I knew he was lying as he stood at my front door. He had knocked one early Saturday morning and looked like any normal college student.
There was nothing alarming, nothing that said con man. Yet here he was, playing it straight in a comical farce, because he didn't know I was on to him.
You see, I live on a corner house, and I happen to know all my neighbors on both sides of the street by name. I know when they moved in, what cars they drive, and, for most, even where they work. I have lived in this neighborhood for more than 20 years and have become friends with the people in the surrounding area. We celebrate holidays together and they have seen my children grow.
I happen to manage the three-story building down the street, and this young man's story involved that very building. He said he needed a loan with a big please, and that he was at his wit's end.
You see, he is new to the apartment building, just moved in. He is a college student and doesn't know his way around. His car got picked up and impounded, he is in great need, his girlfriend is at work and she has his debit card. He has the $100 but needs 50 more to get his car out.
He promises he is for real, and it's not a con. He promises to pay it back, really.
He has such a cute smile and says he's not a fake. My heart is softened. His story sounds so convincing. I want to believe so I can come to the rescue. But I know his story is a lie because there was no empty apartment to move into.
"I don't have money in the house," I tell him.
It's no problem he says, he'll take a check. I didn't have a checkbook in the house; my husband had taken it. He starts to get nervous as I ask which building it is he moved into.
"And what is your girlfriend's name?" I continue the questions without letting him know that his answers betray him.
He may be dangerous, so I continue to be polite, but firm, in not letting him enter the house to use the phone. He suggests I go with him to withdraw from my debit to fulfill his need. I refuse, but he persists.
If I don't trust him, he is willing to leave a possession of his as collateral, for assurance that he is telling the truth and will return my money. He continues to soothe my ego, assuring me of what an angel of mercy I would be in his life.
As he presses harder, the story becomes more urgent and he will not take no for an answer. Unwilling to walk away empty handed he reduces the plea to at least a 20 and explains he'll make do. I need to get him to leave.
"Sorry, I am more poor than even you," I tell him.
With four children under the age of fifteen, and only one income, I'm not stretching the truth. I tell him all I can give is a good luck and God bless you as I close the door. He does leave after all and I am so relived.
I cannot believe what just transpired and I count myself lucky that he left and didn't do more harm then just talk. I remember my neighbor who is such a warm-hearted, sharing soul, I rush to the telephone to warn her just in case, but it is too late.
She gave him her last 20in her wallet just minutes ago and hopes that his story is real while waiting for him to return with her money. I just have to shake my head because this lady is in her late 70s, single, and on a very fixed income. For the con, it was like candy from a baby.
Where is the shame? Where can you treat people like this? It reminds me of the incident that happened on Beacon Hill last November 17 when a man of 82 went for his usual morning walk with the help of his cane.
On his return, not far from his home, he was brutally mugged and beat with his own cane.
It was not enough to rob this man but meanness was inflicted with the cane. His yells brought his wife to the door and she shouted at the man to stop.
It was lucky in a way that this happened so close to his house, for had it not, who would have come to the rescue? I wish to believe that it would have been a neighbor even down the street that would have responded to his yells of help.
I have learned that to be aware is to be forewarned and that helps in keeping safe. There are things that can be done to help oneself and one's family. So, besides what I have learned from experience and my father's warnings, I decided to look to the professionals on the matter, the Seattle Police.
Their website, www.seattle.gov/police, has a link to crime prevention information concerning neighborhood safety. There are also guides for neighbors wanting to start a block watch, tips for recognizing suspicious activity, and pointers for safeguarding your residence. The various Seattle Neighborhood Groups are also great sources for crime prevention info at 206-323-9666 or www.sngi.org.
I believe word of mouth is a potent preventative, but this takes getting to know your neighbors and sharing stories with them. Yes, it means taking the time to talk beyond the hello-wave as you duck from your house to your car and back. Dare I say it? Turn off the TV, share your life, and be a friend.
I want to believe in hope, to believe in something beyond the meanness. I continue to want to be the rescuer, but, as best I can, I'll share more then the cup of sugar with my neighbors.
Francisca Garcia may be contacted at editor@sdistrictjournal.com[[In-content Ad]]
