Is Petersburg, VA really that bad ? (school, live in, racist)

[htlong]

Originally Posted by tmbrader

Hi Everyone,

My husband has just received orders to Fort Lee and we're looking for a place to live.
I've been searching online for some areas to live and I've absolutely fallen in love with the Petersburg historic district. I would love to buy and re-hab one of those old homes and Olde Towne Petersburg looks really neat.
Now for the BUT....I've heard and read on some city-data sites that the crime rate in Petersburg is the highest in VA and one of the highest in the country ?
A couple of my husbands buddies that had attended school there said that the Army made Petersburg 'off limits' due to it's high rate of crime ?
Can anyone advise us on this ? Is Petersburg really that dangerous or is this a slight over exaggeration ?
My husband is moving from TX and I'm joining him from Singapore which is one of the safest cities in the world, am I in for a rude awakening ?

Would appreciate any advice ?

yes its that bad!

[bdmckinley84]

Look at Colonial Heights, Chester along Harrowgate road, or Matoaca. Don't go to Petersburg.

If you are dead-set on rehabing a historical home then try Hopewell (esp. City Point and Crescent Hills). It's like Petersburg but with a functioning economy and less crime. The schools in Hopewell are only so-so though.

[RichmondRegion]

Originally Posted by Social Justice

This is a direct quote from Dawn Holmes of the Petersburg Department of Tourism that she sent to me when I tried to help them prevent derogatory information about Petersburg being posted on Doc Thompson's Facebook page. The Terms of Service for Facebook do not permit this type of attack on a group of people:

"Petersburg has many problems just like millions of other cities that have essentially become 'welfare' or 'unemployement' centers. When the tobacco industry died so did cities such as Richmond and Petersburg - it is not the city that is at fault, it is the misuse of a system that was designed to help those in need until they could get back on their feet but has for several generations been used as a lifestyle. A work force is needed - find a way to offer work to those those willing to work the opportunity to do so - stop feeding the parasites. If a person is not willing to work why does the taxpayer have to take care of them? Taxpayers should be ashamed that they enable a government to pay children to have children - its a crime which perpetuates itself."

However, I was surprised to learn that the USA had millions of cities, let alone millions that she alleges are this terrible.

Dawn Holmes made this response to me when I notified her of the post on Doc Thomson's Facebook page. Doc is the local "shock jock" on WRVA 1140 AM and 700WLW Radio in Cincinnati, Ohio. This is the post on Doc's page:


Chad Quella: Petersburg, The Worst Part of Virginia
What a festering hellhole. A region rich in American history and a once-vibrant center of transportation and industry now is spoiled by the giant stain of Petersburg smack in the middle of it. Present-day Petersburg is an astounding monument to what happens after decades of progressive government and entitlement mentality populace get together to overwhelm individual responsibility and affluence.

Baradost What a terrible thing to say! I have been to the historic section and found it very interesting. Saturday at 10:43pm

Chad Quella: We're glad you enjoyed your visit and even more glad you made it out of Petersburg alive. The frequent murders, rapes, robberies, horrible schools, unemployment, drug abuse and prostitution were perhaps not included in your tour. Yesterday at 6:48pm

By the way, for all the slinging around terms like "racist" and "bigot" that "Social Justice" a.k.a. Sabet Baradost does, she seems to have a flair for bigotry herself, more specifically, antisemitism. Here is a post she made on Doc Thompson's Facebook page:
"Sabet Baradost
Cantor is loyal to only one country - and it is not the US.
November 30, 2010 at 5:05pm"
Just what do you suppose she meant by that?

[Mrs.Terrell]

I grew up in Petersburg and moved back after school. Growing up I could not wait to leave. I thought Petersburg was dump and not worth my time and whatever talents I have.
However, maturity has shown me how special my city is. Petersburg is a beautiful place with SMART, strong, and resilient people. In many ways Petersburg was the launching point for both the civil war and the civil rights movement. We taught national leaders like MLK how to organize!
Yes, Petersburg has sufferd. Our schools system and government have a long way to go but I have dedicated myself to being apart of the solution! Any ******* could make some of the above post, but it takes a person with character to find the beauty and be willing to help a city find it's succes rather than making assumptions. I'm proud of my home and I'm offended by the ignorant remarks and replies posted.

[DocWell]

I have lived in Petersburg and enjoyed my time there. It is an improving city just like Richmond. There are people there working very hard to make it into a nicer place to live. The people calling it a hellhole and the likes will only slow the hard work of these people. It certainly is not a hellhole and It has many charms for a city of its size.

Running away from troubled communities will only help compound the problem. These youths need postive rolemodels in there life or else the problems will continue.

[asbarr]

I have lived in Petersburg for 40 years. We do have one of the worst school systems in the state but the rest of the junk posted on this site is less than true. Like most cities as old as our country we have many old run down buildings. We also have many beautiful historic buildings, districts, and areas. The Old Towne area of Petersburg was used as a backdrop for the new Lincoln Movie. Yes we have our problems but I walk our streets without fear. We have no more or less crime than any other VA city of our size. We do have too many poor and homeless but what can you do about it? I guess I would say if you have kids in school do not move here. Prince George would be my choice of schools. If you do not have kids, or if you home school come on down to Petersburg and find your own piece of history to save and restore. To the rest of you bashing my little town please stay away from here we have enough problems with out adding you to the list.

[onevthoki]

Kudos to the school superintendent for finally beginning the conversation of year-round school in Petersburg! I think that may end up being a great help in improving the schools!!