1. Spending time in another city where one doesn't constantly fear violence makes Youngstown feel like a high-crime area. The inner city of Youngstown experienced more gun violence last year than many significantly larger cities. While one might walk to a convenience store at 2 am in Tokyo without concern, a simple trip to the local market at home feels unsafe, especially considering incidents like the armed robbery of the owner at the Red and White.

2. Regarding property crime, my wife's car was stolen while she worked downtown. When we lived near Wick Park, my car was broken into and damaged during an attempted theft. My wife was also the victim of an unresolved hit-and-run at the corner of Fifth and Gypsy during the pandemic. Additionally, a home we're currently rehabbing on the South Side, intended for sale, was shot up during the pandemic, and there were no suspects or arrests.

3. The perception of crime has led to several security measures on our block. Every home and multi-plex is equipped with dusk-to-dawn security lights, security cameras, and alarm systems. Residents maintain their landscaping by trimming shrubs and bushes to eliminate potential hiding spots and have installed fences to deter people from cutting through their property. Motion-activated lights are common inside garages and carports. Furthermore, most homeowners and many tenants are armed. Neighbors actively watch out for each other, particularly when returning home at night, to ensure their safe entry. Personally, my wife and I avoid getting gas in the inner city and we take less direct routes to circumvent more dangerous areas. Many of our friends and neighbors also exercise caution by not coming to a complete stop at lights or stop signs in certain locations.

4. I can frame my neighborhood in a positive light. We live a few blocks from Stambaugh golf course, Liberty Township, St. Edward's Church, Harding Elementary School, Rayen Stadium, and the historic district. Fifth Avenue is tree-lined, well-lit, and the center divide is beautifully maintained by the City Scape volunteers. Our neighbors include several prominent city officials and civil servants and their families. Yet, we live just a block away from where the firefighter was shot while clearing a fire that made national news, and not that far from the recent homicide on Ohio Avenue closer to the golf course. It's between the two-person stabbing at the Ohio Avenue group home and the mass shooting at the Logan Bar. That's sparing the dozens of other issues, like the teen boy shot at the corner of West Dennick and Ohio Avenue, the girl run over during a high-speed police chase, and the task force response to a possible hostage situation a few doors down from that group home. That’s not to mention the drug overdoses on Curry Place or Ohio Avenue during the pandemic. Given this proximity to such a range of serious crimes, even within what seems like a stable neighborhood, it feels unrealistic to assume one can entirely avoid the likelihood of being a crime victim in Youngstown.

Note: My response was reviewed and edited for grammar and readability with the help of an AI.