Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Duppie on December 10, 2011 at 11:06am

Amber,

Am I the only one that think this thread (or at least the initial post) has a positive lining? Despite you being out of work, and living in a unsafe neighborhood, you have a bike that can easily transport you out of that area and into better neighborhoods.

I'd say it is pretty awesome that all you need is a cheap bike to help you escape your surroundings, if only temporarily.

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Permalink Reply by nik was here on December 10, 2011 at 11:46am

Understood, generalizations don't do well for a neighborhood, but Uptown is simply a setting for Amber's story. Just as the phrase World War 2 implies an entire world at war, Spain and Switzerland don't get upset with the term just because they were neutral. Or the perception that the Lincoln Park Zoo may be more a concentration camp than a sanctuary. And just as all stereotypes aren't "true", there is a commonality leading to there development.

Regardless, the implied context of her story has been received. Don't forget, the OP was more about the respite her bicycle offers, not the merits of the community, and reads more like an essay out of the book Bicycle Love.  I'm sure any of us can substitute our own neighborhoods for the setting in her story and sympathize with the situation, maybe less gunshots, but the safety concerns when riding, or the encounters Craig has had are relatable. And Craig, your 2o'clock drink is surely drunk by now.

Just as a negative generalization can do disservice to a neighborhood, a positive generalization does a disservice to riders in giving them a false sense of safety. As always, rider beware, anywhere.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on December 10, 2011 at 12:14pm

+1

I found value in each of your paragraphs. Thanks.

nik was here said:

Understood, generalizations don't do well for a neighborhood, but Uptown is simply a setting for Amber's story. Just as the phrase World War 2 implies an entire world at war, Spain and Switzerland don't get upset with the term just because they were neutral. Or the perception that the Lincoln Park Zoo may be more a concentration camp than a sanctuary. And just as all stereotypes aren't "true", there is a commonality leading to there development.

Regardless, the implied context of her story has been received. Don't forget, the OP was more about the respite her bicycle offers, not the merits of the community, and reads more like an essay out of the book Bicycle Love.  I'm sure any of us can substitute our own neighborhoods for the setting in her story and sympathize with the situation, maybe less gunshots, but the safety concerns when riding, or the encounters Craig has had are relatable. And Craig, your 2o'clock drink is surely drunk by now.

Just as a negative generalization can do disservice to a neighborhood, a positive generalization does a disservice to riders in giving them a false sense of safety. As always, rider beware, anywhere.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on December 10, 2011 at 12:39pm

I live in Humboldt, barely, and it's a short distance 1/4 mile to Logan Square a mile or so to Wicker park/West town the thing is getting in and out during times to socialize,work or getting something to eat not just at 2 am after going to the bar.

I walked to the pizza place this past summer evening and just as I was coming home there was a drive by 5-6 houses down.

I feel safe along the lake front and have been out alone sometimes past midnight, I fell asleep on the beach in Rogers Park so...not really a good idea, now there also weren't repeat shootings but yeah be aware and move quickly. Hopefully it will be ok.

Duppie said:

Amber,

Am I the only one that think this thread (or at least the initial post) has a positive lining? Despite you being out of work, and living in a unsafe neighborhood, you have a bike that can easily transport you out of that area and into better neighborhoods.

I'd say it is pretty awesome that all you need is a cheap bike to help you escape your surroundings, if only temporarily.

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Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on December 10, 2011 at 12:46pm

nik was here said:

As always, rider beware, anywhere.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Willis on December 10, 2011 at 2:23pm

Amber I feel your pain. I am in Buena Park only a few short blocks from Uptown and I see it as well. We moved to this neighborhood about 8 months ago after living in Lakeview, Wriglyvill, and the northwest side. I usually get home from work around 3 A.M. and I see what’s going on at night and it is very uncomfortable at times. I do have a saving grace that when I am walking my dog at those times most people leave the guy with the pitbull alone. I still feel that winter is better than the summer. There is a growing police presence in the area and it is better than it has been in the past, at least that is what some of my neighborhoods tell me. The farthest I will usually go is Uptown bikes, Target and the Spot. Also as an FYI stay out of Clarden Park after dark, there are a bunch of the LK's that frequent the park and they will remind you of that.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Ralph on December 10, 2011 at 4:47pm

what's interesting is that if you actually sit down and look at violent crime figures, uptown has less violent crime than communities such as humboldt park and logan square, let alone garfield park, lawndale or austin.

CPD crime map

i've always felt that uptown has more of a reputation because it is a north side neighborhood and surrounded by affluent communities, much in the way that cabrini-green (far less dangerous than stateway or rockwell gardens) somehow gained international notoriety. it's not so much the actual crime as the juxtaposition of a low-income or working class neighborhood with the posh neighborhoods surrounding it.

regardless, i'm glad to hear your bicycle is helping you to feel safe.

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Permalink Reply by Wesley Dolezal on December 10, 2011 at 5:58pm

Thank you! :-)

Mary Ralph said:

what's interesting is that if you actually sit down and look at violent crime figures, uptown has less violent crime than communities such as humboldt park and logan square, let alone garfield park, lawndale or austin.

CPD crime map

i've always felt that uptown has more of a reputation because it is a north side neighborhood and surrounded by affluent communities, much in the way that cabrini-green (far less dangerous than stateway or rockwell gardens) somehow gained international notoriety. it's not so much the actual crime as the juxtaposition of a low-income or working class neighborhood with the posh neighborhoods surrounding it.

regardless, i'm glad to hear your bicycle is helping you to feel safe.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Beck on December 10, 2011 at 7:19pm

Welcome to Chicago, Amber!  Crime is on the rise everywhere in the city, doesn't matter where you live.  Thanks to our ballerina of a Mayor who dances around the issues, districts will be closing, no officers are being hired, and the cuts to social programs are making Chicago look like Detroit.  

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Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on December 10, 2011 at 7:26pm

Robert Beck said:

Thanks to our ballerina of a Mayor who dances around the issues

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Permalink Reply by Jeff K on December 10, 2011 at 8:40pm

Robert Beck said:

...Crime is on the rise everywhere in the city...

Meanwhile, in reality...

"...while the 19th District, which covers Lincoln Square, Northcenter and Lakeview, has seen violent crime incidents decline from 1,352 to 406 from 1990 to 2009, the 6th District, which covers Auburn-Gresham and Chatham on the South Side, has only declined from 4,178 to 2,792 incidents in the same period....

link

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