Neighborhood turning points in Bronx? (relocating, transplants, gated)

[Hustla718]

Originally Posted by Freak

No, you're just surrounded by sooooooooooo much bad as a cop it's hard to praise anything about the South Bronx.

Answer this: how much of the bad things that go on in the Bronx would you know of if you WEREN'T a cop?

A lot.

Most people are ignorant to their surroundings. When someone would get shot in my building or on my block growing up you better belive I knew. Often they were people I knew anyway. Robberies, I knew the damn stick up kids. I knew who would rob the Chinese Food man who delivered or the random kid walking past the building. Child rapes, led to death threats from the whole block sometimes beat downs and riots as the police were arresting the guy. Domestic violence, you hear it through the walls, see the marks, the patrol cars coming to the building.

When I was your age, what are you like 17? I was out on the street a lot. Even my mother knew at least some of the things that would go on and knew the streets are dangerous. Anyone on the street will tell you the ghetto is no joke and anyone can be a victim.

The South Bronx is a very rough place. Not only can anyone be victimized, but the living conditions are low.

Here is an example of anyone being victimized. A couple weeks ago a cop on footpost, that's right on footpost with full uniform and a gun was jumped by 20 random guys. They wacked him from behind, beat him up then ran off. For fun. He was out of it and could do nothing more then scream on the radio. No one caught, too many and they all took off. It's more common then you think.

Now if you are sheltered or refuse to accept it, of course you won't know. However this is the reality. Though even now or then I didn't know of every single robbery, shooting, homicide, but I have seen enough to know better. Others lie to themselves, if they didn't see it, it didn't happen. Even more are just too stupid and simple to realize the scope of the going ons.

[cyrusjul]

Originally Posted by Hustla718

A lot.

Most people are ignorant to their surroundings. When someone would get shot in my building or on my block growing up you better belive I knew. Often they were people I knew anyway. Robberies, I knew the damn stick up kids. I knew who would rob the Chinese Food man who delivered or the random kid walking past the building. Child rapes, led to death threats from the whole block sometimes beat downs and riots as the police were arresting the guy. Domestic violence, you hear it through the walls, see the marks, the patrol cars coming to the building.

When I was your age, what are you like 17?

Back then things were much worst, I believe you, but things have improve, more jobs, better schooling, more immigrants, less abandonment, more positive attitudes, government spending, etc. But since you are a cop (or say you are) you can't really see or experience what regular people in the bronx do right now. There still alot of room for improvment but things seem positive so far.

[Elvira Black]

Hustla, I can't realize what I don't see. I realize what I do see, and what I read from reliable media sources--to whatever extent that may be. I try to make informed decisions and take informed "chances," weighing the pros and cons first, and for a long time.

In every hood I chose, I weighed the pros and cons realistically for me, turned the negatives into positives (low rent area with low prices, etc vs. location; space/quality of life in my own apt where I spend a lot of time now; etc etc) and so far so good.

You make a lot of valid points, but this pessimism of yours is kinda like propaganda designed to keep yups out.Tell them to go back to their own (often dull) white ghettos where they belong. People of different backgrounds can't get along. Everyone knows opposites don't attract.

This isn't the fifties, sixties, or any other decade from the last century. But too many people are unwilling to let go of the past and be aware and somewhat dispassionate about the present or future state of an area if they plan to move there. That's a heavy commitment, when you think about it. Once you're there, you're there.

It's easy enough to play the vic--the "ghetto" is beyond hope until someone else does something else "for" them, etc. People do have more power than they usually exercise. But it's easier to say it's hopeless--a lot easier--if you insist on clinging to the status quo.

[Hustla718]

Originally Posted by cyrusjul

Back then things were much worst, I believe you, but things have improve, more jobs, better schooling, more immigrants, less abandonment, more positive attitudes, government spending, etc. But since you are a cop (or say you are) you can't really see or experience what regular people in the bronx do right now. There still alot of room for improvment but things seem positive so far.

Things are still the same, everything I mention still goes on. Those improvements you mention are insignificant.

What jobs? McDonalds? Cashier at the supermarket?

Better schools? NYC schools are among the worst in the country. The Bronx has some of the worst in NYC.

More immigrants? they are as poor as the locals. They get thrown into this mess and work hard to get out of it. Trying not to get stuck in the poverty trap.

Less abandonedment = more poor. I don't see any rich people in the South Bronx do you?

Positive attitudes? Have you heard a kid from the South Bronx speak? I jumped that *****, I ****ed that *****. blah blah. The ghetto mentality is horrible.

The South Bronx is a negative place. People on here have to deal with that. It's not a nice place to live or even deal with.

Originally Posted by Elvira Black

Hustla, I can't realize what I don't see. I realize what I do see, and what I read from reliable media sources--to whatever extent that may be. I try to make informed decisions and take informed "chances," weighing the pros and cons first, and for a long time.

In every hood I chose, I weighed the pros and cons realistically for me, turned the negatives into positives (low rent area with low prices, etc vs. location; space/quality of life in my own apt where I spend a lot of time now; etc etc) and so far so good.

You make a lot of valid points, but this pessimism of yours is kinda like propaganda designed to keep yups out.Tell them to go back to their own (often dull) white ghettos where they belong. People of different backgrounds can't get along. Everyone knows opposites don't attract.

This isn't the fifties, sixties, or any other decade from the last century. But too many people are unwilling to let go of the past and be aware and somewhat dispassionate about the present or future state of an area if they plan to move there. That's a heavy commitment, when you think about it. Once you're there, you're there.

It's easy enough to play the vic--the "ghetto" is beyond hope until someone else does something else "for" them, etc. People do have more power than they usually exercise. But it's easier to say it's hopeless--a lot easier--if you insist on clinging to the status quo.

You don't see it becuase you honestly do not understand it and never experienced it. You might live on a block in the ghetto, but you are not part of the everyday struggle in the area. You read internet "crime stats" and the real estate section of the Times. That is your eyes out in the community. Go into a homeless shelter and ask people what they think about "gentrification". Ask some young Black males on a corner or hanging out in front a building how safe they feel. Ask a women walking into a crackhouse in your neighborhood how positive she feels about the future of the South Bronx.

This is the South Bronx reality. A lot of people struggling. Over half the kids in the South Bronx live in poverty. Many more live close to. Barely making ends meat. Selling drugs, commiting crimes. No guidence. Over and over and over. The city packs more and more poor. People relocating from Harlem, Bed-stuy trying to fit in and survive. New teens jumping people to get a rep and be part of a group. Young girls getting pregnaunt, mothers who don't give a ****. Prison locking up youth, splitting families and creating criminal records that guerentee poverty. The cycle only repeats itself. This is the South Bronx. The ghetto. A hard, screwed up place where it takes the individual to struggle hard and a little luck to make it out the struggle. With no guidance some of these kids have no hope.

It's not a cheap deal. You get what you pay for. What is a deal for you is a struggle to them. There are two worlds in this city. The South Bronx and the other ghettos in this country are just completely different realities for the average middle class American to understand. The inequalities and unfairness cannot be explained. You have to live it to see what it is really like. It's cold and heartless on those streets. Everyone fighting over pennies. Not a place you want to live or expose yourself to.

[Rachael84]

Man, you guys scare me. I teach in the High bridge area, yet only about a 3 minute walk from the 4 train's 170th st stop. On the platform whileI go home are rowdy middle school and high school kids. Maybe they notice me dressed up and assume i'm a teacher lol

[Elvira Black]

Hustla, my white boyfriend from the sticks who came here in 69 experienced plenty of trouble. He worked honesty and hard for many years, but had a disability that qualified him for social security disability and section 8. It took the geniuses (social workers, etc) years to think to tell him about the programs. He knew nothing about disability or section 8 til then.

He lived in alphabet city during the really bad times, and got held up at knifepoint twice. A couple of crackheads grabbed him in the hallway and one had a board with nails up to his head. Luckily the cops spotted them and they were arrested, and he had to testify.

He lived in apartments, SRO hotels, homeless shelters, and Bowery flophouses for many years. One time he had to stand up to a very scary black guy in a shelter named "Ice" and take it outside. The guy was wearing rings on every finger so it wasn't a fair fight, but they both got a few good hits in. They were surrounded by the local "residents" who finally broke it up, telling my b/f, ok, you got your respect.

Next day, he and Ice came to an amicable understanding. He told me local kids would come up to him and ask: Are you the one who fought Ice?

He's also a viet era vet and knew plenty of sociopaths and people who got 3000 dollar pensions but would hit him up (a guy at the poverty level) for bucks, cigs, etc. Users and losers---some very dangerous and deranged.

He ate at soup kitchens and the Bowery mission and out of garbage cans.

He never robbed, stole, etc. But he went through plenty as a poor white man in the city. He's still here, knock wood.

Now things are much better for him--has a section 8 studio which he maintains meticulously, 10 bucks in food stamps (impressive, no?) and his social security check and VA health care.

He watches his back for sure. I'm much less "paranoid" than he is. His experiences gave him PTSD, so he can never really get rid of the wariness. But my experience is different. Doesn't make me blind to reality. Sometimes reality is ugly. But he loves NYC and doesn't want to leave. Neither do I.

[Freak]

A lot.

Most people are ignorant to their surroundings. When someone would get shot in my building or on my block growing up you better belive I knew. Often they were people I knew anyway. Robberies, I knew the damn stick up kids. I knew who would rob the Chinese Food man who delivered or the random kid walking past the building. Child rapes, led to death threats from the whole block sometimes beat downs and riots as the police were arresting the guy. Domestic violence, you hear it through the walls, see the marks, the patrol cars coming to the building.

When I was your age, what are you like 17? I was out on the street a lot. Even my mother knew at least some of the things that would go on and knew the streets are dangerous. Anyone on the street will tell you the ghetto is no joke and anyone can be a victim.

The South Bronx is a very rough place. Not only can anyone be victimized, but the living conditions are low.

Here is an example of anyone being victimized. A couple weeks ago a cop on footpost, that's right on footpost with full uniform and a gun was jumped by 20 random guys. They wacked him from behind, beat him up then ran off. For fun. He was out of it and could do nothing more then scream on the radio. No one caught, too many and they all took off. It's more common then you think.

Now if you are sheltered or refuse to accept it, of course you won't know. However this is the reality. Though even now or then I didn't know of every single robbery, shooting, homicide, but I have seen enough to know better. Others lie to themselves, if they didn't see it, it didn't happen. Even more are just too stupid and simple to realize the scope of the going ons.

I'll be 19 early next year.

And yes, I'm sure when violence happened in YOUR area you'd hear about it. But all that goes on elsewhere in the Bronx, you only know about because you're a cop. A number of crimes in NYC aren't reported, so of course a cop will be exposed to more bad than the average New Yorker.

[BXGEAR]

Originally Posted by Freak

I'll be 19 early next year.

And yes, I'm sure when violence happened in YOUR area you'd hear about it. But all that goes on elsewhere in the Bronx, you only know about because you're a cop. A number of crimes in NYC aren't reported, so of course a cop will be exposed to more bad than the average New Yorker.

Hustla is a cop. But he's also from the ghetto. I read some of your posts and I feel like some of you are afraid of the truth. You are afraid of Hustla's comments because it actually affects you. And yes, it does affect you. Tomorrow, when you wait for the train home, I'm sure you'll be more observant. You'll look for the stick up kids, the crack heads, the gangbangers. They're out there. Sporadically, and the victim CAN be you. YES IT CAN.

I take Hustlas advice to heart because my family's business, my mother, my co-workers, and myself are at the mercy of the Bronx and its happenings. When Hustla pointed out the rising crime in Allerton (esp. around Cruger where my store is located), I did not automatically dismiss him as being negative and cynical. I took him very very seriously. It is crucial knowledge for my family. We have a 10 year lease on the store and seeing the area deteriorate makes me regret it. Makes me want to re-do the contract and set it to 5.

Also, I hang out in and around my store all day, everyday. My co-workers are Puerto Rican and know almost everyone in the neighborhood. We are all good friends. They tell me things that sound alot like the things that Hustla says. If you live in a high-crime area of the Bronx, you better believe it. Be careful. I don't want to scare anyone, that's not my prerogative. Life is a struggle, everyday. Don't try to take the easy way out with denial. Denial can get you robbed, jumped, or even killed.

[Hustla718]

Originally Posted by clubBR

Hustla is a cop. But he's also from the ghetto. I read some of your posts and I feel like some of you are afraid of the truth. You are afraid of Hustla's comments because it actually affects you. And yes, it does affect you. Tomorrow, when you wait for the train home, I'm sure you'll be more observant. You'll look for the stick up kids, the crack heads, the gangbangers. They're out there. Sporadically, and the victim CAN be you. YES IT CAN.

I take Hustlas advice to heart because my family's business, my mother, my co-workers, and myself are at the mercy of the Bronx and its happenings. When Hustla pointed out the rising crime in Allerton (esp. around Cruger where my store is located), I did not automatically dismiss him as being negative and cynical. I took him very very seriously. It is crucial knowledge for my family. We have a 10 year lease on the store and seeing the area deteriorate makes me regret it. Makes me want to re-do the contract and set it to 5.

Also, I hang out in and around my store all day, everyday. My co-workers are Puerto Rican and know almost everyone in the neighborhood. We are all good friends. They tell me things that sound alot like the things that Hustla says. If you live in a high-crime area of the Bronx, you better believe it. Be careful. I don't want to scare anyone, that's not my prerogative. Life is a struggle, everyday. Don't try to take the easy way out with denial. Denial can get you robbed, jumped, or even killed.

Finally someone gets it.

Isn't your family business Hip Hop oriented? Clothing store? That Black demographic is good for your pockets. However now you know to be extra careful when you lock up the store at night, or take the train, when you park your car, not to hang out in the area at night. The rising crime rates in that area are an unfortunate reality but you can lower your chances of becoming a victim with knowledge.

[Rudbeckia]

Originally Posted by bronxchick

I think that what makes my area especially problematic is the proximity to the housing projects, and the crack-house across the street from me (which undercovers stake out quite often). My neighbors (who are black and hispanic), tell me they don't feel unsafe here, and that they never get harassed. It may just be that I am unwelcome here.

Why would you have ever chosen to live there in the first place? Unless you moved here from out of town like me and were lied to by real-estate agents about where to live. I was told west Harlem, Washington heights, and inwood were all wonderful, safe places to live for a female. I was told this by female real-estate agents. The first week I was here, a black man asked me for a "nickel", I misunderstood him, and thought he said "liquor" hence I was
near a liquor store. I said no. I was later told by someone near what he said. He yelled at me and told to get my "white ass out of Harlem" I wasn’t even in Harlem, only near it. People in the town are insane, and they are everywhere.