Melrose-Mercy Neighbors

Crime

Cora: I have lived in Kenwood with my family for over 10 years. We love the neighborhood. We are also not blind to the fact that crime happens here. Some parts more than other parts. Get a dog. If you find your yard with a privacy fence, plant roses, bouganvilla or catus on it. At least no one would be able to enter your yard quietly! Reality is that we are not the lowest crime rate in the city, nor the highest. We are pretty average. As another poster expressed, just be aware of your surroundings. This is just common sense. No need to be paranoid here. Get to know your neighbors. Talk to some and find out which areas you might want to avoid. Those areas are shrinking, though, thanks to the association efforts and the fact that this is a family neighborhood and we tend to talk to one another. Crime watch means more than watching it happen. We call the police here. When criminals know it, they go elsewhere. I didn't want to live here at any cost 10 years ago because of the bad things I heard about the area. Now I wouldn't want to be anywhere else! Hope you find a great bargain and come to love Historic Kenwood as much as we do.

Crime Prevention

Cora, My family has lived in Kenwood Neighborhood for well over 20 years. I had a bike stolen from my garage back in high school (way too many years ago to mention) mainly because I left the garage door open and it was there. I guess the point I'm trying to get to is if your smart and careful, you can avoid most problems. The neighbor who suggested planting those prickily bushes had a good idea. There are many other examples of Crime Prevention Through Enivronmental Design.
Making friends with your neighbors is probably the most important crime prevention method there is and in Kenwood this is as easy as sweeping off your sidewalk or walking the... ( oh yeah you don't have a dog) walk your hamster whatever...Kenwoodians are going to be there to introduce themselves to you. Good Luck!

By Donna

Historic Kenwood...

...is a great place to live!!! When I moved in 4+ years ago many people tried to scare me about the crime, which was much worse at that time than it is now. However, most of these people were talking about their second-hand impression of the neighborhood based on what they had heard. When I talked to people who lived in Kenwood, I got a different story, and I also ended up trusting my instincts after visiting the neighborhood at all different times of day and night.

At the time I moved here, we were just at the beginning of our rennaisance. People like me were taking notice of the historic architecture, human-friendly design, excellent location, friendly neighbors, and extraorginarily active neighborhood association, and choosing to move here, but at the same time, we did have a LOT of run-down houses, drug problems, and some crime (although, even then, the crime wasn't as bad as it was perceived to be).

I can honestly tell you now, though, as one woman to another, that I feel Historic Kenwood is a very safe neighborhood. We are a neighborhood that watches out for each other. We are a neighborhood that calls the police if we notice anything suspicious going on--believe me, we are very quick to take action as we never want to let another drug house take root, etc., now that we have worked so hard to heal those problems. I know everyone on my block and they all know me. If anything strange goes on, I don't hesitate to call the police non-emergency line or my community police officer.

I think Historic Kenwood is a very safe neighborhood now, and I say that honestly and from the bottom of my heart. I would suggest that you call the police department and ask to speak to the Historic Kenwood Community Police Officer (Kozak). He can give you crime statistics and answer any questions you may have. Hope to see you in the 'hood!

By Edna

I hope these answers helped you

I think you can see from the responses, most of us feel very safe. One thing not mentioned by the others is to have good locks on the doors and windows. The police department also offers a free home security check. If you would like, I am trained in CPTED (crime prevention thru environmental design)if you get a home in Kenwood I would be happy to offer any advice.