Shithole Cities

[rob_s]

In Tampa right now. Ybor, specifically. Known “shithole” with a pocket of tourism in the center.

Last time I was in Ybor was college, so sometime late ‘90s.

We stayed mostly on the main drag but I recall going a block or two south and seeing open drug dealing.

In my minimal time here last night getting drinks and dinner, it appears that the ge trifurcation has spread, at least east and west. Unsure on north & south although relatively certain north is still a dump.

Based on that minimal time and with the understanding that it was a Tuesday night, didn’t see much of anything in terms of hobos, and didn’t feel unsafe or threatened. Seems to be a lot of new restaurants and bars that I’d love to check out, and I had a drink at the hotel bar at Hotel Haya and would love to stay there sometime.

So less shithole that I remembered which was refreshing.

[Totem Polar]

I’ll just leave this dual-purpose screenshot here:

[Kanye Wyoming]

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/artic...e-18649853.php

[Tapatio]

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/artic...e-18649853.php

I used the live a few blocks from there. Da Fillmo' is pretty sketchy, in spite of its proximity to a more expensive neighborhood just to the North. The McDonald's just up the street has had its share of shootings and assaults over the years.

My old roommate, who happens to be from Finland, came home one day with a funny story. He stopped by that station to make a report of some kind. Not finding anyone at the front desk, he tried the door next to the plexiglass window in the lobby, it was unlocked, and he walked through. He quickly found himself in a locker room, where several of SF's finest were lying around on the changing benches. As soon as they realized there was a civilian standing there, they jumped up and hurriedly escorted him back to the lobby and took his report. He was very amused at how embarrassed the cops were being caught lying down.

Sounds like little has changed at Northern Station!

Fun fact: Greatful Dead fans will be familiar with the song "Shakedown Street." It's about Filmore Street, same one this police station is on. It's been a bad neighborhood for a looooong time.

[AMC]

I used the live a few blocks from there. Da Fillmo' is pretty sketchy, in spite of its proximity to a more expensive neighborhood just to the North. The McDonald's just up the street has had its share of shootings and assaults over the years.

My old roommate, who happens to be from Finland, came home one day with a funny story. He stopped by that station to make a report of some kind. Not finding anyone at the front desk, he tried the door next to the plexiglass window in the lobby, it was unlocked, and he walked through. He quickly found himself in a locker room, where several of SF's finest were lying around on the changing benches. As soon as they realized there was a civilian standing there, they jumped up and hurriedly escorted him back to the lobby and took his report. He was very amused at how embarrassed the cops were being caught lying down.

Sounds like little has changed at Northern Station!

Fun fact: Greatful Dead fans will be familiar with the song "Shakedown Street." It's about Filmore Street, same one this police station is on. It's been a bad neighborhood for a looooong time.

The Fillmore has been sketchy for a very long time. Not sure when this story took place, but it sounds a little iffy in the details. Those front doors would have to be malfunctioning to be 'unlocked', since they're electronically locked. Possibe I guess. The idea of anybody comfortably 'lounging' on the 10" wide wooden benches in the locker room is a little difficult to accept. In the 10 years I worked there, I never saw anybody even attempt that.

I had heard a few years ago that they converted part of the community room (also accessible from the lobby) into a long term 'down room' for officers working extra shifts. Maybe that's what he walked into? Inexcusable either way.

[Tapatio]

The Fillmore has been sketchy for a very long time. Not sure when this story took place, but it sounds a little iffy in the details. Those front doors would have to be malfunctioning to be 'unlocked', since they're electronically locked. Possibe I guess. The idea of anybody comfortably 'lounging' on the 10" wide wooden benches in the locker room is a little difficult to accept. In the 10 years I worked there, I never saw anybody even attempt that.

I had heard a few years ago that they converted part of the community room (also accessible from the lobby) into a long term 'down room' for officers working extra shifts. Maybe that's what he walked into? Inexcusable either way.

This would have been in the early 2000's. I lived in Da Filmo' from the late 80's through the early 2000's so saw a lot of changes, and a lot that stayed the same. Visited Northern Station (lobby only) on a couple of occasions, but by being street smart and having the appropriate urban attitude managed to avoid much of the excitement that went on around there.

My flatmate is a very credible guy, so I believed him when he told a tale of walking in on a bunch of cops literally lying around at the station. He described the area as a "locker room," but it's possible through the years I've misremembered the exact details.

But I tell this by way of noting that a thief was able to get far enough into the station to burglarize it.

I have another tale of SFPD dragging my neighbor feet first down three long flights of stairs in response to a bottle thrown out her window during a party. That was from back in the days when there was such a thing as real policing in San Francisco. And my neighbor, though a friendly enough gal, was a real knucklehead. The next time the police showed up at her door I watched her flee onto the roof via the fire escape ladder. They didn't follow.

[RoyGBiv]

From Defund The Police to Marshall Law (yes, exaggerating a little... Only a little ) in 1 move

NY Governor Deploys National Guard to NYC Subways

[luckyman]

I just spent a couple days in San Francisco. Stayed in an apartment just off Mission St close to Balboa Park, took the bus a lot, didn’t really go to any of the real touristy areas but did end up close to Union Square. From my perspective the change there looks incremental and not a dramatic plummet downwards. One crazy guy on a bus, typical tenderloin sights, didn’t see any actual altercations, definitely dirtier than 15 years ago but couldn’t tell much difference from 5 years ago.

Was surprised how many face masks were in use on the buses. I want to say 30% of the people were wearing face masks. Everyone wearing a face mask looked Asian, I don’t think I saw a single white person wearing a mask.

[Crusader]

Are there any places big enough to be labeled a city that is not a SH today.

[Hambo]

Are there any places big enough to be labeled a city that is not a SH today.

Define "big enough."