You live in the country, so you think you're safe?

Today’s world is a violent one. It’s full of danger and rage, anger and violence, hate and vitriol, menace and malfeasance. Some may think these emotions, these types of actions, are beyond our immediate purview, that we are far removed from their ugly grip on humanity. But a steady look at recent events throughout the Harlem Valley reveals that is not the case at all.

There has been, in fact, so much criminal and violent behavior in our region, just in the last few months, that it’s almost unfathomable.

Just last week there were two incidents, one ending tragically. On Tuesday, April 6, Ancramdale resident Franklin Hankerson reportedly shot his 5-year-old son, Khaliff, before turning the gun on himself in an apparent murder-suicide.

Just days later, in Pine Plains, sheriff’s deputies and state police troopers were on the hunt for an armed man who had threatened suicide and was moving around the town from one home to another. Thankfully, that situation was settled quickly and without incident, but it was frightening how an entire community could be put on high alert by one individual.

Similarly, back in November of last year, Stissing Mountain Middle School Principal Robert Hess’ life hinged on the mental state of one man. Hess was taken hostage, at gunpoint, while on the job. Christopher Craft is accused of that crime and is now facing trial after initially being placed in a psychiatric hospital and being declared incompetent to withstand court proceedings.

The Pine Plains School District has also had to contend with at least three bomb threats since then, all of which it has taken extremely seriously, using the precision and protocol one would hope for. Still, the threats signal a certain hostility held toward the schools, staff and even students, as well as a need to act out inappropriately. And in today’s world climate, a bomb threat is more than just a mere prank; it’s a twisted way to rob people of their sense of security and trust.

Trust is not a guarantee in any relationship, apparently, at least not in an abuse case that lead to the death of 3-month-old Reese Tate. Reese was reportedly beaten, sexually assaulted and ultimately killed by her own father, William Tate Jr. of Wassaic. This case is one of the worst known in recent times, and Tate has been arraigned in Dutchess County Court for the felony and misdemeanor charges. If true, there’s really nothing more heinous imaginable — where there was supposed to be protection and love there was instead fear and terrible, horrid abuse.

But sometimes the violence is focused inward, on oneself. In Dean Pierson’s case, the Copake farmer who took his own life after shooting 51 of his dairy cows, that was apparently the case. Although his motivation is still a mystery, the news of his death hit the community hard and made many regret they hadn’t spent more time with him on his High-Lo Dairy Farm.

Then there was the hit-and-run car accident on Valentine’s Day, which left a Millerton man lying across Route 22, until someone called an ambulance. Who would do that to a fellow human being? Or the armed robbery in Dover, on North Farm Drive, in which a resident was attacked and pistol whipped by two assailants.  

In Millbrook last month there was a whole laundry list of incidents of vandalism, from cars being egged and damaged with concrete sign stands to fences being destroyed to bushes being ripped out to road signs being stolen. There was even a dead rabbit placed in someone’s mailbox.

All of this leads one to wonder what is going on, and why? There’s no arguing that this is happening close to home — we can’t ignore it any longer. Violence is not just something we watch unfolding on the news. It’s around the corner, down the street, at our schools — it’s everywhere.  Unfortunately, people are becoming more and more desensitized to it, especially our children. They see it on TV, on the programs they watch, the movies they view, the video games they play, the songs they sing. That’s why it’s so important the repercussions of violence be discussed in our households and in our schools as a real-life problem.

But could there be solutions? Proactive precautions? The first step: Tighter security must be enforced all around. But let’s also talk about other alternatives, like mediation, intervention, role playing, problem solving, respecting others, talking with counselors, psychologists or even a teacher or a friend. Explore different avenues with those around you about how to diffuse hostile situations, not only with each other, but out in the real world, in case you ever encounter such an eventuality.

In the meantime, look out for those around you. Take an interest. Be humane. People act out. They hurt others, emotionally and physically, but before they get to that point maybe you can get to them. Treat people with respect in the hopes that they will do the same. But remember, reality is just that, so always be aware of everyone around you and that your safety, and that of your loved ones, comes first. No matter where you live.