Walking In Memphis!

My dearest friend, Cassandra Webster, sent me an invitation to participate in her "Forty Days of Gratitude Walk".  She did something similar last year, and I never responded "yes or no".  This time it really bothered me to ignore it.

I wanted a reason to not participate.  I thought--

•  I can't waste gas driving out to Germantown every morning on my retiree's salary.  
• I can't get up that early to drive way out there every day.  I'm retired.
• It's getting cold and the older I get my body is harder to warm up. 
•  I am out of shape. 

Then, I prayed and asked God to help me figure out why I no longer enjoyed walking.  When Ron and I moved to this area 28 years ago, I loved walking every morning around the neighborhood.  I walked and waved to neighbors reading the paper as they drank their coffee while sitting on their porches.  I walked and moved garbage cans for seniors from the sidewalk to the back fence, just for a random act of kindness.  I walked and smiled at schoolchildren at the bus stop.  I walked and prayed as I looked at our beautiful area full of trees and well landscaped yards.  

But, I stopped walking because now I step in poop of dogs that are left to run around without supervision. I stopped because young people that I did not know in my area were standing on the curb of the street making drug sells.  I stopped because only a few streets from me I learned of a prostitution ring and I did not want to be in the middle of someone driving away from an unannounced bust or sting.  I stopped because a man I knew of and his wife walked together every morning in another neighborhood, like we did, until a car came by to rob them and they killed him for little or nothing.  I stopped because I am scared to walk in this wonderful city that I grew up in and raised my children in.  I'm scared of being vulnerable to those who wish to prey on my joy of just walking and talking to God.

USA Today on October 5, 2013 reported "You might think that going to California, Texas or New York exposes you to a lot of crime. But in fact it was Tennessee that had the nation's highest violent crime rate last year. 

1. Tennessee

> Violent crimes per 100,000: 643.6

> Poverty rate: 17.9%

> Pct. of population with bachelor's degree or higher: 24.3%

> Property crimes per 100,000: 3,371.4 (10th highest)

Tennessee has the dubious distinction of having the worst violent crime rate in the country. The state was among the top 10 in the country for murders and robberies and was first for aggravated assaults, with an estimated 479.6 for every 100,000 residents. Tennessee's 41,550 violent crimes in 2012 were up 6.8% from 2011 but down 10% from 2007, when there were 46,380 violent crimes. There were 388 murders in the state in 2012, up for a second straight year. To be fair, Tennessee's violent streak is concentrated in some of the major metropolitan areas. Memphis's violent crime rate was the nation's fifth worst, while Nashville's was the 18th worst. Like many states with high violent crime, poverty in Tennessee is acute, and high school and college graduation rates are lower than most of the country. (USA Today)

I am really tired of the excuse that we count crime differently than the Feds.  Maybe, we should count it the same way.  And if we don't, I still don't see a decline in their stats from year to year.

As if that was not enough, the Commercial Appeal reported on a rash of robberies perpetrated on walkers in the Memphis and Shelby County area.  Immediately, I asked in a note to self,  what can I do to help conquer my fears?  That small still voice in my spirit said, "Walk."  Well, six days ago, I started my Forty Days of Gratitude Walk in my neighborhood.

Here are some strategies we can employ to help keep us safe.

1. Try to walk with someone, and let someone in your family know your walking plan. Stay away from underpopulated areas.
2. Hide your phone.  I used a fanny pack for my phone underneath my t-shirt.  In fact, I decided to take an extension, the old out of date phone is a second phone, stripped with identifying information, but has service. If it's taken, or lost I still have my pricey phone.Did you know that even a old phone that is not connected to service will dial 911?
3. Wear bright and reflective bold colors.  Even neighbors can spot you if you look as if you are in trouble.  NO JEWELRY, please.  And please don't wait until you park and place your purse in the trunk.  That's asking for trouble because somebody is watching.
4. If you sense someone following you. Don't go home but go to a neighbor's house with cars in the driveway or lights on. Know the opened businesses in the area of your walk plan.
5. Join a walking club at a safe location.  Walkers are in Southland Mall everyday or the Community Center.
6. Sorry, I walk with my husband and his golf club.  I don't recommend a gun, but, I understand.(smile)
7. Stay Alert!  The more alert you are while walking, the less you will be a target. That means, I do not recommend headphones or walking and talking on the phone.  You need to know if someone is coming upon you.
8. Write your name and address on an old pair of socks around the ankle.You can also have a business card inside your shoe. You can write your name, a contact number in case of an emergency on a piece of paper and place it in your pocket.
9. Stay a distance from parked cars or bushes.
10. Wear your door key and have it in your hand before you reach your door.

I'm facing my fears of crime in this city and I'll do what I can to support our police and leaders in this fight.  There are times, I may speak out because being passive is not working for this City, and state that we love.  These are things I can do while walking, but getting involved and holding officials accountable for providing a secure community I can do, too.  Like anything, else withing five or six years and the problem grows, rather than shrinks, I'll walk to find new leaders with new solutions. I don't want to be guilty of electing the same people and getting the same empty results.  I'll support those with proven results or new energy with new ideas.

So, Cassandra, here's your RSVP.  I'm walking in Memphis, with both my feet on the ground...

P.S.
While I've been walking I've noticed that my neighborhood is really in pretty good shape and there are just a few really troubling spots.  I also noticed that the street pavement job in my neighborhood a few years ago is awful and needs to be redone.  I trust that City Engineers are inspecting this work and before using this contractor again will assess the quality of the work that was performed.  That's the only way we hold them accountable for good work.  Best Bid speaks to price and quality. E'nuff said.