August 23, 2019

I had a later night than usual in my patrol of Mattapan.  I started as I helped a lady with parallel parking, not easy with cars zooming by.  I saw a man carrying some groceries.  I offered to help him out, but he was okay with that.  However, he looked confused at who I was.  I explained to him, & he felt alright. H e asked for money, but I gave him a cereal bar.  He said that I made his day.  I passed by a dive bar, & I was surprised as security over there felt more comfortable with me. I think  that is a real good sign.  I soon passed by a man wearing a coat on an August night.  Yes it was color than usual, but still that coat looked a little odd for the time of year.  I walked by thinking nothing.  He was wearing the hood over his hear, was tall, had a partial beard, & was also carrying a sealed cardboard box with something inside.  It did cause concern, but I left it at that.  But then as I passed Jubilee Church, I noticed a blue Toyota parked in an odd spot, closer to the road in the parking lot & not by the lines.  I was very concerned, so I walked back to check it out.  I managed to catch up to him.  I ignored a couple of people watching me from a Mobil station.  I caught up with the guy.  I wasn't confrontational, but I asked questions. I  asked about the coat & the temperature.  Ehh.  Then I asked him what's in the box.  He said it was a video game console.  I felt safe & said I was just concerned.  I left with each other shaking hands.  I did well, but if I kept asking more, I think I could've dwelled a little deeper.  I kept walking down, getting a call out from my Junior Dragons.  I passed another area. A seamstress in her business called me.  We had a brief conversation.  I introduced myself, & complimented the dress they made.  They thanked me as I left.  I took a different route.  It was a lot of residential streets.  Until I came across a park.  There were a lot of people hanging out for no reason.  I went to investigate, but one of them asked me to leave.  I found that odd, so I asked why.  They instead kept wording me to leave.  I stayed my ground, even as they threatened to kill me.  I asked if they were okay.  They said yes.  As I walked away, one of them laughed at my cape.  I turned around, & went back to asking them & standing my ground.  I even said that either they tell me why they are here, or I would call 911.  And they asked about what.  I said since they were assembling, asked me to leave without giving an answer.  The move worked.  They deciding to leave, cursing me as they left.  I had a feeling that I might have prevented a major disaster, like a possible gang war, or possible drug/gun deal.  As I walked back, I saw a man by Santander Bank.  Since it was closed & it was late, I asked if he was okay.  He was, he was just trying to get some money.  He then asked me for money for crack.  I warned him, that if he actually had crack, I would do a citizen's arrest for Possession of Class B substance, which crack cocaine fit in.  He immediately felt scared, & changed the question to food.  I replied, "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me."  He got the answer as he said get out of here & "F**k you!"  I immediately opened my cape, & he respected me.  He liked the fact I stayed true & real.  I told him to keep his nose clean & we shook hands.  The next guy was a man in an olive green shirt.  He saw that I was a superhero.  Like the other guy, he immediately asked for money for crack.  I made the same statement.  He was scared as he told me he was an addict.  I told him to get help.  He was scared I was going to "jack" him, but I told him that I wouldn't under the oath of "dignity, honor, respect".  He felt better & he said that he's going to get help.  I soon came across a couple of people searching thru the clothing donation area.  I offered them some cereal bars.  They were hesitation, but they accepted.  How could do anything when that box was actually used to help people like them.  It would look hypocritical on my part.  I appreciate in the comments about a better idea.  Stopped a possible gang war & prevented two men from asking for something that would lead them to ruin their lives.  Like the rapper Ice Cube would sing, "Today was a good day."