With our local crime wave I thought I'd look up some information. This is a site where if you're planning to move, you can get a profile of the city you want to move to. On the home fair website, city profile page I typed in my zip code (52803). If you get past the 4% drop in population since 1990, it doesn't look too bad. Then go to Income and Jobs. OK. The average household income is listed as $49,257; but the average total household expenditure is $42,840. Going down to Education, it doesn't look too bad. In the climate section it's nice to see we're low on earthquake risk. Then to the Crime- no surprise here, it's high. For total crime risk we're over three times the National average, and almost four times the Iowa average. On to personal crime risk; we're over two and a half times the National average, and over four times the State average. On property crime risk; we're over two and a half times the National average, and over three times the Iowa average.
Now, while local politicians are distracting us with the speed cameras, and National politicians are distracting us with the war, and what they did or didn't vote for; the National crime rate is going up. All these people know about the crime. They all know about how it's been rising for some time. We people who bring attention to this subject are called 'againsters'. Call me what you want, but I have a problem knowing that it's been getting worse. It should be in newspapers, on TV, on more radio stations; it should be the topic of the day. With elections coming up it should be part of every candidates platform. It cannot be hidden any longer. If we want a safe place for our children to grow up, we have to start acting now. What good is universal health care for children if they get shot? If people don't feel safe going to shop, eat, or enjoy a sunny day; it's a problem. People have stopped going downtown, to Northpark, around the speed cameras; what's left? It's time for the people who are planning to run for office to put up or shut up. If you want my vote, don't tell me how much money you raised to run; tell me how you're going to keep America safer for the next generation.
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5 comments:
Until someone at city hall starts connecting the dots, then I am afraid things will not change. We are a hub for poverty and we attract needy people here. We also attract criminals from Chicago. We are favorable to them because we allow bad landlords to operate below board and do little if anything to stop them from renting to anyone with money. We have too much subsidized housing which contributes to the loss of tax base and increases the number of people dependant on the system. These people do not help the economy, they suck it dry. We allow agencies to operate flop houses that get the homeless people coming to Davenport to live in shelters and roam around the city. In the downtown area alone we have four meal sites (maybe more. FOUR. What homeless person wouldn't be attracted to Davenport. Plus those that operate and support these sites wouldn't dare live near them. So, they leave teh residents fighting for revilatization to live and deal witht he issues they created. And, to add insult to injury, they criticize these neighbors for complaining. Often calling the racist and classist.
Stop the gravy train and get rid of Bladel and I call that a good start to recovery.
I read all of this public outcry on the blogs about crime and housing but where are you when it comes to facing the city council in person at the public comment segment? It would seem that if it was that important to everyone that they would be vocal and there in person demanding change. Instead on the video replay of the meetings, I see the same "characters" get up and speak. You get Suzy Bell, Mary Boagner, Don Stevens, Walter Skrovonski, and Dale Gilmore. Where are the truly representative citizens demanding answers and action? If you believe in what you are writing in the blogs, then take the time and put forth the effort and speak out in person. Put a face on what you write so passionately about. There in lies the courage and challenge.
DWB
I learned from going to these meetings that it's a waste of time giving your viewpoint. The council ignores you and everyone else calls you a fanatic. I'm getting too old and too sick to do it anymore. That and I have absolutely no desire to run for any office ever. I would gladly go quietly away if I could do so in peace.
Cruiser-
Then what is the answer if we just give up and roll over? Nothing will happen by complaining in your blog. So our only hope is to feel good by venting in a posting?
I wish I knew the answer, I would gladly share it. I think the problem is a little too complex for a single answer. Personally, I believe the Guardian Angels would be a good start. Alderman Lynn brought it up before but didn't get any support. People have to get mad. Don't kid yourself, our words are getting looked at. Alderman Meyer has been a big help on different problems I've had. That being said, I think all the aldermen, and alders-at-large, should put as much effort into their jobs as he does. Neighborhood watch goups would be good, but when the crime goes down, so does attendance at meetings. It should increase. I may do a post because it is complex. We can't give up, that's what the jerks, and most politicians want. We just need more people being verbal and letting them know, this is not acceptable.
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