Adjusting
Several months ago, I had a conversation with one of the local police chiefs about the tone of local crime. He, and I must accurately, predicted that we would be witnessing what he called “crimes of necessity.” He accurately predicted that more folks were stealing to eat. (I don’t condone this, mind you, but just letting you know what I’m seeing.)
We are witnessing this prediction coming into fruition. I’m noticing in local police reports that things like food are being stolen. There have been a couple of times I’ve heard that freezers, some which have been on back porches and in sheds, have been ransacked of frozen meat. Thousands of dollars worth of equipment is being left, however. Gas drive offs haven’t been too bad, from what I’ve seen. Cameras are probably thwarting that.
This was occurring before the bailout. I noticed last week that our gas remained higher than most parts of the state, but has finally dropped below $3 bucks. Food costs are still through the roof but due to our location, that is to be expected.
Restaurants have seen a drop from the couple that I’ve talked to but, once again, that was happening pre-economic panic.
But I’m seeing some good stuff too. More benefits (rural Americans are very good at holding fund raisers for folks) are being held, churches are stepping up and there is a sense of the old saying “we are all in this together” which I find to be refreshing.
And, this story from CNN, is spotlighting the negative impact of the economy’s impact on citizens, but I’m trying very hard to not be all gloom and doom.
The power of the human spirit is an amazing thing. We just have to get over the shock.
Funny you mention this.
Last week, Thursday or Friday, I was sitting on the porch with the neighbors talking about the economy and I said something like “I can’t believe there aren’t more robberies going on in our neighborhood” or something like that.
Lo and behold, that night our local grocery store was robbed at gunpoint. Then the gunmen went over to the CVS on 8th/Franklin Road and robbed it.
We’re seeing it at the store. Steaks and baby formula were always high theft items. We’re seeing it more and more with roasts, lunchmeats…bigger foodstuffs…..
i was talking with my waitress at lunch, she said business has dropped considerably in the past couple weeks, she is in the market for a second job.
gas drive offs at the smaller stations in p-town are rampant. seems as though EVERYBODY has gone pre-paid pumps around here.
i’m afraid this is just the beginning, my friend
Dang… Nashville avg 87 oct/gal is still in the $3.399 range…
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