transitional neighborhood lowdown

forest through the trees

transitionalneighborhoodlowdown — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:00:40 +0000

Recently, my husband and I were discussing the neighborhood. I was noting how much had changed since our first year here. My husband then said, “It’s not that the neighborhood has changed, you’ve just become comfortable with it.” I didn’t answer, but thought over that statement for a few days. Finally, I gave him my reply:
1. As was uncovered with more discussion, he has become more comfortable here. Given that he grew up in a very segregated city, living in a transitional and mixed neighborhood required internal adjustment.
2. Plenty has changed. Here’s a list:
- In my first year, I picked up litter weekly on our block. I haven’t done that since.

- On our street (three blocks long), six houses that were vacant have sold to proactive homeowners in three years.

- On our street, multiple rental properties have been repaired and rented to responsible individuals/families. There are now lots of children on our street, and decrepit houses are gone.

- The drug houses are no longer in swing on our street. There is a small-time operator that has been dealing for someone else, but there is a current neighborhood initiative that should soon abate his dealing.

- Ours was one of the roughest streets in our neighborhood when we moved here. That is no longer the reality we face.

- Boom boom cars are no longer an hourly occurrence. In fact, they aren’t even a daily occurrence on the street.

- Our neighborhood association has gained clout after shutting down a nightclub, and now gets real action when needed from our City.

- Our sector lieutenant, who replaced the one from our first year, has been extraordinary in working with the neighborhood to eliminate issues. He has gone above and beyond to ensure a safe and quiet neighborhood.

Neighbors: Know when to strike

transitionalneighborhoodlowdown — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:55:25 +0000

Bad neighbors: we are talking about the ones who beat their kids (yes, we’ve called CPS), filter drugs, spend hours yelling out on the street, try to pick fights, etc.

These neighbors will usually be temporary, especially if they are renters. However, you have to know when to strike. While you wait for the opportune time, here are some things that will help when the time comes: rack up calls to the police on the address (always use the address as you can request calls for service to a particular address); if kids are involved and it is warranted, call child protective services; if they are renters, there are laws in many states that hold the homeowner responsible if the owner knows about drug blight, so forward copies of calls for service/ arrest records to the owner by certified mail (and save the certification notice if you need to meet with your DA’s office later).

Sometimes, the gods will shine upon you, and the electric company will turn off this neighbor’s power after the neighbor used everyone’s name in the household to restart the service. Then, sometimes they will shine brighter when the electric company takes away the box because said neighbor rigged up a line and stole the electricity. Then, you simply have to make the city aware, and the property is condemned and said neighbors are escorted out of the house. Then, a peaceful calm will descend upon your street, and a few neighbors will let you know they are glad because they suspect you had something to do with the disappearance of said neighbor. I do apologize to whomever encounters this neighbor next, but the opportunity had to be taken!

Richmond’s lack of food scene

transitionalneighborhoodlowdown — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 15:42:07 +0000

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/news/2011/aug/01/tdmain01-richmond-creates-task-force-to-increase-a-ar-1209495/

Let’s hope that this group is able to create real and implementable plans that the city government will support!

A usually undiscussed issue ’round these parts is the lack of groceries to substantial areas of the city. There are many sections of the city in which a trip to the grocery store requires planning. I own multiple vehicles, and getting to a grocery store requires planning on what time of day to go, as the one store in the city that is within a 5 mile radius is impossible to use. Anyone familiar with Kroger on Broad (near VCU) will know it’s always overcrowded and a parking spot is a commodity. Usually, I just drive the extra miles to use a store outside the city limits. Here, there is no such thing as a quick trip to the store, and for those with limited means of transportation, the trips and fresh fare options dwindle.

residential integration, politics, and gentrification

transitionalneighborhoodlowdown — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:58:12 +0000

This AP article discusses the increased pace of blacks moving to the suburbs. One of the highlights for me was to view the rating on residential integration by section of the country (the West and South are the most integrated sections of the country). The article also notes that some Southern states showed that white children are now a minority, and other Southern states are soon to follow. The Conservative South, which has been staunchly so since the Civil War (a.k.a. War of Northern Aggression =), will start to see shifts in 30 years that may change the entire social, racial, and political makeup of the region.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2011/mar/17/census-more-blacks-south-moving-suburbs-ar-911785/

The following blog post discusses how revitalization does not have to equal gentrification. I have left an opinion, noting that the author does not confront racial issues in this discussion (elephant in the room). Perhaps this could be as the author is from a region of the country that is highly segregated and revitalization is not yet occurring in primarily black or other ethnic neighborhoods.

http://renovatingtherustbelt.wordpress.com/2010/03/26/urban-renewal-does-not-have-to-mean-gentrification/

virginia abc store: hood style

transitionalneighborhoodlowdown — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 05:34:23 +0000

Does your Virginia ABC store have bulletproof glass and unperusable aisles? Does your Virginia ABC store contribute to nuisance issues by carrying the mostly (and sometimes only) smaller versions of liquor (especially the hotel-size options) for patrons to discard the black bags and bottles all over your yard? Is your ABC store parking lot left without surveillance so that dealers and prostitutes can easily deliver their goods and services on the premises (even during operating hours)? NO? Well, then you haven’t enjoyed one of Virginia ABC’s finer establishments that fully encompasses Virginia ABC’s mission statement:

“To control the distribution of alcoholic beverages; operate efficient, conveniently located retail outlets; enforce the laws of the Commonwealth pertaining to alcoholic beverages and youth access to tobacco products; and provide excellent customer service, a reliable source of revenue, and effective public safety.”

*This ABC venue’s retail employees do, in fact, provide excellent customer service and are in no way responsible for the larger issues at this location.*

is richmond #1 in homicides?

transitionalneighborhoodlowdown — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:42:23 +0000

Anyone have the answer? We’ve dropped down to under 40 a year, and somehow we have the most homicides per capita in the U.S.? http://finance.yahoo.com/news/The-11-Most-Dangerous-usnews-1262959588.html?x=0

From John M., a look at Richmond’s crime drop since the mid 90s: http://chpn.net/news/2010/08/15/richmond-1994_14783/

portland unable to diversify

transitionalneighborhoodlowdown — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:18:22 +0000

Well, the city is growing and revitalization is not an issue, but diversity and employment are!

http://www.npr.org/2011/02/16/133748144/history-hinders-diversification-of-portland-ore

chocolate city becoming vanilla

transitionalneighborhoodlowdown — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 17:37:49 +0000

From NPR’s Cities in Transition series is a look at how Washington D.C. is quickly gentrifying into a city where the black population will soon be a minority. http://www.npr.org/2011/02/15/133754531/d-c-long-chocolate-city-becoming-more-vanilla

big bust at the drug house

transitionalneighborhoodlowdown — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 21:41:04 +0000

Aw, yeah! RPD brought out the battering ram for the last remaining drug house on my street last Friday, and rounded up the dealer and his cousin for PWID (possession with intent to distribute) amongst other things.

For years, neighbors have been giving information to the RPD concerning this house and others associated with it. Finally, a shooting that occurred at a connected house (and a related shootout that spilled onto a main road the next day) in November seems to have sped up the process of bringing the drug ring to court (http://northrichmondnews.com/news/2010/08/29/police-name-suspects-in-montrose-shooting/). I will definitely be sending a letter to the Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ office regarding the case. Interestingly, the nearby crackheads have been in a bad mood all weekend (not making this up).

richmond’s finest get something right!

transitionalneighborhoodlowdown — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 20:25:55 +0000

RPD’s Special Investigation Division has been working on the worst block in our neighborhood for some time. Two houses were declared nuisance properties, and multiple indictments have been served. The block in question is just behind a Burger King on Chamberlayne and always had a longer drive-thru line than the BK. Just a few of the houses kept that block in horrible shape (and unsafe). With that block cleared, all of the neighborhood’s internal blocks are not only safe, but liveable.

I’ve made a point of jogging the perimeter of our neighborhood when I have the time to go for a run. The perimeter consists of two rundown commercial corridors that can appear less than safe (most of the time, it’s just the appearance and not the actuality). I should note that my jogging has been dubbed “the senior shuffle” and is probably more pathetic than impressive. But, I feel I am making a statement (marking the territory, if you will) that I have no fear of my streets or whomever may be on them.