I never worried about Jenkintown. Now I’m afraid. 

For the first time since I moved here in 1975, I am nervous about living in Jenkintown. I love this borough. It represents every thing I’ve ever wanted in a home town. Close family, the school, the variety of houses of worship, the organizations like Scouts, JYA etc., the stores and restaurants and businesses right out my front door. The ever-growing diversity. My neighbors of many years, those that have gone, and my new neighbors. I will die here in my own home, in my hometown if I’m lucky. 

I have always felt safe in this town. As a young woman walking home from a waitress or bartending gig at Winston’s to my apartment, I never once worried. As a mother with young children who wanted to walk to school alone for the first time, I never worried. When our family went through a rough patch, I never worried. When I had a medical emergency, I never worried. But now as a senior citizen, I’m not just worried, I’m a bit afraid. 

Besides the fear that our borough council and chief of police seem hell-bent on ending the police department and casting their eyes on other critical services that so many seniors depend on, I’m now a bit afraid of council members themselves. I attended the October council meeting to ask that council hold off their rather meaningless vote of confidence for the chief until they have spoken to the entire police force, who held a unanimous vote of NO CONFIDENCE, to address their concerns.

Others also spoke during comment time. Then it was the council’s turn and they let loose on the residents that had spoken. Particularly Councilwoman Khalil who turned her ire on an older woman (my age) and yelled at her in the most obnoxious manner. (It was caught on video.) She was demeaning and insulting and humiliating and quite frankly more than a bit scary. 

But then Council President Jay Conners attacked this same woman again after the meeting outside Borough Hall using profanity, demanding her identity that she refused to give. I don’t blame her. This was overheard by several people including several seniors on a bench nearby. All found it a bit frightening. (And may I say completely out of character for the Jay Conners I know.) 

If council members, our elected officials, feel free to scream and curse and berate seniors just trying to get the facts over concern for our safety one has to wonder why they are so vehement when it comes to anyone challenging them. Why? What makes these folks so nervous? These are our elected officials and it is our right and duty to make sure they are representing OUR needs. 

But when they demand to know our names what’s next? Denying permits? Increased taxes? Or simply harassing us as we walk the streets? Yes, I’m nervous and little scared of what comes next.