It is true that I did assume because someone was in Montclair they were white. That was inaccurate but not racist. You could make a similar generalization about someone living on MLK and statistically you would be more likely to be correct saying they were African-American, but that might not necessarily be the case. It is probable that a person hanging in Montclair has more money than someone hanging on MLK, but, again, the specific instance could be different.

However, it is generally true that when a white person is the victim of a crime, there is a great deal more media coverage. Natalee Holloway is an example. African-American girls have disappeared under similar circumstances, but without so much attention.

At the same time, there are many similar instances involving whites killing whites, enough to say that, for the most part, violent crimes take place among similar groups, usually people who are intimate.

At the same time, I wonder why this particular crime got national coverage and the killing at the projects didn't. Both victims seem equally precious to me. Perhaps it could be proximity to middle-class interests (the YMCA, a swimming class involving middle-class children, a well-to-do area). If a man had shot his daughter in front of his wife at a government low-income housing project, again, would the coverage have been as prominent? I doubt it.

I think it is safe to say that media coverage favors the privileged or their interests.

Yes, a poor fellow was shot dead at a public housing complex in Jersey City. God rest his soul.

Meanwhile, in Montclair, a woman was shot dead by a former lover in front of the kiddie pool. God rest hers.

Most crime takes place within ethnic and socioeconomic groups.

Poor African-Americans kill poor African-Americans.

Rich whites kill rich whites.

(Look who ended up on the national news, and who ended up on JCList!)

While I am not advocating naivete about the risks and dangers of the Lincoln Park area, I would also not discourage middle-class people from moving in.

Statistically, we are not in that bad a position in terms of violent crime. Burglaries do happen to us, but what about the robbery of paying half a million dollars for a cheaply built apartment in one of the "better" areas?

It is inevitable that well-designed, well-built urban areas will regain their rightful market value, especially with gasoline currently at $4/gal and the implications of global warming finally dawning on the majority of people. Rather than stay out of Lincoln Park and other lovely neighborhoods, we need to boldly go in and report missing street lights, graffitti, and trash, demanding--and getting--better public services. In the process, we will improve the quality of life for ourselves and the downtrodden current residents.

The message board has no posts since 2006. Would anyone like to participate in resurrecting this organization? I am interested in getting to know other concerned residents of the West Bergen-Lincoln Park area.

Now let's compare with Manhattan: http://nymag.com/news/features/crime/2008/42608/.

On the one hand, I am probably one of those yuppies at heart, except without the pocketbook--just the taste for expensive crap. So good. Let them come. My property value can only rise.

On the other hand, well, what other hand?