tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post1997540131773501304..comments2024-02-28T11:29:36.860-05:00Comments on just up the pike: could downtown nightlife be a crime deterrent?Dan Reedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10594208011755406956noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-56072554273245065742009-12-21T11:05:22.092-05:002009-12-21T11:05:22.092-05:00It's not quite as simple as just packing the s...It's not quite as simple as just packing the streets. For an extreme example, if you packed the streets with parolees and probationers, that might not have the effect of reducing street crime.<br /><br />Look at it this was: criminology gives out a figure that something like 90-percent of all crime is committed by 2-percent of offenders, most of whom have a semi-successful string of minor crimes from which they either profit or suffer no real consequences. <br /><br />Another 2-percent of people looking hard to find those people might be a counteractant to the 2-percent committing most of the crime. But we're nowhere near the level of police saturation where you've got 2-percent of the population on the street with badges and as a society we'd probably not like that situation if we had it. So at least some people have to step up, if only to be eyes where the badges either can't see or aren't looking.<br /><br />Also, sometimes you get little blocs of subculture for whom misbehavior is "normative". In DTSS, usually that's kids, carrying on in all-ages streets and venues as if they were in highschool where acting up is the usual thing. So, in particular, you need lots more grownups on the street, acting like grownups. Part of that means that you need adults who don't have kids in tow and who have the time and inclination to help the kids learn that being off HS campus doesn't mean that you're outside of rules.<br /><br />There's a lot of wiggle room between tolerating misbehavior and calling the cops, and grownups need to work that zone.Bauhaus Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01650828121446162161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-74723237795287385952009-12-21T07:32:14.521-05:002009-12-21T07:32:14.521-05:00I don't know about the saints and sinners but ...I don't know about the saints and sinners but bring on the people if you want safety. More eye's on the street.Thayer-Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04892043179839099462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-20379778583363789852009-12-19T20:43:59.694-05:002009-12-19T20:43:59.694-05:00> Dan Reed wrote, in part:
> Not to mention ...> Dan Reed wrote, in part:<br />> Not to mention that having <br />> more "adult" activities in <br />> Downtown like the Round House <br />> and the Performing Arts Center <br />> will draw a more mature crowd <br />> that'll set the example for <br />> younger people (younger people <br />> like me) who go to bars or movies <br />> at the Majestic.<br /><br />Dan, there's no guarantee that because people are trying to take in "adult culture", inevitably they'll otherwise be a good example. Such people may be in their own way trying to learn to be grownups. Yet if you are really trying to figure out how to get over being a kid and to have some classical adult dignity, you could do worse. <br /><br />Part of all of this is to find yourself some models to emulate. Don't pick just one, pick several. And don't use the criteria of "people suck up to them" because power and wealth are no sure indicator of who is a good example. Rather look for the quiet dignity that is slow to take offense and is slow to join the jibes and jocularity that for some people will pass for social displays. You don't rise any higher in the estimation of those who really matter, by stepping on the heads of the defenseless. Does the world respect Mother Theresa for kicking a lot of ass, or for spending her life helping the disrespected and downtrodden? A rich asshole is nonetheless an asshole. I strongly advise you to read Proverbs in the Scripture; every now and then I read it myself. That and Ecclesiastes. <br /><br />I'm not going all religious on you, it's just that much of what is written there is very good advice. The Greeks might have used words like Hubris, Ate, Nemesis. But basically if you want to hang out with the grownups that is an admirable goal, if your desire is to be a grownup. If you want to be a saint, learn to discern the saints and then hang out with them. If you want to be a sinner, hang out with them. Hang out with both if you want a more full view of the world and the people in it. You will see Epic Fail from both saints and sinners and everyone is really a little of both.<br /><br />If you put a few saints and a few sinners in a street full of late-night movie-goers, the saints and the sinners will both have their eyes on the same crowd but with different ends in mind. But I'm of the opinion that the saints win out in the end because most people would rather go with the good than be victims of the evil, and it's a bold little devil who does serious wrong when the street is full of eyes and the eyes of all are upon the deeds of all. <br /><br />Bring in the crowds: and on top of that, as they say in a movie that "Sligo" knows well, "send more cops". <br /><br />Once the crowds get established, and the grownups get respect and can mentor the street, you might have a lot less sinning and less need for saints, and young'uns learning how to walk on the right side of the street.<br /><br />PS, go see "Avatar". Gonna rock yer world, yo.Thomas Hardmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07951423786343852055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-54150063182820078122009-12-19T20:15:10.827-05:002009-12-19T20:15:10.827-05:00So would the late night movie goers contribute to ...So would the late night movie goers contribute to an potential increase in crime before, or after, attending the movie? It seems like the area would be safer late at night if there were more people around, especially if all they were doing was going to see a movie. I think there's a lot more danger of crime when there aren't as many people around. But I don't live there, and the more immediate residents probably have a much better feeling for this.Cyndyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11787927933858782267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-62756278836823601812009-12-18T16:45:08.688-05:002009-12-18T16:45:08.688-05:00Dan,
Akil is talking about Dive Bars, not all bars...Dan,<br />Akil is talking about Dive Bars, not all bars are Dive Bars. Most Honky Tonks and Roadhouses are Dive Bars but still all bars are not Dive Bars.chippyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09853701426607869416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-14461963966231819042009-12-18T16:44:12.418-05:002009-12-18T16:44:12.418-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.chippyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09853701426607869416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-48180829020386306842009-12-18T14:52:58.656-05:002009-12-18T14:52:58.656-05:00The only thing that annoyed me were the people who...The only thing that annoyed me were the people who wanted a "half and half". This is when you half fill the bag with popcorn, pour a bunch of butter substitute on it, fill up the other half then pour even more butter stuff on it. They are probably all dead now from coronary heart disease.Sligohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18201229508558436514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-45846754009012286122009-12-18T14:29:27.510-05:002009-12-18T14:29:27.510-05:00Silver Spring has many more than five bars, though...Silver Spring has many more than five bars, though not too much more. It's still better off than College Park (if you wanna talk about nightlife = crime), which has only four.<br /><br />Sligo, you must have some pretty good stories of working at the City Place 10. I mean, I'll defend City Place's right to exist, but I won't deny that there must of been some ridiculous characters hanging around Back In The Day.Dan Reedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10594208011755406956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-12948077252501298482009-12-18T14:11:20.188-05:002009-12-18T14:11:20.188-05:001 dive bar = a growing number of bars?
have more ...1 dive bar = a growing number of bars?<br /><br />have more then 5 in one area then maybe I would say thatUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03102635414403863481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30306615.post-75350366837149645752009-12-18T12:49:16.450-05:002009-12-18T12:49:16.450-05:00It should be noted that during the unfortunate tim...It should be noted that during the unfortunate time I worked at the defunct City Place 10 Theatres, they had midnight shows every weekend, which meant I didn't get to go home until 2AM or so. The fact that they don't have them at the Majestic surprises me.Sligohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18201229508558436514noreply@blogger.com