What is the absolute worst nieghborhood in nyc? (Hempstead, Rochester: crime rates, roughest)

[sweetclimber]

Originally Posted by Tumbler13

Yup. I distinctly recall hearing back in the day that Joseph Ave. in particular was a good place to get shot.

Long Island has some rough areas, too. Hempstead in particular I remember hearing was very rough-- lots of gangs.

Joseph, hudson, N Clinton, Conkey, North St, carter, Portland and N Goodman are all STILL good places to get shot in Rochester. Nothing has changed there.

[Shizzles]

NYCWoman:

just a 411: A White Woman would not be the first target of a crime in most minority neighborhoods, since the NYPD would flood the nabe if a affluent white person were to be harmed in a particular section. The local gangs/dealers know this, and hence warn off robbery crews tempted to undertake such an action.


Your posts remind me of the British explorers in Africa who snapped photos and waxed poetically of the oh so "Exotic" freatures of the "Dark Continent" and it's inhabaitants. Totally oblivous to the suffering and horror daily life was for the vast majority of people there.

[page3000]

Originally Posted by Shizzles

NYCWoman:

just a 411: A White Woman would not be the first target of a crime in most minority neighborhoods, since the NYPD would flood the nabe if a affluent white person were to be harmed in a particular section. The local gangs/dealers know this, and hence warn off robbery crews tempted to undertake such an action.


Your posts remind me of the British explorers in Africa who snapped photos and waxed poetically of the oh so "Exotic" freatures of the "Dark Continent" and it's inhabaitants. Totally oblivous to the suffering and horror daily life was for the vast majority of people there.

LOL..and I bit my lip for this one..but you said it!

[bmwguydc]

Originally Posted by NYCwoman

bmwguydc - I'm sure you realize it but my response (and first terse sentence) was not directed at you. I always respect what you write, as you show intelligence, insight and balance...

I know that, NYCwoman, and I respect your opinions as well. And, thanks, I do tend to try to be balanced, as I know you are, since you are reporting your observations in various areas, which is refreshing since the old barriers and stereotypes need to be shattered. Moreover, one can report on one's findings and it's merely their own conception of an area, and it's nice to hear the perspective of fresh eyes. You don't have anything to gain by promoting one area over another, save for dispelling myths and helpting to bring about for a better place. One small rock can start an avalanche, which is why it's so important to have voices standing up for the borough and the communities within it, be it University Woods Park, Mott Haven, or Tremont. There is no 100% bad area in the city, and the Bronx is no exception, and anyone who argues differently doesn't understand NYC.

What I find most troubling, which seems to be the point of this thread, is the sport with which one decides which neighborhood is the worst. I mean, seriously, this is NYC in 2008 and what's bad today, can be great in 2010. In fact, I was troubled by this thread, and resisted posting to it all day, because I do not think one can actually quantify the single worst neighborhood in NYC, nor do I really understand why we would even want to do so. The self-hatred and bashing of NYC by NYers does get a bit old, since it's a same circular argument, and it's depressing and sucks the life right out of a community that could be on the precipice of change if enough voices stand up and take control.

And, while we, as NYers, know the difference a block either way can make, outsiders do not and use one small piece of evidence gathered from such exchanges to continually perpetuate the same stereotypes, thus reinforcing them for another generation. There's good and bad in so many areas of the city, and until there's a shift in the cultural acceptance of underprivileged areas being a "natural" part of this great city, that fact will continue to be sad, yet true. Mistakes, EPIC mistakes, have been made in the past, with regard to housing, transportation, and associated concerns, but it is our choice within our own respective communities to decide when enough is enough. This has been proven to be a point of change in many communities around the country, and there's no reason why it cannot be a force to turn around New York's marginal areas. Better neighborhoods, better transportation, and more options opens up housing, stabilizing a housing market that operates at extremes of low (controls/subsidies) to high (GREED), with a little in the middle whereas newer units, can bring about a resurgenace in vibrancy, and not at the $2-3M mark.

[bmwguydc]

And, yes, while there are certain conventions with regard to certain neighborhoods and an unspoken "contract" between the gangs that control them and people who come into the area, such as school teachers in bad neighborhoods, for example, there are some positive changes coming to light that are not always at the hands of gentrification.

Also, I know neighborhoods where it's not just the 911 calls that are answered, but the 311 gets swift action. They do exist! It's not just a myth! LOL

[NYCwoman]

Shizzles, as an avid world traveler who has not only been to almost every continent (including several countries in Africa and many, many other third wold nations) not only traveling but LIVING and WORKING in and among the local populations (even doing a few stints in mini Peace Corp-type projects) and being heavily involved throughout my life in many cross-cultural exchange progams, both here and abroad to promote peace and understanding - I find your post highly insulting, off the mark, patronizing and....well, let's just leave that in my head (no need to get myself banned, now is there?)

And Page....gee whiz kiddo...not even worth it....

If some out there think that the Bronx is better off without "property-owners", whites and people who believe in making places better for everyone, then I probably will never be able to change their minds. Wallow in it however much you choose. Knock yourself out!

[NYCwoman]

You rock, bmwguydc!

[NYCwoman]

And with bmwguydc's positive post still fresh in my mind, I'm done for the evening. This kind of dialogue could keep you up all night - LOL!

Night!

[SuperMario]

Originally Posted by NYCwoman

Do YOURSELF a favor and READ what I wrote. I said I walked from Alexander & Bruckner to St. Mary's and well beyond. I went up and down a countless number of streets. Willis and Brooke (just a few that I remember) and maybe even up to Longwood - not sure. I went over East to where Bruckner Blvd. starts going north. I also walked up and down the streets that are three or four blocks west of Alexander Blvd and all around there. I only mentioned Yankee Stadium to show the distance at where I ended up. So, did I cover the ENTIRE area - of course not! I never said I did. But rest assured I went WELL off the beaten path. All I am doing here is giving another side of things, because if we leave it to you (and I am SURE this is your intent) - people will think it is all doom and gloom, death and destruction. But, from all the pm's and emails I am getting - people are VERY well aware of just what is what. (Thanks everybody! And you are all quite welcome!)

Oh, by the way, SM. I think I have made my point. Enough is enough. But just in case, if you keep this up, I will post links to very positive NY Times articles (and others) about just how much your take on things is outdated.

Oh, btw, you do know that you (and Hustla before you) are doing more good for the Bronx rep than had you just kept quiet? It is because of you that a few of us became appalled at what was still being perpetuated about this borough and we have been getting the word out through various channels. And as we just started a few weeks ago, we have only just begun! More and more people are becoming aware of how nice and attractive many parts of the Bronx are and MANY are coming up to have a look. Gee thanks....My Friend!

Im not doing myself a favor by reading your hyping of neighborhoods. You seem to be a very happy go lucky person without any problems...but you really need a dose of reality. The world aint all flowers and butterflies. And like I said again, if you did go up Brooke and Alexander you probably crossed the streets at the sight of projects and tenements. Methinks you stayed on the blocks with private homes. Funny that you mention all these places but not one street you mentioned is notorious in Mott Haven. You didn't go on Morris, Cypress, St. Annes avenues....how convenient of you. You admitted yourself of not going to any project area, the same with tenements I assume. I can take what you say with a grain fo salt, for all I know you avoided the "sketchy" streets you saw and try to make your trip as safe as possible. Dont worry. If you dont want to continue we wont.

Yes the Bronx is just "oh so wonderful" an amazing place for all New Yorkers..Oh happy day...

Oh, good night too.

[SuperMario]

Originally Posted by Shizzles

NYCWoman:

just a 411: A White Woman would not be the first target of a crime in most minority neighborhoods, since the NYPD would flood the nabe if a affluent white person were to be harmed in a particular section. The local gangs/dealers know this, and hence warn off robbery crews tempted to undertake such an action.


Your posts remind me of the British explorers in Africa who snapped photos and waxed poetically of the oh so "Exotic" freatures of the "Dark Continent" and it's inhabaitants. Totally oblivous to the suffering and horror daily life was for the vast majority of people there. .

I have stated this before too. But it fell on deaf ears. I doubt she will listen. But great point Shizzles.