Perception vs. Reality

[iamnikchick]

Scanning the headlines, I noticed this article about the Rainier Beach Safeway (which is, apparently, "plagued by thugs"). This is the Safeway I often choose to shop at, bypassing the Safeway on Martin Luther King which is older, smaller, more poorly stocked, more dilapidated, and occasionally has the scary drug-addled panhandler guy roaming

Comments

[anaka]

I've seen the "thugs." It's a group of African-American teens anywhere from 5-10 in numbers hanging out near a couple of cars over toward the donut shop end of things. My only complaint about them is that they don't seem to have a sense of self-preservation when it comes to making sure they aren't in the immediate path of a car. They don't shake down people or make threats to anyone that I've ever seen. I'm not saying someone didn't get hurt, but I think that portraying it as "you could be next!" violence is perhaps a bit sensationalistic.

I've been asked for money for churches there and asked to sign petitions far more than I've ever been threatened with violence (or seen anyone else suffer as much). I don't believe I'll be changing my supermarket of choice any time soon.