Gun Violence

Excuse me while I wax philosophical

The death of the young man from 3306 over the weekend has focused for me the toll that guns reap on our society.

As I look around my immediate area, 3 houses next to each other across the street and the house next to me have all experienced a death from guns. None of these offenses took place in our neighborhood, but that we as a society should tolerate such mayhem is appalling.

Mrs. Brooks lost her grandson to a carjacker while he was minding his own business washing his car.

The Youngs lost a brother in a similar incident.

The daughter at 3222 was murdered in a crime of passion by her ex-boyfriend, the son of other of our neighbors.

Kimberly's 17 year old son from next door was shot in a drive-by.

Now the young man up the street.

One wonders how to reach the kids to help them understand that they are not invincible and guns are dangerous.

Deadly Gun Violence

This is from Sunday's paper -- the young man who was murdered lived at 3306 Culver Street -- one of a set of twins. They often have been involved in questionable activities which apparently eventally put him in harm's way.

Police look for vehicles involved in fatal drive-by

Dallas police are looking for a green Chevrolet Tahoe and what is believed to be a Dodge Ram pickup, both involved in an early Saturday morning drive-by shooting that left a man dead. Joel Chavero, 20, died at about 3:45 a.m. at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas after he was shot in the driveway of a house in the 5800 block of East Grand Avenue near Samuell-Grand Park. The shooting stemmed from a confrontation between Mr. Chavero and his friends, and another group of people at the nearby 7-Eleven on Grand, police said. The confrontation eventually moved outside the house on Grand, where someone in either the Tahoe or the pickup fired, hitting Mr. Chavero. Police are unsure what started the fight. Anyone with information can call 214-671-3661.

Blatant Gun Violence

Thursday evening last week at about 7pm we had a lovely gun fight followed by fist fight in the intersection of Culver and St. Charles (the "triangle").

About seven cars full of young guys were participants. The cars were stopped and blocking traffic in all directions while two guys shot at each other while hiding behind other cars.

After the gunfire, some of the "participants" began a fist fight that ended up in the yard, back to the sidewalk, into the street, into moving traffic (what little traffic could get through), etc.

It was scary and ridiculous.

It took telling 911 that it appeared someone had been shot for them to actually dispatch police. Otherwise, the operator was reporting it as "random gunfire." Sad that we have to pound a situation into 911's head to get a response.

3218 Culver

Vic has apparently once again failed to check in with his parole officer and is back in jail. They appear to be trying to make some repairs -- but they are back to their old ways with lots of people coming and going.

They are also apparently stealing the utilities. They turn the water off at 7 a.m and back on at 5. Also, they have a large electric bill so are probably stealing that as well.

As I indicated, Vice and Narcotics have been alerted.

And yet again

It appears that the boarded house is once again selling their wares -- as well as having prostitutes on premises.

Both Narcotics and Vice have been alerted. Constables are also looking for one of the residents so hopefully, we will keep a lid on things.

4 wheelers

Apparently if you call the police often enough, something will happen.

I have seen neither of the 4 wheelers from our end of the street for more than a week.

I think the key was that we had an address where they seemed to hang out. Other times when I didn't know what street they were from, I didn't have any success.

Tombstone

There were only 3 listings for Gocha's in the entire state. I finally reached the Gocha listing in Waco. He is the half brother of Edward Gocha, the name on the tombstone.

He was going to call a brother in Dallas. I gave him the address where the stone is and my name and phone number. He was familiar with the neighborhood since he had worked at Samuell Grand Park

If the stone was stolen, it will be returned. If it was never installed at the cemetary, maybe that will be accomplished.

The price of water

The drug house has been without water most of the time -- when they aren't stealing it.

The water is back on. We were curious how that could happen since we suspected they owed $4-500 in back bills.

The story is that they got the prostitutes over and they paid the back bill.

Ah well, hopefully the arrests of these ladies will reduce the water to a trickle.

Also, some of these ladies drive a blue VW Beetle. So if you see it, keep an eye out.

They hang out at 3218 Culver, 3227 Kinmore and 3243 Kinmore.

The gift that keeps on giving...

As I was giving my condolences to Mrs. Boone, I looked over and in the driveway of the Confederate house was a gravestone for someone named Edward Gocha, born in 1943 who had died in 1999 and was a Vietnam vet.

It appeared that its intended use here was to fill in a spot in the driveway where the concrete was missing. I believe our neighborhood is lucky to be rid of these people.

I called 911 -- didn't know what else to do. I know the police went by, but don't know the outcome.

UPDATE. I went by yesterday and the tombstone is still there. I have found one number in the phone book with the same last name and will try to see if they know anything about it.