One afternoon, as I was driving down Commercial Street in Portland, I witnessed money actually flying through the air. I pulled over and safely collected $75 before deciding I could be a traffic hazard. I imagined someone with a pocketful of cash who probably exited one of the seedy pubs just down from the coffee shop, perhaps inebriated and suddenly without money to feed themselves or family.

As much as I could have used $75 at that moment I imagined someone worse off. I drove to the police station and the officer on duty was visibly stunned that I would bring it to him. I repeated that indeed I wanted to leave it in case there was a report of lost earnings and if not, would they please give it to someone who needed it. Honestly, I doubt it left the building after that! And I did leave a phone number. Anyway, I happened to mention to my landlord, who is a well recognized property owner, landlord in Portland as to what had transpired and he was so touched he comped me a month’s rent for my thoughtfulness. Now that’s a “pay forward” is it not?

Bottom line, right/right thinking and behavior have always served me well and as I get older, it gets easier to do. Thanks for your time and your thoughtful, insightful publication. I have lived in Camden a couple of times over the years and that is where I became familiar with your organization.

Perhaps a real test of “lost wallets” with scientific sampling in cities across the country would give us a true reading on where people can be most trusted to obey the unenforceable.