Safe and Secure in Higland Park

DISCLAIMER: If you are my mother, I would advise against reading any further. Having said that, you'll probably continue to read (I didn't always listen to you either when I was a kid). Don't say I didn't warn you.

Yesterday afternoon I was at home and I heard what sounded like very loud, very close gunshots. The first time it happened, I ignored it. Let's be honest here - gunshots are not that uncommon here in Highland Park. I was a bit unnerved by how close they sounded, but, having looked out all of the second-story windows, did not see anything that was alarming.

A few minutes later I heard the gunshots again, and this time saw out of one of the windows into the backyard of the house next to mine (which I've never really understood is occupied or not...it's so run-down I'm usually convinced it's abandoned, but then I'll see lights on inside. Strange). There was a woman standing on the back porch, smoking a cigarette and firing a handgun into the bushes. Now this was unnerving! I was afraid I would see legs or something sticking out from underneath the bushes, but thankfully did not.

So now I was even more rattled, when, a few minutes later I heard the gunshots again! This time I did not see her on the back porch, and it almost seemed like the gun was fired inside the house. I figured third time's the charm, and I called the cops.

Now, as a side note...those who are familiar with Highland Park will know that up until just a few months ago the city did not have its own police force. I think it had to rely on the Wayne County sheriff's department to patrol the city.

The nice young man who answered my call listened as I described the situation. He even asked for a description of the person doing the shooting. I was not too optimistic that anyone would show up that quickly, but, lo and behold, twenty minutes later there's a knock at my door. I look out of the window in my front door, and see a very young, scared-looking cop standing at the bottom of the porch steps. When I open the door, I realize there is a second cop - just as young looking, standing just outside my door with his gun half drawn out of its holster! I think this was the most unsettling thing about the entire situation. I explained that I was the one who called, and that it was the house next door where I heard the shooting. As the kids - I mean cops - turned to walk next door, I see two more of them come from the backyard. At least the new Highland Park PD sends them out in force!

I don't know what the end result was,but about 10 minutes later I saw that both cop cars were gone. One of the most disturbing things about this was the age of the cops. Seriously - they looked like they were barely 18.

Good thing I'm soon to move back to the **safe** city of Detroit!