South Bronx continues its upswing (Marshall: how much, schools, university)

[SobroGuy]

NYer...the term "mall" was for a lack of a better word. It is about 4 large buildings set 1 block from the Hub, with two builkdings being residential, and the other two being commercial, with movie theater, retail, supermarket, etc. It is one large development, not a mall.

[DesiArnez6]

Originally Posted by SobroGuy

Desi...the FACT is the area is SAFER today than it has been for the past 40+ years, thanks in part to the changes that have occured. The area still remains at record low crime rates, and there is no sign of that changing yet..long term trends are decidely DOWN for crime. Maybe you FEEL that it is more dangerous for some reason, but it is actually becoming MUCH safer. The new buildings that are going up, renovated or new rentals, are filled with people who are strictly screened by the city and meet maximum AND minimum income requirements (i.e. low/working/middle class people). The new subsidized homes for sale have income max and minimums as well, and of course the free market rentals and sales do whatever they want.

Well Personally, the reason I fell less safer here, is based on the amount of gunshots, sirens, helicopters, and recent murders. Five years ago, I NEVER heard gunshots here. Now they are too much for comfort. We've already had SEVERAL murders on my STREET. We NEVER had murders on my own street. And those wearing gang bandanas have increased their visible presence. Every year we also hear more of the NYPD Helicopters.

It IS ABSOLUTELY Safer than it used to be in the 90's (I remember ) But compared to 5 years ago, you can hear and see increased crime and shootings in Morrisania. I see a direct correlation between the increased crime and failing economy. Same as in the early 90's.

[SobroGuy]

Where do you live again Desi? I think you are confusing your subjective experiences and current feelings and what is actually occuring in the area. If you are specifically talking about Mott Haven, Melrose, Concourse, etc, they are ALL significantly safer today than they were in 2003. You may have gotten a little older and more sensitive to certian things..so they are more exacerbated to you. Also the fact that things are more personal to you now, like the murders on your street, will make it SEEM like it is getting worse...what if those murders were the only ones that occured for the whole year? The area would then BE safer, but because it happend on your street you would FEEL less safe...just an example. Morrisania is really more central Bronx by the way, I am talking specifically about Mott Haven, Melrose, Concourse, and Hunts Point, which are the "real" South Bronx IMO, geographically speaking.

[DesiArnez6]

Originally Posted by SobroGuy

Where do you live again Desi? I think you are confusing your subjective experiences and current feelings and what is actually occuring in the area. If you are specifically talking about Mott Haven, Melrose, Concourse, etc, they are ALL significantly safer today than they were in 2003. You may have gotten a little older and more sensitive to certian things..so they are more exacerbated to you. Also the fact that things are more personal to you now, like the murders on your street, will make it SEEM like it is getting worse...what if those murders were the only ones that occured for the whole year? The area would then BE safer, but because it happend on your street you would FEEL less safe...just an example. Morrisania is really more central Bronx by the way, I am talking specifically about Mott Haven, Melrose, Concourse, and Hunts Point, which are the "real" South Bronx IMO, geographically speaking.

Possibly, I don't know what the actual stats are. Other neighbors that have been here for years seem to be whispering the same tho to one another.

I DO feel a bit safer though in the SOUTH South bronx, like Mott Haven, Melrose, .....and Hunts Point and Concourse to an extent. I think Morrisania is about as bad as it gets, at least for now, maybe some points of high Bridge.

[somesnapper]

Originally Posted by King0fthehill

Why would someone move there though

has a ton of crime, zero diversity, heavy low income, heavy gang presence and severely lacking in amenities (such as grocery stores).

Doesn't sound too flattering.

There are multiple grocery/99 cent/food stores on every block!

I agree for the most part. Horrible place to live and I cant wait to get out.

[SobroGuy]

Well I personally feel the central and West Central Bronx like Tremont, Mount Hope, University Heights, Morris Heights, etc are worse overall than the actual south bronx..but that's really a personal preference. Nevertheless, the areas are safer, and although there is an uptick of crime across the city, the crime rates are still at record low levels. Furthermore, the city is responding to the uptick with a massive flood of cops...I personally have seen the swarm latelty, adn that kind of proactive response is why I think crime will continue to stay in check..the city is taking a very proactive role and not letting things spiral out of control like before. I am happy to see it...and although nobody knows the future, I think crime may uptick but the city will respond appropriately.

[cyrusjul]

Originally Posted by King0fthehill

Why would someone move there though

It's far/long commute, has a ton of crime, zero diversity, heavy low income, heavy gang presence and severely lacking in amenities (such as grocery stores).

Doesn't sound too flattering.

WTF? King0fthehill lives in Los Angeles or the area (or so he mention in another thread). So please stay in your gang infested city and stay away from NYC threads with such stupid comments. You clearly don't know what you are talking about. Sure I dont live in the Bronx, but I have been to the South Bronx so many times (That is walking) and nothing bad has happend to me neither. And is not as scary as you make it sound. Now I have been to Los Angeles and have drove in very unwelcome neighborhoods, that I will never ever think of walking around. Even driving by them I felt so scared. Those hoods sound like the place you are describing, not the South Bronx. Now maybe East New York or Brownsville, that is another story.

[NYCwoman]

Yes, too true, cryusjul - some parts of East LA and South Central make the Bronx look like Disneyland! At least when I was still living in California...(and I admit that was about 15 years ago, so maybe it's not as bad as it was...)

The first and only time I drove through there on my way to a movie set that was filming there (and I was late and missed the Producer's van and I had to drive myself). My car was jumped on by a gang of GIRLS when I stopped at an intersection. They started banging on my car, trying to break my windows, screaming "White B*tch" and a host of other lovely things...Luckily, I was able to drive off with out injury - but it scared the living crap out of me. I would NEVER venture into some of those places ever again (and not just from that one experience, but from the numerous stories I heard from others, including one former colleague who was eventually murdered in his own driveway trying to protect his sister...But the Bronx?!?! No problem!

[SobroGuy]

I cant speak for LA, as I have never been, but I can say that the South Bronx has changed, and continues to improve. And as the yet-to-open Gateway Center, New Yankee Stadium, and HUGE Melrose Redevelopment (UNiversity, condo-coops, and retail) to name a few, have yet to come online, the real changes and influx of new working/middle class residents hasn't even occured yet. The greening however continues, and I am happy to say that my entire area, thanks to my diligent work, is getting new tree planting everywhere...pics to come shortly...they are not in yet.

[cyrusjul]

NYCwoman I was in Los Angeles almost a year ago, but my worst experience happened in 1999. I got lost and drove in some heavely hispanic (mexican) area. I am hispanic my self by the way, but Colombian. And so with the help of my friend on the cellphone looking at some map who was trying to get me out of there. Yes I was somewhere in East LA. Anyway lots of people would just stared at me with some sort of suspicion on almost every intersection I got to. I saw groups of young men, that clearly look like gang members, on every corner or on the middle of the street. Well at one particular corner some of them came towards my car when I was at some red stop. Now I had to keep going straight but I decided to turn right away when I saw them getting to close to me. Then I saw a few of them getting into a car as to follow me I guess and so I turn on another corner as fast as I can and speed up and turn corners all over the place, getting more lost. Finally I found a bigger thruway and I was able to get away from that neighborhood. It was one of the most scary places I have been to. Yeah they don't like strangers in their hood.