Gangs? (Lexington, Louisville, Prospect: travel, university, suburbs)

[jco]

I know this is a touchy subject, but I was wondering if there is a gang problem in Louisville? We're coming from Phoenix area, and don't want to move somewhere that we'll experience the same issues we have here. Thanks so much for your feedback!

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by jco

I know this is a touchy subject, but I was wondering if there is a gang problem in Louisville? We're coming from Phoenix area, and don't want to move somewhere that we'll experience the same issues we have here. Thanks so much for your feedback!

No, our gang problems are nothing like Phoenix. Most of the gangs in Louisville are small, local black gangs confined to the west end. As long as you don't live in that area, you will not notice any gang activity. From what I have read, Phoenix is overrun with Latino gangs. The Latin population has just not gotten high enough here and we don't have any problems like that.

[Cattknap]

Stx, about a year and a half ago I did see what looked like gang signs (graffiti) on road signs along 42 in Prospect (could have been some teens having "fun", don't know)....didn't notice anything last fall when I was there...have you noticed anything like this in your travels? Does Louisville have a graffiti abatement crew that deals with graffiti - it was so odd to see this - haven't noticed graffiti much at all otherwise.

[jco]

Thank you for your feedback. It's true that Latino gangs have overrun many areas of Phoenix.

[andychase63@yahoo.com]

I lived in Tempe for 4 years- on Hardy by University. Where in the Phoenix area are you coming from?

[jco]

Surprise actually (yay... not any reall gangs here), but I've lived in Phoenix, Glendale, and Queen Creek, too.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by Cattknap

Stx, about a year and a half ago I did see what looked like gang signs (graffiti) on road signs along 42 in Prospect (could have been some teens having "fun", don't know)....didn't notice anything last fall when I was there...have you noticed anything like this in your travels? Does Louisville have a graffiti abatement crew that deals with graffiti - it was so odd to see this - haven't noticed graffiti much at all otherwise.

No, the graffiti here is mostly done by local groups of bored teens. I know in large cities gangs use graffiti to "mark territory," but there is little of that in Louisville. You can see graffiti on road signs anywhere...case in point, I saw some on signs in the Hamptons, NY! Does that mean you wouldn't live there?

Louisville had a legal graffiti wall downtown, but they put an end to that. You will see a decent amount of tasteful graffiti in the more urban areas of the city, but I have seen very little in the suburbs if at all.

I would not worry about gangs in Louisville AT ALL. Even the police will tell you there are few if any gangs with big time national ties. Any gangs we do have are trying to imitate gangs from S. California, which is the epicenter of dangerous gang activity. From the FBI:

http://www.fbi.gov/congress/congress...cker042005.htm

Clearly, the most dangerous gangs originate in the SW US, usually with Latino origins. Read about the MS-13. Thankfully they haven't really made it out here much yet.

[gimme it]

Just my 2 cents, but I live in Manhattan, and I never, ever even think about gangs. I never even see gangs. I think they tend to stay in their own neighborhoods and they are their own worst enemies. So, I am going to assume that if gang life does not affect me in NYC, then surely it won't be a problem in Lexington or Louisville.

[stx12499]

Originally Posted by gimme it

Just my 2 cents, but I live in Manhattan, and I never, ever even think about gangs. I never even see gangs. I think they tend to stay in their own neighborhoods and they are their own worst enemies. So, I am going to assume that if gang life does not affect me in NYC, then surely it won't be a problem in Lexington or Louisville.

You are a wise person

[ler0719]

You are absolutely right gimme it. I live on Long Island and gang problems are horrible here. We just had a shooting go on because of gangs at my old high school. I have really never heard of gang problems in major cities. It always the smaller towns. People think of Long Island as this wonderful area and it so isn't. Trust me there are places in the Hamptons I would never want to live in as well. I can't wait to visit KY at the end of the month!!