considering buying a house here

but I'm kind of freaked out by the stories of shootings, muggings, and drugs. The house is near Franklin and Dean. My wife would be coming home alone by train at around 9pm, and Franklin doesn't seem like a good place for her to be after dark. What do you think? Good idea? Bad idea? Any comments would be welcome.

i'll get flamed by this. run!!!!!!!!!!!!!! run!!!!!!!!

I've had no problems at the Franklin station at 9 p.m. or later. In fact, it generally feels safe and well-lit.

How safe you feel is going to be a personal judgment. My advice is drive through the block a lot. Different times of the day and night. Drive by at night, park the car and you and your wife take the walk to and from the train station. Go on the block and talk to neighbors.

One thing that is true is that there isn't a bad "area", some blocks are fine, quiet without a lot of drama and others are not.

Get a good feel for yourself then decide.

Um, where do you live now? What's your comfort level? Enjoy amenities like, uh, lettuce that's actually green? That house is freakin' affordable because, a few blocks away, people are still being shot. Personally, I've lived in the area for four years (Park Place between Classon and Franklin) and I don't take the C to Franklin late at night.

I don't care how safe anyone else says it is, blahblahblah, but base your judgment on how you feel, not a bunch of random avatars on a message board.

We've owned on Dean near Franklin for 7 years and have never had a problem. Our neighbors and the block are great and we've always felt safe, and had no idea 'til coming to these boards that there was such "drama" along Franklin and some blocks.

Yeah drive/walk around at night and during the day at random times and see how you feel. You're the best judge of what's comfortable for you.

If it helps, we'll have a sushi joint opening soon

heidikins wrote: We've owned on Dean near Franklin for 7 years and have never had a problem. Our neighbors and the block are great and we've always felt safe, and had no idea 'til coming to these boards that there was such "drama" along Franklin and some blocks.

Yeah drive/walk around at night and during the day at random times and see how you feel. You're the best judge of what's comfortable for you.

If it helps, we'll have a sushi joint opening soon

I have to take a walk around that area again when I come back. Used to live on Dean and it was seriously ghetto back in the 70's--with dilapidated buildings, broken glass and dog poop in the streets. Maybe I can get some sushi . Does the Franklin Ave shuttle still stop on Dean and Franklin?

Shuttle stops at Eastern Parkway, Prospect Place and Fulton Street.

Yeah I've heard from a high school buddy who lived on dean and brooklyn that it was sort of rough back in the day.

But I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised by how the neighborhood and Brooklyn in general have improved. Nary a dog poop or abandoned building in sight, in fact, there seems to be a lot of new construction / rehabs as of late.

I wouldn't do it. Buying a house is a major investment and you should feel confident that such a basic element as safety is present. Given that at least half of the postings on this board over the past 6-8 weeks have been about violent crime, you should look elsewhere for a home. Franklin has been a pit for decades and shows few genuine signs of imminent change.

RE: Guests negative comments - When I move to Park Place near Underhill years ago it was also a little dicey at times but as time passed the block and surrounding ones became much safer and nicer looking. You may look forward to the same

In the next few months, I'll be moving to Bergen bet. B'klyn & NY and I've frequented the neighborhood at night, early mornings and have never felt unsafe. After discovering this board a few months back and reading a lot of the posts on shootings, violence, etc., it has not deterred me or has it made me second-guess my decision to buy in the CH. As another poster stated, your decision depends on your comfort level.

Although, in my opinion, you might be kicking yourself later for not buying, when you had the chance, a house in a landmarked historic district. I don't know if you're originally from Brooklyn, but Park Slope, Boerum Hill, Clinton Hill, Fort Greene were not always the "hot" sort-after neighborhoods. They're are many homeowners in those areas who waited out the rough times and are now reaping the rewards.

Buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make, so you have every right to analyze the pros and cons. Good Luck with your decision.

Just to give a little perspective, below is a link to the police blotter for Park Slope:

http://www.parkslopecourier.com/site/tab7.cfm?newsid=17335653&BRD=2384&PAG=461&dept_id=552912&rfi=6

One of the highlights from last week:

"ALMOST HOME: A 21-year-old man was robbed just steps away from his home on the 100 block of Sterling Place (between 6th and 7th aves) last week, officials said.

The victim said that he was approaching his house at 11:25 p.m. on October 5 when an unidentified male grabbed him from behind and started wailing on him, landing punches on both the man’s face and stomach..."

There are others in the link.

This happened on a very nice block that just about everyone would say is very safe. If you read the police blotter for Park Slope every week and didn't spend time in the neighborhood you would be afraid to walk around during the day. Don't let a couple of stories that you read online scare you away from what could be a really nice neighborhood.

Ditto!!!

Subject: personal decision

I have to agree with everyone that it is a very personal decision to buy property and there are many factors to consider that none of us can advise you on. However, I live between Franklin and Bedford on Sterling and feel safe walking home at 11pm. I have my concerns over the violence but don't regret my decision to live in Crown Heights.

We bought on St Johns b/w nostrand and new york ave and are very happy. Our only issue is one noisy neighbor.. have witnessed a few drug deals but zero violence.. It's block by block, spend time in the area at all times of day

Subject: safety is relative

Interesting, the only time I was mugged in New York was in Park Slope (I didn't even live there!!!) and I am thinking that thanks to all the postings about violence and shootings I am more careful, therefore safer.
I believe what makes you safer is your attitude, your keeping your eyes open and if you feel something "funny" is about to happen, get into a store or take a cab.