Bearing in mind that I have read only a few of the emails pertaining to this issue, I think that if somebody wants to sexually assault someone, they’re going to do it whether or not there’s an abandoned house available.  This sexual assault didn’t happen in an abandoned home.  Tearing down every abandoned home in  or around Highland Park won’t solve the problems of homelessness OR sexual assault.  To my knowledge, nobody was talking about tearing down abandoned homes until this incident.  Now it seems to be the cure-all because people are scared.   All it will do is push any “squatters” into a new neighborhood... which doesn’t solve the squatters’ problems.

  I’m not an expert on anything, but what I have seen come through my inbox (for years) is a lot of talk about “rule following” and in essence “getting rid of the bad people and bad things”.     However, I don’t know anybody who grew up saying they wanted to commit crimes.  I  wonder who is willing to reach out, be friendly, and even help those who may be desperate enough to consider such measures?    In my experience, it is an ounce of KINDNESS that goes further than anything, and in turn builds safer, more vibrant communities.   

I don’t write this to be critical, but to say what I see (and get on my idealistic soap box).  If I am mistaken (which happens once in a while!), then I will have to eat my words.