scrapper assault

ok so in these hard economic times there are differences in what people are willing to do for money. one such thing is scrap steel and other metals. prices for these are at all time highs, especially for copper. depending on what type of neighborhood you live in you may have a number of trucks rolling by with multiple people in them. they're looking for signs of any metals

and when spotted they jump out and end up scouring through your trash, usually making a mess of things. taking what they want so they can resell and make a profit, all the while leaving your trash scattered.

this, my friends, is actually illegal. the trash is city property and these people are stealing. there is a large profit to be made by this, and these people have figured it out and are using their trucks to hoard and steal and make money.

well, one of my recent patients, a super nice guy, has a little stock pile of scrap steel and wood in his back yard. he did work here and there for himself, and others. being retired he just kept the stuff around which he collected over his many years of construction and other handy work. over some time he had noticed that his stockpile had been slowly decreasing. he sat around watching his stash as he spotted a young man of decent taking his steel and running out to his truck and driving off.

John had a leisurely life so he sat around waiting and watching for that man to return, and sure enough he did. John decided to confront this young guy for stealing his stuff. John stepped out and said a few words walking toward the young man, who in turn grabbed a 2x4 of wood and proceeded to swing at John's head. the 2x4 did connect with John's head on multiple occasions making him stumble, yet John was good enough to get a few swings at this younger and stronger guy, also striking him a few times. the man eventually ran off leaving John to bleed profusely from his wounds.

about 20minutes later John makes it into my emergency room via PFD medics where he is trauma cleared and placed into my room for triage and care. there were over 10 staples needed to close the wounds inflicted by this thief. John was very proud that he wasn't knocked out and even fought back as best he could. during his triage, the police came by with a young ethnic man in tow. tugging and attempting to pull away while cuffed and looking down at the ground he was presented to John. "Yea, thats him" he said "did i get him?" he exclaimed unable to visualize any markings due to the blood dripping in his eyes. "John, you got him good, you did great" i said.

John, who was clearly into his late 60's was so overwhelmed with happiness that he got him back that his staples went in without a flinch. the police, detectives, and myself praised him for his heroic fight back. John felt accopmlished and on top of the world. he was eventually cleared and discharged, police officers gave him a ride to the district to make a report and file charges. it was a hassle, but John didn't care, he was still floating. He was old, but didn't give up, and didn't shut up. he was on clouds.

the jacka** kid had a superficial scratch on his neck.



as happy as i was of the outcome and of making John feel better, i couldn't help being bothered by the story he had to tell me. what is going on in this world...