Robbery on St. Charles Ave.

[Kristine Pagsuyoin]

My neighbor (2 doors down) came home from work today to find that her house had been robbed. Apparently, a window at the back of the house was smashed to gain entrance.

The robbery is bad enough, but what makes it worse it that the couple who live in this house are young and going be married. They've been trying to decide whether they should make Lakewood their permanent home. They rent the house and so they can move easily. What makes it even worse, is that next to them is another young couple (professionals) who are expecting their first baby. They own their house, but do have options if they choose to move. Now, both couples are rethinking their decision to stay in Lakewood. They had been back and forth about leaving and now it seems like no matter what I say will help.

To add frustration to the situation, there are 3 abandoned houses all in a row on the short block that I live on (right beside house robbed today). It doesn't appear anything is being done about this situation. Two of them have been vacant for at least 5 years. The robbery was bad, but with the abandoned houses it is hard to sell staying in Lakewood.

I know this is not the most positive posting; however, I think this situation (not unique) is worth talking about. Personally, I want young families to move and stay in Lakewood, but you know, they've got lots of options. As a community, I think we need to be honest about the challenges so that we can make the scenario I am posting about rare in this city.

And, please be aware if you live on or near St. Charles Ave.

[Mike Coleman]

Not to nitpick, but this is not a robbery. I have been a victim of a robbery (Washington DC) and burglary (Kansas City). This, albeit terrible for those involved, does not sound like a robbery.

I personally how this feels to the victim, and my heart goes out to them, but let's not over exaggerate the Lakewood point here. Maybe your neighbors would feel more safe moving to, say, Rocky River. Good luck to them.

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_ ... -concerned

http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_ ... d-daylight

http://www.cleveland.com/rocky-river/in ... ent_2.html

[Jim O'Bryan]

Mike

Great point.

I too know the pains of Robbery in Lakewood, 30 years ago. It is hard to put into words just
how violated a person feels. The police solved my robbery in three days, and the items were
returned in pretty short order.

It is hard to get a violated person to rationalize any aspect of the crime. But where every they
go in the county, and beyond they face the same and often worse. It has always been my
joke that most burglars pass over Lakewood for River, Bay, Westlake etc. Why steal a TV
with tubes and a VCR when you can get plasma and DVRs.

Lakewood for all of the nitpicking I do, is still the best place to live in the county, and I get
to see them all inside and out. I love coming back to Lakewood.

I am shocked that homes have been vacant that long, what is the deal. Homes are selling
pretty quickly right now in Lakewood, beating the regional time by months if not years.

I hope they stay.

.

[Stephen Eisel]

Great point? 3 home break in stories is the story.. Yes, you are statistically safer in River. But, that does not make it a better place to live. Always embrace your weaknesses and never deny them.. or they will be your end.. just sayin

[Greg Madachik]

I moved to Lakewood as a young homeowner in 1993 (Just blocks away from St. Charles) A couple months after moving in, there was a daytime burglary at my home. My neighbor observed the whole thing and did not call the police out of fear of retaliation. Nothing of value was taken, but my back door was kicked in and destroyed and some small items were removed from my new home.

20 years later I've never gotten over this - every day I come home from work, I look to see if my back door has been kicked in again. I've never had another problem since the incident in 1992, but it is a difficult thing to deal with, even for a very open minded person.

Here is the most important thing to keep in mind - THIS IS NOT LAKEWOOD issue - burglaries happen everywhere. My parent live in nice and kushy Seven Hills and their street has been plagued with burglaries - the whole street is scrambling to install security systems. EVERY suburban/urban area deals with this. If you want to live in any populated area - learn to live with it and carry on with normal life.

Given the choice of being stuck in traffic on I90/I77/I71 every day or living in Lakewood and RARELY having to deal with traffic (besides the recent crap on Detroit) Lakewood is STILL my favorite place to live. Put the crime thing aside and look at the bigger picture...

Greg

[Colleen Wing]

Kristine, it is a shame that your neighbor didn't receive a nasty email instead of being burglarized...maybe it would have gotten more attention around here

[Jeff Dreger]

I continue to be amazed (and angry) at how many citizens think that the POTENTIAL for a corrupt and power-hungry politician to have used his position to threaten the media and a private citizen with use of that power to take them down is not a big deal. If it were just a nasty email then there wouldn't be so much attention. I see nasty things on here all the time and never bother to pipe up because they don't rise to this level. Also, I assume the home owner filed a police report and they're investigating and doing what they can. Not much else for us to do unless a request from the police or resident is made. If that same effort had been made in the email-gate then there would be a police report and investigation and - again - there wouldn't be so much attention until possibly the results were available. The only reason it's become such a big deal is because there APPEARS to be silence, secrecy, deception, inaction, etc. We should demand everyone involved to be more open and upfront about this. IF the LO or JOB or associates are in any way responsible for forging or lying or otherwise for the media creating this controversy then they too should be held accountable. I can't see how sweeping this under the rug helps anyone. These kinds of things are let go and then the politicians and/or media know they can get away with it because people think there are bigger issues. Then we're stuck with people that can't handle the bigger issues because they're too involved in their own selfish pursuits.

[Colleen Wing]

Are you aware of how people win elections around here? That is why things are the way they are. That is what you should be outraged about.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Are you aware of how people win elections around here? That is why things are the way they are. That is what you should be outraged about.

Colleen

Let's be honest there is more than enough outrage to go around. And most of it well earned.

peace


.

[Peter Grossetti]

Deep Throat: Then there must be something, mustn't there. Look, forget the myths the media's created about the White House--the truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

Woodward: If you don't like them, why won't you be more concrete with me?

Deep Throat: Because the press stinks too--history on the run, that's all you're interested in. You come up with anything?

Woodward: John Mitchell resigned as head of CREEP to spend more time with his family. That doesn't exactly have the ring of truth. Howard Hunt's been found--there was talk that his lawyer had 25 thousand in cash in a paper bag.

Deep Throat: Follow the money. Always follow the money.

Woodward: What do you mean? Where?

Deep Throat: Oh, I can't tell you that.

Woodward: But you could tell me that.

Deep Throat: No, I have to do this my way. You tell me what you know, and I'll confirm. I'll keep you in the right direction if I can, but that's all. Just... follow the money.

[marklingm]

Kristine, it is a shame that your neighbor didn't receive a nasty email instead of being burglarized...maybe it would have gotten more attention around here

I continue to be amazed (and angry) at how many citizens think that the POTENTIAL for a corrupt and power-hungry politician to have used his position to threaten the media and a private citizen with use of that power to take them down is not a big deal. If it were just a nasty email then there wouldn't be so much attention. I see nasty things on here all the time and never bother to pipe up because they don't rise to this level. Also, I assume the home owner filed a police report and they're investigating and doing what they can. Not much else for us to do unless a request from the police or resident is made. If that same effort had been made in the email-gate then there would be a police report and investigation and - again - there wouldn't be so much attention until possibly the results were available. The only reason it's become such a big deal is because there APPEARS to be silence, secrecy, deception, inaction, etc. We should demand everyone involved to be more open and upfront about this. IF the LO or JOB or associates are in any way responsible for forging or lying or otherwise for the media creating this controversy then they too should be held accountable. I can't see how sweeping this under the rug helps anyone. These kinds of things are let go and then the politicians and/or media know they can get away with it because people think there are bigger issues. Then we're stuck with people that can't handle the bigger issues because they're too involved in their own selfish pursuits.

Are you aware of how people win elections around here? That is why things are the way they are. That is what you should be outraged about.

Are you aware of how people win elections around here? That is why things are the way they are. That is what you should be outraged about.

Colleen

Let's be honest there is more than enough outrage to go around. And most of it well earned.

peace


.

Deep Throat: Then there must be something, mustn't there. Look, forget the myths the media's created about the White House--the truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

Woodward: If you don't like them, why won't you be more concrete with me?

Deep Throat: Because the press stinks too--history on the run, that's all you're interested in. You come up with anything?

Woodward: John Mitchell resigned as head of CREEP to spend more time with his family. That doesn't exactly have the ring of truth. Howard Hunt's been found--there was talk that his lawyer had 25 thousand in cash in a paper bag.

Deep Throat: Follow the money. Always follow the money.

Woodward: What do you mean? Where?

Deep Throat: Oh, I can't tell you that.

Woodward: But you could tell me that.

Deep Throat: No, I have to do this my way. You tell me what you know, and I'll confirm. I'll keep you in the right direction if I can, but that's all. Just... follow the money.

Colleen, Jeff, Jim, and Peter,

Great discussion. I hope you don’t mind but I’m sharing the above quotes on the “Unacceptable behavior,” by Councilman Shawn Juris thread at http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=11038.

Matt

[Peter Grossetti]

Matt - I don't believe what you did is in violation of The Deck's TOU.

I do, however, want to point out that my "follow the money" post should NOT be construed as an indictment of Councilman Juris, Mr O'Bryan, Mr. Davis or anyone in particular "associated with" (and I used that term very loosely) Emailgate.

It was merely offered as an overarching retort to:

... That is why things are the way they are ...

[marklingm]

Matt - I don't believe what you did is in violation of The Deck's TOU.

I do, however, want to point out that my "follow the money" post should NOT be construed as an indictment of Councilman Juris, Mr O'Bryan, Mr. Davis or anyone in particular "associated with" (and I used that term very loosely) Emailgate.

It was merely offered as an overarching retort to:

... That is why things are the way they are ...

Peter,

Understood. Thanks for the clarification.

Matt

[Missy Limkemann]

OMG I am so sorry for the robber of your friend. I cannot imagine the fear and pain of that. If there is anything that we can do to help your friend/neighbor please let us know.

[Will Brown]

OMG I am so sorry for the robber of your friend. I cannot imagine the fear and pain of that. If there is anything that we can do to help your friend/neighbor please let us know.

Give her a dog