Crime (Wilmington, Elizabeth City, Leland: middle-class, home, neighborhoods)

[sg31582]

I've been looking at the crime data for eastern NC from Wilmington north to Elizabeth City and the ranking is pretty high. In most cases it is over the national average. I looked on homefair and Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed. We were hoping to buy a home along the coast in the north east but am not interested in stepping into the same kind of problems we have where we currently live.

Anyone have any practical experience?

[scjj]

Big write up in today's Star News in Wilmington about the rise in gang activity there and in Brunswick County, particularly Leland under the title "Hiding in plain sight". Check it out, pretty scary article. Wilmington has always had crime problems and it sounds like it might be getting worse, especially downtown. Here's a clip from the article:

Obvious or not, make no mistake: Gangs are in New Hanover, Pender and Brunswick counties, say those who deal with kids. They're in our schools, on downtown and rural streets, in middle-class neighborhoods and in the projects, committing violence ranging from simple bullying to brutal killings.

[capthooked]

I moved to downtown Wilmington a little over two months ago as i thought it would be easier to meet people. My neighborhood is safe during the day but at night watch out. I have heard gunfire several times and one night quite close. Lots of homelessness,prostitution,drug dealing that spills out into the decent parts of town when the sun goes down. I am moving out of downtown!