[elinyc]

Originally Posted by Stylo

I think you'd need to spend some significant time in the city before making those assumptions.

As far as Stamford, what mid-sized city center doesn't have small pockets like you described?

Perhaps you are right about my assumptions re: New Haven, but that city DOES have a crime problem that every national crime statistic backs. The fact that there are a couple of cute blocks around Yale doesn't make up for that, in my opinion.

In Stamford downtown, you can't walk for more than a block or 2 before you encounter the negative elements I described. Other cities may have pockets of similar elements, but those elements are not always smack in the middle of downtown and/or totally unavoidable unless you stick within a 1-2 block radius.

For me personally, the problem is even more frustrating because issues of crime/grime seem to be omnipresent in EVERY CT city and this small state has the distinct dishonorable honor of having 3 of the 25 most dangerous cities in the USA. My hope for CT would be that people would stop denying these issues and approaching them with "well this is the way it HAS to be because all cities have these problems" mentality and instead recognize the issue and create an actionable plan to improve our cities.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Wilton2ParkAve

At least 50% of my class was "held-up" during their tenure in New Haven (2002-2003). Crime rates remain stubbornly high, even C-D lists the crime index in the high 600s versus low 700s a decade ago. Murders are much higher than a decade ago.

Downtown has significantly gentrified since the early 2000's. I feel A LOT more safe out at night now than I did in that era. A LOT. The difference is massive IMO.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by elinyc

Perhaps you are right about my assumptions re: New Haven, but that city DOES have a crime problem that every national crime statistic backs. The fact that there are a couple of cute blocks around Yale doesn't make up for that, in my opinion.

It's far more than a "couple of cute blocks".

This'll be my last comment on the subject, but this highlights the continuous urban area in New Haven that is far from sketchy (with the exception of that block of lower Chapel I mentioned, that's one area of downtown that hasn't gentrified at all) and is an area that is good to walk in. I suppose the hospital (YNH main) could be included, although there's nothing particularly interesting about that area that would make you want to walk it.

http://i.imgur.com/MQkqh6d.jpg

As you can see, NH's biggest challenge is developing the land between the train station and downtown. I didn't highlight that area for a reason. It's a no man's land and not a comfortable place to walk late at night. That's the next swath of development the city needs to do well.

RE: Stamford, I've walked around downtown quite a few times and never found it to be overly sketchy. There are not many cities of its size that you could walk around for any length of time and NOT encounter some sketchiness. It's easier in larger cities to have larger pristine areas, because of pure scale.

[Wilton2ParkAve]

Originally Posted by elinyc

Perhaps you are right about my assumptions re: New Haven, but that city DOES have a crime problem that every national crime statistic backs. The fact that there are a couple of cute blocks around Yale doesn't make up for that, in my opinion.

In Stamford downtown, you can't walk for more than a block or 2 before you encounter the negative elements I described. Other cities may have pockets of similar elements, but those elements are not always smack in the middle of downtown and/or totally unavoidable unless you stick within a 1-2 block radius.

For me personally, the problem is even more frustrating because issues of crime/grime seem to be omnipresent in EVERY CT city and this small state has the distinct dishonorable honor of having 3 of the 25 most dangerous cities in the USA. My hope for CT would be that people would stop denying these issues and approaching them with "well this is the way it HAS to be because all cities have these problems" mentality and instead recognize the issue and create an actionable plan to improve our cities.

There is not much blight in Stamford--- and what little there is, is concentrated on the West Side and East Side neighborhoods and near the projects. Graffiti is de minimus. There are a few vacant lots, but the demand for new rental and owner occupied multi-family units is helping eradicate. The St John towers and the hole next to the mall are also unsightly, but that is the extent of it. I will admit that the very urban downtown isn't my cup of tea, I'd much prefer the tree lined mid city or woodsy N. Stamford, but the city isn't gritty, crime ridden. What negative elements am I missing outside of the few eye sores, housing projects and less than perfect schools? Stamford has IMO fewer negative elements than most mid to large cities.

[Wilton2ParkAve]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Downtown has significantly gentrified since the early 2000's. I feel A LOT more safe out at night now than I did in that era. A LOT. The difference is massive IMO.

Unfortunately that is subjective. Factual data says otherwise.

[Stylo]

Originally Posted by Wilton2ParkAve

Unfortunately that is subjective. Factual data says otherwise.

Look at the homicide maps and see where the vast majority of them occur. Poor neighborhoods, not the downtown core.

[Wilton2ParkAve]

Originally Posted by Stylo

Look at the homicide maps and see where the vast majority of them occur. Poor neighborhoods, not the downtown core.

Is there an equivalent map for assaults, robbery and burglary? As much as I read the riot act to NH from time to time, I'm not generally worried about being murdered. However the other crimes DO happen in the downtown core.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by elinyc

Perhaps you are right about my assumptions re: New Haven, but that city DOES have a crime problem that every national crime statistic backs. The fact that there are a couple of cute blocks around Yale doesn't make up for that, in my opinion.

In Stamford downtown, you can't walk for more than a block or 2 before you encounter the negative elements I described. Other cities may have pockets of similar elements, but those elements are not always smack in the middle of downtown and/or totally unavoidable unless you stick within a 1-2 block radius.

For me personally, the problem is even more frustrating because issues of crime/grime seem to be omnipresent in EVERY CT city and this small state has the distinct dishonorable honor of having 3 of the 25 most dangerous cities in the USA. My hope for CT would be that people would stop denying these issues and approaching them with "well this is the way it HAS to be because all cities have these problems" mentality and instead recognize the issue and create an actionable plan to improve our cities.

There are not many true cities in this country that you can't walk a block or two without encountering negative elements. Lets be realistic here. Jay

[mels]

As long as we are all tossing out New Haven anecdotal evidence of crime into the ring, I lived there as a young single female and never once was a victim of crime, nor did I ever witness a crime.

[UconnHusky1]

Originally Posted by Stylo

I'll just counter this by saying we have some excellent mid-sized city centers in Stamford and New Haven, and excellent small city/town centers in places like Fairfield, West Hartford, South Norwalk, Westport, Milford, Branford, etc.

New Haven, South Norwalk, Milford is far from excellent