Driving by Irvington, East Orange tomorrow. Should I be worried? (Newark: real estate, houses)
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I do drive-by inspections of listed properties (drive around, stop in front of potentially vacant properties, and take pictures basically). I'm scheduled for Irvington and East Orange, I've been told to not roll my windows down and to try to snap my pictures as quickly as possible. I've already gotten some sour looks in Passaic and Perth Amboy (luckily the only confrontation was an old man chasing me with a rake), but Irvington and East Orange seems to be a much larger concern for me. What would be the safest time to do my work on a Sunday?
Pretty much nonsense. I appraise regularly in Irvington, East Orange, Newark, Elizabeth, Paterson. I get out of my car, go into all kinds of vacant boarded and non-boarded houses in the poorest neighborhoods at all hours of the day. I've been doing this for over 25 years. I typically spend an hour at each house out of my car, unarmed, and ready to be murdered. I take lots of pictures. I'm still here. I've never had a problem. I talk to people in the neighborhood and discuss housing and real estate. Nobody has ever bothered me and I'm 6 foot, 150, skinny, and look about as dangerous as a chipmunk.
So I just came back from my route and Marc Paolella is right. It may have been a cold Sunday morning (most people were indoors + cops were out patrolling), but I had absolutely no issues. People on the street minded their own business as I was snapping my pictures. The drive was actually quite pleasant. Thanks everyone for the input!
I know this is late, but as you see you went, did your job, and got home fine. Now, do those towns have their rough spots? Sure they do. You just have to do your thing though and just be aware of your surroundings. Marc Paolella is totally was totally right. When it comes to these areas, we give the bad elements more power than they really have.
Pretty much nonsense. I appraise regularly in Irvington, East Orange, Newark, Elizabeth, Paterson. I get out of my car, go into all kinds of vacant boarded and non-boarded houses in the poorest neighborhoods at all hours of the day. I've been doing this for over 25 years. I typically spend an hour at each house out of my car, unarmed, and ready to be murdered. I take lots of pictures. I'm still here. I've never had a problem. I talk to people in the neighborhood and discuss housing and real estate. Nobody has ever bothered me and I'm 6 foot, 150, skinny, and look about as dangerous as a chipmunk.
Same...I've never been bothered in any of those "dangerous" cities, and I've waited in those cities for bus transfers for a good amount of time. Be aware of your surroundings, don't make yourself look like you're totally out of place, and you'll be absolutely fine.
Used to drink at the Cricket club in Irvington, since drinking age at that place was around 13. This entailed driving home through the town. While it looked scary, nothing ever happened to any of us, or anyone I know. Pretty funny how at that time of the night no one cared about any traffic lights, it's like they weren't there
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