Jackson Jambalaya

Maybe Chipper will show up to post how these business burglaries are the equivalent to a DUI in Madison.

Well you know how that corporate media loves to pounce.....

Wonder when Ridgeland will start posting its crime stats.

Kingfish....I know you love the Fondren and Belhaven area and yes....you are right people have sunk lots of money into that area. Money alone cannot curb the people that live near that area that are in walking distance to cause the crime. How much water does it take to fill a bucket with holes? Water = Money and the Bucket = Fondren. I want that area to work out to but you can only polish a Frog so much to make it shine as its still just a Frog!!!!!

If one of the regular citizens were to catch one of these guys, don't call the cops. Just beat the hell out of him and then kick him out of the area. Word will get around soon enough.

10:42, I live in Fondren and totally disagree with your characterization of it being a "frog." Revialtization of cities all over America depend on areas such as Fondren to start the turn-around process. These types of areas are usually filled with artists, young people who cannot afford expensive homes, etc. Or they are filled with those of us who want to live closer to the city and not have to drive a car to get everywhere. I have no problem with being made aware of crime wherever it may be. and statistics show that when areas such as Fondren become revitalized, crime is reduced.

Until the area west of State is revitalized Kim all the future Fondren goodness will always be just that, in the future.

Kaze says we have to accept crime and not talk about it so the outsiders don't look down on us.

what generally happens -- proven facts -- is that when people with some sort of income start revitalizing areas such as Fondren and pushing up real estate prices, the criminal element can no longer afford to live there and move somewhere else. Things take time.

I love the Belhaven and Fondren areas of Jackson, but they just no longer have the reputation of being safe areas of the city. As the poster above said the criminals now live within walking distance of these two areas. They don't even need a car to break in some vehicle, home, or business in Fondren or Belhaven. People know this and avoid these areas. I hate to say it, but it's very true.

The only thing the creative class will bring to Fondren Ms. Wolford is rental housing. Without ownership and investment the costs of rental churn far outweigh any benefits, perceived or real. Communities don't thrive on rental stock because the transiency takes out more dollars than it will ever put in. If the "some sort of income" to which you refer isn't enough to afford a mortgage then all you have is a zero sum game that sound good and feels nice but fails on the bottom line when it comes to results.

11:53 you are Spot On....Kim Wolford....You don't have a clue of what you are talking about!!! I am in the real estate field and serve as a Part-time (reserve) officer with the sheriff department so I can say I do know lots about crime and the impact on real estate.....You just keep sinking your money into a bottomless pit as all the other Fondren believers do! No matter how much money an area has the one thing that matters most is "does the people with the money feel safe" if not they leave....bottom line.

I know lots of folks in the "creative class" and they damn sure have buying power. They all bought homes in Belhaven and Fondren and the ones who are moving here plan to do the same. Is the crime referrenced above an issue to be dealt with? Sure it is. But I wouldn't count on it keeping people away.

As for the idiot who said the criminal element is "now" within walking distance, that's always been the case, and it didn't stop these areas from starting the revitalization process (if you can legitimately say Belhaven ever revitalized, which I don't think you can like you can with Fondren).

well, let's go with your theory of the creative class doesn't have any money and the bottomless pit of Fondren. Fondren is the hottest real esate in all of Jackson. If crime were as big a deterent as you all say it is, then why are people moving there? And at least I have the temerity to put my name on what I know to be a fact, unlike those of you who aren't. I am proud to live in Fonrdren. And what does walking distance have to do with anything? They can drive to crime scenes just as well.

Walking distance has a LOT to do with it. There's a kid who is alleged to have been burglarizing and burning Fondren businesses for years and he lives right there. Doesn't even need a get-away car.

Nice thing about them being walking thieves is its easier to use them for target practice.

Burning Fondren for years? THen if they know who it is, grab the guy, beat him to a pulp, and leave him somewhere. He'll get the message.

It would be fine for giving mother mary kudos for publishing crime stats IF she were publishing the true and accurate ones. She hides and represses any public knowledge of violent crimes to continue the illusion that nothing really bad happens in Madison. MPD does a good job, which is remarkable considering the meddling that woman does in the departments affairs.

2:01. I don't care how much money you pump into an area, if it is close to a crime area like Fondren, it's considered unsafe. When teenagers and others live close and can just walk over and break in a car or house or two and then walk back home with their loot in their arms, they are going to do it. Also, remember Beth Henley's Mother? She was robbed and beaten in her lovely home in Fondren by a drug crazed criminal and died as a result of her injuries. What did he do? Walked over and then stole her car leaving. Redo the whole Fondren area. Make it look wonderful, but the fact is most people think it's an unsafe area of Jackson and would never live there.

Then 3:57, don't live there.

We really don't give a phuck.

Plenty of other people want to.

I live in Fondren and work downtown. I feel much safer downtown.

Fondren is the hottest real esate in all of Jackson.

All of Fondren? No way. Select parts? Yes but not the hottest. Areas directly adjacent to the State St DMZ? Nope.

4:03, geez, Mary, calm your fat, bleached blond ass, down.

6:40. I was thinking the same thing when I read that "Fondren is the hottest real estate in all of Jackson." No way this is true. Some people won't even get on North State Street from the stadium north much less live in that area or areas off Meadowbrook anymore. It was a very nice area years ago, but not anymore. DMZ pretty much describes it.

I live in Belhaven.... Have not had or seen anything more than a car break-in. But, I am with Kingfish on this one, nothing more will get my blood boiling than someone messing with my property! Try it, somebody is going to get a ass whipping.... Me or them!

I live in Fondren. I pay way too much for a little apartment. My landlord knows damn well that he would never live in a place like mine. But I live with it.

Fondren has become way too silly. You have starving artists running around trying to make a buck when they probably thank God each day that their daddies are rich. Crackheads own businesses. Restaurant owners staying stoned and drunk partying with their employees. If I notice these things then one knows that the criminals do too. Criminals are not dumb people. They got away with this job didn't they. Sadly, the only business in Fondren that really knows what they are doing is the abortion clinic.
Fondren after 5 should be every night, not just once a month. The businesses in the area must think that they are banks with the hours they hold. Tear that P.O.S. building down on the West side and build up, soon. More people in a small area could only deter crime. Get rid of the LUNCHTIME sandwich shops and burger joints that shut down before 8pm and put something that will also attract people after dark. Last call should not be made before 10pm in the so called heart of the city.

Longtime residents of Fondren are happy to tell the newbies that this is their hood and a dangerous one at that. Those of you who do not have washer and dryer hookups in your home know what I am talking about.

Fondren has always been here. But now you have too many overeducated people living in the area. While desperately searching for an identity, these people have lost all sense of reality.

I remember a retired JPD officer telling me that once the city offered a day off with pay for any officer that caught a burglar committing a burglary in progress and several days off with pay for catching an armed robber in the act. Talk about an incentive. I wonder if they still do this?

Kingfish ended his article with: "Nice job Haley and Marsha "

King:Who are you referring to here?

Duh, Gov and Mrs. Barbour?

Well there is a first time for everything: first time I've ever heard someone bitch that there are too many overeducated people living in an area.

I hope the walkers in Fondren carry stun guns or at least pepper spray.

I'm not even gonna waste keystrokes about crime in Fondren.

Impossible to tell an overeducated "arteest" with their head up their butt anything. Very best of luck w/Fondren, watch the thugs and potholes.

I'm grateful we have a "creative class" to start with. They can stick their heads where they like.
Wherever ya live, bloom where ya planted. Or quit yer bitchin' and move.

I believe the Haley and Marsha reference is to a couple of our good news folks...

Bingo. We have a winner. If Frank had just watched the videos, he would've known that but you know Frank, sees a Republican conspiracy in everything.

Hmmm, I guess all the crime in Fondren was a huge deterent for Nick's....... you can't get a table in the Auditorium at lunch. Que Sera has been there for years. Butterfly Yoga has been there years. Fondren After Five is part of the Main Street deal that goes on called First Thursday in communities such as Fondren all over the US. It is meant to help revitalize areas such as Fondren and Downtown Jackson. And the guy who was b#$%ing about his rent and the house where he lives... get a grip. Then move.

I understand the human need to express our thoughts and internalized anguish. Ranting feels good. What is disheartening, is that so much energy has been harnessed on this blog post and little of it has been used to collectively look for a solution or address these particular small business owners. In the videos posted here, we see people who are in need of help from the community. Call me an idealist, but I encourage us to use these forums as places to bounce ideas off of each other, encourage communities and neighbors to help each other, and resist our inherent tendencies to perpetuate negative energy and gross generalizations that do not contribute to a productive conversation. For instance, it would be nice to see links to companies making stronger store front glass, stories about how burglaries have successfully been preventing, or the hottest/ newest motion detector lighting system that also acts as a alarm that plays Move On by James Brown when it's set off, etc.

For instance, it would be nice to see links to companies making stronger store front glass, stories about how...

or best places to buy shotguns...

Shotguns for who...the people breaking into the stores? The business owners NOT present when the break-ins occur? Thanks for giving the analytical thinking a try though...

Well, what great ideas came out of the "meeting for healing"?

what is the "meeting for healing"? I have never heard of it. and Whitney, you are right. We need to be more positive about helping those business owners in need. I think that Fondren After 5 thing does a lot of good for the area because it brings in people with discretionary income, puts more people out in the streets with buying power, and those people return to the area time and again.

And for the dimwatt that said there are too many overeducated people in the area, isn't MS trying to attract the "more overeducated people" to this place? Don't they have a higher wage than those without? They create higher paying jobs and a strong tax base? Am I missing something?

Well, what great ideas came out of the "meeting for healing"?

That "real" people should ignore negative nutcases that blog stupid hate instead of contributing anything that will take any effort on their part to try to help the situations.

The "meeting for healing" also at least opened the floor for discussion of steps to move forward, introduced the neighborhood to watch programs that many were unaware of, and made very public concerns of the citizens. It was a good step in an incremental process.

We look for you to come to the next meeting, anon at 1:53 and 2:30. Come on chickenshit.

As the anom. at 2:30, I've been to one of the COPS meetings. The cops pretend to care but don't do anything any different than tbey've done before. Believe me, I've been very proactive, calling various agencies about a drug dealer, keeping DHS up to date on abuses happening at unlicensed personal care homes nearby, etc. Cops didn't care about the drug dealer. DHS didn't care about the personal care home until someone died.

"As the anom. at 2:30, I've been to one of the COPS meetings."

You have been to ONE meeting and you opine as an expert. ONE. Way to get involved, lightweight. ALL OF THIS AFTER ONE MEETING.

I went to one meeting. It was a waste of time. Cops making the usual excuses. Telling citizens they want input when they really don't. I get way more done on my own.

They've been having these meetings for YEARS. Meanwhile, the Fondren business break-ins (and at least one arson) continue unabated. The little thug family the cops think is behind a lot of it remain free.

Waste your time and go to the meetings. Heal thy neighbors.

Hey DUMBASS, Fondren is doing quite well, in spite of a few dumbass teenagers that trashed the place a few nights ago. Investment there is at an all time high.

Invest your money...wait you don't invest anywhere....you are too busy blogging crap and making $9/hour.....elsewhere. I am investing my ASS off there, and am glad I did.

Grow up, and be a leader, not some insignificant nothing.

It might not be so bad if they just trashed it last week but that's the 2d time in 6 months and the 7th time in 6 years.

Every time it happens, the businesses have to replace the broken windows and or doors, the phone lines that were cut, the computer equipment stolen, the merchandise that was stolen, etc. It's very expensive and it happens too frequently. So to dismiss least week's burglaries as just some teenagers doing some trashing, well, hope it doesn't happen to your house every six months. You'll find that you can't afford it any more.

Here's one
for
the haters. AKA Fondren Barista's....unite!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw9DADUh490&feature=youtube_gdata

Every 6 months equals 12 times, whiz kid.

Whatever. I guess if it's not happening to you, you can make fun of it.

Dumbasses ... DUMBASSESS ... Dumbasses!

Dumbassess ... DUMBASSES ... Dumb.ass.es!!!