Dying to belong

It is a striking moment when an elderly, disabled gentleman who lives alone begins himself to board-up a window, smashed by youths who have been taunting him for far, far too long.

Vandals are dying to belong to society and street gangs provide the company or "bro's" they seek:  many of these youths have been excluded from schools, they take drugs and drink alcohol and generally let their presence be felt by taking advantage of other vulnerable people. 

Prison is often their livelong home ... where thesedays inmates are expected to work.

High Down Prison

Some have not quite reached this point but they are heading towards it, at speed, by playing truant, drawing graffito, vandalising street furniture, breaking fences and littering the streets. 

'Cheshunt is a safe place to live' but when such incidents occur and the culprits are known to others, one wonders why those around the perpetrators of abuse, stay in their company.

One wonders too, when everyone is trying their best to ensure that our communities thrive, how one person can undergo such ill-treatment and remain strong.

Somehow, I shall raise the funds to replace the window, again, but good citizenship is not something anyone can purchase:  I need YOU to make it happen.