At every turn you can see the effects of crime. There was gang-affiliated graffiti on numerous walls and fences. In my grandmother's neighborhood there is a wall with the phrase “Ver, oír, y callar” which means “Look, listen and shut up”. You can see and hear the violence happening in the neighborhood, but if you know what's best for you, you're better off keeping your mouth shut. While we were there, my sister and I couldn't leave the sight of my father. We were also not allowed to stay out late at night, as things can get more dangerous when the sun goes down. This experience has influenced the way I perceive crime; it made it more tangible for me. Crime was no longer just something you talked about on the news where you thought "oh, this could never happen to me." No, crime can happen anywhere, anytime, any time