Warning: Catonsville Residents

I’ve spent 24-years on this planet and not up until these last weeks have I felt unsafe. Two incidents in a string of a week leave me feeling that I need to keep my head on a swivel. No longer am I able to walk around without looking at every individual wondering if they were the one that threw a rock through my girlfriend’s window or the two-men that I witnessed trying to open up my car door with hopes of a five-finger-discount.

I haven’t lived in the state of Maryland for very long, approaching two-years in February and up until now I’ve held this state in the highest regards. I have lived in the Ellicott City, the Eastern Shore and currently in Catonsville. I have enjoyed all three living experiences until this past week.

I hold a full-time job in which I work vigorously in hopes that one day I can provide my future wife and children a lifestyle that you see in your dreams. I don’t look for handouts; I scoff at the notion of ever receiving support from another human being. Though it’s inevitable, I strive to be the type of man that gets to the top on his own, without the aid of others.

My viewpoints aren’t commonly followed however.

I’ve seen an innocent, wonderful human being brought to tears because someone found it amusing to vandalize her vehicle. I’ve watched that same calm-in-nature woman filled with anger and fear while wondering how long this will go on.

As the days carry on I am left with little faith in mankind. On a daily basis I see one good deed get overlooked by 20 acts of indecency. Why have we fallen into this trap of wronging one another for no apparent reason?

As I stood at my apartment window watching two men check car-by-car I was left wondering what has happened in their lives that they feel the need to steal and damage others belongings?

It’s an uncomfortable feeling watching criminals at work, not having a care in the world. It’s more unnerving knowing that though I’ve always had a tainted view on the world, but the woman beside me tends to think differently. She always thinks the best of people and gives second chances. Now, that’s not the case.

Though it wasn’t the brightest of ideas, I rummaged for my shoes and raced out the front door with hopes that I could impede on their wrongdoing. I raced out of my door and ran down the hill to see the two with a deer-in-headlights look right before dashing down the street and into the darkness.

The frigid weather and lack of proper clothing, along with the rush of adrenaline caused me to have extreme difficulties breathing. My chest was tight and as I was catching my breath I thought to myself, “what if either had a gun or a knife?”

My rush to be a superhero was in part to my enthrallment with Batman and the Incredible Hulk. At the time I believed I was going to apprehend both culprits…but how? I wasn’t able to grow into some green muscle-head nor did I have the gadgets that the playboy Bruce Wayne had access to.

The decision was asinine and could have been life-altering. As a man, I never want my loved ones to feel helpless. I wasn’t able to think thoroughly, I rushed to be Mr. Man.

As the second incident in less than a week it leaves me angry, wanting to know why others feel the need to negatively affect innocent beings.

To make matters worse, the apartment complex does not have a single camera or security on the grounds. While I am unsure what good a camera could have done, it does not feel right knowing that criminals are walking the grounds when most are resting their heads, preparing for the next day of work and opportunity.

Catonsville has been good to me up until now. A peaceful, homey environment, Catonsville was a place that I thought I could place my post and start a family. No longer is that an option. While crime happens all over the globe, in the wealthiest of locations, I cannot live in a place that makes me feel endangered.

Twice we have notified the local police and each time they have been supportive and eager to find the culprits. Three different officers reported to the scene, one police officer even drove the trolley trail in hopes to finding the individuals that were prying on unknowing victims.

However, last night was restless and I was overcome by nerves. A heavy sleeper, I couldn’t help but toss and turn as I peered out my window suspecting the two men would eventually return. How can I sleep knowing these hoodlums were so close, wanting to damage others belongings?

My view of the world has changed drastically since my days as a child. I have encountered multiple situations that have shaped my views but this incident is one that has flipped my world upside down. Why would two individuals want to cause harm to beings they don’t know? Why would these two men aspire to steal others belongings?

We live in a world marred by terror. While some individuals strive to better themselves and their community, others are operating behind the scenes looking for an easy way get what they want. It’s the law-abiding citizens that are left to pick up the pieces while the bad continue to do us harm.

A lesson was learned on 11-12-2013, a lesson that needed to be learned. I will forever understand that for no good reason individuals will always strive to hurt you and bring you down. This act will never change, it’s a cruel realization that we must come to terms with. I know I have.