Hmmm, I'm not sure what to say about this. Perhaps there is some validity in this POV. On the other hand someone like a Craig Gernhardt has a role to play. So might a Tom Mannis. I could mention What the Helen as well. There are others out there whether or not they're in Roger's Park or any other neighborhood in the city.When it comes to Rogers Park, however, I'm inclined to sympathize with the real estate professionals who contend that some of the neighborhood bloggers are an unwarranted drag on property values, sales and rentals. Rogers Park has undeniable issues but, if some its bloggers are to be believed, it has no redeeming qualities.
Should Rogers Park bloggers just put their cameras aside, turn off their police scanners, take a month off, enjoy the beaches and bike paths, and try to gain some perspective?
Could a blog that reports some of the negatives of a neighborhood truly become a drag on property values, sales, and rentals in a neighborhood?
i am all for freedom of speech, especially political speech.
ReplyDeleteBut the bloggers & message board posters should really consider how effective their blogs are in stopping crime and/or attracting people to the neighborhood.
You should do a study on Uptown Update. Count the number of negative stories, especially those that hint at Shiller becing the cause...those would far outweigh any genuinely positive stories.
They make the area seem as bad,if not worse, than Roseland, Englewood or Austin.
The very name of Craig's blog, Morse HellHole, should raise a red flag for anyone wanting to buy.
He's been writing it 4 years....if it's still a hellhole, why stay?
The 6th ward is somewhat compareable to those wards, but yet despite the negatives that are around, you are able to find a lot to celebrate in the ward. They ought to take note, and begin to change....
Thanks for chiming in on this issue.
ReplyDeleteI don't think anyone has a problem with what these folks cover - crime info, after all, is widely available online.
The concern is the venomous atmosphere they propagate in Rogers Park - and their utter indifference to improving their community. They're unhinged stalkers masquerading as attack dogs who frighten and repel decent people.
If you want to understand Craig Gernhardt, for example, read his post on children he considered to be in danger on a construction site. He observed these endangered children for 5 hours and did nothing but blog about them. In my book, that's all it takes to make one a moral leper. If you believe children are in danger you have an obligation to help. Craig simply licks his chops and smiles: good blog fodder, those children.
The broken heart of Rogers Park or the heartless creep of Rogers Park?
I totally agree, I frequent Rogers Park and the neighborhood is pretty ok, I mean if they were to be compared to other neighborhoods in Chicago in terms of crime they would definitely be towards the middle or back of the list (I'm only assuming). My point is that the neighborhood is a little bit more enjoyable than some of the others, but if you were to read the blog you would definitely think otherwise. There are plenty of nice things happening in Rogers Park that are barely reported.
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