Comments on: Overheard/Friday Question of the Day http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2008/05/overheardfriday-question-of-the-day/ Welcome to the beautiful life Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:57:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Anonymous http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2008/05/overheardfriday-question-of-the-day/#comment-114020 Anonymous Fri, 02 May 2008 19:41:49 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/?p=2457#comment-114020 an old family friend was once asked ( and asked, and asked) why she chose to live west of rock creek park instead of a predominately black section of the city. she said she did because she liked a particular house, yes, but also because the services were better-including-she said, police response. i think its true. and the fact that this region is highly segregated makes the question even more complicated. but i can tell you this, bucks alone dont guarantee -oh-decent places to live and or shop... middle and upper class black folks in pg county JUST got a decent shopping mall-and their demographics still havent produced a decent number of sit down restaurants.. an old family friend was once asked ( and asked, and asked) why she chose to live west of rock creek park instead of a predominately black section of the city. she said she did because she liked a particular house, yes, but also because the services were better-including-she said, police response.
i think its true. and the fact that this region is highly segregated makes the question even more complicated. but i can tell you this, bucks alone dont guarantee -oh-decent places to live and or shop… middle and upper class black folks in pg county JUST got a decent shopping mall-and their demographics still havent produced a decent number of sit down restaurants..

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2008/05/overheardfriday-question-of-the-day/#comment-114019 Anonymous Fri, 02 May 2008 19:34:08 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/?p=2457#comment-114019 Nobody is concerned about what the kids might have been doing that made them worry about the police coming within 2 minutes? Nobody is concerned about what the kids might have been doing that made them worry about the police coming within 2 minutes?

]]> By: 16th Street http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2008/05/overheardfriday-question-of-the-day/#comment-114018 16th Street Fri, 02 May 2008 19:03:34 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/?p=2457#comment-114018 The last anonymous commenter, that is. The last anonymous commenter, that is.

]]> By: 16th Street http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2008/05/overheardfriday-question-of-the-day/#comment-114017 16th Street Fri, 02 May 2008 19:03:06 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/?p=2457#comment-114017 The last commenter has it exactly right. I've lived in expensive areas and I've also lived in the hood; from what I've experienced the more expensive areas get much better police response and the police treat the residents with at least a shred of respect. The last commenter has it exactly right. I’ve lived in expensive areas and I’ve also lived in the hood; from what I’ve experienced the more expensive areas get much better police response and the police treat the residents with at least a shred of respect.

]]> By: Rehorakthy http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2008/05/overheardfriday-question-of-the-day/#comment-114016 Rehorakthy Fri, 02 May 2008 18:57:56 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/?p=2457#comment-114016 Hello neighbors, I used to live at 12 & U, and I moved because the crime was getting so bad. I have been in Petworth for nearly 3 years and have none of the same problems. Yes, there is still crime, but I know my neighbors here, and they will call the police in a second if anything weird is going on on our block. In my old condo building, people barely spoke to each other and didn't really seem to want to admit that the multiple stabbings, shootings, muggings and break-ins were actually happening and getting worse. They seemed to believe that because the area had become "gentrified," there was a magic shield surrounding and protecting them from all violent crime. I could be totally wrong about this, but it is my understanding that the 4th District has a lower crime rate, in part, because of a highly visible police presence. When I first moved here, I remember how often I saw police officers patrolling the streets. It was in sharp contrast to frequently seeing police in the 3rd district with sirens blaring on their way to what I assumed was a crime in progress (NOTE: officers in the 3rd district work extremely hard as well!!!!) The primary difference, from my perspective is that people here seem to be more invested in the quality of living and our neighborhood. When I lived on U street, people seemed to be more interested in being near the "Hot Spots"--a frame of mind, that in my opinion, lends itself to viewing one's presence in the area as transitional, generally speaking. Live well, EOJ Hello neighbors,

I used to live at 12 & U, and I moved because the crime was getting so bad. I have been in Petworth for nearly 3 years and have none of the same problems. Yes, there is still crime, but I know my neighbors here, and they will call the police in a second if anything weird is going on on our block. In my old condo building, people barely spoke to each other and didn’t really seem to want to admit that the multiple stabbings, shootings, muggings and break-ins were actually happening and getting worse. They seemed to believe that because the area had become “gentrified,” there was a magic shield surrounding and protecting them from all violent crime.

I could be totally wrong about this, but it is my understanding that the 4th District has a lower crime rate, in part, because of a highly visible police presence. When I first moved here, I remember how often I saw police officers patrolling the streets. It was in sharp contrast to frequently seeing police in the 3rd district with sirens blaring on their way to what I assumed was a crime in progress (NOTE: officers in the 3rd district work extremely hard as well!!!!)

The primary difference, from my perspective is that people here seem to be more invested in the quality of living and our neighborhood. When I lived on U street, people seemed to be more interested in being near the “Hot Spots”–a frame of mind, that in my opinion, lends itself to viewing one’s presence in the area as transitional, generally speaking.

Live well,
EOJ

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2008/05/overheardfriday-question-of-the-day/#comment-114015 Anonymous Fri, 02 May 2008 16:36:08 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/?p=2457#comment-114015 I know a lot of people who do care and do raise hell, and still get nothing for their trouble. There is a MISPERCEPTION that if you are IN the hood, you are also OF the hood. I know a lot of people who do care and do raise hell, and still get nothing for their trouble. There is a MISPERCEPTION that if you are IN the hood, you are also OF the hood.

]]> By: nate http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2008/05/overheardfriday-question-of-the-day/#comment-114014 nate Fri, 02 May 2008 15:26:01 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/?p=2457#comment-114014 I think the answer is rather complex. But I doubt race has much if anything to do with it. My take is that as gentrification occurs, the criminals are spread out. Take Shaw for instance. Many of the drug dealers, robbers, etc have been displaced. As such, if you sell drugs in Shaw now, most of your customers have likely moved on. Now if you are a robber, you are more likely to rob someone or be seen by someone that won't have a problem "snitchin". When I first moved to Petworth, a guy would sell drugs out of his car at the corner of 4th & Emerson. I was amazed that noone seemed to care. He was able to do this because the neighbors never called the police on him. Hell, he was their friend. And this was occurring in their block. Suffice to say he didn't last long after I moved in. I have an apartment building in SE. I recently had a tenant comment to me about how he watched so many customers for the drug dealer in the next building over come and go all night. He never mentioned calling the police on the guy. You can't blame white people or gentrification for failing to do something when you won't take the first step of doing it for yourself. We in the black community have taken the approach that this guy is doing it to feed his family. Or he can't find a good job, so this is all he can do. Yet, most of the drug dealers I see DON'T take care of the kids they have. Nor do they do anything to deserve a "good" job. I think the answer is rather complex. But I doubt race has much if anything to do with it. My take is that as gentrification occurs, the criminals are spread out. Take Shaw for instance. Many of the drug dealers, robbers, etc have been displaced. As such, if you sell drugs in Shaw now, most of your customers have likely moved on. Now if you are a robber, you are more likely to rob someone or be seen by someone that won’t have a problem “snitchin”.

When I first moved to Petworth, a guy would sell drugs out of his car at the corner of 4th & Emerson. I was amazed that noone seemed to care. He was able to do this because the neighbors never called the police on him. Hell, he was their friend. And this was occurring in their block. Suffice to say he didn’t last long after I moved in.

I have an apartment building in SE. I recently had a tenant comment to me about how he watched so many customers for the drug dealer in the next building over come and go all night. He never mentioned calling the police on the guy. You can’t blame white people or gentrification for failing to do something when you won’t take the first step of doing it for yourself.

We in the black community have taken the approach that this guy is doing it to feed his family. Or he can’t find a good job, so this is all he can do. Yet, most of the drug dealers I see DON’T take care of the kids they have. Nor do they do anything to deserve a “good” job.

]]> By: reuben http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2008/05/overheardfriday-question-of-the-day/#comment-114013 reuben Fri, 02 May 2008 15:18:38 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/?p=2457#comment-114013 I think E-Girl hit the proverbial on the head... Well stated.... I recently had a conversation with a young man wearing a "Stop Snitching" t shirt. I asked if he'd feel that way if someone, say, knocked his Mom in the head -or worse.. I don't understand the rationale behind protecting people who spread violence and havoc. It's not like these guys are, oh, guerillas hellbent on overthrowing an unjust despot or something.. Self hate is (yet another) crime. I think E-Girl hit the proverbial on the head… Well stated…. I recently had a conversation with a young man wearing a “Stop Snitching” t shirt. I asked if he’d feel that way if someone, say, knocked his Mom in the head -or worse..
I don’t understand the rationale behind protecting people who spread violence and havoc.
It’s not like these guys are, oh, guerillas hellbent on overthrowing
an unjust despot or something.. Self hate is (yet another) crime.

]]> By: E-girl http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2008/05/overheardfriday-question-of-the-day/#comment-114012 E-girl Fri, 02 May 2008 14:58:26 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/?p=2457#comment-114012 Better policing comes along with more affluent neighborhoods. Period. Does that mean crime doesn't happen in those neighborhoods? Of course, not. Crime is everywhere. However, the frequency of crime is far less, and the police response when it does occur is a lot faster. It's not one of those things that's simply brushed off because such activity is particular to such a neighborhood. Does under-reporting of crime occur? Absolutely. Many people believe that law enforcement doesn't care anyway, so why bother? It's a vicious cycle. There are so many factors involved. Does race/gentrification play a role? Yes. Does apathy on the part of less affluent residents play a role? Yes. Do the attitudes of some officers play a role? Yes. Until we're all willing to acknowledge all parts of the situation, the problem will remain. Better policing comes along with more affluent neighborhoods. Period. Does that mean crime doesn’t happen in those neighborhoods? Of course, not. Crime is everywhere. However, the frequency of crime is far less, and the police response when it does occur is a lot faster. It’s not one of those things that’s simply brushed off because such activity is particular to such a neighborhood.

Does under-reporting of crime occur? Absolutely. Many people believe that law enforcement doesn’t care anyway, so why bother? It’s a vicious cycle.

There are so many factors involved. Does race/gentrification play a role? Yes. Does apathy on the part of less affluent residents play a role? Yes. Do the attitudes of some officers play a role? Yes. Until we’re all willing to acknowledge all parts of the situation, the problem will remain.

]]> By: Steve http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2008/05/overheardfriday-question-of-the-day/#comment-114011 Steve Fri, 02 May 2008 14:19:23 +0000 http://www.princeofpetworth.com/?p=2457#comment-114011 Are there two things going on here? First, it seems like there is a lot of crime between neighborhood groups - call them gangs if you want, but I am not sure they are organized in the west coast sense of gangs. The second is the robbery, breakins that probably happens everywhere. In this case, is it a matter of concetration? By that I mean based on population density. Does this sort of crime happen in the less dense suburbs with the same frequency, but is less concenrated so it is less noticed? Do crime stats back this up? I remember growing up in the 'burbs in West Springfield and recall my mom's purse being stolen out of the hall closet by someone posing as a Greenpease canvasser and other break ins in the neighborhood By the way this happens alot west of the park too. I recall some telling by about a spate of laptop thefts in Spring Hill. No window bars overthere! Are there two things going on here? First, it seems like there is a lot of crime between neighborhood groups – call them gangs if you want, but I am not sure they are organized in the west coast sense of gangs. The second is the robbery, breakins that probably happens everywhere. In this case, is it a matter of concetration? By that I mean based on population density. Does this sort of crime happen in the less dense suburbs with the same frequency, but is less concenrated so it is less noticed? Do crime stats back this up? I remember growing up in the ‘burbs in West Springfield and recall my mom’s purse being stolen out of the hall closet by someone posing as a Greenpease canvasser and other break ins in the neighborhood

By the way this happens alot west of the park too. I recall some telling by about a spate of laptop thefts in Spring Hill. No window bars overthere!

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