those residents of that tiny community who take the time to pay attention to the local crime reports (PC Shrf’s Ofc. Report), the jump of over 500% in just one week (last wk’s. stats) is inconceivable.
It wasn’t long ago, that a reporter for a local news media source, in an article authored by himself, made the statement that he wasn’t aware of the need for a neighborhood watch, inferring that the community didn’t have a crime problem. I responded in a subsequent article, that all one had to do was hang around one of the Circle K’s in town on a Friday afternoon and be witness to a myriad of illegal drug transactions that were taking place in plain view.
Since that time, as coordinator for the “Watch”, I now realize that the problem is far worse than I ever realized. Initially, I attributed the fact that having worked in law enf. for 30yrs. plus, that I was a little hyper-aware of the sordid behaviors/activities of the underworld of illegal drugs/criminals. But the statistics of the ever increasing criminality over the past year, involving drugs directly and indirectly (thefts, burglaries, crim. damage, etc.), erased that notion completely.
I then began began to look at how maybe the nationwide acceptance and attitudes of recreational marijuana and drugs in general, might be playing a role in what small communities across the country, might be experiencing. And to some degree, that may be one of the causative factors. However, when one compares the crime stats of the surrounding communities of San Manuel, Mammoth, Eagle Crest, etc., it becomes quite apparent that Oracle is an anomaly that is difficult to understand.
Conjecture might allude to the fact that because the town has a high percentage of retirement aged residents, and that as a rule, tend to not be involved in communal activities/politics and having a I don’t want to get involved attitude, especially where the drug abuse activities of their neighbors are concerned, could be one of the resulting factors.
Another variable that may be negatively affecting our community is the liberal attitude held by some of the Lassez Faire types who tend to ignore these activities thinking that as long as it doesn’t affect me personally, then it’s ok. However, as we have seen in recent history, this kind of thinking will eventually raise its ugly head and bite us hard. It was just about a year ago, that we had a young woman, kidnapped, raped and almost murdered, and it was later determined that illegal drugs was a mitigating factor.
And let us not forget that last month, a major Pot Growing Operation, square in the middle of town, where are families, children and businesses are located, was discovered. Fortunately, the neighborhood watch discovered and reported the criminal enterprise to the Shrf’s Ofc., who shut down and arrested the criminal involved. The implications of the size and audacity of its location, should be mind boggling to the average resident.
With the S.O. crime stats report of last week, showing the phenomenal increase in crime, we once again, see many who, reacting to the bad news, throw up their arms and start screaming where is our law enforcement and why aren’t they doing something? The same thing occurred after the aforementioned assault on the woman last year, as those who attended witnessed many residents complaining and demanding more protection from law enforcement.
Something that people need to realize is that law enforcement has and will always be a response-punishment (clean up) endeavor with some deterrent value but no matter the size or amount of personnel, it will never be the “silver bullet” to provide the sheep with protection. Sheepdogs can only do so much and if the community isn’t willing to assist them with information pertinent to the criminality of its situation, then the sheep will ultimately, pay the price. Evil men and women, will always be around and if they are determined and/or are impulsive enough to inflict their criminality on the weak, all of the law enforcement in the world will not prevent that from happening.
One only has to look across the ocean at a little country that has had evil on its borders and constantly attacking it on levels never seen in our country, to realize the truth of protecting its civilians. Israel is a nation of protectors, the Sheepdogs of society. Most have had minimal training, some extensive, in self defense and working with their law enforcement and it has had a major impact on its safety. Israel has one of the lowest crime rates, per capita, of any nation. When America, and more specifically, our towns and cities, realize this, and quit depending totally on law enforcement and govt., then we too, shall see improvement.
Ultimately, one must realize that what our community has succumbed to, is ambivalence. Apathy and self absorption in our daily lives have allowed illegal drugs and criminal behavior in general, to fester and grow to the point of it overwhelming our once quiet little town and unless we break the cycle, it will continue to plague us and eventually, take over completely. One only has to look South at Mexico to see what we may become with all of its drug cartels and corruption, permeated throughout the govt. and country.
There is no doubt that there are a few that will read this and cry foul at its implications and try to minimize and rationalize this hypothesis. Some of which, no doubt will be those that are themselves, involved in the criminality referred to.
Whether it be an occasional and recreational use of Pot, the use of prescription drugs or the Meth/Heroin that has permeated our nation, their attempts to justify and/or denigrate the conclusions of this will be evident. But, what one cannot deny, are the facts. The phenomenal increase in crime within the tiny community of Oracle is destroying us and if something isn’t done soon about the illegal drugs, Oracle will be able to compare itself to the likes of other drug cartel controlled places like Ciudad Juarez-El Paso, Tx., Tijuana, Brownsville-Matmoros, Tx., etc. where violence and degeneracy rule.
We residents of Oracle and members of the neighborhood watch, refuse to accept the inevitability of the insidious evil that portends our future if the current trends continue of apathy and ambivalence. Our families, friends and law abiding neighbors are too valuable to allow the criminal elements continue to operate with impunity.
It is at this time, we are announcing our new Community Policing Program that involves our working with like minded residents, businesses, schools and organizations, utilizing a well established and time proven strategy, to work hand-in-hand with law enforcement, to provide a safe and secure environment for our residents.
The Oracle Neighborhood Watch will be doing a cook out at the Oracle Park in the center of town (Nuestro and Bonita streets) on June 26, at 6:30pm to kick off its new program and is cordially inviting select members to attend. At that time, some of the specifics of our tactical approach will be discussed.
There is no charge and families/children are invited. Hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and drinks will be provided. Any additional guests, friends, etc. can attend upon request of those invited. Please RSVP as to how many will be attending so that we have plenty of food and drink.
For more information contact Ron Thompson, Coord./ONW at rockdog48@hotmail.com
520-975-3658.
PS. Members of the Pinal Co. Shrf’s Dept. and DPS are invited to attend/paricipate.
/s/ Ron Thompson
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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