News-Record.com

I grew up in New Irving Park, right down the street from the recent murder and never once did I feel scared of any type of violence. I no longer live in the area, but when I return home I can definately notice a change in just the few years I have been away. I remember only a little over 10 years ago being able to ride my bike around the neighborhood and explore the woods on Asbury Terrace, the wooded area behind Primrose, and at Waldron Park and the feeling of a quiet and isolated neighborhood with nothing to worry about. Now, I see many of these wooded areas developed with housing and businesses, which brings the addition of much more traffic running through New Irving Park. I have also seen the depleting apartments and the surrounding neighborhood near New Irving Park on Elm Street near the intersection of Pisgah Church become a dangerous place to drive, especially at night. I feel that this area as well as the areas on Cone going out towards the old Carolina Circle Mall are the main areas that criminals are coming from to invade our quiet community. There is almost a distinct line drawn between the area behind Province Town, that seperates a very poverty stricken and violent neighborhood with an upscale and private one. One could only have expect this to happen when New Irving Park expanded closer to these neighborhoods, making it easier for criminals to come in. I believe two things need to happen in New Irving Park. First there needs to be a re-routing of traffic that is coming from the new shopping center on Pisgah Church and Elm. Secondly there needs to be more patrolling in these poverty stricken neighborhoods to help clean these areas up. Another possiblity, which may be coming soon, is that these apartment complexes on Elm will eventually be knocked down and re-developed, which has already happened to a few. Like mentioned in the article, Greensboro has become a big city, with big city crime and problems. What was not mentioned was that Greensboro now needs to step up and control this big city, with big city protection.

So, basically what you're saying is to get rid of the criminals, aka poor people, they need to have more cops in the poverty stricken area to arrest them before they reach the privileged folks in Irving Park. And oh yeah, let's tear down their housing while we're at it so that they can retreat to the projects/ghetto while the rich and privileged stay safe and comfy in their upscale homes. Sounds like a great idea, but let's face it, crime in Greensboro is not a new thing, but since it has crossed over into the wealthier neighborhoods, it has become a huge issue. Let's combat crime regardless of the socio-economic class of the victim(s). Criminals are not welcome in my neighborhood and I DON'T live in Irving Park.

I think everyone in Greensboro should feel safe in their homes. Crime has been happening in other areas in Greensboro for years and little is done. There was no community meeting when people are killed on Randleman Rd, Lee Street or High Point Rd.
I live in the area by Four Season Town Center. The area has gone from nice quick area to crime infected and people are afaird to go out of their homes. They pay taxes just like to other side of town. More need to be done to get the gangs and drugs out of Greensboro for all communities.
Concern citizen

My fellow neighor, Daniel, you scare me. That first comment clearly supports what has been one of my biggest fears about Greensboro. Sadly, it is very obvious that your NIP upbringing has given you a sheltered view of life. You must know that poverty and crime aren't always synonymous. I worry about my daughters growing up in NIP and seeing more devisive lines than there already are...I realize that people want to be safe, but pushing the crime out of safer areas is the worse thing that could happen to Greensboro crime as a whole. The GPD are already so busy attending to "the other side of the track." It is like the teacher who ignores the bright students because she's too busy helping the ones who need more help. Keep the crime coming right where it counts so people like you, Daniel, (the ones who actually have a voice) can push for positive change in this rapidly growing city...

Katrina, if you read my entire post, you will see at the end that I am talking about all of Greensboro. I was just responding to the article on the recent murder in Irving Park because I grew up down the street from there and my family still lives there, so I have witnessed first hand the changes in that neighborhood. And as for tearing those apartments down to re-develop, that has already been done, with few left standing. I don't think there is anything wrong with trying to revitalize and bring business into that area. Those apartments and houses are old and depleting, and need to be re-developed. There are good people and well respected people that live there, but the fact is that the majority of the criminals that are invading the Irving Park community are coming from this area. I know this because my family and many neighbors have been broken into, and the criminals were from those neighborhoods. I cannot change that fact and neither can you. Plus, I do not think there is anything wrong with complaining about crime in a normally quiet and safe neighborhood, even if it is portrayed as a wealthy and upscale area, that still does not exempt it from asking for help with crime. I think there is crime all over Greensboro, but I'm speaking for the neighborhood I grew up in, especially when people are getting murdered. Crime has been happening in Irving Park for years, but is now coming public with a murder case. I also believe that there are worse areas of Greensboro that need help first, such as the areas that "Concern Citizen" is talking about, but that does not mean that Irving Park citizens should not say anything to get this crime out of their community. If there is crime in your area, then stand up and do something. Don't just live with it and tell people in other communities to get used to it and accept it because Greensboro has always had crime, do something!

Crime is up all over. There's probably no less than 5-6 armed robberies a day. We're seeing more burglaries, carjackings...I have the highest respect for law enforcement (my father wore the badge for 30 years) but when the focus is on enforcing traffic laws on I-40 than stopping the crime, our priorities are mixed up. And I blame our reactive city government. Once again, this is an example of this area growing, and we're not keeping up with growth.

My point is that crime is prevalent throughout Greensboro. You are safe nowhere. I will not allow my child outside to shoot hoops in our own driveway by herself because so many people have such a high disregard for life. I commend the residents of New Irving Park for taking a stand and going forward with their concerns, but let's face it, generally speaking, these are some of the wealthiest and most powerful residents of Greensboro so when they feel threatened, their concerns are taken more seriously. I believe that we as citizens must first take it up ourselves to be more proactive and vigilant instead of relying wholeheartedly on the GPD. While they are swamped with cases, there were some tell tale signs that crime in Greensboro was soaring and they failed to address this issue until it was out of control. I belive that all of the concerned citizens of G'boro need to band together and combat crime.

John, since no one has answered your original question I thought I would take the time to do so.

Is enough being done to combat crime? The likely answer is no and I will give a couple examples of why. 1) The police department does not have all of its positions filled and it has been stated that the number of positions needs to be increased to catch up to the change in population. 2) Not all neighborhoods in Greensboro have a community watch. I head my neighborhoods watch and it is an extremely good tool that needs to be utilized.

Yes I feel safe in my home and yes I feel safe in my neighborhood. I live in District 2 and what some call the "ghetto" is just a short walk from my home.

Ryan

I am a former resident of Greensboro, and its very sad to read about all the awful crimes and deaths from acts of crime. The police force only has so many officers because of your city council will not give the proper funds to you police chief. Greensboro residents you need to step up to your city council members and Mayor and demand that they dole out the funds to your police chief so he can hire officers so that crime can get under control. Greensboro is no longer a little city, its now a big city with big problems and a lot of crime and its killing your neighbors, friends and loved ones. The current officers are doing there best to keep you safe but that needs to change you need more police officers and you need to help your city by stepping up Greensboro residents! I love Greensboro, but not the crime rate. Don't forget to thank an officer for doing there best! They to need your support!

I think its about time the GPD starts to look at the growing crime in ALL neighborhoods, not just the so-called "rich". If the City Council would get their heads out of the sand and get this whole mess with the black book out of the way then maybe we could get down to business and bring the GPD up to the level where they should be by hiring more officers and doing something about the crime in Greensboro.

I think its about time the GPD starts to look at the growing crime in ALL neighborhoods, not just the so-called "rich". If the City Council would get their heads out of the sand and get this whole mess with the black book out of the way then maybe we could get down to business and bring the GPD up to the level where they should be by hiring more officers and doing something about the crime in Greensboro.

It is sad to say, but a large percent of the crime is due to the socio-economic conditions of this country. Until this country can get back to the foundational biblical principles set forth by our forefathers, the moral decay will continue to spiral downward. Out of this moral decay, breeds disrespect for one another, no regard for human life, the "haves" and the "have nots". I live in a rural all black neighborhood where the homes value over 250,000. We are just as much concerned about crimes in this city as those who live in New Irving Park, but my concerns not only prompt me to meet with the local police to see what can be done to protect us, but I am prompted to pray for nation, for a people, for my city and neighborhood; that we will put God back in our homes and in our schools. Then and only then can people love one another as themselves. Then and only then can we love each other with the Agape love of God. Whether you live in Irving Park or government housing, no one deserves to live in fear of being a victim.

Our home was burglarized in September. It was part of a string of burglaries committed by area youth, all of whom were either suspended that day or skipping school. A neighbor caught them in the act, and the GPD arrested at least one. Since that time, the youth that was arrested has skipped out on court dates, and to my knowledge the other youths, who were identified in the act of breaking in to a neighbor's property, were not prosecuted. This is not a socio-economic issue, in my opinion, but a lack of consequence for that minority of individuals that are causing the vast majority of Greensboro to live with growing concern, even fear. I hope the courts will take note of this increasing problem and act accordingly.

Some of this crime wave may be connected to economic realities and trends, but the core of it all is the American home. Our homes, and consequently our schools, are coming apart at the seams, and producing kids/young adults who are, to one degree or another, depressed, confused, rebellious and dysfunctional; and crime is a spill-over from there. And learning - well, we know how much of that goes on. Government money and increased patrols are mere hope-so bandaids placed naively on a draining wound that will not be stanched.

The answer to the home situation is nothing ess than a return to traditional biblical norms and standards, and spiritually vital marriages. When desiring a rejuvenated and productive plant you put the ferilizer into the root system. We are pouring the fertilizer of big money and glitzy programs on the leaves (which sometimes has marginal effects - just enough to LOOK like they might be working).

All the hoopla about the schools is just that. They will never improve, no matter how super a super we pull in, unless we wake up to the key part that homes play in the culture.

My contention is that we CANNOT dissociate spiritual values from the body politic, as hard as we are trying these days. (not merge, but interplay). But PLEASE, PLEASE don't call on the government, local or national, to fix them. It's bad enough as it is. We all know where it has to happen - in ecclesia!!