THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, April 10, 1995 TAG: 9504070018
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
I was disgusted when I opened the paper and saw ``Zoning rules will enhance Ghent'' (news, March 25).
I am in my 20s. I was raised in Ghent. When I grew up, I decided to continue living in Ghent - my friends were there, it was convenient to my work and the safety of the area was worth the high rent.
Not anymore. In the past two years, my car has been broken into twice, one of my tires slashed, my roommate's car broken into twice, a rock thrown though one of the windows in our building and all kinds of people have started knocking on my door late at night asking for money. Our neighbors moved out after the third subpoena was taped to their door.
I know that these problems are in no way unique to Ghent. But for the amount of money I paid to live there, I expected at least a modicum of safety. Instead, I became almost a prisoner in my home. Even going the two blocks to 7-11 after dark required driving there because walking could very well get one mugged or raped.
So if City Council wants to use taxpayer money to ``encourage the area's development,'' here are my suggestions:
1. Give some money to the Police Department so it can step up patrols.
2. Have city workers replace all the lights on residential streets and have lights installed where the street are almost completely dark.
3. Require landlords to assume at least some responsibility for the safety of their tenants via outdoor lighting, more secure door locks and sturdier mailboxes.
When Ghent is once again safe enough to be worth the cost of living there, I'd love to hear about ``park benches and fancier sidewalks.'' Until then, Ghent has lost its charm. I moved out two months ago.
NATASHA C. FEDYSZYN
Norfolk, March 25, 1995 by CNB