Despicable article in The Wedge.

[Michael Avery]

I was absolutely DISGUSTED with the last page of The Wedge this month. Posted is a picture of an (admittedly ill-kept) house on South Avenue, along with the owner's name, phone number and a request that all readers call and harass the owner.

I find this kind of bullying absolutely despicable.

Nowhere in the article does it mention any efforts that SWPC has gone to reach the owner to beautify his property. It mentions how the neighborhood, over the last few years, has gentrified... but this house is "lagging behind." Why is this property in such ill-repair? It doesn't mention whether the owner lacks the funds, the ability, or other resources to also gentrify his property. Perhaps the owner's mother is battling cancer and he spends every minute at her bedside, or perhaps he is just a negligent absentee landlord. We'll never know, the article doesn't say.

Instead, just a rally cry to harass him.

It's fantastic that our neighborhood is THE up-and-coming neighborhood. And I realize that it hasn't happened on accident... it is the result of many homeowners, landlords, business owners and community organizations all coming together... people who work hard, care deeply and have a stake in the success of our neighborhood. I am a beneficiary of this upward momentum on several levels; as a Southwedge resident, a landlord of several Southwedge properties, and a South Ave business owner.

However, without knowing the reasons why "some neighbors are lagging behind," I can't help but wonder if there are more neighborly ways to bring them along. Instead of bullying, wouldn't it be nice if that same article ran with a call for help?

SWPC could call for volunteers to lend the homeowner a hand. Most likely in one Saturday, a team of volunteers could replace and paint the stair rails. Perhaps someone could donate the money or lumber to replace the lower porch railing so they would match the top and look so much nicer. I'm sure others could be found with some expertise to address any other problems the property might have.

The gentrification of our neighborhood should not cause us to treat our neighbors with disrespect. If our rising tide raises all boats, why not throw a lifeline rather than shoot with a harpoon?

[Southwedger]

No Jim, you aren't wrong. Those homes are in need of a public ridicule too.

[Jim LeChase]

SW, first things first, who do we blame? We can't begin to be publicly outraged before we have decided who is at fault, it's just the way things go.

[Mark U.]

Can't we just catch these perps? I'm working High Altitude Long Endurance (forensic) system now. It will need to be tested somewhere at about 500' - let's clean up the wedge ;-) There are way too many burglaries and too much drug traffic - kinda like shooting fish is a barrel??

[Jim LeChase]

You're going to have to explain that forensic system to me someday, it sounds incredibly interesting and useful. Also: H.A.L.E is a great acronym, because you get to say things like "the law will H.A.L.E all over criminals," or "H.A.L.E: justice from above." As well as many other weather related puns.

I don't think it would be as easy as shooting fish in a barrel, because it never is. There is a such diverse criminal community and it's element is tightly woven into the community's fabric. The trick is getting people to realize that, yes, crime is in fact bad and you will be punished if you commit a crime, so, please, stop. Once that shift occurs (which is scheduled for about 5 minutes before hell freezes over) then neighborhoods actually start to police themselves when the community is no longer scared to speak up.

The flaw in the "Community Watch" model isn't that the people are lacking in vigilance, it is that they are untrained and unequipped to handle a violent offender, a drug dealer or even a car thief. They are handcuffed (sorry, no pun intended) to remain with the law that requires them to, literally, observe and report without interference. Which is the way it should be, innocent people should not be expected to risk their lives for law enforcement or to act like wing-nut vigilantes. That's how well meaning people get hurt. I know I'm ranting, but I would really love to see some positive changes made in all areas of Rochester, not just The Wedge, but for now I'll concentrate on my little neck of the woods and hope it spreads.

[Mark U.]

yea, this city needs some work - if we could use cutting edge technology to reduce crime, we could make a name for ROC and maybe even get people to move here, instead of the exodus that has been for the past ____ decades.

[Southwedger]

Still waiting to see Michael Avery and the horde of volunteers fix up the place. What's the hold up? Its been 2 months.

[Michael Avery]

I think it is appropriate to close this discussion thread at this time. It has adequately given opportunity for people in the community to discuss the tenor by which our neighborhood organization, SWPC, interacts with the community, which was the intent of my original post.

The thread has also diverged into several other worthwhile subjects to discuss; how to deal with negligent landlords, what should we do about drug dealers, etc... Unfortunately some of the discussion has been less productive, with one new and notably anonymous poster taking on the same antagonist tone as the original newspaper article.

I would like to thank the SWPC Executive Board for listening to our concerns. It was meaningful for me to receive personal contact from them and letting me know that my input was valuable. Also, it was absolutely appropriate and responsible that they wrote an apology in the next issue of The Wedge, along with a statement about the way they intend to conduct business in a more edifying manner.

I couldn't be more impressed.

I think it would be worthwhile to begin other discussion threads on the various other topics raised here. And most definitely, if SWPC decided to put together a team of volunteers and experts to help address properties that have fallen into disrepair, I would be glad to serve in whatever capacity I would be helpful.