Do I come across as an authority figure?

[lauradi7dw]

During daylight hours, our neighborhood can be noisy, mostly from traffic, lawn machines, and sometimes lately from people eating or visiting on their porches/decks. There are dogs, but they are not too barky. At night, it's generally quiet. At about midnight, there was a lot of belligerent shouting outdoors, nearby. We decided that we had to do something, but weren't sure what. Upon some investigation, it seemed to be three (probably teenage) guys, the loudest of whom was sitting on the neighbor's lawn making loud threats against someone (not present) who may or may not be planning to do something bad to his sister, as far as I could understand him. I turned on both porch lights, and we got flashlights, shining them somewhat ineffectually across the street. We still couldn't really see them, except for shapes, but they saw us, and one of the others started shouting apologetic explanations across to us. We said nothing. We stood on the porch. It seemingly was enough to get them motivated to haul the friend away, middle person's arms over others' shoulders. Presuming that alcohol was involved, I was glad they were on foot, not driving. I remember porchlights sending a message in *my* youth. I was surprised that lots of other people were not doing the same thing we were, but maybe they're heavy sleepers. Or not bothered by mildly bad behavior?

Comments

[nosrednayduj]

"Hey, Fred, can it. You're bothering the little old lady across the street." :-)

[lauradi7dw]

I'm OK with that. The question is, when we defund the police, do old ladies have to pick up the slack?

[nosrednayduj]

Seems a more peaceful plan than having someone come with sirens blaring and guns out...