OT: I Never Knew Arkansas Was So "Ghetto"

[mikemarrs]

I was in West Helena a few times when I was a teenager. It was nothing like that then. But that was almost 30 years ago. What a shame.

me too and i had cousins who lived there about 25 years ago and it was a nice little place then.here in memphis most of the trouble makers now are those people here from the katrina disaster.i've met a lot of nice people who are my neighbors from there and quite a few i've had problems with.this gang thing here is all races including black,hispanic and white and mostly young.it seems like the murders,rapes and robberies here lately are mostly teens and thats scary.a 15 year old girl here was luring guys for dates and then having a couple accomplises ready to rob the unaware victim.the girl shot at one guy and missed and is now in jail.

[artist4perry]

I was in West Helena a few times when I was a teenager. It was nothing like that then. But that was almost 30 years ago. What a shame.

me too and i had cousins who lived there about 25 years ago and it was a nice little place then.here in memphis most of the trouble makers now are those people here from the katrina disaster.i've met a lot of nice people who are my neighbors from there and quite a few i've had problems with.this gang thing here is all races including black,hispanic and white and mostly young.it seems like the murders,rapes and robberies here lately are mostly teens and thats scary.a 15 year old girl here was luring guys for dates and then having a couple accomplises ready to rob the unaware victim.the girl shot at one guy and missed and is now in jail.

Memphis is pretty bad. Alot of people I know won't go there anymore. The problems need to be addressed.

[edcha]

The Mississippi delta region has long been known for a weak economy. Unless you're a big time farmer, there's really not much opportunity to prosper. Much of the workforce has dried-up or moved across the river to the casinos. And Philips county, about a half hour south of Memphis, is hit the hardest. It's just stagnant, if not dying...especially in today's weak national economy.

Helena-West Helena used to be two cities, but due to struggling finances, they voted to merge just a few years ago. And what happened wasn't strength and growth. What happened as racial divide. City government became polarized, and the schools tanked. Civic infrastructure dissolved. In fact, I think the school system was so in debt that they went into state receivership for awhile, and district court held the City in contempt for the constant in-fighting. Nobody could do anything. Tensions continued to rise. Crime increased. And certain parts of town basically became anarchy. Was once told by distant family that even cops were afraid.

So basically the only way to make a difference was to declare martial law in the most concentrated area. And it sucks. I mean it really sucks. But until they can drive the bad guys out, or put them in jail, then there's not really any choice.

Now then, I will say that it's a pretty town. It's got a deep Civil War history. And there's an annual blues festival in October that attracts a 100k people. The King Biscuit Blues Festival is a great music experience. (Literally bumped into Robert Plant there one year.) And overall, this is a very nice traditional southern town.

But until they can fix their politics and shore-up their finances, things may get worse before they get better.
It's just a very tough situation.


later~

What's happening in Helena is really very sad. I live in Northwest Arkansas (NWA) which includes Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville, Bella Vista, and a few smaller cities-- where gangs are not a big problem--as far as I know. I have not been to all the corners of Arkansas. I've been only to Fort Smith, Little Rock, Jonesboro, and Stuttgart, and a number of smaller towns. Correct me if I'm wrong, but my impression is that NWA is relatively in better shape economically than most of the rest of Arkansas. People say it's also relatively more business- and family-friendly. Not long ago, this part of the state was reportedly one of the fastest growing parts in the country. One reason is that headquarters of several big companies are located here: notably Wal-Mart, Tyson Foods, J.B. Hunt Transport, etc. The Univ. of Arkansas in Fayetteville where the Razorbacks are based--also helps. I really hope that the progress in this part of Arkansas spread to the rest of the state.

It is much nicer in this region. Our town is growing every day, so is Jonesboro. I live in the NEA area. The bootheel area is growing every day, alot of commerce here too. Let's hope it spreads.

That is really good to know, A4P! Let's hope for the best!

[Smoothie]

Geez...a 24 hour curfew in Arkansas What is this world coming to!


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080813/ap_ ... own_curfew


John from Boston

It is this bad in Wal-Mart's and Clinton's backyard?? Unbelievable!!! I'm liking California a lot more now.

[edcha]

Geez...a 24 hour curfew in Arkansas What is this world coming to!


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080813/ap_ ... own_curfew


John from Boston

It is this bad in Wal-Mart's and Clinton's backyard?? Unbelievable!!! I'm liking California a lot more now.

NO!!! I would say this case is an exception, rather than the rule!

I had an option to live in CA when I first came here to the U.S. in early 90s because my parents and siblings were already relatively established over there. However, after doing a little research, I chose Northwest Arkansas, and decided to call it my home. After staying here for about 5 years, I invited my parents and siblings to come visit my place. Less than a year later, all of them decided to move here. They've been here for 10 years and so far, they have been very happy with their decision. In fact, I know of a number of friends who also moved here, from relatively big cities.

[artist4perry]

Geez...a 24 hour curfew in Arkansas What is this world coming to!


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080813/ap_ ... own_curfew


John from Boston

It is this bad in Wal-Mart's and Clinton's backyard?? Unbelievable!!! I'm liking California a lot more now.

NO!!! I would say this case is an exception, rather than the rule!

I had an option to live in CA when I first came here to the U.S. in early 90s because my parents and siblings were already relatively established over there. However, after doing a little research, I chose Northwest Arkansas, and decided to call it my home. After staying here for about 5 years, I invited my parents and siblings to come visit my place. Less than a year later, all of them decided to move here. They've been here for 10 years and so far, they have been very happy with their decision. In fact, I know of a number of friends who also moved here, from relatively big cities.

My husband gave up living in California and moved here to marry me. We could have just as well moved there. But, we can own our own home here for a fraction of the cost. Also it has been a better place to raise the children. I am glad we decided to live here, he doesn't regret it for a day. He just hates the heat! LOL!

[edcha]

Geez...a 24 hour curfew in Arkansas What is this world coming to!


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080813/ap_ ... own_curfew


John from Boston

It is this bad in Wal-Mart's and Clinton's backyard?? Unbelievable!!! I'm liking California a lot more now.

NO!!! I would say this case is an exception, rather than the rule!

I had an option to live in CA when I first came here to the U.S. in early 90s because my parents and siblings were already relatively established over there. However, after doing a little research, I chose Northwest Arkansas, and decided to call it my home. After staying here for about 5 years, I invited my parents and siblings to come visit my place. Less than a year later, all of them decided to move here. They've been here for 10 years and so far, they have been very happy with their decision. In fact, I know of a number of friends who also moved here, from relatively big cities.

My husband gave up living in California and moved here to marry me. We could have just as well moved there. But, we can own our own home here for a fraction of the cost. Also it has been a better place to raise the children. I am glad we decided to live here, he doesn't regret it for a day. He just hates the heat! LOL!

Same with my parents and siblings....they earned a lot more in CA but they could not afford to buy even a small house. Here, after only a couple of years, they were able to buy their own houses (of course, through bank loans like most people!). Interestingly, during those 2 years---they earned less here than when they were in CA! They were also amazed at the relatively cheaper car insurance and gas in this neck of the woods.

No offense to Californians....but re: heat, I think I can live with that---better than traffic, smog and earthquakes!

In fairness, I have been only to LA, Torrance, San Francisco, and San Diego...I realize that there are more places in CA that I need to go---for me to appreciate the state better. I realize that there may be very nice places over there that I've not been to---which may also be good places to raise a family.

[artist4perry]

Geez...a 24 hour curfew in Arkansas What is this world coming to!


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080813/ap_ ... own_curfew


John from Boston

It is this bad in Wal-Mart's and Clinton's backyard?? Unbelievable!!! I'm liking California a lot more now.

Technically it isn't Clinton's backyard~ he is a New Yorker!
There are alot of wonderful places to live here, don't let a headline of a few bad places represent a whole state.