NIMBY: The Subprime Crisis

Subprime crisis? Naw, not up here in the High Country. There's been zilch in the local "newsy" outlets, so it looks like we're in the clear.

'Cept of course for this (from News 14 Carolina):

WINSTON-SALEM -- The foreclosure crisis is taking a toll on local communities, as the problem breaks down past the economic level and in to the area of crime.

Experts say there is a direct link between increased foreclosure rates and increases in violent crime.

...

We're looking at over 50 foreclosures a week in Forsyth County,” explained Tom Keith, Forsyth Co. district attorney. “That means, maybe 200 people will be out on the street if there's two children in a family."

Keith says for each 1 percent increase in foreclosure, there’s a 2.3 percent increase in the violent crime rate within an 0.8 mile radius of that location.

“Talking with the people in the clerk's office, we're looking at all income levels -- half-a-million-dollar homes, small home owners, everybody, white, black, Hispanic -- it cuts across all parts of our society,” said Keith.

Did you catch that last quote? Looks like our local media may have to abandon the belief that people who have lost their homes represent an undesirable demographic (and therefore can't afford to buy a newspaper, let alone anything advertised in one--SO WHY COVER THE STORY???!!!).

And heck, there is a major difference in altitude between Forsyth and Watauga or Avery. There's no possible way it could spread way up here...jeez.

If you're frustrated by the lack of High Country coverage of the subprime crisis, here is a link, --offered by News 14 Carolina.