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DidDunMegasploded t1_jds9m0v wrote

Reply to comment by Fearless-Factor-8811 in Gun on the ground near 295/congress street by [deleted]

'Course it's not a joke. Let this be a word of advice to you: when I, in particular, speak of bad neighborhoods, I am talking about Maine specifically, and only Maine specifically. This is a Maine subreddit, not a Baltimore one. Keep on track and we're gucci.

I lived in downtown Portland near that exact area for 5 years. I've seen quite a lot of shit during my time there, more than I've ever seen within my 20+ years of living in the entire state. Hell, around that area is where I heard my first-ever gun being fired in a residential neighborhood. For a so-called "safe state" when it comes to crime--which, by the way, is true--I never expected that to happen in my lifetime and it scared the shit out of me when it did happen. Between that and the constant ambulance noises, that was my cue to haul ass.

Downtown Portland is a place I wouldn't be caught dead walking without a friend by my side. Too many shootings (30+ in a short span of time is not something you can just turn a blind eye to) and way too many sketchy people I've seen on the streets for my liking. And I speak as someone who was born a New Jerseyite--NJ and NY are far worse than Maine, but Maine is no crime-free utopia.

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Fearless-Factor-8811 t1_jdsafhz wrote

Dude. If you think youve seen some shit I got something to tell you.

The homeless scene in Portland is pretty out of control but in terms of crime this place is a cakewalk.

Yeah, you can compare two different places. I have lived very close to there at times recently and never felt it was a "bad" neighborhood. My girlfriend lives 4 blocks from there and it's about as chill as it gets.

Yes, living in places not in Maine definitely gives you perspective. I lived here 12 years ago and it was a lot ahittier then but way less shitty than many other places I've lived. I've had people murdered on my street in Baltimore somewhat regularly and I didn't like it much.

Regardless of anything, yes if I see a random glock lying on a median strip it gets my attention.

Nearby the corner in question, among other things is a massive outdoor concert venue, a lot of fairly expensive houses, several restaurants including some newly opening and not much "badness".

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DidDunMegasploded t1_jdsdy5p wrote

In terms of crime in Maine? You could say that. I haven't bore enough witness to the homeless scene in Portland so I can't say anything about that with confidence and I actively choose not to lest I want to look like a fool.

Different strokes for different folks. Can't help someone who doesn't want to help themselves. Can't snap someone out of the "Maine is totally and 100% safe, so safe I would let my infant play in the road of a through street" haze if they don't want to come to reality. Pretty much every city I've lived in in Maine has been safer than the downtown area of Portland to some extent or another.

The more harsh stuff comes forth the further you go down Congress Street, near where the library is and such. Double that if you go out at night.

A gun on the street would get my attention too. It just would have the same effect as someone telling me I'm a woman.

Work in the law profession and then get back to me on what constitutes the subjective term of "bad neighborhood" to you.

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Fearless-Factor-8811 t1_jdsfiiv wrote

I've lived in cities for the last 30 years. I don't consider any of them "safe". I leave my shop on congress Street at 1030 most every night and walk to my car. Like in any other city I walk quickly and don't talk to people when I'm walking.

That said, there were 29 homicides in all of Maine in 2022. 15 were domestic. That would be 14 homicides by strangers in the entire state of Maine. There were 333 murders in Baltimore city alone during that period. Not the entire state of Maryland. Just the city. I used to walk around Baltimore at night too. It's an absolutely wonderful place to live but yeah, I watched my back something fierce.

Anyway. If you're convinced Portland is unsafe that's on you but in the relative space of a US state, yes Maine is absurdly safe. Do I take precautions going out, of course.

People commenting here seem like they are shitting their pants leaving their houses which is sad.

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Fearless-Factor-8811 t1_jdsaq38 wrote

And yeah. Portland is going to have more visible crime than any other place in the state being one of the few cities in a large rural state. That doesn't make it bad. Sirens in that area might be related to the largest hospital in the state which is like 4 blocks away.

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DidDunMegasploded t1_jdsel34 wrote

Crime is crime, visible or not. Crime is bad. People can be bad. Bad people can make a city bad. Not a hard train of thought to follow.

And I'm aware of where the sirens are coming from, but thank you anyway. I didn't make my way in downtown Portland by having a lack of directional skills.

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