I'm amazed that you could be very aware of the area you live in (to the extent of reading planning applications?!) but somehow not be aware that crime happens in that area... how does that work?
Manner of delivery of information. I read stuff in front of me, so I read planning applications and posters. I was (and am) rarely in front of a paper, or a telly, or a web news page, so didn't read them.
I didn't assume there was no Bad Stuff on Oxford, just that during my time as a student I saw very little direct evidence of it. I'm aware Oxford has a large homelessness problem, because I see/speak to/fall over evidence of it. I didn't see any crime, and only very occasionally heard anecdotal evidence of it every time I go out. That there probably was crime going on was just rational assessment based on the idea that, hey, it's a big city, there probably is somewhere.
I've always lived near the Cowley Road, and it still amazes me the number of people who talk about it being a horribly, nasty, dangerous area. I love Cowley Road, and, despite walking up and down it regularly for ten years, have never seen anything which suports the idea that its dangerous.
Except for once, actually... me and a friend found an empty syringe lying in a small park area, and then, on closer examination, a whole load more, one of which was proving very interesting to a baby which had crawled a few feet away from its parents. We cleared them up, called environmental health and the council to make some noise, and warned the people sitting about in the park.
I take a lot of interest in my surroindings, but only because I feel I'm part of them, and if something happens like that, I can do something about it. I occasionally feel guilty for my completely inability, despite trying, to keep up with the news - then wonder if it's just the feeling of powerlessness, that I can't alter anything I read about, that prevents me from showing the same interest I do in my own area.
Er, did I have a point when I started this comment ? I forget. Apologies for wittering in other people's journals :)
no subject
Manner of delivery of information. I read stuff in front of me, so I read planning applications and posters. I was (and am) rarely in front of a paper, or a telly, or a web news page, so didn't read them.
I didn't assume there was no Bad Stuff on Oxford, just that during my time as a student I saw very little direct evidence of it. I'm aware Oxford has a large homelessness problem, because I see/speak to/fall over evidence of it. I didn't see any crime, and only very occasionally heard anecdotal evidence of it every time I go out. That there probably was crime going on was just rational assessment based on the idea that, hey, it's a big city, there probably is somewhere.
I've always lived near the Cowley Road, and it still amazes me the number of people who talk about it being a horribly, nasty, dangerous area. I love Cowley Road, and, despite walking up and down it regularly for ten years, have never seen anything which suports the idea that its dangerous.
Except for once, actually... me and a friend found an empty syringe lying in a small park area, and then, on closer examination, a whole load more, one of which was proving very interesting to a baby which had crawled a few feet away from its parents. We cleared them up, called environmental health and the council to make some noise, and warned the people sitting about in the park.
I take a lot of interest in my surroindings, but only because I feel I'm part of them, and if something happens like that, I can do something about it. I occasionally feel guilty for my completely inability, despite trying, to keep up with the news - then wonder if it's just the feeling of powerlessness, that I can't alter anything I read about, that prevents me from showing the same interest I do in my own area.
Er, did I have a point when I started this comment ? I forget. Apologies for wittering in other people's journals :)