The neighborhood that used to be next to downtown

[simetime]

Originally Posted by Uptown kid

I'm sorry if I offended you but perhaps most of the Hill District's shootings excluding the project's are caused by none-residents. You're right I read up about Somers Drive, there has been only one recent murder (2008) and it seemed like it was not gang related. Yet I can assure you that there are gangs in the Hill... While Bedford/Middle Hill sets did feud with Terrace Village/Crawford Roberts sets at one time. Plus Family relation doesn't stop gangs in Homewood, Hazelwood, Homestead, or McKeesport have turf boundries separated only by a few streets and it wouldn't be a first time where cousins killed cousins in those places. Also, Bloods do claim turf in Bedford Dwellings atleast in and around Chuncey Drive. So the source I initially read mentioning cripz must have been about a rival gang. Yet the Hill isn't a victim neighborhood... Somebody from the Northside was killed in the Hill not too long ago. Yet you're right I was ignorant but gangs like the bloods do exist in the Hill, and they contribute alot of crime in the projects.

I'm not a stranger to the Hill... I have relatives who live there and I've walked/drove in a few areas through out the Hill. I do know that: from Crawford Sqaure & Sugar Top to the gang plagued 'jects that make Addison Terrace & Reed Roberts there is still a great sense of community!

I grew up around the Bedford projects most of my life, and unfortunately know some of the actors involved in alot of the stuff that goes on around there. The media/police make it seem that there is a gang presence there but what it really is going on is a few young boys hustling as a group and Pretending to be gang bangers. Chauncey Drive is a haven for various hustlers many of them are transplants by way of females that they are staying with. Now as far as Sugartop is concerned, since they had starting relocating people from the lower and middle hill Sugartop has been plagued by hoodlums. I have heard of some gang-like activity up there but most of them are wannabees. Reed and Roberts has always had probelms due the proximity to 5th Ave.

I have some family members who can attest to the sense of community that existed there years ago, but it is not the way that it use to be. I had seen the changes over time as people who once held the community close pass away or moved b/c they could no longer afford to live there.

In about 20-30 years the Hill will be a totally different place to live, already the students are taking over Crawford Square and it all but priced out many of the original residents.

[MathmanMathman]

The housing, infrastructure and sanitary conditions were deplorable, and vice was rampant, with outbursts of violence. But former residents remember strong family support systems and help from aldermen when they ran short of money. They remember feeling safe.

I think that is more of a testament of that time rather than place. Had it been left alone, it probably would be entirely different today and they'd be still yearning for the strong family support systems, etc. The federal government has sort of stepped in to fill that role starting with LBJ's "Great Society" programs. But it's support without human ties.

[Lobick]

FYI, public meeting on the Arena's future if anybody's interested:

City of Pittsburgh Council District 6*·*News Article

[simetime]

Originally Posted by Lobick

FYI, public meeting on the Arena's future if anybody's interested:

City of Pittsburgh Council District 6*·*News Article

Thanks for the information