Is NYC REALLY safe? Pt.2 - My Trip to Harlem (w/pics) (Clay: real estate, condo)

[justfarr1030]

Well today I after my class I decided to take a trip up to Harlem and walk around (being that I haven't been there since last summer) to see the many changes that are taking place and what still remains the same. This is really a part 2 to the topic "How Dangerous Is Harlem?" and "How Dangerous Is NYC?". I was able to go there and speak to various individuals in Barber shops, clothing outlets, people walking the streets and parents taking walks with there kids. Everyone from people who have just recently moved to the neighborhood to people who have lived there for decades and have seen the changes good and bad. As a whole, people were generally VERY polite and kind in assisting me with my "school report".

Today, my focus was mainly on Central/West Harlem as I migrated pretty much every block from 110 to 125, from 7th Ave to Park Ave. Well, what can I say except for things have changed, but some things remained the same. I tried to get some decent pictures and did the best I could without being completely obvious. Certain blocks I couldn't take pictures on because of the obvious dope boys on the corners and I didn't want to take the chance of attracting unwanted attention. Other streets were VERY quiet (Midwood, Brooklyn quiet). Let me upload the pics I have before I further elaborate on my enlightening experience.

(Continued)
Pic 1 - I'm on 117th btw Park and Lexington. This is a Condo that is about more than halfway finished and looks very nice.

Pic 2- Is a block full of newly built Co-Ops. It's on 117 btw Madison & Fifth. I spoke to a caucasian man there who was outside playing with his children. I asked him how was the neighborhood and he responded that he moved to Harlem from Ohio about 5 years ago and that when he arrived they had just built the Co-Ops around the time he arrived. He said it's very quiet on his street, everyone is very friendly and he couldn't have made a better decision on moving here. Then his kids were upset because he was giving all his attention to me so I let him be.

Pic - 3 As I left this block and went down to the corner of 5th Avenue, a black couple (about mid-late 30's) happen to be comming my way. So of course I stopped them to ask the same question. The male said that it's hard to say. The female was very assertive in cutting him off and giving me the lowdown. As we walked she told me that she had lived there since the 70's and when I asked her do you think it's safe now her EXACT words were "Safe as far as who and what?" Then she elaborated further telling me how she has seen positive change come to the area it's at the expense of displacing it's residents. Alot of her friends who she grew up with in the neighborhood had to leave because of new landlords and real estate developers buying up all the property and raising rents to extremely high levels so that middle class people can't afford. She said "they don't kick you out at first, but after awhile, nobody ain't gonna be able to afford these prices and they leave". She herself spoke of leaving by the summer. My favorite moment with them was when the couple walked me by 116th and Madison and showed me a chruch that has been there 30+ years (which is the pic). Right next to it on the left was a brand new condo built about a year ago (not in the pic because a tree made it hard to caputre). This very much signifies the old and new harlem.

(Continued)
Pic 4&5- As I left the couple I went to 115th and Madison, the infamous Taft Houses. As you can see for obvious reasons, I will not be able to interview many people here. When I first walked in the Projects there were police officers walking around (2 NYPD in uniform) and they looked as if they were not in a good mood so I did not interview them. They went and sat inside there patrol car and both watched my ever move as I walked deeper into the projects. I took out my camera and then noticed the neighborhood locals looking through the lobby windows and appartment windows at me with a look of "who is he?" (as most people in the projects know each other). I saw practically noone outside in that area of the projects as this was evidenced by the police presence (except for the few pedestrians going about their legal usual business in and out the buildings). I took a picture of the police sitting stationery in the parking lot as if they were UN troops protecting the Gaza border. As I left, the police continued to look at me as if I was a criminal. Also a hispanic man came out the building and walked slowly in my direction. Once I passed him he looked back over his shoulder and then went back inside. Being that I grew up in the hood (Flatbush), it was obvious he was waiting for me to give a signal that I wanted to buy drugs. Regardless of police presence, if you have street smarts it's easy to see how they were operating. SUV's pulling up to guys on the corner's making quick stops and then leaving. Quick runs in and out of building stopping for nonthing. This was primarily the same for the areas around Taft (other housing projects)

Pic 6&7 - James Weldon Johnson Houses 110th & Lexington (6train). This area had more blatant hustling and guys that were just hanging around giving you a look of "don't mess with me". The area is alittle busier so you would figure that it wouldn't be out in the open. However, I saw more hanging around. As I walked a block east. There was a police van with about 6 police and looked like they were getting ready to make a move on an area (probably this area). They were talking and reveiwing some paper work and then they took off with sirens on. I talked to store owners and asked how he felt (a hispanic). He said that he felt as if the neighborhood had gotten safer but there is still plenty of drugs and crime going on. He said daytime isn't so bad but at night he still has to lock up early for fear of being robbed. When I asked him had he been robbed there before he said Yes, at least several times.

Pic 8 -I went back up ALL THE WAY to 125th and Park looking along the way. I saw this new development on (If I'm correct 118th & Madison). Very nice. I also stopped at a baber shop along the way and spoke to a couple of guys. One person said that the neighborhood has changed alot and that it got better in terms of the look and putting up new developments but there is still that "I have to look over my shoulder feeling" I asked did they think Mayor Bloomberg was right when he said this was the safest city in the world and the overall response was not a chance.

[Rudbeckia]

There are parts of central and east harlem from 110 to 125 that still seem really rough to me, but i think it is all in a persons perspective. Meaning, if you grew up here those areas may seem better, or safer, b/c at one point in time they were far worse.

Those projects you photographed are on Lex right?

I went to the liquor store on lenox and 112th today and witnesses a fight between 2 women and a very large man, a for real physical fight, and they were screaming horrible things at each other. I kept looking at the guy behind the counter (behind the bullet glass) waiting for his help and he just looked at me like "happens all the time" So sad

[justfarr1030]

Originally Posted by Rudbeckia

There are parts of central and east harlem from 110 to 125 that still seem really rough to me, but i think it is all in a persons perspective. Meaning, if you grew up here those areas may seem better, or safer, b/c at one point in time they were far worse.

Those projects you photographed are on Lex right?

I went to the liquor store on lenox and 112th today and witnesses a fight between 2 women and a very large man, a for real physical fight, and they were screaming horrible things at each other. I kept looking at the guy behind the counter (behind the bullet glass) waiting for his help and he just looked at me like "happens all the time" So sad

Those are the Taft Houses and James Weldon Johnson Houses

[justfarr1030]

Pardon me: James Weldon Houses is on 112 & Park. Dewitt Clinton Houses is on 110th & Lexington

[justfarr1030]

Pic 7: Dewitt Clinton Houses. 110th & Lexington. Same situation, more police patrolling the projects (here alot more on foot). Same situation, I didn't feel completely comfortable because of the obviousness of the drug trade. It SHOCKED me to see how the police walked past guys on the corner who I KNEW were selling drugs. I think it's safe to say they needed to be retrained.

Pic 8: I spoke to this caucasian couple as they walked from the direction of the Weldon Houses past the Clinton Houses. They were smiling, laughing and joking as if they were in Soho, not East Harlem walking through a crime ridden area (which also shocked me). They didn't see me take the pic but once again I stopped to talk and they were great people. "No I think this area is really safe" the man said, "Of course you have to be carefull and be alert but I don't feel threatned and my block is very nice and friendly. I come from the train all the time at night and never a problem". He and his girlfriend lived in one of those newly errected Co-Ops I spoke of earlier on 120th and Park.

Conclusion: It seems as if this question is hard to answer.For those who have moved to the area in recent years and also caucasian people the answer is it's a safe fun loving neighborhood with nonthing to worry about. For those living in Harlem who have lived there for years (primarily blacks and hispanics) the general consensus was very different. My next trip will focus on Deep East Harlem (nonthing west). As for now, after walking around and getting a feel for these areas that we discuss on here regularly and talking to the people that LIVE in the neighborhood as opposed to just reading some stats from Ray Kelly, my conclusion is that certain blocks are being developed and rents are being raised. Once again, people of color are the victims. The crime has gone down but still very prevailent on certain blocks ESPECIALLY public housing projects. I don't think we should triumphantly proclaim "Safest City In The World" just yet.

[SuperMario]

Make sure you visit northern Harlem, West and Central. Eg. Amsterdam 145th, Lennox 135th, 7th and 140th, Broadway 143rd etc.........that general area is rough. At least from my personal experience.

[SuperMario]

But it seems like that area has come a long way. Those area in the 28th precinct where year in and year out the murder capital in the 70's and in certain summer months averaged over 400 robberies! Very infamous. Harlem at it's worst.

[Andez]

My mom who has been living in NYC since 1987 and witnessed the height of the crack epedemic and crime told me she wouldn't live in East Harlem. She works around 120st and lexington and sometimes the projects around there too and says she never feels safe. She takes the bus 5 blocks just so she won't have to walk the area at night.

It's just weird. A lot of mixed responses from different people.

[tijlover]

I recently stayed at the L Hostels on 118th & Adam Clayton. Hadn't been to NYC in 20 years and wanted some different experiences, a different place to stay. WOW! What a brilliant choice that was! I'll be back to stay there in April again. Loved every minute of it, the neighborhood, the people, the restaurants, the easy access to the subway, and felt very safe walking about even at night, and so peaceful and quiet. That fish market on 116th & Malcom X was a godsend. Bought food there 3 days out of 5. I wouldn't stay anywhere else on any future trips.

[Coolhand68]

Take your camera up to Convent Ave. through the 130's for photos of some really nice architecture and brownstones.