Like most of your posts Harbinger, your hyperbole is over the top.
I drive down Independence Avenue regularly, and one rarely sees a prostitute
openly plying her trade. In fact, I can't remember the last time I saw such a thing.
And I have yet to see, or have, a crack-head leap in front of my car,
or these so-called "crazies" that cruise the streets accosting children.
The deck in front of my house is full of decorative elements, planters,
and lawn furniture, and I have yet to have anything touched.
My neighbor across the street has a similar situation on her porch.
Yes, there are still problems near Independence Avenue,
and the blocks closest to it. Some of that comes from people
who hang around convenience stores, pawn shops, and gas stations.
The community has been working with the KCPD trying to
get officers regularly walking a beat on Independence Avenue.
http://northeastnews.net/pages/?p=12553
As some neighborhoods in the Northeast gentrify, hopefully
the number of rental houses will decrease as well. This, by
itself, could remove a number of troublesome residents
from the area.
The City has also been taking measures to strength
measures to reduce copper and metal theft at local
salvage operations. Most sellers now are being documented
and their copies of their IDs photocopied. Police are
working with salvage operations to educate them
on how to identify questionable materials.
When there is a theft in the neighborhood, police officers
are also pro-actively talking to surrounding neighbors
to gather information, and to educate us to keep watch
for suspicious parties, or particular individuals.
There is a graffiti remediation program that attacks
new graffiti tagging inside the neighborhoods.
In my neighborhood, this summer there were several
properties upgraded, and renovations of older homes.
Like I said, it depends on the neighborhood, and how
well neighbors work together.