NPK
Active member
I live in a middle-class suburb in Northern California, in a city with protective medical marijuana laws on the books. With the down economy, crime has become an increasing problem in my area. I was personally affected in late July when a ripper climbed over the locked gate/fence protecting my back yard and stole plants that I'd been growing organically from seed since April. Happened in broad daylight, too. (Moving is not an option because I own my house.)
I decided it was time to get involved, to get to know my neighbors a little better. I went to a neighborhood watch meeting yesterday evening, hosted by a woman down the street. The police liason for our area was there and spent about an hour talking about crime prevention. At one point she mentioned "drug activity in the area." She said that the neighborhood is attractive to marijuana growers precisely because of its understated, middle-class profile. "You wouldn't expect to find people like that here, but it's a lot more prevalent than you might think. In fact, there was a big bust recently, right over on [Name Of Street]." Said street is literally a stone's throw from my place. The house can't be more than a few hundred yards from mine. "He'd been growing there for years before he caught." How did it end for him? He had a stolen car in his garage with a GPS device, which police tracked to his location. Then the cop started talking about how indoor growers get caught. Nothing new there--stealing electricity and fires are the main culprits. She also pointed out that local growers try to "hide behind" their rights as medical growers.
It was incredibly unnerving to be one of the people they were talking about (minus the fires, hot vehicles, and stolen electricity). They'd never know by looking at me because I fit right in: I'm a white, middle-aged guy who looks more like a mid-level manager than a grower.
Still, it was time well spent. I came away with helpful information that'll help me protect my home and got better acquainted with folks on my street. I think being friendly and familiar with your neighbors is actually a plus in terms of security. I used to avoid them, but not now. I won't be having 'em over for barbecues, but exchanging a few friendly words on the street can only be a good thing in terms of not attracting negative attention. My neighbors are NOT the enemy--the shitheel who robbed me is. Still, that old saw applies: keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
It was definitely an interesting evening.
I decided it was time to get involved, to get to know my neighbors a little better. I went to a neighborhood watch meeting yesterday evening, hosted by a woman down the street. The police liason for our area was there and spent about an hour talking about crime prevention. At one point she mentioned "drug activity in the area." She said that the neighborhood is attractive to marijuana growers precisely because of its understated, middle-class profile. "You wouldn't expect to find people like that here, but it's a lot more prevalent than you might think. In fact, there was a big bust recently, right over on [Name Of Street]." Said street is literally a stone's throw from my place. The house can't be more than a few hundred yards from mine. "He'd been growing there for years before he caught." How did it end for him? He had a stolen car in his garage with a GPS device, which police tracked to his location. Then the cop started talking about how indoor growers get caught. Nothing new there--stealing electricity and fires are the main culprits. She also pointed out that local growers try to "hide behind" their rights as medical growers.
It was incredibly unnerving to be one of the people they were talking about (minus the fires, hot vehicles, and stolen electricity). They'd never know by looking at me because I fit right in: I'm a white, middle-aged guy who looks more like a mid-level manager than a grower.
Still, it was time well spent. I came away with helpful information that'll help me protect my home and got better acquainted with folks on my street. I think being friendly and familiar with your neighbors is actually a plus in terms of security. I used to avoid them, but not now. I won't be having 'em over for barbecues, but exchanging a few friendly words on the street can only be a good thing in terms of not attracting negative attention. My neighbors are NOT the enemy--the shitheel who robbed me is. Still, that old saw applies: keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
It was definitely an interesting evening.
