Thank You, Mr. Collins

Collins’ column echoes many of the feelings and frustrations that my neighbors and I have. I live in the Old Highland neighborhood and have been battling crime for more than ten years. In my book, criminal acts in a community include those that contribute to the deterioration of a neighborhood. Abusive and violent behavior (which includes loud profanity), littering, loud stereos and parties, and general neglect of one’s home and yard perpetuate the “ghetto” mentality and are serious crimes. Last year at our neighborhood Clean Sweep, a friend of mine was reprimanded by a so-called “neighbor” for picking up the trash in this person’s yard. His comment—“leave my trash alone, I like living in the ghetto”—elicited the response, “Well, you might as well move, because this is no longer the ghetto.” It was refreshing to hear Collins express a zero-tolerance attitude. I have no intentions of moving and no intentions of lowering my standards to accommodate a victim mentality. Thanks, Mr. Collins; we need more neighbors like you.

Tracy Loso
Minneapolis