Seven vacant parcels noted at plaza north of Edison Mall. (apartment, vouchers)

[Kim in FL]

Originally Posted by explorerman1

It really worries me as to why people would be afraid to call the police on someone committing a crime. The thugs are wrong for committing the crime, and the thugs need to get what they deserve; justice.

Also, when reporting a crime tip, people in Southwest Florida have a right to remain anonymous. And when a tipster remains anonymous, it would be like the suspect was reported by some mysterious "bogeyman" and the suspect can only face his jail time.

This logic doesn't apply to the ghetto/hood of Fort Myers. This is has been something the FMPD has been fighting against for years. There is no 'remain anonymous' in these areas of Fort Myers.

[wjj]

Originally Posted by explorerman1

It really worries me as to why people would be afraid to call the police on someone committing a crime. The thugs are wrong for committing the crime, and the thugs need to get what they deserve; justice.

Also, when reporting a crime tip, people in Southwest Florida have a right to remain anonymous. And when a tipster remains anonymous, it would be like the suspect was reported by some mysterious "bogeyman" and the suspect can only face his jail time.

Wow. No offense, but you must not have lived a big city experience. Your post is a bit naive.

I am from Chicago where there is open warfare in some parts of the city, and suburbs. Over 1000 shot in the city already this year. Plus the stabbings, bombs, etc.

Everybody in these war zone areas know who did the deed. But no way they are speaking up because the police cannot protect them. Do you really think they will agree to be a witness in a trial? No. And without a witness, there is no case. The mobs have taken over in parts (but certainly not all) of Chicago. This all seems to me to be the same thing in FM but on a much smaller scale.

[Fl1150]

Originally Posted by wjj

Wow. No offense, but you must not have lived a big city experience. Your post is a bit naive.

I am from Chicago where there is open warfare in some parts of the city, and suburbs. Over 1000 shot in the city already this year. Plus the stabbings, bombs, etc.

Everybody in these war zone areas know who did the deed. But no way they are speaking up because the police cannot protect them. Do you really think they will agree to be a witness in a trial? No. And without a witness, there is no case. The mobs have taken over in parts (but certainly not all) of Chicago. This all seems to me to be the same thing in FM but on a much smaller scale.

I've realized both sides of the argument don't like taking responsibility of what is happening in places like Chicago. They rather point the finger at someone else than try to find a solution.

[Compression]

Originally Posted by Fl1150

I've realized both sides of the argument don't like taking responsibility of what is happening in places like Chicago. They rather point the finger at someone else than try to find a solution.

The solution? The only responsibility is personal responsibility. You cannot legislate human behavior. You can only use brute force to reign it in.

Look around you carefully, more and more socialist style laws, with the attendant explanations for them, the militarization of local police forces.......we are already sliding down the slippery slope, no turning back now. For today we'll have vouchers, so "the poor" can move to "the rich" areas.......at the expense of "the rich" taxpayer. When there are no more rich taxpayers they will just legislate that everyone is entitled to whatever scraps of the society are left.......socialism always leads to communism, by whichever name they choose to call it, in the end.

CN.......

[explorerman1]

You can remain anonymous if you use the Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers website. Their website is swflcrimestoppers | 1-800-780-TIPS If you click on the "Email a Tip" button, it gives you a form to fill out, but only about the suspect! You do not put any info about yourself at all on that online form, only info on the suspect. Of course, this is generally only for people who know a suspect by name, address, and such.

Also, police in the State of Florida use DNA to track down suspects. When I was assaulted over a month ago, the police swiped Q-tips all over my glasses and my face to pick up traces of the suspects' DNA. And DNA has allready proved extremely useful in tracking down and identifying suspects. Once, when a businessman in Miami was shot and murdered and the wife fired back and hit the suspect in his car, even though the police had no suspects in custody, they took DNA samples from the suspect's abandoned car, and within days, they positively identified him. He was eventually arrested and charged with the murder, and last time I read, is currently serving a 35 year prison sentence.

[Kim in FL]

Originally Posted by explorerman1

You can remain anonymous if you use the Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers website. Their website is swflcrimestoppers | 1-800-780-TIPS If you click on the "Email a Tip" button, it gives you a form to fill out, but only about the suspect! You do not put any info about yourself at all on that online form, only info on the suspect. Of course, this is generally only for people who know a suspect by name, address, and such.

Also, police in the State of Florida use DNA to track down suspects. When I was assaulted over a month ago, the police swiped Q-tips all over my glasses and my face to pick up traces of the suspects' DNA. And DNA has allready proved extremely useful in tracking down and identifying suspects. Once, when a businessman in Miami was shot and murdered and the wife fired back and hit the suspect in his car, even though the police had no suspects in custody, they took DNA samples from the suspect's abandoned car, and within days, they positively identified him. He was eventually arrested and charged with the murder, and last time I read, is currently serving a 35 year prison sentence.

While this may be true, the fact remains that most people in the hood/ghetto ignore what's going on around them for fear of retaliation. Retaliation is a real thing...so you can all whomever you want...if 'they' find out about it, you're a goner.

In order to prosecute you need witnesses. Plenty of cases have gone sour because people refuse to give a statement or be a witness. In the case you cited, there were no witnesses and with the DNA they didn't need them. In the case of a child being shot to death in Fort Myers there were witnesses, but they weren't talking.

Is there a solution? I'm sure there is, but once the solution is thought of and put in place, there will be zero compliance and wasted tax dollars on enforcement.

[Mr Cape Coral]

The area in question is just North of the Edison Mall. KMart has closed many stores across the country because they could not compete in the market. That plaza went under a major refurbishment and was vacant during that time. Where KMart was a big flooring store has now moved in. The plaza looks much better and has other stores up and running.
Upgrades take time, but I think this is a positive contribution to the area.

[rikoshaprl]

Just south of Colonial on 41 a large new 18 acre development is going to be built. It will be market rate apartments as well as shopping/restaurants. It will be called Grand Central. There are some awesome restaurants that have opened in that same area. Ginger Bistro, Nathan's, a couple of Indian restaurants and more.

[GrouperK]

Grand central?!

Gahh, that's exactly what FL needs, a NY reference. Bleh.

[rikoshaprl]

Originally Posted by GrouperK

Grand central?!

Gahh, that's exactly what FL needs, a NY reference. Bleh.

Fort Myers beach has Times Square. haha