One month ago today, a 17-year old girl was murdered on the doorstep of a cafe I used to frequent. This blog post has been writing itself in the far reaches of my mind during that time, and it’s time to put it down on (virtual) paper. Let me preface this by saying that I will be speaking my mind (as always).  

I’m sad. Cara had a big heart. She would stand up for and do anything for her friends. She didn’t take BS from anyone. She had bigger balls than most men, and she walked like she was 10 feet tall. And though I was never on the receiving end, it’s my understanding that she gave great body-slamming bear hugs. We didn’t talk much but the last time we did, the sun was hitting her hair, and I said to her “You’re not going to like this…” and she looked at me warily, as I grinned, cringing, not sure if she’d want to smack me, “but… you’re getting pretty”. No smack. She just grinned back and had a look on her face like “yeah, can you believe it?” as she said “I know”. With that and her take no prisoners, stand up for what you believe in attitude… damn it! She was going to give the world a run for its money.

I’m disappointed.  During the week they were most needed to support the community’s shock and grieving, the cafe owners left town. A tribe needs leadership and guidance, especially when so many of the tribe are young people. Though they held the memorial at the cafe the day after she was taken off life-support, there was and is, no mention of Cara on their website. 

I’m angry. A few of the “elders” (I am calling anyone over 35 an elder in this community) took on “watch duty”, while the owners were away. There had been situations contributing to unsafe conditions, yet everyone seemed to think that they were exempt from cleaning up these situations. I hear that even the local weed dealers got miffed. Self-entitled much? Then when the owners strolled back into town, they retracted everything the elders had been trying to do. 

I’m hurt. I was called upon by one of the elders who decided to take the ball and run with it and organize the community to help the homeless kids. (Cara was not homeless but others in that story are) I dropped everything and set to work. A site that is “kid-friendly” that works on smartphones where they can find help. But just as important, to me anyway, was a page for Cara. A place where her friends and family could come together and post their memories, antecdotes, etc. Not a page on facebook that will eventually be lost when FB tanks. Don’t argue, it will. Remember Myspace? Right. Thought so. Anyway, the elder got overwhelmed and decided to hand the whole project off to others. When I said if they were quitting, I needed to restructure my participation, the next thing I know, and without informing me, the site was handed off as well. It’s not kid-friendly. It’s not responsive (if you’re on a smartphone, you can’t ask for help), and there is again, no page for Cara.

I’m disgusted. There is a growing population of homeless children in Redmond. And more alarming, a growing heroin problem. Haven’t heard about it? Hush hush. Because, apparently, PD has it “under control”. I’ve heard that there is a shelter in Seattle, who, when full, sends kids to the Redmond shelter, which then fills up so they end up in their own little “tent city” ala Lord of the Flies. I’ve also heard that the mayor wants to just kick them all out of town. Like that works. Ever. 

I’m horrified. That there is even a remote possibility that PD just stood and watched while a citizen performed first aid on a girl that had been stabbed, because EMT would be there shortly. 

I’m done.