[TGE-mail] gunshots midnight saturday

[Christian Saller]

I realize how upsetting this is, not only to residents of your block, but to everyone in the entire neighborhood.  I may not know you, but I'm sincerely sorry to read about your experience and am glad to hear that you and your children were not injured.   If you know or suspect that this recent incident on your street is related to a specific property there, that is where meaningful resolution of the problem should begin.
 
As understandably disgusted, angry and frustrated as you are, please understand that the overall neighborhood formerly had many more incidents like this.  I've lived in Tower Grove East long enough to have seen remarkable progress on many blocks that at one time you wouldn't have been eager to walk on night or day.  Unfortunately, random crime affecting innocent bystanders persists and can be difficult to control.  The good news is that as Tower Grove East has generally stabilized and property values have increased dramatically (current national market notwithstanding) there is a fraction of the slumlord/nuisance properties that existed ten, twenty and more years ago.    It continues to attract new businesses and redevelopment and has an engaged and dedicated neighborhood association working with elected officials to address the problems we have.  Neighborhood activism helped prevent the recently proposed closing of Shenandoah School, where student test scores have been improving, and TGE Board members have forged a relationship with Roosevelt High School and its dynamic new principal in the heart of our neighborhood.  His presence has by all counts dramatically improved conditions at the school.  DeSales Community Housing Corporation has renovated and manages many former problem properties in TGE and in adjacent Fox Park. TGE is home to KDHX community radio, a remarkable cultural feature, and more recently, to Stray Dog Theater on Tennessee Avenue, which is run by two creative residents with a passion for their community.  Soon, yet another resident will open the neighborhood's newest restaurant, the Shaved Duck, at the corner of Pestalozzi and Virginia.         
 
Your reaction to this frightening and depressing episode is as understandable as your concern for the safety of your families.  My hope is only that you look at the neighborhood in its full context.  I would not presume to judge or criticize your feelings, but insofar as there is a struggle for these streets and for the urban community we want to live in, Tower Grove East has gained ground and the right people are fighting that fight.   
 
Christian S. Saller
34xx Crittenden St.
President-Elect, TGE Neighborhood Association             


To: cdouglas at disruptionlabs.com; tgena at lists.more.netDate: Tue, 1 Apr 2008 11:57:39 -0400From: rlroberts1963 at aol.comSubject: Re: [TGE-mail] gunshots midnight saturdayIt was on the 3400 block of Utah. It was very upsetting to all of us that live right there. A couple of innocent people have damage vehicles now. We have children and we are all now too scared to let our children near windows. It was gang related and people were injured and arrested. I just moved here in July and I do not want to even live here anymore. I love this area but I have children and this is too much for me. We have had three shootings out front since middle of March. We also have had a physical fight in the street and someone backing up and hitting one of the people involved. All these incidents have been from the same resident. The last shooting and argument was just last night. This has made very concerned and many of us on Utah have talked and we all would like to move. When we have to have our kids lay on the floor so they are not hit by stray bullets it is time to move. Luckily my children slept through Saturday night but last night it was early and they heard it all. -----Original Message-----From: Chris Douglas <cdouglas at disruptionlabs.com>To: tgena at lists.more.netSent: Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:22 pmSubject: [TGE-mail] gunshots midnight saturday
My wife and I heard a series of gunshots last night around midnight  
somewhere near the vicinity of arkansas and utah. Shortly after a  
couple of cars sped up arkansas. Maybe 15 to 20 minutes later I heard  
sirens that sounded like they came to a stop up on grand. I did not  
see anything in the paper or on the news this morning, just curious  
if anyone knows anything.


Chris Douglas
3xxx Humphrey
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