A holiday story of prevention and growth.
By Melissa Somers
Executive Director, CPP SoCal*
Every You down in Youville liked progress a lot….
But the Grinch, who lived in the region of Youville, did NOT!
The Grinch hated progress! And all for no reason.
Now please don’t ask why he chose such a treason.
It could be his head wasn’t screwed on just right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But I think that the most likely reason of all,
May have been that his conscience was two sizes too small.
Whatever the reason, his conscience or his shoes,
He stood ready to strike with disdain for the Yous.
Staring down from his perch with a sour, Grinchy frown,
At the bustling progress at work in the town,
He knew every You there in Youville below
Was busy now, working with a holiday glow.
“The Yous are productive and I disagree!”
“Progress is happening! It’s all around me!”
Then he growled, with his Grinch fingers nervously drumming.
“I MUST find a way to stop progress from coming!”
“I’ve tolerated improvements for so very long now,
It’s high time to end all this growth! But how?”
“All I need is a strategy”, thought the Grinch as he pondered
“That keeps them from working, but what?” he then wondered.
“I know!” He mused with his Grinchy, mean grin.
“I’ll steal their equipment and sell it again!”
“I can stop this dreaded work and all of the fuss”
“If the Yous don’t have their loaders and trucks!”
So he called his pal, Max. Then the Grinch grabbed his keys
And the duo set off for their construction crime spree.
In their ramshackle truck they drove through the night
And the pair began looking for the first place to strike.
The Yous were so anxious for their holiday break
That the Grinch and his pal were counting on mistakes.
They hoped that each site had been hastily left.
With nary a hint of security present to test
Their dastardly plans of theft and destruction
And scheme to delay every kind of construction.
They soon spied a yard, hoping for an unlocked gate
And prayed that its foreman chose to test his fate.
They approached their first target, greed gleaming in their eyes
But immediately noticed things were secure, much to their surprise.
The first thing that they spotted was a sign boldly posted
That offered a reward to people who were devoted-
To stopping any bad guys or thieves on the prowl
“That does it!” The Grinch proclaimed with a growl.
“How will I ever stop this blasted construction I hate?”
“If every job has a reward sign posted on their gate?”
“And to make matters worse, they’ve secured all their trucks
On to the next; I need to make some bucks!”
So Max and the Grinch continued their quest
Slowly trolling the equipment left on I-10 west.
“Surely the assets they left on the side of the freeway
Will be easy to steal and then sell on Ebay.”
The pair was quite pleased with their brilliant new plot
As they approached, they hoped they’d find what they sought.
But much to their dismay it became easy to see
That the You’s had secured everything therefore ending their spree.
Not only was each loader and tool locked that night
The You’s made it clear that their security was airtight
And once again the Grinch noticed that bright yellow sign
That made it clear the You’d would tolerate no crime!
It was then that the Grinch as his nasty pal Max
Started to think that their plan might have a few cracks.
“If they’ve posted these signs, and put locks all around,”
Maybe a weakness in their security won’t be found.”
So the Grinch started doubting his plans for making quick cash
As he certainly did not want to risk any backlash.
And then something happened, taking the Grinch by surprise
He felt his conscience growing to ten times its normal size!
He respected the measures the You’s all had taken
And realized his resistance to progress was mistaken.
“It’s delightful to see so many types of prevention-
Cameras, locks and warning signs calling attention.
And the fact that the You’s so clearly embrace
Prevention and progress that beautifies this place!”
Then the Grinch decided to do something to show
As his conscience continued to grow, grow, and GROW…
“I’ll support the You’s progress and all it includes
And welcome each You, regardless of mood.”
Fully embracing his gratitude for the You’s and their work
The Grinch then decided to stop being a jerk
He then took a deep breath and shouted with delight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!”
So now you know the story of the Grinch’s about face
And how, through awareness, he came to embrace
The You’s, their construction, and dedication to progress
And even a bit of tolerance for the occasional mess.
Don’t fail to notice the prevention clues that we’ve shared
And the importance of taking steps to prepare
So that your holiday season can be one filled with joy
And you’re doing your part to stop evil ploys!
*The Crime Prevention Program of Southern California (CPP) is a non-profit organization working with our members, law enforcement, the construction industry and area auto theft task forces to educate, empower and engage in a community fighting construction crime. For information on how you can join the CPP community, contact Melissa Somers, Executive Director @ 562-860-9006 or email: [email protected]. “Together, We Make a Difference”.
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