Death, and signs of life.

There was a double homicide in Homewood yesterday evening. For some reason, when I read the story, this part jumps out: "two armed men ran out of the woods..."

Why are there woods in an urban neighborhood?

Maybe if there were no woods, the killers would have had no place to jump out from.

After a point, vacant lots, like vacant houses, become more than ugly; they become dangerous, because of what or who can hide there.

So here's a question: Who owns the "woods" that the killers emerged from? Who is responsible for keeping that land trimmed so that killers can't hide there? Dead people? Out-of-state people? The City of Pittsburgh? (A remarkable portion of Homewood's property owners are in those categories).

Anybody want a job?
In case you haven't seen the flyers or TV news stories yet, the City of Pittsburgh is hiring. The ads highlight firefighting and police officer positions, but there are also openings for other jobs.

For more info, and to apply, show up at the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation Activity Center, 113 N. Pacific Avenue on August 13, at 5 p.m. There'll be an overview of City employment, followed by a recruiting session for police and firefighter positions. The program is scheduled to end at 7 p.m.

A lot of folks have worked together to make this happen - BGC, Wireless Neighborhoods, Weed & Seed, the Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center, Diverse City 364 - so if you need a job, go. And take a friend.

Calendar Notes
The Community Empowerment Association is presenting their 5th Annual Black Family Reunion this weekend at Mellon Park. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with too many activities to list here - check their MySpace page.

As a run-up to that, there'll be a panel discussion this evening on "Hip Hop, the Black Family & Community Survival" at the CEA's space at 7143 Fleury Way. I wish the last word of that title was something like "Development" or "Renewal" or "Prosperity." But don't let that keep you from going.

(Hey, Lee - if you register here, you can post event info here directly and cut out the middleman - me!)

Finally, a group of folks who do walking tours around different parts of the city are hiking through Point Breeze, North Point Breeze, and Homewood tomorrow, starting at the intersection of Thomas Boulevard and North Lang Avenue at 10:30. They call themselves Urban Hike. Check them out.

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Posted Aug 01 2008, 07:38 AM by Elwin Green
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Comments

LillianC. wrote re: Death, and signs of life.
on Fri, Aug 1 2008 4:00 PM

Elwin this is not and I repeat not about the woods in Homewood. How insenible can you be. Two man lost their lifes yesterday. The real issue here is how these KILLERS made this happen in your Homewood. These man were lured to their death and you want to talk about the woods. ***! The mastermind of these killings live and play in Homewood and you want to talk about the people that own this land or lost this land. The real infraction here is Homewood has become HELL right here in Pittsburgh and on earth.

I grow up with Kieth Grace, his brother took me the my high school prom. So forgive me for not giving a *** about the woods in Homewood. Who ever done this is still in your Homewood community. And you and everyone in Homewood should be having a problem with that and not no *** woods.

Elwin Green wrote re: Death, and signs of life.
on Mon, Aug 4 2008 11:58 AM

I think you missed my point, Lillian; but I am not going to engage in a flame war.

Did anyone else get my point? If not, I'll try again.

solebrotha wrote re: Death, and signs of life.
on Wed, Aug 6 2008 1:38 PM

Yes, I got your point because I actually work in Homewood. I believe you're referring to the overgrown vacant lots, alleyways, backyards and abandoned houses of Homewood. These spaces have become so  overgrown that they give the appearance and effect of "woods". The "woods" of Homewood often hide debris, litter, and criminals. These overgrown spaces are not only displeasing to the eye but also dangerous means of concealment for the criminal.

I hope I bridged the gap.

Elwin Green wrote re: Death, and signs of life.
on Mon, Aug 11 2008 12:52 PM

Thanks, Solebrotha

Lillian - I'm trying to understand your point, but maybe I'm missing it. It sounds like you're saying that we should not care about the physical environment that makes it easier for people to commit murder.

If that was your point, I disagree. If that wasn't your point, could you try again?

LadiGee wrote re: Death, and signs of life.
on Fri, Aug 15 2008 1:02 PM

Elwin

After reading your post and the others I must agree with you that it isn't the fact that these men lost their lives in such a violent manner, but the fact that we as a society have become hardcore to the fact that there are so many abandoned homes and properties that anything can happen because we have turned our backs on trying to keep our own together.  We tend to want to blame everybody else for what is wrong instead of trying to fix it ourselves.  Yes, there are woods in the urban community and if we moved into the suburbs we would find woods too, but they would be called "a park".  It is sad that as a community we have lost our sights in what can be changed if we band together and make that change.  I'm sure that those "woods" where the gunmen came out of could have been maintained in a more dignified manner if we had banned together and formed a group of individuals who wouldn't mind cutting the growth back.  I also understand where Lillian C is coming from.  She is talking of the standpoint of knowing one of the victims, but misunderstanding that it wasn't the woods that killed these men, but the manner in which it was so easily available for them to hide.  So many properties have become abandoned, run down and demolished that all we have is vacant lots that when left uncared for do turn into "woods" on an urban street.