Beechfield, Baltimore (Ellicott City, Frederick: section 8, rental, condos)

[Stephenkirch]

I am seeking information regarding crime in the Beechfield neighborhood of Baltimore. My ex-wife moved there, and I fear it is dangerous for my kids during the time they spend with her. Her house is right by the National Cemetary, on Frederick Avenue. They are both quite young, under 6. Any help in confirming or alleviating my fears is appreciated.

[WHATACITY]

It has its good neighborhoods and bad ones. The main issue with this area is drugs. A lot of county folks come down this way and ourchase their stuff. It is really bad along the city/ county line near Yale Ave and Beechfield. Good luck if you report anything. I wouldny suggest sending your children to ANY of the schools around that area. Too many section 8 and single parent households.

[Stephenkirch]

Thanks for the info. My kids will go to school in Ellicott City where I live, so schooling isn't a problem. My experience with city life is limited. I don't want to jump to any conclusions formed by my Ellicott City suburban lifestyle, but this just seems like a bad area, especially for two kids with no city skills whatsoever.

[medfieldbum]

If those kids are that young and under mom's oversight, there should be no problem.
It's not a great area, but those kids are too young to be affected. Now when they get to be 14..........

[barante]

In the long term, improvements are coming to Beechfield. Ryland is currently marketing new condos built on a hillside site off Frederick Avenue that once was to house a community for the blind and deaf. Will there be any takers? The Uplands redevelopment project, which is funded by the feds and the city, will also change the population mix. With the funding already approved it is unlikely to be delayed.
The area near Frederick and Yale is not the real problem area. The problem area is Irvington. Despite one of the most attractive streets in the entire city, Augusta Avenue, the place is still going downhill. Again, a big rental complex has been demolished for new houses and a strip along Frederick Avenue also was cleared, but neither project is likely to go ahead in the current economic environment.
Years ago I conceived my own redevelopment plan for Irvington and you, dear readers, are now the first people to learn about. I thought that Irvington would be an ideal area for the resettlement of Vietnamese refugees. With extended families they could transfer all those big frame homes into viable and well-cared homes. Also, since many are Catholic, their infusion would strengthen St. Joseph's Monastery church.
St. Joe's high school is at the border between Irvington and Beechfield. Unfortunately, it has not proven to be much of an anchor.

[WHATACITY]

They have been saying that improvements were coming since 1995 when my parents moved out. I currently live on Cedar Garden and I have to say that it is okay, but the drug dealing is getting ridiculous!! Not to mention the teenagers that seem to linger until 2-3 am. No parents to be found. The downfall of this city/ neighborhood is the lack of morals and parental involvement. Most people seem to think that it is okay to sit home and collect a welfare check. This is the downfall of Baltimore!!!!