Perceptions on life in Denver's revitalized Cole Neighborhood, as written by a new-ish resident and homeowner. NOT AFFILIATED IN ANY WAY WITH THE COLE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Dang. I don't want to be a jerk here, but I think justified. Now, from what I heard, this kid didn't actually break in - he was attempting to. So, on the one hand, I won't be surprised if this does NOT fall under the 'Make My Day' law, but on the other hand, I would sure feel bad for the homeowner if it did not.
I hate to belittle the significance of this kids death, because loss of life is tragic. BUT (here's where I'm a jerk again), maybe this will make people think twice. Maybe this sends a message that says, if you try to break into my home, I WILL fight back, and I will not HESITATE to defend myself and my family. GET IT, PUNKS?!?!
My neighbor across the street has lived there all her life. House has been in her family for years. This is what she said to me:
"God help me, but I do not feel bad. He should not have been out all hours of the morning breakin' in to people's houses. If my old, crippled ass can go out and find a job, then YOU CAN TOO."
Thanks for posting, Aurora. I'm trying to compose my feelings on this before I post myself. Though I've already gotten a "just offensive" vote for just posting the video. Perhaps that is anticipating what I'm going to say :)
I just moved into a house two blocks south of where this happened, and my feelings are mixed .
No matter what, it is a tragedy when one person takes another's life. Especially someone as young as this. What could this young man have been under different circumstances? What could he have done to change his life in the future, even under the same circumstances? Sadly, we will never know and his family and friends (yes, even his co-conspirators in the burglary)will have to deal with his loss for the rest of their lives.
That said, as a (new) member of this community, I have to admit a sense of relief.
No one has the right to take what I have earned for myself or threaten me. If you do take part in a home-invasion crime, on some level you must be prepared for possible consequences. That is the law of the streets. You can try to rob me or hurt me, but I will do my very best to stop you.
I hope this sends a strong message to criminals operating in this area. Not just in the sense of "don't bring trouble to Gaylord street," but in the sense that maybe some of these young people will be forced to take a look at their lives and realize that they are worth more than a few bucks or a nice piece of electronics.
Will this stop crime in the neighborhood? Will this cause all the troubled young people in the neighborhood to change their lives? Of course not.
Bottom line: a young man is dead. He will never eat, drink, smile or tell his mother that he loves her ever again.
As much as I do think the homeowner was justified in defending himself, no one should ever celebrate such a thing.
Does anyone have more info on whatever went down Friday night (8/13/2010) around 9:15 p.m. or so at BR between Franklin & Gilpin. There were a dozen cop cars. Apparently, there was a drive-by shooting (and supposedly no one hurt) and the folks being shot at shot back at the car. All scattered before police came. Heard a series of shots again last night (8/15/2010), two times.
That's about all I know on the 8/13 shooting. My neighbors spoke with the police but they didn't have much to say. The shots on 8/15 were at the park at Gilpin and MLK. Police came pretty quickly. If you have questions/concerns about the neighborhood try calling our community resource officer, Reyes Trujillo,720-913-1094. The more they hear from us the better.
5 comments:
Dang. I don't want to be a jerk here, but I think justified. Now, from what I heard, this kid didn't actually break in - he was attempting to. So, on the one hand, I won't be surprised if this does NOT fall under the 'Make My Day' law, but on the other hand, I would sure feel bad for the homeowner if it did not.
I hate to belittle the significance of this kids death, because loss of life is tragic. BUT (here's where I'm a jerk again), maybe this will make people think twice. Maybe this sends a message that says, if you try to break into my home, I WILL fight back, and I will not HESITATE to defend myself and my family. GET IT, PUNKS?!?!
My neighbor across the street has lived there all her life. House has been in her family for years. This is what she said to me:
"God help me, but I do not feel bad. He should not have been out all hours of the morning breakin' in to people's houses. If my old, crippled ass can go out and find a job, then YOU CAN TOO."
Nuff said.
Thanks for posting, Aurora. I'm trying to compose my feelings on this before I post myself. Though I've already gotten a "just offensive" vote for just posting the video. Perhaps that is anticipating what I'm going to say :)
I just moved into a house two blocks south of where this happened, and my feelings are mixed .
No matter what, it is a tragedy when one person takes another's life. Especially someone as young as this. What could this young man have been under different circumstances? What could he have done to change his life in the future, even under the same circumstances? Sadly, we will never know and his family and friends (yes, even his co-conspirators in the burglary)will have to deal with his loss for the rest of their lives.
That said, as a (new) member of this community, I have to admit a sense of relief.
No one has the right to take what I have earned for myself or threaten me. If you do take part in a home-invasion crime, on some level you must be prepared for possible consequences. That is the law of the streets. You can try to rob me or hurt me, but I will do my very best to stop you.
I hope this sends a strong message to criminals operating in this area. Not just in the sense of "don't bring trouble to Gaylord street," but in the sense that maybe some of these young people will be forced to take a look at their lives and realize that they are worth more than a few bucks or a nice piece of electronics.
Will this stop crime in the neighborhood? Will this cause all the troubled young people in the neighborhood to change their lives? Of course not.
Bottom line: a young man is dead. He will never eat, drink, smile or tell his mother that he loves her ever again.
As much as I do think the homeowner was justified in defending himself, no one should ever celebrate such a thing.
Does anyone have more info on whatever went down Friday night (8/13/2010) around 9:15 p.m. or so at BR between Franklin & Gilpin. There were a dozen cop cars. Apparently, there was a drive-by shooting (and supposedly no one hurt) and the folks being shot at shot back at the car. All scattered before police came. Heard a series of shots again last night (8/15/2010), two times.
That's about all I know on the 8/13 shooting. My neighbors spoke with the police but they didn't have much to say. The shots on 8/15 were at the park at Gilpin and MLK. Police came pretty quickly. If you have questions/concerns about the neighborhood try calling our community resource officer, Reyes Trujillo,720-913-1094. The more they hear from us the better.
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