I don't know how often I've heard news of Hyde Park residents "banning together to fight crime" (cue trumpets!!!) but in the end the effort always fails. Currently, a bunch of Hyde Park yuppies have their panties in a bunch over a nearby apartment/crackhouse that's screwing with their property values. I'd like to provide a quick rundown of how these things usually work out for readers who might not be familiar with the KC area . . . The neighbors will win (or lose) an amazing struggle with an apartment owner and vow to fight crime and reclaim the neighborhood. There will be a few more news articles that document the area's resurgence . . . Then, eventually, a white person will be killed or badly beaten and a lot of people will panic, move out and property values will plummet. This same situation has played out in Hyde Park about every 7 years since the mid-80's. The area won't dramatically or permanently change for the better . . . There will only be ups and downs and the sad fact remains that such nice, historic homes are undervalued because they lie next to this town's racial, political and economic dividing line.
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It never ceases to amaze me that people move into an area only to act surprized and indignant when they realize that crime doesnt cease simply by virtue of their arrival. There is a reason you can get a whole lot of house for comparatively little money in a high crime area. Its a HIGH CRIME AREA.
ReplyDeleteWTF does that last line in the article mean? "She also hopes to work with a university or other agency to fill the building with students or other respectable individuals." If you want all white tenants, then rent to whites only, quit issuing veiled statements like this.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if this is the same Pete Smith who was the attorney who successfully sued the KCMSD for wrongful termination of that superintendent who got busted for inappropriate use (personal vacations, etc.) of school funds. Anyone?
The Drug Lords recruiters will have the most success working hoods like Tonys neighborhood. Start out as a lookout, move up to breaking into cars, then up the ranks to block crack dealer.
ReplyDeleteI lived in Hyde Park for 20 years. I was one of the few who lived there that long, most moved out as soon as they lost a car.
ReplyDeleteYes it is a somewhat high crime area but if the KCPD would do their job it wouldn't need to be.
Blaming the landlord for crime is wrong. If you screen tenants you get discrimination complaints. Even good tenants let their criminal friends and relatives move in. In the end the police department enforces laws and if they don't you have crime.
I live in midtown and everytime the neighborhood had a meeting with the police. They would always says to call 911. The more times the neighbors call the police the more times they'll drive by.
ReplyDeleteOne problem, no one ever calls the police. Nothing happens with complaining.
Hyde Park is a great neighborhood particularly because the neighbors work together to make it better. Your negativity is hardly helpful or useful.
ReplyDeleteI live in Hyde Park, and you are right. Most of the residents spend more time sticking their noses into what their tax-paying neighbors do with their property than they do seriously dealing with crime in the neighborhood. I can tell you right now that 90% of this stuff is coming from kids in or near Hyde Park. This may be coincidental but I have lived here 9 years and have never been robbed, had my house broken into or even my license plate jacked and I attribute this at least in some part to making an effort to make friends with the neighborhood kids. I play hoops, help them with their homework if needed and even throw a random summer bar-b-q for them. Now I am not saying this has prevented me from being a target but I am pretty sure that it has helped. I think every block in HP should have a block party during the summer and invite EVERYONE, even the crack-house, to the party. I really believe that it helps cut down on that type of teen-age petty crime.
ReplyDeleteI have recently looked into a house up in KC and I am not very familiar with the area. The house is is at 2415 N 10th st. The area seemed to be pretty ghetto but the house was amazing. The problem is I have 3 children and I dont want to move anyone into an area that is too dangerous. Does anyone know anything about this particular part of KC?
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's time to open your minds? I am planning on buying a house in Hyde Park. I have read the testimonies and and been to the subdivision and walked the area at night to get a feel for what I should expect. When I walked down the street, I was greet with smiles from every race and colour. When I read of car jacking and crack selling from nearby residence? I ask those who point the finger, How do you know? Do you assume, because of race? Do you assume, because they are not your standard of being so called "YUPPIEs"? Have you asked them to confirm? Dear readers, we live in dark times where everyone is the accused and everyone is the victim. When I walked down the street last night with my family, I saw friends, neighbors and Americans. Oneday, we will be in a depression just like the 1930's and neday we will look towards each other for help and / or assistance. Even those who live in an apartment complex because that is what they can aford. I would live their too, if it meant having a good roof over my family's head. Here is a questions for both sides of the fence? When Hyde park has the next block party? Who will be invided? Who will do the invites? Who will show up? Who will be spread negative gossip and why? I have opened my mind and shared a thought wih you. When will you stop seeing each other as an enemy of the your people? When will you start to realize, that both sides of the fence have the same concerns and care just as much? How do we know the criminals are from our neighborhood? When will we change and give each other a chance? If not now? When? DXABRIELM
ReplyDeleteWow, I bet the author of this article believes himself open-minded and well-spoken. It is truly sad to read such a smug and naive opinion. My husband and I currently live in Hyde Park. I will be honest, our cars have been broken into and we have seen and heard about other crime around us. This is reality. I have also heard many stories of crime that occur in Brookside, Prairie Village, Plaza. For some strange reason, none of that stuff seems to make it on the news...very ironic. Here's the thing, Kansas City has a serious problem with racial segregation..present day. This racial segregation is affecting everything. Our city is broken. Different races are not trusting each other and not unified. This problem is trickling down into the school system. Our schools are indeed severely segregated and are not being held to standards that are necessary to send out graduates capable of succeeding in an adult society and work force. yes, we need to have block parties, BBQ's, play basketball..with your neighbors, all of them. Even the one's that SEEM scary. If we do not individually, in our own small way, reach out to our community,Hyde Park and K.C. will only get worse. If you are reading this, please contact Big Brothers Big Sister or Literacy Kansas City, etc. Get involved! Take action. If we all do a little it will make such a difference! I have a "Little" and she has changed my life! I want to make this sity and school district better for her. Don't talk about it. Take action!
ReplyDeletei live near hyde park and i have to say that although i might not walk around at night by my self or without my dog, i feel it's an okay place to live.
ReplyDeletei used to live in a really wealthy subdivision called the legends in saint louis... it was full of mansions.
the house next door to me blew up because it was a meth lab.
bad things happen no matter where you are.