On the morning of July 1, just as I was reading a neighbor's concerns about a shooting that had happened earlier that day, I heard 6-8 canon-like booms right beside my home. Minutes later I peeked outside--saw neighbors running and an abandoned "drive-by" bicycle in the middle of the street. Three doors down and around the corner, a young man lay, writhing in pain. Blood was gushing from his back as he lay on the concrete face down.
By the end of the afternoon, a third shooting had happened, all within 4 hours and blocks of one another. Drug feuds, no doubt.
Although shootings can happen anywhere, their quantity in Pigtown is too dangerous to ignore. There is little regard for human life--makes me feel so disgusted...and afraid. Until Baltimore City changes its approach on crime, I have no choice but to relocate.
Time to go. I tried.
Here is an article in the Baltimore Sun that describes this chaotic day: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-city-shootings-20110701,0,4127607.story
By the end of the afternoon, a third shooting had happened, all within 4 hours and blocks of one another. Drug feuds, no doubt.
Although shootings can happen anywhere, their quantity in Pigtown is too dangerous to ignore. There is little regard for human life--makes me feel so disgusted...and afraid. Until Baltimore City changes its approach on crime, I have no choice but to relocate.
Time to go. I tried.
Here is an article in the Baltimore Sun that describes this chaotic day: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-city-shootings-20110701,0,4127607.story
12 comments:
I don't know about legalization...these drug guys are so hellbent on avoiding any legitimate work, they will find a way to circumvent it. Prostitution, dog fighting, thefts, guns, etc. will be on the increase.
When I was a teen/early 20s, I knew many young guys/girls who sold drugs, and there was a common psych profile: (1) All had issues with authority or being controlled; (2) want to set their own schedule; (3) feel disillusioned about education and mainstream acceptance; (4) want to get paid a LOT of money with no tax responsibility; and (5) want to work exclusively w/people with whom they relate culturally/socioeconomically.
Just because you take away their trade, it's not going to change that psychology.
As we all know, real jobs have tons of demands; lots of compromise and "sucking it up". They're not just going to shape up and ship out.
It is morbid and incredibly horrible to say, but the only thing that is going to stop a majority is a bomb. Sorry. The level of dysfunction is so entrenched, it's beyond comprehension.
Anyway, I'm still here in Pigtown, but hoping that I'll be gone by spring 2012 if everything falls into place.
Again, I apologize for the negative and hopeless tone.
Great points, but I'm afraid that the violence is not going to decrease/stop if drugs, guns, pros, etc. are legalized. There is a problem with anger/stress management across this country, but its expression has a more deadly outcome in the hood. As long as people are angry and feeling worthless, there will be tremendous violence. I think that "reprogramming" military camps could work for some; but not for all. Sadly, I know it's not their fault; they come from dysfunctional families, generation after generation--many never experiencing love and care.
Btw, there are many drug dealers who make barely $20K a year--it's not just about greed--it's feeling that you're not good enough at anything else.
For 5 years, I have waited patiently for a turn around, but it's not happening on my block. All of the new owner-neighbors (but 3) have left within 3 years. They all say it's not family-friendly. I can't speak for all of Pigtown. There are sections that are completely peaceful and attractive. It's just not the case on 11th and Cleveland.
Strange, because I live on your block, have for 8 years and right now it is the most family friendly it's ever been...we must live at opposite ends of the street.
Wondering where my dear H.C. has gone!!! Please come back!
Hi Neighbor Donald! I can definitely say that neighbors/police have done a great job working to derail the open-drug-market atmosphere I noticed when I first came to this block in 2006. However, this neighborhood is not on par w/ the standard definition or resources of a family-friendly neighborhood. (1) Lack of rec centers or safe play zones for children per ratio of residents. (2) Cars/motorcycles speed as fast as 60mph down a stretch of W. Ostend w/no speed bumps/lights/cross walks; (3) Number of violent attacks/shootings can't be ignored. Remember that crazy home invasion at [115-] Cleveland St. in 2009? (4) Ratio of registered sex offenders--pedos--in the neighborhood is FAR higher than national average. (5) Illiteracy, dysfunctional households, domestic abuse, and drug use is dramatically higher in this community than the national average.
It's not to say people haven't and don't raise good, and perfectly well adjusted kids here, but it's not a first choice neighborhood.
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