September, 4th 2015
Open letter to My Elected Leaders:
President Obama
United States Congress
Governor Haslam
Tennessee Legislature
Mayor McFarland
City of Murfreesboro TN, City Council
Dear Elected Leaders,
My name is Nathan Oshop, on August 4th 2015; I became the Victim of a violent crime. I was not physically injured; however the psychological and emotional injuries were profound. Up until the night of august fourth I worked part time delivering pizzas in my city of Murfreesboro Tennessee. I was lured to an address with a phony order. As I was settling back into the driver’s seat of my vehicle, a hand held my shoulder as two guns were pointed at my head. There were 3-5 attackers. They were calm, cool, and collected. They were young of age; yet very capable I doubt any were over 21. They followed a methodical plan. They were skilled hunters, I was their prey and I was trapped. I did as I was told. I gave up the money, my wallet, keys and phone. I was left stranded and helpless, alone in the dark. I found a door to knock on, and a kind stranger called for help.
Police arrived in numbers, they searched the area, they used dogs, they did all they could do. I fully cooperated, answered all the questions. I gave them a three page handwritten statement. Once I returned home, per the request of the detectives, I used the “Find My Phone” app to track down my phone. The detectives found my phone and wallet in a trash can, not far from the scene of the crime. They immediately brought my phone and wallet back that morning at about 2am. With heavy hearts, saddened eyes, and humble voices, the detectives told me “don’t expect much to come from this”.
I have lived in Sewickley Pennsylvania, Phoenix Arizona, Franklin, Columbia, and Murfreesboro Tennessee. I have known and interacted with countless law enforcement personal, federal agents, state detectives, and local police personal. I can honestly say I have never met a member of the criminal justice system that does not care. I do not know this to be true of all, only the countless many I have known. It breaks their hearts and darkens their souls to tell a victim “don’t expect much”.
Have no doubt; I blame the criminals for what happened to me. I was not doing anything I was not supposed to be doing. In fact I was doing what most of you hold up as the example of an honest life. Prior to this I was self employed full time. Pizza delivery was a second job during the lean times, a means of staying self sufficient.
I do not blame you, my elected officials for what happened to me that night. I come from a family of civic minded people. My ancestors fled the tyranny of Eastern Europe at the turn of the 20th century. They returned to Europe as dough boys. Some never came back home. My Grandfathers fought with bravery during the next world war. My Grandmothers worked the factories and mills. After, they returned back to their lives and continued to serve their communities. My Father’s uncle served his hometown of Ambridge Pennsylvania as Mayor for over 30 yrs, after losing his arm to a coal mine explosion. In retirement he continued to direct traffic for every funeral procession. Those values were passed onto my parents and then to me.
I understand the world has always been complex. Now more than ever we cannot afford to be left behind by our leaders. We need you all to rise to the challenge of an ever changing complex world. We need more police on the streets, solving crimes, not just writing tickets. We need our leaders to provide our law enforcement with the correct tools and training to meet these modern challenges, something more than just issuing surplus. We need law enforcement to receive the necessary tools now, not when it’s politically convenient. We need them trained on how to use and apply technology effectively in our ever changing modern communities. We need our leaders to recognize that law enforcement personal show up to work every day, not knowing if it is their last. They do a job that no wage can justify, we need you make an honest effort to pay them for a job well done. We need updated models for our neighborhood watches. There are countless souls who care enough to observe and report. We need our brothers and sisters to have quick access to effective help, when these efforts fail. We need every element of civic life inspired to be involved; business, civic groups, social groups and ordinary people. We all have a role to play, but we need you all to lead us. We need you all to look towards every bright shining example of civic leadership, not just the ones with like minds.
I will hold you accountable; the next time one of my brother or sisters experience what I did that night. I will hold you accountable should their loved ones have to face an even worse outcome. I will hold you accountable should they grow to not expect much. You are our elected leaders. You have an obligation to serve us. You have an obligation to focus not only on the sensational, but also the everyday.
Stop forcing our officers to say “don’t expect much to come of this”. Make sure our police have the resources they need as our communities grow. Make sure our communities are strong and our neighborhood safe. Make sure there aren’t so many psychopaths running around with guns. Make sure victims, weakened, alone, and lost in the darkness, have quick access to help. Stop dividing us; stop polarizing us with the sensational. Everyday life and lives are what you are sworn to uphold. We do expect more from you.
My wife is my hero in this. She did what she knew to be right. She stood up for me. She bypassed the obstacles. She quickly got me the help I desperately needed to survive these psychological and emotional injuries. My road to recovery could be endless. The PTSD will likely be with me for life. I hope someday to be well enough to stand up for others facing such undeserved trauma, the way Alanah stood up for me. Consider yourselves held to that standard. I am happy to help you all in any way I can. I am happy to work to replace each and every one of you, should you fail to listen.
Sincerely,
Nathan Robert Oshop
