Page 26 of More Than a Hero
“I sure as hell hope so because she came to me with a project.” Pete looked over to see Jeremy’s confused expression.
Jeremy glanced at him. “What kind of project?”
“It’s called Adopt-a-Grandparent. Angie’s got a lot of older people in the community who have some independence but don’t have family close by. She wants to set up a program that pairs seniors with kids who don’t have grandparents in their lives. It’s a way to help them build relationships. Kind of like a mentorship program.”
Jeremy let out a low whistle. “Damn. That’s… actually a great idea.”
Pete nodded. “Yeah, I think so too. A lot of these seniors don’t have family close by, and a lot of kids in the foster system or single-parent homes don’t have that older generation in their lives. Angie got me involved because of the kids I mentor.”
Jeremy was quiet for a moment before he said, “That’s a hell of a thing, man. You two working on something like that together? Feels like more than just dating.”
Pete just shook his head with a grin as they pulled into the high school parking lot. He exhaled, gripping the wheel. “Yeah. It does.” And he hoped the words were true.
Two hours later, they were finishing their presentation for teachers in the auditorium and just getting ready for questions. With a visual presentation, they had covered common tattoos and clothing choices for the major gangs that were slowly making their presence known in the area. They showed images of gang graffiti painted on stop signs and the sides of buildings.
“Granted, most of our gang infiltration comes down from Baltimore, but we are on the main transportation line from New York, Philly, and Baltimore, down to Norfolk. The Highway 95 corridor from Florida to New York has long been one of the busiest for drug and gang running. They now include guns and human trafficking. By taking the backroads through the EasternShore, they can bypass some of the more policed parts of the highway.”
“Is it true that if the police stop a gang member, he has to follow gang code and not deny that he’s in the gang? And then he can get arrested for being in a gang as well as for carrying drugs?” one teacher asked.
Pete took the question. “In the past, gang culture emphasized loyalty to the extent that members were forbidden to deny their association. And yes, that did give the district attorneys the option to also charge them with gang activity. The idea was that they could continue to have an influence while in jail or prison. To deny could be punishable by death at the gang’s hands. And believe me, a longer prison term for the added charges was preferable to dying at the hands of a gang that now considered the denier to be a traitor.”
The moans from the educators could be heard easily.
Jeremy continued the response to the original question. “But now, in some circumstances, especially when dealing with law enforcement or within the judicial system, gang members may deny their gang ties to avoid legal repercussions. This shift is just self-preservation. It’s a pragmatic solution that keeps their ranks strong. Especially contrasting with previous stances that strictly opposed any denial of their allegiance.”
“I know I’ve seen some of those drawings on notebooks,” another teacher said. “What should I do?”
“Never, and I repeat, never confront any student about those symbols,” Pete said with emphasis. “You would need to talk to Deputy Lamont Smith, your resource officer. He’s well trained in what needs to be done.”
“Don’t ignore the signs,” Jeremy confirmed. “But take them to the officer here at your school.”
As they finished their presentation, they received a round of applause. One of the teachers stood and said, “I’ve been teachingfor twenty-two years. This is the first time I can say that a presentation given on a workday has been so worthwhile!”
Pete and Jeremy grinned, then continued to talk to individual teachers as the assembly slowly dispersed. Along with Deputy Smith, they started a list of students who were of concern to several teachers.
As they were back in the office getting ready to leave, Pete looked over the list. His heart sank as he realized he recognized three of the names. The young men in question lived in the same apartment complex as the kids he mentored. He trusted his kids, but knew gang recruitment was up and particularly harsh. He needed to spend more time talking to them about the dangers of gangs in the area… and prayed it wasn’t too late.
12
Angie knocked lightly on the open door of Belle Simmons’s office, peeking inside with a grin. “Tell me you’re not too busy to chat.”
Belle looked up from her computer, her dark hair swept into a sleek ponytail, her blue eyes lighting up with a warm smile. “For you? Always. Get in here and sit your butt down.”
Angie chuckled, stepping inside and dropping into the chair across from Belle’s desk. “I just finished visiting a few of the seniors over at Careway Apartments, and then visited with Grammy Ellen,” she said, stretching her legs out with a dramatic sigh. “Now, I’m here to sweet-talk you into letting me use some of your space.”
Belle arched a brow, amusement dancing in her expression. “Sweet-talking me, huh? Should I be worried?”
“Not at all,” Angie said, pressing a hand to her chest in mock innocence. “I wouldnevermanipulate a dear friend.”
Belle snorted. “Please, you and I both know you’re about to ask for something, and I’m probably going to say yes before you even finish.”
Angie laughed. “Okay, okay, you got me. But seriously, I was hoping we could use some of the meeting rooms here at Carewayfor the Adopt-a-Grandparent program. Since the seniors will be from the apartments, I thought it would make sense to host the meetings here. It’s familiar to them, and the space is perfect. What do you think?”
Belle’s eyes widened with excitement. “I love it. This program of yours… it’s exactly what so many of our seniors need. And honestly? It’s going to be just as good for the kids. I saw firsthand what Hunter was like before he had a strong male figure in his life.”
Angie nodded, touched by the sincerity in Belle’s voice. “That’s exactly what I was hoping. It’s not just about helping the older person, but about connection, you know?”
Belle leaned forward, resting her arms on the desk. “Absolutely. And you’ve got full access to our meeting rooms. I’ll make sure no one double-books you, and if you ever need extra hands, just say the word. I’ll rope Hunter into helping if I have to.”
