I think the crack house on my block is an anomaly. It isn't like it was back in the early 90's when they were everywhere. The corner store has always been a low life place but even that wasn't engaged in drug dealing activity until the most recent people started running it.
What's different this time for me here is that there are more families living on my block that give a damn. I have a great deal more help and interest in dealing with this problem this time than I did the last time around. I actually feel like we have a team. Having the Whittier e-mail group to use and this forum has been a tremendous asset. What's also different are the remedies available from the police. The technology is way way better than it was in the early 90's. Again, computer technology has really helped with the communication and education thing. The police are better prepared to deal with these situations especially in the aftermath. They have better tools to help landlords learn that they don't have to rent to criminals and methods to show them how to avoid it. They also have way better systems to track repeat criminal offenders. I don't know about the gang turf stuff. Unless I have my head completely stuck in the sand, Whittier doesn't appear to have a huge gang problem. I may be wrong. And the "uniform" thing....be careful there. My son and his friends wear white t-shirts and black shorts or pants and they are no where near being gang members. My son finished the 8th grade year with 5 A's, passed the 8th grade basic skills test, is enrolled in a good high school and his own personal goal is to graduate from college. Conversely, the thugs across the street also wear white t-shirts with black shorts or pants. I would be willing to bet these kids didn't finish the school year at all, they didn't pass the basic skills test, their parents don't even care if they go to school let alone which one and the only place they seem headed is prison. Barb Lickness Whittier ===== "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
