So what really happened was...

So here is the real story of all the drama last week.

Three of us boys had arranged to meet for a night downhill longboard skating session. For those who don’t know, it just works better at night as you can see cars when they are far away and take evasive action in good time. Then again, it is just more thrilling by the light of a full moon!

We were to meet at 20h30 but I found myself taking my time and watching the opening scenes of some old movie with the family. I had no doubt the boys would wait for me. Until I heard a gunshot, followed by two more. Then I started to move!

It turned out Roger**, one of the boys and a neighbour, had set off earlier at the right time and surprised three chaps in the bushes at the top of the street. One pulled out a gun, pointed it in Roger’s** face, and pulled the trigger. And missed! They tangled and Roger** found himself pinned to the ground and fielding a swinging boot to the face before another neighbour ran into the road. Same chap pointed his gun in George’s** face, pulled the trigger, and missed! From what I gather, gangster gunslinger found it strange too, pointed the gun to his side, pulled the trigger, and shot his comrade. Who died right there on the pavement.

With no remorse whatsoever, the two remaining villains took off down the street with Roger** and George** in hot pursuit.When Roger's** wife joined the chase, both neighbours gave it up and left it to the professionals.

Due to a number of factors, armed response was on the scene within 60 seconds. And in such numbers it was mind blowing. There must have been upwards of 20 armed persons running the street. They found the baddies about 2km away, and it turns out they were wanted for all sorts of naughty things all along the coast. Score one for the good guys! The SAPS, and all of our local response companies were awesome! Our little community rallied around in minutes making sure all were comforted and protected. In a situation like this, it was great to know everyone instead of having to use it as our opportunity to introduce ourselves.

But it was close, very close to an unmitigated disaster. Had the gun toting idiot not been trying to shoot gangsta movie style, it would have been a tragedy for more than just baddie number three.

On the good side, a celebration braai was held this weekend, with upwards of 50 neighbours in attendance. We celebrated our lives, our little community, and our rejection of all things criminal.

We now even have a Facebook Group dedicated to our street. Communication has never been easier!

I keep wondering how I would have reacted because it could have been me first to the top of the street. And I keep coming back to the same answer; it went as well as it could have done for a bad situation, my reaction may well have made it all worse! Either way I firmly believe God was watching over us all…

** names changed to protect the innocent

 

So Close

This has not happened before - a guest writer on my blog. Stevo of Stevo Images was so quick off the mark to describe the craziness of Sunday night, I got him to agree to share his piece right here. Stevo is also of course the intrepid photographer who documents my every misstep out on the waves...

8pm Sunday September 11 and the silence in our sleepy crescent is shattered by a single gunshot.

I pause the surf DVD I'm watching, cock my ear, raised voices, 2 more shots ring out!

I open the front door, the sound of my neighbour racking his 9mm punctuates the still air; I step out to see what's going on - it seems a moonlit night's skate mission may have disturbed guys who had another agenda. 

Within seconds armed response vehicles screech to a halt - "shots fired man down send for #@! backup now... over" - my eyes follow the beam of torchlight, the same direction the guns are pointed, and see a body, motionless, half on the grassy verge our gardener has manicured only the day before. 

The radio crackles, calls for backup now needed down the road; cars screech off, replaced by more emergency vehicles. 



I get told to move inside (and promptly return armed with my Canon) - crime tape now blocks the road.

Neighbours stand around in groups discussing what has just unfolded as police comb the area marking spent shell cases, gathering evidence. 

It seems the gang shot one of their own in a case of mistaken identity! Awesome!

I get called over by a police colonel and get told to stop taking photos of his crime scene.

Many hours later, I eventually drift off to sleep to the sounds of vehicles, voices and barking dogs . . .

This morning there is no sign of any of last night’s drama in the flowerbed . . .

More to come...

 

Home sweet home

As the fog rolled in yesterday afternoon, one of my neighbours pulled on long pants and snuggled into a jersey. An incredibly unusual event! With darkness looming, braais were circled on the street in front on my house. Flames engulfed the coals, beers opened, wine poured, and neighbours relaxed.
 

It was supposed to be as balmy as the previous two evenings but instead cold and eerie thick fog blanketing the evening. One should not complain about the middle of winter! Packs of children cycled, skated, shrieked, and terrified boys ran howling from kiss intense girls. Another night to remember!

This morning, nothing but a lone marshmallow on my lawn remained. Except of course for the unusual neighbourhood community spirit and friendship which continue to grow!

18 people over to play

I live in a crescent, a half circle. On my street there are houses, filled with families. Friendly families with lots of kids and lots of wheeled toys!

Many an impromptu meeting takes place out on the tar. Coffee, wine, and beer are often ordered and served hot or very cold. And wheels and balls make any good conversation go round.

I often wonder how I ended up in a neighbourhood of friends. Where real community is taken for granted. Where our children play out there; on the road and in other people’s gardens. Where life almost seems as good and free as it was when I was a child.

We are so blessed!