THEY WOULD NOT KNOW

 

On May 30, 2020, the city of La Mesa was overrun by rioters who attacked local businesses, burned down buildings and attempted to invade the police station there. Thankfully, the line was held. On the anniversary of this occasion, I thought of writing some prose, however since I was not there, all I could think of was "I would not know." That sounds like a good enough theme to me. #ThankYouBlue

 

They would not know.

They would not know what really happened on May 30, 2020, in La Mesa, California.

The day the police station was met with a growing crowd of upset citizens … and others bringing fire and rage and more.

The day two banks burned to the ground, and a nearby strip-mall was thrashed and trashed.

The day that officers had to take a stand, not just for a building, but for law and order itself … and for lives.   

They would not know. Not really.

“They” being the public, the multitude of citizens, the onlookers of TV news, social media and the like.

They would not know.

Of the countless incidents throughout the years, the months, the days, the hours.

Of wounded children and abused elders.

Of the car wrecks and gun fights and gangs.

Of the numerous offenders up to no good, lying without a flinch. 

Of the mayhem met so often on what would be most people’s worst day.

They would not know this could be a day shared, every single day … by the men and women on the beat.

They would not know. They would not be there.

Unless they were involved, they wouldn’t even care.

They would not know. Not on a regular basis.

Of the calls about lost boys and girls, trafficked in the night.  

Of the rescues.

Of the sprint dashes towards the danger.

Of the homeless helped, of the property protected, of the businesses bolstered.

Of the guardianship. 

Of the support that happens every silent moment there exits the presence of the badge, the blue, the force.

We would not know.

We would not know about so much … not the deeper service, not the mayhem, not what officers went through on May 30, 2020 in La Mesa, California.

And we need to know … just that.