Pit Them Against Each Other!

There is something so wrong with this.

I can already hear the witch trials and McCarthy hearings ringning in the background. Are you kidding me? Teenagers...Promised money...To tattle on their fellow students? Two things can come from this:

1) Everyone starts pointing the finger at someone who stole their boyfriend/girlfriend.

2) Certain students are noticeably parking in the "specially designated" spots on campus, and suddenly become very unpopular.

Please, this whole idea of "community watch" is rediculous. It was started in an attempt to spot suspicious behavior among those suffering from socialism paranoia. It is meant to keep us watching each other instead of keeping our eyes on the thieves in government.

What it SHOULD be doing is bringing communities together by allowing everyone to get to know each other and therefore be able to spot the "non-member" and shine a light on outsiders who might be infiltrating the group. It SHOULD NOT be causing paranoia and fear, and widespread suspicion of everyone in your neighborhood or school.

There was a time in this country (not too long ago, I might add) when a new person or family would move into a neighborhood and there would be a welcoming comittee that would bring cookies and small gifts in order to get to know the new member of their little establishment. Now, a new person moves in and everyone watches them from their windows, wondering what they're up to, and concoting all sorts of superstitious nonsense instead of just asking them who they are.

Have you ever seen "The Burbs?"