It is a group of people who still help each other. I know whenever our family has been touched by serious illness or death, the neighbors have rallied behind us. A few are always on hand if we have a last minute emergency to come over and watch Mom for a few hours etc.
This morning as I sat down with my morning coffee and the newspaper I read a story that sickened me. A 66 year old woman from Toronto with dementia wandered outside in the night and eventually was found dead in a driveway. You can read the story here.
This alone is sad, however reports say that neighbors heard her screams and nobody - not one person - called 911 or even bothered to investigate on their own. I find this so disturbing. I cannot imagine the grief that her family is feeling right now. And also I cannot imagine how these neighbors must be feeling.
Do you know your neighbors?
Yeah, I know them all! I am raising their children! LOL
ReplyDeleteWe are in a very small neighborhood that is about 25 years old. we all built at the same time. There are a couple of new families but we are all friendly and keep an eye on each others homes when away. We are so far apart that if I fell and was yelling for help no one would hear me. or see me for that matter. But if they could hear that poor woman and did nothing karma will get them. I believe what you give you get.
ReplyDeleteCathy
I've lived in the same small town for 38 years. We have 11 people that live here. I keep an eye on my twin sister, who live across the street. All the rest of them have family, or are younger than me. The way my house sits, I probably wouldn't hear any screams.
ReplyDeleteOh My! What a horrible thing to happen! I can't believe nobody checked on the poor lady....we live in a small community. I would like to think our neighbors would come running any time...We try and take care of each other...The world would be a much better place if everyone cared wouldn't it?
ReplyDeleteI'm with Cathy! You reap what you sow. How disturbing is this story.
ReplyDeleteOh Kim, that is disturbing and so sad. How could you sit and not investigate if you heard someone screaming.
ReplyDeleteYes I know my neighbors and we keep an eye on each other. Some go away for the winter to Texas or Az. but we always watch their houses.
That is just awful that no one would even look or notice that she was there! I could see that where I live because I'm in the country where my closest neighbor is a quarter of a mile away in both directions but not in a neighborhood in the city! What is this world coming to?
ReplyDeleteHow sad! Can't believe people can be so callous.
ReplyDeleteWe've lived in the same house on the edge of a small town for over forty years. During that period of time people have come and gone but there are still a few families that we have known all that time. We are not close personal friends, but are available for help if needed. Most of us at least are aware of what goes on along our street and would not ignore anyone who seemed in trouble.
ReplyDeleteIt's a real shame when no one wants to 'get involved'.
My neighbor next door is that bad and she lives alone. I am forever watching to see if she is okay. She has a lady that goes in every morning but I still get scared. There is only 4 houses on my block so you could say yes, I know my neighbors. It is always something to think about.
ReplyDeleteSuch is the world we live in. I think it is a very small part of the population that wouldn't help someone in need. And I agree with Acorn Hollow Cathy...... Karma comes to play.
ReplyDeleteCathy G
Fortunately I live in a small neighborhood. We have a community e-mail address so if anything goes wrong or right, for that matter, just e-mail and everyone is alerted. Its a great thing to do. I can't imagine ignoring a scream.
ReplyDeleteI too live in a small town. I know all my neighbours and we look out for each other. I heard that story on the news yesterday and was appalled. So many people in that city "don't want to get involved" but really was it so difficult to call 911 without giving your name? Digusting. I hope those same people feel so guilty after they found out what happened, it could have been their parent.
ReplyDeleteYes, that story is awful!! I live in a neighborhood that celebrates many things together and watches out for each other's children etc! I feel very fortunate to live here. I have lived in Cleveland and Chicago where we did not know our NEXT door neighbors! In Chicago one day, my grandmother knelt down to pray at night and a shot came throught her window! That was in a beautiful neighborhood!!
ReplyDeleteYes, I love living here...will take a boring little town any time!!
I read the story and I'm baffeled by the lack of concern for this poor woman crying for help at 2:00am. and even though someone heard her, no one called the police. And what scares me, it was in a good neighbourhood. I was thinking that perhaps she was poor and living in a rundown neighbourhood but it was not the case.
ReplyDeleteI don't know everyone of my neighbourgs but I would never ignore someone crying for help or someone falling. JB