Three things that make Ilyka want to change residences real bad:
(1) The sight of a %#$& flying cockroach on her beloved balcony the other night,
(2) The "crime alert" notice posted on her door that reported the mugging of a visitor sometime "the week of June 28," and
(3) The second "crime alert" notice posted on her door that reported the daylight break-ins and burglaries of two separate apartments, also sometime "the week of June 28."
Meanwhile do not even ask what I pay these cretins per month. Oh, it's not West Coast/East Coast outrageous. But it's awfully steep for a place that won't spray for pests regularly and won't hire security personnel. Not that the security personnel issue matters much--when a place starts experiencing daytime break-ins, it's past the point of having a few rent-a-cops do any good.
Welcome to the Palmetto Ghetto. Damn me.
UPDATE 07/03/04: Meryl, in the comments below, reminded me of a fourth reason: The increasing prevalence of gunfire. I've had to call the police for nearby gunshots twice in the last month, the most recent occurrence being last Saturday night. This, on a street that houses a police station less than a quarter mile away. Doubleplusungood.
Posted by Ilyka at July 3, 2004 01:10 AM in navel gazingGunshots here Monday night at 10:40 p.m.
Second time in less than three weeks someone fired a gun on my street.
Soon as I can afford it, I'm gone.
Posted by: Meryl Yourish at July 3, 2004 04:15 AMCalling the police in a case like this is about as useful as adding oil to your car after the engine blows up. Invest in a piece of personal protection for yourself.
Posted by: Hal at July 3, 2004 10:42 PMit is time to move. start packing. when you're done, you will know where you are going to land.
Posted by: rammer at July 4, 2004 06:47 AMWhen I lived in the city, there was a strip mall across the street from me. I woke up to hear some guy banging on a soda vending machine. That machine was 30 feet from my bedroom window. It had an iron cross bar on it with a padlock. The loser couldn't get into it so he knocked it over. Seemed a lot of energy to expend for a couple of bucks worth of change and it solidified my resolve to get out of the city. We also heard gunshots now and again but not that often. I miss the city.........not.
Posted by: Rob at July 4, 2004 07:14 PM