Timidity is the ally of criminals

Residents at 28 Bowers Avenue in Newark were causing a problem to neighbors long before two of those who lived or visited there were accused of murdering a pizza delivery man.

A report in the Sunday Advocate said neighbors had become "victims of theft, vandalism and robbery, which they blame on the newcomers."

Calls had been made to police regarding thefts and vandalism, but police never showed up because the callers didn't want to file a report.

Maybe they were afraid of retaliation, but timidity never won any battles or a modicum of personal safety.

Timidity is the ally of criminals and bullies of all stripes, and that's what went wrong here. You can't expect the police to get excited about a few calls unless it's serious enough for someone to file a report.

As was suggested in one of the comments to the Advocate report, neighbors should have made a show of force. They should have held a meeting on a front porch, formed a neighborhood watch group, visited the police station, talked with their councilman.

People have to stop relying on government to take care of every little bump in the road. People have to get off their butts and take control of their own lives and problems. It would be cheaper, better, and more self-satisfying.