It’s been unusually quiet around here. I mean really really quiet. No alley transactions, no corner transactions, no pull-up-to-the-curb transactions, and no gunshots in the last week. Hell, there aren’t even any hookers around. I think this event has everything to do with it. Of course, I have to stay in touch with my cynical/realistic side. It’s only a matter of time until a new franchise comes to the neighborhood, but for now I plan on enjoying the relative peace and quiet.
Speaking of the intersection of Pratt and S. Carey (Scary) streets, the unSafeway at this location has a section by the deli that sells all kinds of random things for a dollar. There is a bin of bandannas in this section and I feel like it should be noted that the ONLY colors these $1 bandannas come in are red and blue. Umm…so what’s all this talk about Baltimore’s growing gang problem? What gang problem? Anyone out there who may shop at this particular unSafeway be warned - you may not want to wander over by the bargain bins because you never know when a Blood and a Crip may be shopping at the same time for new bandannas. I think that scenario has potential for a little unpleasantness.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 2: 12 pm
Why do gangs pick such obviously confusable colors? Why can’t they be paisley with a green hat? Or blue cargo shorts and a mauve Hawaiian shirt? That would make them much less likely to indiscriminately kill an innocent.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 4: 19 pm
I live at Hollins and Calhoun, and I have to agree. I also notice that the teens that used to hang at the corner across from my building are gone. I just moved here at the beginning of the month, but I figured they were up to no good, as every time a squad car would go by they would miraculously disappear (at least for a while).
I guess this explains why there have been so many cops in the neighborhood lately. Having uniformed officers on foot patrol makes things safer, but it also means there was something to keep people safe from.
I hope that the police hold up to the promise in the letter to community leaders posted in Baltimore Crime - that they will continue their increased presence in the neighborhood to prevent a new crew from setting up shop. We’ll see.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 5: 33 pm
The people who run the dollar store know exactly what they’re doing when they buy stuff like that to sell in their store — it’s the same thing as the corner store people who sell copper scrubbers and faucet screens behind the counter. These people don’t live in the city so they take their money away at the end of the day, not giving a damn what happens after someone buys this stuff.
BTW, if you’re looking for a new franchise, I will be happy to send over the one that operates in my neighborhood.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 7: 43 pm
glad to hear things have slowed down, anghang. i wonder if the weather is a factor too.
i’m going to expand acw’s suggestion and posit that if i ever started a gang, i think leopard print fezzes would be a necessary part of the outfit.
Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 5: 29 pm
I buy lots of bandanas, tend to throw them away after I do something really dispicable with them like use them as a maxipad. The South Baltimore Wal-Mart sells them three for a buck in a multitude of of colors including red and various shades of blue. You can buy scrubbers and faucet screens at the Wal-Mart too, as every once in a while I need a copper scrubber or a faucet screen, for their intended purposes.
Most times an enterprising dealer will step in to fill the void after a bust but once a neighborhood hits an optimum yuppie concentration, the dealers will leave for good. It depends on whether Pigtown, I mean Washington Village, has hit a critical saturation point yet. Of course, all you need is one enthusiastic Sumsumsummer on your block and you can kiss those street dealers goodbye.
Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 5: 54 pm
I’d join a gang that wears dark colors. It’s so slimming.
Friday, June 29, 2007 at 9: 51 am
or if charles bronson moves to your block, that will clear out the drug dealers too.