Thnx Joe,

Yes most of the neighborhood is full of hard working decent people. Ive seen many of my friends in the neighborhood whos parents would come out after a drive bye and wave to the police that everything is fine. Shows that they are jus used to it very sad. My friends parents cant even sleep in there own bedroom because its in the front of the house where they just start shooting away. Im glad as a youth myself being 18 that I am not involved in the gangs. My brother who is in the gang never let me.He always made sure that i wouldnt grow up the way he did even tho we lived in the same house. I also got great parents who taught me better than that. Altho as a younger person i went threw my rebel days and i was involved with the dumb illegal things but have learned from my expierences. being in the Oklahoma County Juvenile Facility (a.k.a Berry House) is not fun. But growing up in this type of neighborhood has shown me alot of pride for where im from. Thats why i am so interested in things like this to help my city progress. On another note ive heard many things that people believe youth join gangs because of family life and the need of feeling loved. but As i said before i had wonderful parents and yet my brother is in a gang. Its all about the way the person is. Some people get a kick out of shooting a gun and the feeling of having somethin that is basically theres (meaning the whole neighborhood). Most has to deal with money and power. Feeling like you have a place in life. Also a big thing that might come as a suprise is the need for respect. Respect from Outsiders of the City who believe OKC is nuthing but country and lil towness. When in reality The people who live the life of the underground know OKC has a very large Urban lifestyle. Its not really tha fact that people think the lifestyle of a gang is attractive they see it as a way of life.

I see you have an eye on the nice buildings off of 10th and western. A buisness there would do great if it fits in with the culture of the neighborhood. I mean a thing such as an Urban Wear Store of some sort or a Center that younger kids can go to and get away from the hussle of the streets. A buisness can survive such as a restraunt also but a restraunt that fits the culture of the neighborhood. if you really can tell The corner of 10th and Western is the opening to the whole neighborhood. Something That gets the attention of the people of the neighborhood is something that we need. Gangs i believe wont stop a buisness from thriving its the buisness owner they jus make it a bit harder but not impossible. As you can see off of Linwood that there are many buisnesses but none to attract atttention from the neighborhood itsself. Midtown right next door is soon to become the next hot spot and a buisness where you are talkin about im sure would grow into that area to. It really depends on what type of buisness you have in mind. I hope one day that I can open a buisness for my neighborhood in whatever it might be to give life to the neighborhood again away from the drugs and gangs. It would take a very strong minded person to open a buisness in an area such as Classen 10 Penn but its not impossible.