Cities 07

Jane Jacobs makes a very interesting point: she wants neighborhoods to have their eyes open to others and a voluntary monitoring of individuals, because the city is "full of strangers".
I agree to some extent, because police are only impersonal guards of the street, and usually have less knowledge of neighborhood dynamics. I mentioned in class earlier the block leader on my street of 31st and elliot ave. The plan is that the block leaders take turns watching over the streets in order to keep the neighborhood safer. Ideally, that would be great, to use the residents of streets as a network of safety. But---there are always subjective views based on perhaps media stereotypes of "unhealthy" neighborhoods. I received an email from my block leader, and i think the only way this voluntary monitoring could be effective, is, of course, if everyone had an equal voice. In my neighborhood, only a few people meet to discuss the issues of the neighborhood, and many people do not have the time to watch the street action, even if it is such an interesting dance. (refer to the last page of Jacobs and her metaphor of the improvised ballet)
> To All,
>
> last night around 8:45 when I noticed a prostitute being dropped off
> down the street from our house Randy and I decided to take a drive and
> see what was going on in the neighborhood. From 9:00 to 9:30 we
> reported a total of five prostitutes, 8-12 juveniles hanging and loud at
> the corner of 32 and Chicago, and a total of 7 males (suspicious
> activity) hanging at alleys and corners.
>
> Here are some pictures of suspected prostitutes that were roaming our
> streets last night. They are not the clearest but I will give
> descriptions so hopefully you too can recognize these individuals.
>
> pic #1 (1-A) this white female,approx 5"4" thin build,early 20'S, brown
> shoulder length hair, wearing blue jeans and dark blue jacket and large
> hoop earrings. She was "hanging" on 11th and 31 Street
>
> pic # 2 and 3 ( 2-a and 2-B) this white female was 5' 4-6" med to heavy
> build, early 20's,blonde hair past shoulder, wearing a light powder blue
> jacket, blue jeans, quite strung out, hanging with black male (wearing
> all dark clothing), "hanging" at and on the property of 3104 13th Ave
> south and seen walking from Bloomington Ave to Elliot Ave. They were
> also somehow connected to the total of 7 other black males seen walking
> in the alleys and on 31 Street from Bloomington to Elliot
>
> pic # 4 and 5 (2-C and 2-D) is a white female, shorter brown hair, Hat
> on head wearing a camel colored jacket, blue jeans "hanging" with black
> male (wearing dark clothing) seem mostly on the corner of 15th and 31
> Street. seen walking back and forth on 31 to Chicago Ave
>
> pic # 6 (4-A) this is Elise Simpson (not sure of spelling) She was
> seen "hanging" on Lake street and 12th Ave. She has been reported
> numerous times for her activity. She is a lighter skinned female, brown
> wavy hair, extremely blue eyes, 5' 6" thin to med build, wearing a
> darker jacket with v shaped colors, jeans. She is also been reportedly
> connected to an address on 11th and 3000 block.
>
> There was another female that came from the side of 3104 13th Ave S, she
> was med to heavy build, short blonde hair wearing black jeans and a red
> and black jacket with some kind of sport logo on it, she was wearing a
> black stocking cap. She was seen on 14th and 3100 block as well as
> walking from 13th Ave to Bloomington. I do not have a very clear
> picture of her however she is very distinctive.
>
> There were a total of 7 black males that were "hanging" from 11th
> through Bloomington Ave, they were hanging in alleys watching/directing
> traffic, they were somehow communicating with some of thee gals as well.
>
> AS you can see in a matter of half and hour what is happening outside
> out doors is NOT THE ACTIVITY our neighborhood wants.
>
> 911 was called on on these and I did speak to the police (who were
> extremely helpful and proactive)
>
> I have video clips if anyone would like. Sorry for the dark pics...I am
> learning to now be a "photo journalist)
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff