Life in Newark, NJ
-
8/30/2012
I've lived in Newark for 24 years. In that time, I've been mugged more than 5 times, 3 of which are on record. I've been stabbed at work, also on record (no compensation). I've had my apartment burglarised, on record (no compensation). Two of my cars were stolen, a saturn and a Dodge caravan both were junked as a result of the extensive damage. My Subaru was vandalized. The caravan was broken into 5 more times since it was stolen and after I had to pay Dente Brothers $300 just to get it back thanks to Newark's finest (police deparment). My son's car was stolen while downtown shopping. My son was stabbed. We hear gun shots all of the time and see drug dealers and transactions regularly. Our backyard is a dumping ground for stolen cars of which the police come weeks and months later to pick them up. In June 2012, a woman's body was found dead, two doors away in a vacant townhouse. She was abducted in Jersey city three days prior. Then Newark Housing Authority finally decided to lock up the vacant apartment where drug addicts were living and they locked a kitten up inside and left her to die. I found a way to get her out without the help of animal rescue or Newark Housing Authority after many calls and complaints. I am a substitute teacher without health benefits (per diem) and I have high blood pressure, COPD, and high cholesterol all of which are going untreated. I obtained a Bachelor's degree with a 3.9 GPA and cannot find gainful employment, not even one interview. I used to be a Job Developer for a local nonprofit so I know how to search for work and interview well, etc. but still nothing. When I am out of work for the summer when school is out, I am not eligible for unemployment or general assistance, only food stamps. A story of what it is like to live in Newark, New Jersey. By the way, my son's girlfriend visits from Somerset, New Jersey and they recently broke into her car (busted out the window) so the statement that Cory Booker has said about Newark not having as much problems with car theft as most people think, is completely false. Also, the news does not report even a fraction of the crimes occuring in Newark on a daily basis. If you register with crime spot you will see just how many assaults, shooting, burglaries,vandalism, and other crimes are happening in Newark everyday. Thanks for listening.
Barbara | Newark, NJ