AVONDALE: WHAT COMMUNITY RESIDENTS ARE SAYING

What will it take to turn things around in Avondale? Several
residents, business owners and others say it will take a lot - from
encouraging better parenting to adding even more police to finding
ways to restore lost hope.

"We can't just talk with young people about what changes should be
made. We have to listen to them about what they need and also find
out from them how much are they willing to invest in themselves. We
are dealing with a large concentration of guns and drugs matched
against a cadre of young blacks facing unemployment, lack of
education, criminal records and no hope for the future.

"Avondale needs to do more for the youth. We need to give them jobs.
It used to be a real good neighborhood where you could walk down the
street without any problems. It's going downhill and we just need
some help. I work two jobs and I'm still not doing as well as I should be."

Kevin Hopgood, 39, security officer

"I am not sure if the church can reach that hard core that needs to
be reached. We have to look at how we as adults present things to
them. We are dealing with a youth population that has not come to the
realization of what it means to have a gun and use it."

The Rev. Clarence Wallace, 56, pastor of Carmel Presbyterian Church

"We are seeing a combination of things that are causing the increase
in crime: more drugs and guns on the street, family problems, no
jobs, school dropouts and suspensions. There is plenty we can offer
people to do at the center, but I am not sure how well we are
reaching that hardcore kid. In here, he has to deal with structure,
dress code, manners, and etc. - the kind of decorum that goes against
street life. I wish I could say that if we had more centers like this
spread across all communities it might make a difference, but it might not."

Gene Caldwell, 51, service area coordinator for the Max Hirsch
Recreation Center, Avondale

"I went through the street life and I know unless you have someone
who has been through it out here helping to point the direction for
the kids, they are not going to listen. It ain't the guns and drugs
that is causing all the killings. It is a lack of parental responsibility."

Dickie Arnold, 48, a chef, baseball coach, and basketball coach

"I've seen a major change for the better. It's a lot busier (with
businesses) on this street. I've never really had any negative
thoughts about Avondale."

Monique Gilliam, 26, a Westwood resident, and a Welcome Center
Employee at Children's Hospital

"It is the parents. My mother raised me and she set down the rules. I
knew street gangs, ran with them, but I always had that stopping
point. I knew I could not embarrass my mother or the other adults who
lived on the street. I don't think we have that kind of respect now."

Thaddeus Dawson, 63, owner of Avondale heating and air conditioning firm

"It is too bad that Avondale is getting this kind of image. This is
terrible and I don't think we can blame Avondale completely because
this is what society is passing on to it. Our kids don't have the
constructive tools to work with, such as: no jobs, poor housing and
no direction to the future. The city needs to invest in children. Our
children need something to do to get them away from drugs and crime.
The only thing I can do is to show them how I survived. I was a part
of the crime, but I lived through. I am an example that we can live
through if we search for direction."

James Long, 53, co-owner of BJV Catering Services, Avondale

"It's a little bit of everything. Some people don't want to work.
Some people do want to work and can't find jobs. And for some people,
selling drugs is all they know. After the riots a couple of Aprils
ago, a lot of guns started hitting the streets. I hate to see the way
people are treating each other - it's not positive. ...If we all work
together as a community it would be a much better place. I grew up in
this neighborhood and now people try and rob me. A year ago, I got
chased by a gunman. He was trying to rob me and I had 20 feet on him
- - I made him give me chase."

Jonathan Matthews, 22, an Odyssey Logistics Inc. employee and Avondale resident

"I think the city should put more police officers on the streets.
There is a lot of crime out there and it is not going to get solved
by the police officers riding through the neighborhood."

Lorean Woods, 67,

retired and living in a seniors building in the 3700 block of Reading Road

"I have to walk all the way through town twice a day. I try and get
home before it gets dark. I have to make sure I can get down with
everything before they start shooting. This is what I don't like
about Cincinnati. I want to move to Walnut Hills and it's too bad,
but I just don't want to walk through all of this."

Isiah Bracey, 47, a painter who walks about four miles each day

"There should be a better procedure for expunging criminal records if
the person serves the time and makes amends. Once kids get involved
in crime, they have no hope for the future because that criminal
record always follows them."

Adam Moore, 63, a retired butcher and Avondale native

"We have several good golf programs. I don't think you will see these
kids involved in criminal activities as long as they are in these programs.'

Michael Smith, 25, golf professional and Avondale resident