Is Boston Crime Infested? How Many Houses Have Jail Bars On Windows? (Springfield: neighborhood, college)

[Vermolas]

I live in southie and its not a bad part of Boston at all. I found this video of Boston on youtube. Take a look.

YouTube - Welcome To The Jungle (BOSTON)

[canyontothesky]

Just to say if someone hasn't already, jail bars on windows are not really an indicator of safety. I live in NYC (originally from Newton, MA), first on the Upper East Side in Manhattan and now in one of the safest neighborhoods in Brooklyn. "Jail bars," are everywhere here, and per capita, NYC is safer than Boston. And these bars aren't just ones left over from when NYC was high-crime. Window bars were put on my apartment when I moved in. Again, I live and have lived in parts of the city where there is very little crime, murder rates like the safest suburbs of Boston, lived in the prettiest, weathiest areas, and we all (or a high percentage does) have bars. But I don't think it's a Boston thing really to have window bars. Can't recall. Just sayin'!

[renault]

Originally Posted by KittenKats

Living in Been town all my life i will say a lot of people in this thread do not know what there talking about.

You've been living in Beantown your whole life and don't know how to spell it?

Why is Boston called Beantown?

Back in colonial days, a favorite Boston food was beans baked in molasses for several hours. Back then, Boston was sort of awash in molasses - it was part of the "triangular trade" in which slaves in the Caribbean grew sugar cane to be shipped to Boston to be made into rum to be sent to West Africa to buy more slaves to send to the West Indies. Because of this trade, the area was chock-full of molasses, and beans baked in the gooey syrup became very popular in Boston.

[MHPBOY]

I lived in mission hill for 13 years back in the 80's and 90's mission hill was really bad now since they knock down the projects and put up the town houses it's slowly getting better. In my days people couldn't walk by unless they get jumped or robbed. Now you just have to be street smart don't wear nothing flashy or wear the wrong clothes. In boston hats means a lot it reps where you from, so if you like hats do your research before walking outside.

[ogre]

Even though this thread is fairly old, it resurfaces from time to time, so it’s apparent that many people are concerned about the OP’s original question. It seems that the OP has the idea that there is an unusually high poverty rate in Boston, since the OP raises the question of whether Bostonians can afford the security measure of having jail bars on their windows. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. With that in mind, below are some pictures which should make clear that Boston compares well to any city in its affluence and beauty.

In the interest of honesty, it should be pointed out that Boston does have its less attractive districts, but, in fairness, so does any city. A few of Boston’s slightly faded neighborhoods:

Shanty town next to Bombay Airport photo - Brian McMorrow photos at pbase.com

http://www.capetown.dj/people/CapeFlats/IMG_1226.JPG.

Although the pictures above depict neighborhoods showing some signs of wear, it’s important to be reminded again that every city has areas that are a bit sub par. Be assured that Boston has far fewer of these less desirable areas than most American cities. Most of Boston’s less fortunate residents live in well-maintained housing projects:

http://www.amusei.com/images/bad-neighborhood1.jpg.

Many more Bostonians reside in solid old blue-collar neighborhoods, like those below:

http://commentos.files.wordpress.com...c-lizamber.jpg

http://blog.lib.umn.edu/zerot001/arc...ure/ghetto.jpg.

Boston is above all an affluent city, with many residents fortunate enough to claim addresses in such fine homes as these:

A mansion in Boston:
http://moonbeammcqueen.files.wordpre...ighborhood.jpg

A typical Boston street with row houses:
http://img5.travelblog.org/Photos/34035/239645/f/1900437-Cambodian-shanty-town-1.jpg (broken link).

And, yes, Boston does indeed have more than its share of posh neighborhoods where residents are so well off as to afford the mind-easing luxury of barred windows:

Through the square windows | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessagx/3570930414/ - broken link)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3627/...39320b1c39.jpg.

Providing the leadership that makes Boston a truly great city is the progressive city government:

Where it all happens; Boston City Hall:
http://affordablehousinginstitute.or...hood-small.jpg

His Honor the Mayor:
http://laht.com/colombia1/Farc2.jpg

And our fine City Council:
Bloodhound Gang Pictures - bloodhound_gang4 - image no: 26849.

Further ensuring the safety of residents and visitors alike are the dedicated officers of the internationally renowned Boston Police Department:

Boston Police Department Headquarters:
Funny Pictures of Police Cars on Blocks

Some worry that the BPD’s model officers might not be tough enough to deal with the worst criminal elements to be found in any large city. Though the pictures below do show these officers to be exceedingly clean cut, and mild-mannered in appearance, in this case our city’s low crime rate proves that appearances are indeed deceiving:

http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpre...ang-tattoo.jpg
Vicious gang's web gun photos | The Sun |News
Bloodhound Gang Pictures - Bloodhound Gang-12 - image no: 26846.

As all can now see, despite rumors to the contrary, Boston is truly a safe and beautiful city. So come visit, or perhaps even join those fortunate enough to call Boston home. Come and enjoy Boston’s many attractions:

Famous historical sites, such as Old North Church:
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/med...m-memorial.jpg

Boating on our lovely river:
http://celebrating200years.noaa.gov/...ga_fire650.jpg

Internationally famous fine dining:
http://s1.hubimg.com/u/1403560_f248.jpg
http://www.bbqjunkie.com/wp-content/big_smokey.jpg
http://hateandanger.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/mcdonalds_ghetto_car.jpg (broken link)

And the vibrant nightlife in Boston’s picturesque downtown:
Shanty town, a photo from Luanda, North | TrekEarth.

WELCOME TO BOSTON,
A beautiful, active, clean, and, above all, safe World-Class Metropolis.

[xS☺B☺s]

Originally Posted by ogre

Even though this thread is fairly old, it resurfaces from time to time, so it’s apparent that many people are concerned about the OP’s original question. It seems that the OP has the idea that there is an unusually high poverty rate in Boston, since the OP raises the question of whether Bostonians can afford the security measure of having jail bars on their windows. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. With that in mind, below are some pictures which should make clear that Boston compares well to any city in its affluence and beauty.

In the interest of honesty, it should be pointed out that Boston does have its less attractive districts, but, in fairness, so does any city. A few of Boston’s slightly faded neighborhoods:

Shanty town next to Bombay Airport photo - Brian McMorrow photos at pbase.com

http://www.capetown.dj/people/CapeFlats/IMG_1226.JPG.

Although the pictures above depict neighborhoods showing some signs of wear, it’s important to be reminded again that every city has areas that are a bit sub par. Be assured that Boston has far fewer of these less desirable areas than most American cities. Most of Boston’s less fortunate residents live in well-maintained housing projects:

http://www.amusei.com/images/bad-neighborhood1.jpg.

Many more Bostonians reside in solid old blue-collar neighborhoods, like those below:

http://commentos.files.wordpress.com...c-lizamber.jpg

http://blog.lib.umn.edu/zerot001/arc...ure/ghetto.jpg.

Boston is above all an affluent city, with many residents fortunate enough to claim addresses in such fine homes as these:

A mansion in Boston:
http://moonbeammcqueen.files.wordpre...ighborhood.jpg

A typical Boston street with row houses:
http://img5.travelblog.org/Photos/34035/239645/f/1900437-Cambodian-shanty-town-1.jpg (broken link).

And, yes, Boston does indeed have more than its share of posh neighborhoods where residents are so well off as to afford the mind-easing luxury of barred windows:

Through the square windows | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessagx/3570930414/ - broken link)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3627/...39320b1c39.jpg.

Providing the leadership that makes Boston a truly great city is the progressive city government:

Where it all happens; Boston City Hall:
http://affordablehousinginstitute.or...hood-small.jpg

His Honor the Mayor:
http://laht.com/colombia1/Farc2.jpg

And our fine City Council:
Bloodhound Gang Pictures - bloodhound_gang4 - image no: 26849.

Further ensuring the safety of residents and visitors alike are the dedicated officers of the internationally renowned Boston Police Department:

Boston Police Department Headquarters:
Funny Pictures of Police Cars on Blocks

Some worry that the BPD’s model officers might not be tough enough to deal with the worst criminal elements to be found in any large city. Though the pictures below do show these officers to be exceedingly clean cut, and mild-mannered in appearance, in this case our city’s low crime rate proves that appearances are indeed deceiving:

http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpre...ang-tattoo.jpg
Vicious gang's web gun photos | The Sun |News
Bloodhound Gang Pictures - Bloodhound Gang-12 - image no: 26846.

As all can now see, despite rumors to the contrary, Boston is truly a safe and beautiful city. So come visit, or perhaps even join those fortunate enough to call Boston home. Come and enjoy Boston’s many attractions:

Famous historical sites, such as Old North Church:
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/med...m-memorial.jpg

Boating on our lovely river:
http://celebrating200years.noaa.gov/...ga_fire650.jpg

Internationally famous fine dining:
http://s1.hubimg.com/u/1403560_f248.jpg
http://www.bbqjunkie.com/wp-content/big_smokey.jpg
http://hateandanger.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/mcdonalds_ghetto_car.jpg (broken link)

And the vibrant nightlife in Boston’s picturesque downtown:
Shanty town, a photo from Luanda, North | TrekEarth.

WELCOME TO BOSTON,
A beautiful, active, clean, and, above all, safe World-Class Metropolis.

Feeling a little silly today, are we Ogre?

[ogre]

Feeling just a bit silly, yes. Mostly feeling inclined to use a bit of silly humor in reaction to silly exaggerated misconceptions about Boston revealed in some of the questions people ask on this forum.

[xS☺B☺s]

Originally Posted by ogre

Feeling just a bit silly, yes. Mostly feeling inclined to use a bit of silly humor in reaction to silly exaggerated misconceptions about Boston revealed in some of the questions people ask on this forum.

The OP is from Miami. That's why he asks. There are vast neighborhoods like this down there that every home has prison style bars on the doors and windows.

http://extimages2.living.net/ImagesHomeProd6/FL/idx/photos/miamimls/31/M1450577.jpg (broken link)

[ogre]

Yikes! Looks pretty bad. Guess I had it figured wrong about the OP's perspective.

Now, setting aside my tongue-in-cheek post above, you're not going to see widespread areas in Boston where even residential neighborhoods have houses all barred and chained like that house in Miami, not even in many of Boston's more faded areas. Old thread, but that info could be useful to someone who happens to check now that this thread has been bumped toward the top again.

[xS☺B☺s]

Originally Posted by ogre

Yikes! Looks pretty bad. ... you're not going to see widespread areas in Boston where even residential neighborhoods have houses all barred and chained like that house in Miami, not even in many of Boston's more faded areas.

Oh God no. BOS and MIA are a world apart. Except during workhours, downtown Miami looks a helluva lot like Blue Hill Ave. That area should equal Downtown Crossing.