Economic Edge Series Launches to Great Response!

We launched the Economic Edge series yesterday and we are already getting responses from the community. Here is an email from Daphne Muse in Oakland. She describes how she has noticed the economic downturn touch her neighborhood:

One thing I’ve begun to notice is merchants selling lemons from fruit trees harvested in the Fruitvale where I live. I’ve also had some experiences with my water being used by those beyond my household. I don’t see as many people going through the recycle bins, which seems odd. There is less gunfire (ammunition is expensive) and there appears to be a downturn in the number of people on the streets selling drugs. I also hear less traffic going up and down the streets in the evening (gas prices).

Please write us about how YOU are seeing the effects of the downturn on your neighborhood. You can comment on this blog, or email us at news@kalw.org. Or even better, leave us a message at 415-264-7106, and dont forget to leave us your fulll name and a way to contact you.

Foreclosure Scams

2008 saw a record number of foreclosures in California -- nearly a quarter-million -- despite a law that went into effect in September requiring lenders to give homeowners advance notice before filing a default. And the pace of foreclosures in the new year doesn't seem to be slowing down. But a few industries are thriving in the current economic climate -- including what's known in the business as "loss mitigation services." That means charging a fee to help people facing foreclosure try to save their homes. As KALW's Zoe Corneli reports, a cottage industry has sprung up in this area, but not all the players are legitimate.

Is Crime Increasing as the Economy Tanks?

Yesterday I was clicking lazily through my weekend email when one subject line caught my eye. It read "fyi: burgluary." I thought "burgluary? What's that?" It took me a minute, then I checked my locks. The email was from my landlord, Stan, who (apart from being a mediocre speller) is really a swell guy. He's also very security conscious. I live behind a twelve-foot wooden gate, and at least three deadbolts. I wasn't really worried about my stuff, but it did make me wonder. This particular "burgluary" happened a couple of blocks from my house-- apparently someone smashed a side-window and crawled in. In my REALLY quiet middle class Oakland neighborhood, I think that this kind of event is rare. In my two+ years here, it's the first time I've heard about something like this happening.

So, are burglaries and robberies becoming more common? And does it have anything to do with the economic situation we're in? Based on the stats online, it's hard to say. But let's find out! Below is a list of some community safety groups that meet regularly around the Bay Area. Check one out, and report back!

City: Oakland
Organization: Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils
Contact: Claudia Albano, Neighborhood Services Manager City of Oakland
Phone: 510 238-6372
Email: calbano@oaklandnet.com
Notes: Residents work with Oakland police to try to reduce chronic longterm problems that contribute to local crime. Also work on issues such as beautification and traffic. Each council meets monthly.

City: Oakland
Organization: Dimond Public Safety Council
Specific Date(s): February 4th
Time: 7:00-8:30pm
Location: Greek Orthodox Church at 4700 Lincoln Ave
Contact: Meg Bowerman
Phone: 510-531-7139

City: Berkeley
Organization: Berkeley Safe Neighborhoods Committee
Website: http://www.bsnc.org/
Email: bsnc@bsnc.org

City: El Cerrito
Organization: Crime Prevention Committee
Specific Dates: 2nd Wednesday of each month
Time: 7 p.m.,
Location: Hillside Conference Room, City Hall 10890 San Pablo Ave
Contact: Suzanne Iarla, Public Information Specialist
Email: siarla@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us

City: San Francisco
Organization: Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association Public Safety Committee
Specific Date(s): 1st Monday of each month
Location: Hayes Valley Playground Trailer, 699 Hayes (at Buchanan).
Email: safety@hayesvalleysf.org

City: San Francisco
Organization: SFPD (Bayview)
Specific Date(s): 1st Tuesdayof the month
Time: 6:00PM
Location: Bayview Police Station, 201 Williams St.
Email: SFPDBayviewStation@ci.sf.ca.us

City: San Francisco
Organization: SFPD (Central)
Specific Date(s): 3rd Thursdayof the month
Time: 6:00PM
Location: Central Police StationMeetings held at Tel-Hi Neighborhood Center660 Lombard Street.
Email: SFPDCentralStation@ca.us

(photo by Hayley Bouchard via flickr Creative Commons)