Annelise,

You raised some good questions. The neighborhood I'm in has always felt safe. A year ago, gang members moved in across our alley. It changed everything. I could no longer allow my 24 year old grandson to house sit when we were out of town or feel safe on a walk. There were several episodes of drive-by shootings among other things. We prayed day and night. One day they were hauled off to jail and the house went up for sale. We appear to be safe again but I learned how much I had taken for granted.