Jolene and Marci were two essential members of the Little Earth Protectors. Marci diligently recorded radio updates in her journal, marking which "clusters" of homes had been cleared. Jolene kept in close contact with those on patrol, watching over Cedar Avenue and the parking lot outside the Little Earth Offices.

One evening, Daniel, another Protector, invited me to join him on patrol. As we walked through the seven clusters that make up Little Earth, it was clear how well-connected he was—nearly everyone we passed greeted him warmly. Midway through, a series of sharp pops echoed through the air. I instinctively ducked, but Daniel turned to me with a calm smile.

"Firecrackers," he explained. "Gunshots are different—they’re more directional and have a metallic sound." I was both impressed and saddened by that response. How he was able to tell so quickly... I guess it just spoke to the realities of neighborhood.