“Marc, a little perspective from a resident who has lived here since 1998. Though there obviously was no NextDoor 21 years ago, the very same complaints and 'paranoia' that you think is in abundance now are exactly what went on in face-to-face discussions among residents and passed along to councilmembers, mayors, city officials, and police that led to the significant quality-of-life changes that the neighborhood enjoys today. Two decades ago, attacks and incidences within Hamilton Park, particularly at night, happened often. Two decades ago, residents never walked or ran on the back side of Enos Jones Park (unless perhaps if you had a large dog) for fear of being assaulted. Two decades ago, it was well-known that residents coming back from the Newport Mall carrying holiday packages/bags were targeted for robberies. Much less than two decades ago, the owner of a bodega across from McNair was shot and murdered around mid-morning on a school day. Two decades ago, trash littering our sidewalks and parks was "acceptable." Two decades ago, cars running the stops signs and speeding around Hamilton Park were an every day occurance. Two decades ago, police and city officials "hid" much of the crime that was going on around Hamilton Park so as to not scare residents. Sure, the suspicions on NextDoor can sometimes be taken too far. And, yes, we do live in a city, with all of its inherent risks. However, I find much of the information here to be a helpful reminder that each of us must always be vigilant and aware of what's happening on the streets of our neighborhood. I will never concede that having delivered packages stolen is the "cost" of living in a city, or that a certain level of neighborhood crime -- certainly not home and auto break-ins -- is okay. And I will never blame the victims. Nor should any of us. Instead, we should continue to inform our neighbors of what is going on -- good and bad -- in our community. Whether he or she reads or heeds that information is up to them.”
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