Quoted Text

SCHENECTADY
Despite new homeowners, crime up on Hill Guyanese add international flavor
BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter

    Despite an influx of immigrants who bought homes on Hamilton Hill, crime has taken a turn for the worse in a neighborhood that city officials had hoped would be stabilized by the new residents.
    The 2010 Census documented a decade of immigration that had a dramatic effect on the racial makeup of the Hill, which used to be equally divided between white and black.
    The number of blacks
    in the neighborhood See all stories has not changed, but the in the series number of whites fell to to date at 32 percent of the population, while the percentage of Guyanese surged.
    With them came an increase in homeownership. A decade ago, about 86 percent of the neighborhood’s houses were rentals. Now that has dropped to 76 percent, according to city records.
    Urban planners believe crime falls as home ownership rises. And the Guyanese who moved into the neighborhood said they saw crime drop for years.
    Then it came back.
MUGGINGS, LARCENIES
    Muggings, which had declined in 2009, rose 40 percent last year.
    Also increasing dramatically were larcenies, in which thieves steal items without the threat of force, usually items left unguarded in a car or front porch. Larcenies began increasing in 2009, climbing 56 percent over the previous year.
    Now some of the new Guyanese immigrants are talking about leaving.
    “I had thoughts of moving when we first moved [to Hamilton Hill], and then I changed by mind because things were going so well,” said Babitu Peru, who came here in 2000.
    “Then a year ago, it went back up,” she said. “I’m thinking of moving.”
    When crime dropped in the neighborhood, the police had just started using crime analysts to better determine where crimes were likely to happen. Supervisors now send out targeted patrols in response to small spikes in crime, in hopes of catching the criminals responsible before they commit a dozen more crimes, Assistant Police Chief Michael Seber said.
    The new system has led to many arrests — so he was disappointed to see that crime had crept back up on Hamilton Hill.
    Many factors may be in play, including an overall increase in larcenies in the city, he said.
    “Maybe some [are committed by] idle juveniles who otherwise might have had a summer job,” he said.
    But he said it may also refl ect a feeling of safety — which could encourage residents to leave their car unlocked or their purse outside for “just a minute.”
    He noted that the scariest crimes haven’t increased: murder, rape and assault have stayed nearly the same on the Hill for the last four years.
HOUSE SAFE, BUT LOCKED
    And even with the high number of thefts, many newcomers said they don’t regret moving here.
    “It’s still worth it,” said Peru, who moved from an apartment in Queens. “The houses in [New York City are] way expensive. I’d probably still be renting an apartment if I’m there. A house — it makes you feel good.”
    But nothing she owns is safe unless it’s behind locked doors, she said. Thieves have stolen anything she leaves outside — even fl owers planted in her garden.
    “They break into cars. They take the hanging baskets I used to have with fl owers. And Christmas decorations they steal a lot. They take the wreaths from the doors,” she said.
    Other larcenies are far more chilling.
    Muggers are stealing children’s cellphones, mp3 players, jewelry and even their sneakers as they walk through the streets of their neighborhood.
    Children are so often mugged that some parents now refuse to let them go outside with anything valuable — even a basic cellphone. In other neighborhoods, parents give their children a cellphone so they can call for help if they get into trouble.
    On Hamilton Hill, that phone might bring them trouble.
    That’s partly because there are so many children — a third of the Hill’s population is under the age of 18, according to the Census. To offer that huge group support and guidance, there are nearly a dozen nonprofits operating within a half mile of each other, all catering to the 2,000 children who live in the densely packed neighborhood.
    Safety is a prime concern, to the point where several of the nonprofits built their own playgrounds to make sure children have a safe place to play.
    Even if they aren’t carrying valuables, some children said they still feel safe only if they’re near a parent, or at one of the many youth
programs offered by nonprofi ts.
    “I feel safe because I don’t go far [from home],” said Shydasia Riker, 9, who rides her bike but stays within a block of her father, Ellis Riker. He hurried over to her when he saw her speaking to a reporter, and said he always keeps an eye on her.
    “You know you’re safe if I’m here, right?” he asked her, adding, “It’s a crazy neighborhood. I’ll tell you, it’s a lot safer than it was — but it’s changing [for the worse] again.”
    For those who have lived on Hamilton Hill for decades, the crime is deeply depressing.
    “When I bought this house, Italians lived here,” said Darlene Fordham, who has lived on Summit Avenue for 30 years. “Everybody owned their own property and nobody rented to anybody they didn’t know.”
A NEW DIVERSITY
    The Guyanese brought new international flavor to the neighborhood, which many residents said they appreciate — and hope will lead to a resurgence of the strong immigrant-based, working-class neighborhood they knew and loved.
    City Councilman Joseph Allen, the only council member who lives in Hamilton Hill, spoke highly of his Guyanese neighbors because they fixed up two of the worst houses on his block. The houses are now beautiful, he said, and the street has benefi tted from having two more owner-occupants who care about the neighborhood.
    Neighborhood association President Fred Lee said one of his favorite things about Hamilton Hill is the diversity — and the food his neighbors share with him.
    “Some of the Guyanese food, I love,” he said. “I never ate different greens before. I’ve even taken a new interest in macaroni and cheese — there’s a new fl avor involved.”
    And the Guyanese are so different from one another — coming from two ethnic backgrounds and three major religions — that they seem to bring far more diversity than other immigrant groups.
    “In six-tenths of a square mile, you can see many religions, many cultures, many ethnic groups,” Lee said. “It’s more of an international feeling.”
    The neighborhood is still anchored by strong neighbors like Lee and Fordham, who are well-known on their blocks.
    But there are far fewer anchors than there were, Fordham said, and now she’s afraid to walk through the neighborhood. She, like many others interviewed for this story, said she was only staying because she could not afford to leave. ......................>>>>............................>>>>...................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r00102&AppName=1

Despite new homeowners, crime up on Hill Guyanese add international flavor shouldn't this be 2 different stories, lame way to try to sugar coat the problems we face.

HH muggings are up 40% in just one year! And they were too high then. We don't need no police station on Albany Street. "She was staying because she couldn't afford to leave." And can't sell because no one wants any property in the City. Keep voting straight DEM moron-they have a new plan! More taxes that will turn it around.

     If diversity means prosperity as the Gazetto keeps "reporting" why isn't the most diverse neighborhood more prosperous? When there is no positive news shift to diversity or the arts. HH is in free fall like every other City neighborhood. One boarded up business after another on Albany Street. Keep flushing millions on the 400 Block for the arts while the rest goes to hell in a hand basket.

That report can't be right, DV says crime is down.

Fred Lee needs to get out of his house more. The Gazetto is so desperate for any positive news in the DEM free fall the quotes become hilarious. Instead of talking about the all DEM implosion Fred Lee waxes on about flavors in his mac and cheese. He should have run for Mayor. He would fit in with the all DEM rubber stamps down there.

Quoted from Shadow

That report can't be right, DV says crime is down.

Actually, what I repeated from FBI reports is the same as what the Chief said --

The FBI report said that certain crimes were down over the past 10 years  -- murder, assault, rape -- and certain crimes were up -- burglaries, larcenies   ----------------and that is what I posted all those months ago.

The problem with you folks is that you take half of what someone says and twist it --- but then no one expects a Nattering Nayboob to say anything intelligent and rational.

Quoted from benny salami

Fred Lee needs to get out of his house more. The Gazetto is so desperate for any positive news in the DEM free fall the quotes become hilarious. Instead of talking about the all DEM implosion Fred Lee waxes on about flavors in his mac and cheese. He should have run for Mayor. He would fit in with the all DEM rubber stamps down there.

How is Hamilton Hill doing compared to 35 years ago when the all DEM implosion team arrived at City Hall? Like every other City neighborhood wrecked by high taxes, high crime and DEM morons in City Hall who only care about re-election. This November the first chance in decades to throw the bums out. Re-elect no one.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

Actually, what I repeated from FBI reports is the same as what the Chief said --

The FBI report said that certain crimes were down over the past 10 years  -- murder, assault, rape -- and certain crimes were up -- burglaries, larcenies   ----------------and that is what I posted all those months ago.

The problem with you folks is that you take half of what someone says and twist it --- but then no one expects a Nattering Nayboob to say anything intelligent and rational.

Uh, DV, you have NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER provided the fake report that you claim stated this.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

Actually, what I repeated from FBI reports is the same as what the Chief said --

The FBI report said that certain crimes were down over the past 10 years  -- murder, assault, rape -- and certain crimes were up -- burglaries, larcenies   ----------------and that is what I posted all those months ago.

The problem with you folks is that you take half of what someone says and twist it --- but then no one expects a Nattering Nayboob to say anything intelligent and rational.

Actually, you can't even remember what you said.

THe FIRST post you wrote about crime was on October 16, 2010 at 9L58 p.m.    The following is copied and pasted....these are YOUR WORDS VERBATIM!!!!!!!

Quoted Text

The crime rate is down in Schenectady -- including murders -- according to the FBI crime statistics.

And DV, you are also ignoring that while there may be fewer murders in the hill, it is because the violent crime is spreading THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

Have your forgotten the Bombers incident?
Have you forgotten the shooting, or maybe stabbing on Crane St a couple months ago?
Have you forgotten the shooting up in Woodlawn at that bar?
Have you forgotten the stabbing on Glenwood and Union last week?
Have you forgotten the killing on Bridge St a couple weeks ago?
Hae you forgot the murder of the child---IN DAYLIGHT ON A PLAYGROUND?

Shall I get you a list of all the shootings and stabbings?

Quoted from mikechristine1

Have your forgotten the Bombers incident?
Have you forgotten the shooting, or maybe stabbing on Crane St a couple months ago?
Have you forgotten the shooting up in Woodlawn at that bar?
Have you forgotten the stabbing on Glenwood and Union last week?
Have you forgotten the killing on Bridge St a couple weeks ago?
Hae you forgot the murder of the child---IN DAYLIGHT ON A PLAYGROUND?

Shall I get you a list of all the shootings and stabbings?

You have to break a few eggs when making a renaissance omelet.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

Actually, what I repeated from FBI reports is the same as what the Chief said --

The FBI report said that certain crimes were down over the past 10 years  -- murder, assault, rape -- and certain crimes were up -- burglaries, larcenies   ----------------and that is what I posted all those months ago.

The problem with you folks is that you take half of what someone says and twist it --- but then no one expects a Nattering Nayboob to say anything intelligent and rational.

Once again, YOU, DV, have NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER provide any proof of the existence of such a report.  DV, guess you have not learned, to be credible you MUST provide PROOF.   Your refusal to provide any proof whatsoever pretty much proves you are making up fairy tales.

Look at this table....and note the source.   The rate of violent crime in Schenectady is the SECOND HIGHEST in the whole state !!!!!!!!!   And violent crime WITH a gun Schenectady is the THIRD HIGHEST in the whole state.    I know you will find it extremely difficult to figure this out, it will take you lots of time, but if yoiu had a brain you put this in excel and sort it on values    (DV is saying "huh? excel? sort on values?")   I WISH TABLES WOULD LOOK LIKE TABLES when pasted in these messages.  Admin, can that be done?  

Anyway, you can copy and paste  from below into excel:   Paste Special, Unicode text, then the menu bar choose Data, then Text to Columns, choose Delimited, then check the box "Space" as the delimeter, then click Next, and Finish buttons.  It will then appear in tabular form and you can sort on the values.  (too bad DV can do that)

2010 County Violent Crime Counts and Rates Per 100,000 Population                         
                         
          Violent Crime          Violent Crime With Firearm     
County     2010 Population     Count     Rate     Count     Rate
Albany     295,267     1,185     401.3     154     52.2
Allegany     48,531     89     183.4     10     20.6
Broome     191,892     497     259.0     64     33.4
Cattaraugus     76,602     181     236.3     10     13.1
Cayuga     78,400     158     201.5     17     21.7
Chautauqua     131,411     311     236.7     41     31.2
Chemung     87,073     203     233.1     32     36.8
Chenango     49,978     54     108.0     8     16.0
Clinton     80,874     87     107.6     9     11.1
Columbia     60,786     86     141.5     10     16.5
Cortland     47,401     65     137.1     6     12.7
Delaware     43,997     58     131.8     8     18.2
Dutchess     291,541     708     242.8     117     40.1
Erie     895,158     4,528     505.8     1,144     127.8
Essex     35,964     37     102.9     6     16.7
Franklin     49,634     57     114.8     3     6.0
Fulton     54,344     123     226.3     24     44.2
Genesee     56,871     107     188.1     9     15.8
Greene     48,478     92     189.8     6     12.4
Hamilton     4,824     4     82.9     1     20.7
Herkimer     61,330     165     269.0     15     24.5
Jefferson     118,131     215     182.0     28     23.7
Lewis     25,785     24     93.1     5     19.4
Livingston     62,020     45     72.6     3     4.8
Madison     69,222     49     70.8     8     11.6
Monroe     724,942     2,820     389.0     816     112.6
Montgomery     47,969     72     150.1     4     8.3
Nassau     1,344,303     2,339     174.0     403     30.0
Niagara     211,650     829     391.7     124     58.6
Oneida     228,059     582     255.2     116     50.9
Onondaga     449,339     1,608     357.9     355     79.0
Ontario     105,010     128     121.9     7     6.7
Orange     383,475     994     259.2     152     39.6
Orleans     41,377     77     186.1     5     12.1
Oswego     119,906     188     156.8     14     11.7
Otsego     60,905     127     208.5     13     21.3
Putnam     98,472     68     69.1     7     7.1
Rensselaer     154,087     546     354.3     93     60.4
Rockland     298,092     459     154.0     61     20.5
St. Lawrence     108,273     138     127.5     14     12.9
Saratoga     219,519     151     68.8     4     1.8
Schenectady     151,036     747     494.6     145     96.0
Schoharie     31,169     17     54.5     1     3.2
Schuyler     18,455     10     54.2     0     0.0
Seneca     33,740     52     154.1     1     3.0
Steuben     95,252     163     171.1     8     8.4
Suffolk     1,511,183     2,360     156.2     539     35.7
Sullivan     75,137     217     288.8     18     24.0
Tioga     49,341     36     73.0     6     12.2
Tompkins     101,158     119     117.6     14     13.8
Ulster     179,764     408     227.0     40     22.3
Warren     65,549     96     146.5     4     6.1
Washington     62,227     90     144.6     12     19.3
Wayne     90,027     168     186.6     14     15.6
Westchester     948,303     2,450     258.4     343     36.2
Wyoming     40,743     33     81.0     6     14.7
Yates     24,182     18     74.4     1     4.1
Non-New York City     11,038,158     27,238     246.8     5,078     46.0
                         
Source: DCJS, Uniform Crime/Incident-Based Reporting systems.                         
Includes all reports received as of 4/12/11.                           
New York City counts are not available.                         
                         

At least they are starting to acknowledge that "Guyanese" is not an ethnic group.
So, an influx of immigrants originally from a third world hellhole didn't solve the crime problem on the Hill? I'm surprised.

Maybe if they got the entire country of Guyana to move here, all at once, and purchase all the property currently held by slumlords and being rented out to downstate scum, often with taxpayer subsidies, that might do the trick.

The crime rate in this County is so bad that the FBI has put out repeated warnings. Still no anti-crime plan, no anti-gang plan from the DEM fossils. As far as HH here's the problem-no new group to sell to. The Guyanese have stopped coming and are moving back to Queens. HH, Vale and Mt P are the all in the top three of emptiest neighborhoods in the State. But don't tell the County DEMS. They think the population has exploded and have short changed the rest of the County.