Whittier Neighborhood

On My Own Block

I want to thank you for sharing your story. It is always hard to be the first one. I also want to thank Darrell for starting the discussion. I too live in the neighborhood - however I am a more recent 'transplant'. My husband and I moved here because of the location to downtown and the affordability (or lack of affordability in other neighborhoods!!). I have met some really special people in the area but also have felt like a stranger walking down my very own block. WHY? Because I have people make comments and give me nasty stares. I am uncomfortable in my own neighborhood - on my very own block! I am not someone who is not used to Urban Living and diversity - I grew up in one of the largest and most diverse cities in the world, I have lived in foreign countries and gone to school with both physically and learning disabled people. I feel uncomfortable on my block because the people who are making comments and staring at me are up to no good - selling drug, screaming and yelling, drinking all day long. They scare me regardless of their color, sex or nationality. SO - why am I telling all this - because somehow when I hear or am part of a 'gentrification' discussions the 'color' issue always seems to come up. Why??? Why is this is not a ''crime'' issue? Why is it not a ''behavior'' issue. I do not care what sex, or color or nationality anyone is you do NOT yell, ''YOU F---ing XYZ'' at a child let alone an adult. I hear this type of yelling from the people who then stare and make me feel like a stranger on my own block. I hear it EVERY DAY.

If there is a problem with 'gentrification' because it means that people verbalize their uneasiness with this type of behavior - the yelling, drinking, loitering and selling drugs - then I think it is good to talk - otherwise let's NOT make it a color / racial / nationality thing?…..


By Thwarted Neighbor

My Home Is My Sanctuary

Thank you for responding and involving yourself in this discussion.
Let me be blunt, as the President of Whittier one of my top priorities is working with the Police to fight crime in this neighborhood. If there are public safety issues on your block, please file a Police report and then contact me directly. I have a good relationship with the District 2 Police, City Inspections and I'm building a relationship with Nuissance Abatement. Criminal behavior in Whittier is not a by product of culture or tradition but of lawlessness. The WNA takes drug prolifiration, intimidation, and assault very seriously. I hope that you will email me more specifics so that we can work together to take action on this.

A discussion of gentrification involves a discussion on race. It also involves a discussion on perceived class status and economics. To take a holistic approach to this issue we have to look at the political dynamics of the inner city. The historic prejudices that have existed and still exist. And more importantly what can we as a community do together to assist those who can no longer afford to live in a neighborhood they grew up in regardless of their race.
We also need to understand the history of Whittier. There was a time when people of color could not live in this neighborhood. And then there was a time when the neighborhood was considered a place that only people of color populated. Now the neighborhood is in flux again. The census #'s show a dramatic change to the demographics including race, age, and income level in the last 10 years.
This is an important issue and I believe that as a neighborhood in collaboration with Councilwoman Wedgeworth, developers, realtors and city planners we can not only discuss this issue but also take good faith steps to keep our neighborhood safe and filled with diversity.

Thanks again for your response. I look forward to speaking with you more.
Darrell