Sick of living in Norristown

You would think these people would learn. Norristown is no placed to live ator bring your children at. There is nothing positive here for anyone. Its a lost pathetic town for nobody that wants to try to make it in life. Its another drug infested high crime town that needs to be torn the hell down. We are rotting here and so are your children. What is positive here for the black youth??? Nothing but a threatening environment. This is north philly of montgomery county pa for starters and no meeting will help for concerned citizens. Lock them up and throw away the key syndrome in norristown. Beam em up scotty!!! Sad.

there is more postive things in norristown for the blacks youth ..ect the carver center.pal center, big brother/big sister programs ..there is more for the black youths then there is for any other race ..so were the problems is the black on black crimes is thru the roof rt now..so check ur facts

@maryann. Im talking about mentorship of at risk black youth. Anybody can join those organizations you just mentioned. Black mentorship program needed here for at risk youth in norristown. Not all want to do athletics. Lets start talking in a safe place to see where and what the youth are thinking starting at the age of 12 or 13 about what is going on at home and what isnt.

Everybody sits here and complains about how bad norristown is and all of that but yet nobody actually steps up and tries to fix it. Maybe if you would actually try to step up before you sit there and complain constantly things wouldn't be this bad..

@Christina. Name the place and time to step up to the plate. Im ready. Are you?? I have extensive knowledge of the legal system. There is no position here in norristow. Im not talking about a paying position either. I am willing to talk to youth about psych problems and the legal system. Point me in the right direction and I WILL STEP UP TO THE PLATE!!! Will you???

more section 8 please

More things for us teenagers to do, it'll get us off the streets since majority of the violence has been coming from teens / young adults. Maybe if we had more things to do, we wouldn't be out looking for trouble!

Can't blame this on Mrs Deb !!!!!!

No cause it didn't happen there and nobody said Mrs Deb had anything to do with the other. Who you gonna blame when you don't know? Town is sad. Nothing is stopping these people and at the time of day they happen tells you. I hate this town.

There is plenty can do they choose not to. Don't blame the parent especially for a child that age.

G

Maryann I agree. From what I see is there is an disconnect fr the ages of 18-25. But, there are organizations but the young black youth don't reach back when they are traces out to.

I sit back and read comments but everyone say they want to move they never so. So lets stand on street corners take our streets back. Lets rally together or just keep sitting and waiting until it hits your door step when and that time it's too late.

It's like the old saying [you can run but you can't hide],and the reason I say this is,drugs and money are the root of all this evil.The hunger for both of them bring out violence,so unless you stop the drugs it will continue!!!!!!!

My question to everyone posting on here, what will you do to try and fix this. Or will you even attempt to help out the situation.

DITTO!!! This is to Out The Way

One person can't solve this problem.It takes a community to make a change.And sorry to say it but,I only see it getting worse because you have kids raising kids.For example,if you got 10 kids,8 of them raised incorrectly,and 2 of them raised correctly the numbers don't add up.The bad out weighs the good.Just pray your kid(s) learn from this horror and get good grades, graduate,go to college,earn a degree and become successful in life.And maybe,just maybe he/she can be a role model for the generation under them.Then the change comes !!!!!!!

Out the Way, so my question is what can we the community do bc waiting for your response to happen will take 5-10 years.

Some 1 let me know wan u r goin to tear down this town so I can help this town is so f@! K up

Shit,5 to 10 years, more like 10 yo 20!!!!!! I want the same change but realistically look at the shootings, they started at nighttime once a week,now there happening everyday during the middle of the day, no more respect for others and there own.!.!.!.' And u ask what can we the community do ?? My answer would be buy bulletproof everything and that'd sad right ?????

We can have all the rallies and community get togethers we want. Its not going to solve anything. A month or so we had a town meeting. And a shooting happened why it was going on. It all starts in the home. Raise your children, not the streets raisin them

That bad there near Wayne ave. they all be dealing over there!

I'm confused about people saying there isn't enough to do so the teen population is bored. Why is it Norristown's responsibility to occupy the teen population? My Norristown teenager has plenty to do to occupy herself without depending on the city. Why? Because we parent her. Sure, she experiences some boredom (like many teens who often complain that nothing is exciting enough), but you don't find her out on the streets trying to occupy her time with drugs or violence. I don't blame Norristown when she's bored because she is MY responsibility.

And, by the way, many people want to tear it down but Norristown is full of great people who do no harm, who work hard and raise their children right. Those people do not belong under the "tear it down" umbrella...

Annie I agree 100%

what is Norristown coming to we need to STOP THE VIOLENCE.

know what why not just put prison bars up around Norristown, that way they cut out the police to take them to jail, they will end up there anyway

If any of you want access to a consistent base of at risk youth, email me. Hjones126@gmail.com. Im with em 24/7 and need the help. Im not talking basketball, parties, etc... im talking resume completion, filling out applications, lifeskills, etc... hjones126@gmail.com. ill have a group on Thursday night!

Let me tell allllll ya'll sumthing!!! MIND UR BUSINESS, STAY IN UR HOUSE AN LET GOD DO HIS WORK!! U CAN'T GET RID OF GUNS, OR DRUGS, RAPES OR MURDERS, SO STFU!!!! PPL POINTING FINGERS AN GOT SO MUCH TO SAY WHEN IT COMES TO THIS SN SHYT...... FOH!!! JUST MAKE SURE U TEACH UR KIDS BETTER, FOR THE GRACE OF GOD IT COULD BE U!! SO MIND UR BUSINESS UNLESS U HELPIN WIT INFORMATION!!

This is a shame but also a test of faith. Stand strong as people and a community to not fear this evil.

Its sad and again stop blaming the parents all the time. At 24 Blame them when they're grown pls. I asked what was he doing in the alley anyway, especially anyway.

Where's the police presence? Years ago the police, whose to jump out and chase people. Now they dedicate an officer to putting boots on cars; give that to parking enforcement. Give the Sherrifs more power and put them on the streets.

I meant police use to jump and chase people.

I can't stand when illiterate people get on Social Networks & Norristown Patch to "Represent Me" This all boils down to lack of parenting and lack of education. "Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today." -Malcolm X. Parents cover you children. Pray with them. Get involved in their education and extra curricular activities. Stop blaming the churches, teachers and coaches for areas you should be apart of! Kids, even up to the age 18 should not be running your households. The parents do nothing in the community until the violence hits home. THEN everyone else is expected to stop what they are doing because you couldn't control your homes! Get it together Norristown!

This was done to the Indians make the area so unbearable all the homeowners will leave it's all about property

people stopped caring about this town.

All you people make me laugh. Bashing the town & police force. Why don't you pack up & move??? Noone holding you here. No one chasing me out of here , I was born & raised here & I'm not going anywhere. From the time your born you have a stamp of the time your to leave. So no matter where you are it will happen. Maybe as a community we should start talking. And stop being scared. This isn't going to stop , unless we start getting these kinda people off the street.

Why is everyone assuming the young man who was killed is black?

this is bc people want to me tougher then they actually are... also lack of education leads to crime * books not guns!

The problems Norristown faces are institutional and no single individual or group will be able to make a big difference. There are multiple root causes including but not limited to: Prohibition of drugs, especially marijuana, which results in criminalization and incarceration of large numbers of minorities, and leads to the violence associated with the illicit drug trade. Second, poverty! There is lack of good jobs that pay a living wage in Norristown and it is apparent in the run-down housing, trash on the streets, food insecurity, etc. Third, a violent culture. We have a violent mainstream media (movies, games, news) and easy access to guns. Further, our government resorts to violence to solve problems which serves as a model for our people to also resort to violence. Address these root causes and the amount of violence on our streets will decrease.

Norristown has been good to me and my family. I feel sorry for the family that lost their loved one but it all goes back to gun control. We have to stop letting anyone purshase guns without the proper clearances.

Mike you have brought up alot of good points as to why the voilence is here and will continue if no changes are made.

Celine- It's folks with your attitude that are part of the problem. Maybe if more people stopped "minding their own business" and instead chose to spoke up with information they have, police could find the shooters

I believe that everyone needs to come together and make a change. I dont like for my children to go out anymore due to all of the violence in town. I grew up here and not has changed. Maybe it time for another operation by the NPD and an connecting police departments. Its horrible that you cant visit the relatives without worrying of you'll be gunned down or caught by a stray bullet.

Norristown pd needs to do a sweep. For a long time they looked the other way in some communities as long as no violent comes occurred. Now the violence is in play. Time to crack down and systematically block by block shake things up. Use state and county help. It's time to have a heavy hand because things are out of hand. And when the residents say it police harassment its not. It's enforcement and next time they should call the cops when the see something that's not right

I agree with "Spud"...if more people would be bold enough to speak up to the police, then the criminals would be less inclined to commit these crimes. the town needs more brave residents who are NOT afraid of criminals...period!

@OMG, you are once again denying the fact that parents play the biggest part in the maturation of their child...and just because their child is 24 years of age does not negate the fact that he/she is still learning how to be a productive member of society...I am 40 yo and I am still learning the ways of life from my elders...! PARENTS NEED TO TEACH THEIR KIDS, and stop blaming the lack of activities in Norristown...period!

Now a lookee here now!!

i agree, i didn't grow up in norristown but moved there and raised a family there. i couldn't let my kids out, things had gone from bad to worse here. upbring and education is most important to growing minds of kids. you see young kids just roaming the streets thats just looking for trouble. i am so against gunnnnnnnns. guns kill thats what their 4. Police need to patrol other areas other than w marshall st. norristown streets are so infested with violence

Norristwon is just like Philadelphia now wow wow Wtf is goingson. Count your blessings you here today and you going tomorrow....................R.I.P.... Video..AKA P. B

You have to start with a solid foundation .parenting from respond able adult parents.Then good schools Norristown schools need fixing

I was born in Norristown n I remember when you could open ur front door or back and just tell the kids to go play. Now you have to sit below the windows to protect yourself from bullets. What has happened to lil sweet town. THIS VIOLENCEis so pointless, n what's all this for.... To be like Philly. There is nothing so special about " Philadelphia" that ppl need to act like this. In a previous post I saw where someone said " It's the pastors" wrong, yes they are leaders but at the same time they can only do but so much or they are sinners. Can point the finger to find the blame all the time, yes it was sad but he was 24 his life his choices. What happened to fighting n living to see another day, now they wanna shot n say forget life. I pray that Norristown gets it together soon, the innocent don't deserve to live like this. R.I.P to all the lost lives in 2012. ((tears)) STOP THE VIOLENCE

Im a born and raised Norristown,you can't place blame on the borough it's the entire community and debating it here isn't the correct forum we all want this madness to stop but how do we get the ones that think this behavior will continue to be tolerated. Parents aren't always the ones to take the blame police can't always be there,how do we reach the criminals they will read the patch but won't show for a community forum.

Judging by the comments, with the exception of a few, if these are the people who are raising some of the youth of Norristown it's clear to see what the problem is. If as a parent you don't choose to better yourself, how can your child be expected to go to school and learn and aspire to be something great in life? I have been in Norristown for over 25 years and am ashamed at some of the parenting that I have witnessed first hand by people who themselves can't stay out of trouble. And sadly the cycle continues when those kids have kids of their own. I hear stories about some of the want to be "cool" moms who have drinking parties at their house/apartment serving alcohol to underage kids and also encouraging their kids and their kids friends to fight anyone who they have a perceived problem with. When this is the home life that these kids come from it's no wonder they cannot be law abiding citizens in public and respect others.

HOW CAN U MAKE SENCE OUT OF SOMETHING THAT IS SO SENCELESS

Ms Deb wasn't you the same suppose to be mother on this site defending ya bum ass sons, now your running around involving someone else child in this bs as well as the rest of ya ole ass dyke crew. Get ya facts together worry about what ya bums do, this whats wrong with old miserable people worried bout everyone else but their own. Get ya household in order first. People complain when its them or their family being thru under the bus but when its someone else family they wanna throw stones. I feel for the family but it don't take a rocket scientist to know someone close to him set him up. It's Christmas who gone be sitting in a alley way when the average person is at home with their family. My condolences go to the family DEBBIE FRIDAY watch who you talk around cause folks you think ya friends will throw ya ole ass out to the wolves

Norristown is full of "Good Families" surrounded by an insanely immature and violent youth quotient. I was born and raised in Norristown, educated in Philadelphia, and now live on the outskirts of Montgomery County. The best thing I've done for my family is MOVE them out of Norristown. @Strategic Wear, this is a cycle. We have seen this before; someone gets murdered, we have a vigil, we move on. In the last few years, I've attended more than a dozen funerals ! This is absolutely ridiculous. I will say this again though; until the morality level of the parents, community leaders, and law enforcement comes to some sort of equilibrium, Norristown will remain a Sh1th0le. Truth be told, if the Citizens Crime Commision, (CCC) would like to help with offering a decent size reward to help someone get out if they "testify" or "cooperate", i.e.- when that Indian baby was "abducted", they offered $50 grand, Ryan Ladsen's murder- $5 grand, something doesn't add up...In any event, $25 -$50 grand may be the incentive needed to get these bad guys of the street. Not the be all end all, but at least, I believe, it's a feasible idea.

Additionally, Isn't it funny how everybody in the "streets" knows whats going on, but the police and law enforcement don't ? I can call anybody from Kohn street on up until probably Green & Spruce and have a full blown conversation that consists of all the gory details from who, to what, to when. My reasoning ? Is someone going to kill me if I share this information ? Will Ms. Ferman, protect my family and move us away from this cesspool ? Hell NO ! The corruption in this county is so crazy, we need an outside Federal agency to intervene. Since Montgomery County is all about the almighty dollar, throw some money out there and see where we are after this method has been utilized.

@commonnosense once again you are minding my opinion and like I said that age is grown and should be out on their own. Are you one not in your childs.life? I know plenty of great parents whose child went HAM so have your opinion as I had mine.

People only talk about what they think not what they know. Its always the same old shit but yet suspect caught. Times Herald have more detail and the story seems he could have been meeting somebody or even with somebody.

Don't blame the Police! Chief Bono and his department do the best they can. The knuckleheads on the streets don't want to cooperate even after being shot. The Police cannot help those who refuse help. Norristown has lost it's way and has become an area for Philly thugs to go when on the run. We are starting to see drug turf wars etc....
These punks don't have any consideration for anything. Life has no value to them and they are just about status and wanting to be tougher than the next thug punk. The only way this non-sense can be mitigated is by infiltrating these little gangs and sentencing the perps to long stays in the big house.

brutallyhonest and commonsense are so right. We all feel for the family because there can be no greater loss than that of a child. No matter what age, your child is your child and those parents have lost their child. Heartbreaking. And yet we know communities are made of families and families equal homes and it's what's taught, allowed, permitted, exampled, followed in the home that determines what comes out. What comes out makes up our schools and neighborhoods and communities and society. It begins in the home. The problem is I can't tell you what to teach in your home and vice versa and we may probably never agree on a standard of right and wrong or good or bad. But can we agree that somewhere, in OUR homes, especially in Norristown, something is terribly wrong. We can quote statistics, name programs, count churches and call community leaders...but what about home. What happens at home matters more than what happens at any of those places or with any of those people. Lets be brutally honest and ask ourselves, is there a standard in MY home? What do I teach my children on a daily basis by word and by example? Am I educating my child? What do I expect from my children? Where do I see my child 1, 3, 5 years from now? Are their behaviors, attitudes I see in my child that I have not addressed? Why not? These are NOT questions about our neighbors homes or children but OUR OWN. Our children will grow up to make their own choices but as parents, we lay the foundation. startathome

I want one person to show me a town where a basketball court resulted in a reduction of shootings and murders. Kids have 10 times more things to do now than they did 50 years ago. The liberals have this ridiculous belief that more government makes things better. If that's true then the "In God we Trust" needs to be changed to "In Government we Trust". If you really believe that then it's already too late for you and this town and this county.

At jxjipper, we had the YMCA on Dekalb St. which is now a parking lot. The other YMCA which had a pool is now CVS on Dekalb St. What happened to Super Sundays on Main St. This was once a GREAT TOWN, full of character. Everyone has some good opinions now can we stand behind each other to get to the common ground we want to achieve. Norristown Clubs United, Norristown Men of Excellence, and Youth NAACP, PAL athletics, etc. These are just a few organizations that have adult, non-paid volunteers who volunteer for the LOVE of a town that "WAS".

The only way Norristown will change is if the members Norristown Clubs United, Norristown Men of Excellence, Youth NAACP, PAL athletics, and others get on Council or School Board positions. All the volunteer work you all have done has been great, BUT now it is time to step your game up. Each organization should have at least 1 person run for either Council and/or School Board. Once that happens then you will see change!

foundation you are 100% right or at least I agree with u. Children learn what they see at home. People saying pastors/churches should be responsible for the streets of Norristown, r u kidding. You chose to become a parent, which is the hardest job in the world, that is what family is all about, our children are the future So with that, I feel sad for this victims family.

I really hope this page is seen by law enforcement.... Cause it seems everyone wants to be on patch running their mouths. But once they in front of a cop , being asked what happened. Its I didn't see anything. Maybe you all should stop talking on here and do more talking at the police station. God forbid if one of your family members gets killed, and you whoever knows it didn't prevent it.

To point a finger requires all fingers to be used and the last three point back at oneself. It's time for us to get back to old school raising because to put forth values makes a person think twice on their actions. My heart goes out to the family of the young man gone before his time.

Here's a nice Fact....there are over 30,000 towns & cities in the US. In a recent study, Norristown got the award for being the 68th Most Violent town in the country! More Violent by percentage than Chicago or Cleveland. Gotta be proud of this!! Way to go..keep up the great work!! Google it...the facts are there my friends !!!!

Everybody seems to have alot to say out on the streets to and it pisses me off as a parent to know how they act as if one certain person is the cause of Paul's death and talk about a person and smile to their mother as if its the truth. It does not matter what one think and she should be thinking and doing her homework which she already knows but wants to deny and keep blaming a person who they think has nothing better to do on Christmas Day. I hope they find who did this for the mothers sake and also for people who have to go through the ignorance on what another thinks. Get your facts straight and watch who you talk and say things too. You crying now but you wasn't crying when he was out here doing all kinds of shit to people and if they wanted to actually do anything to him they could have went over the Bridge. Ya'll make me sick around Norristown. You better check more on the incident from the West end and stop being in denial about Paul. RIP

egd,
I was born and raised in Norristown and I am totally disgusted in what is going on. There is no structure in Governing in this town. No MAYOR or Top Officials to put a stop to all this crime, which has all these criminals coming from all over to come to this small town and run a muck, or the ones living here doing the same exact thing for street cred or WHATEVER when they need to be in SCHOOL getting an education or taking up a trade and becoming a responsible citizen and or positive role model . Where are the petitions or calls to Governor Corbett's office? Real noise to the top is whats needed at this time. I firmly believe that "MARSHALL LAW" should be implemented to go door to door and clean house and clean up this town. "Enough is Enough"........Folks have live in this town for over 50-80+yrs and have experienced some rough times with the civil rights era, and all the racial divide in this town, but still made good lives for themselves & their families that are now RETIRED and have to be subjected to all this nonsence, all for what? When in fact they should be enjoying the rest of their lives and not have to be living in fear and exposed to all this chaos. May God lay his hands on this town and everyone in it........

Kids are more interested in getting high, partying, and having sex than the hard work of school. Only with a education can one escape the chains of dependency, but that is work, and our kids want no part of it. Thuggish and violent oafs with no manners and even less brains roam the streets, with no hope of ever being productive citizens.

Wow nobody agrees that if there is more money put up maybe that will solve some of these crimes? I am shocked!

I knew Paul as a little boy and he was respectful and sweet. I know his mother and grandparents--all hardworking, respectible people--the streets can get to anyone--watch what you say--your child could be next.

Well Mags that's not what i heard about him. I personally don't know him but I too know his mom and dad but the things being said on the streets about him is ridiculous and he was involved in alot of the criminal avctivity that was going on. Just as you said "the streets can get to anyone", not knowing what you mean by that, and yes watch what you say cause it could be yours next. How about this, his dad's family need to stop putting rumors out that they are bringing people up here from philly to do what and to who? Stop making comments to people they think are their friends/family because you never know who they are telling and all wrong. Nobody cares what YOU think have your facts and solid proof before you slander a name or have another person's family go thru shit for nothing. Bitches sit back smile in your face all day but sit there trying to play you behind your back slandering another childs name and that can get your ass sued. That's exactly why all this shit happens around here in Norristown cause ya'll always talking about bringing philly ni---'s up here. Who is philly? The problem will never stop if you keep talking like this. Ignorant asses wasn't sitting there telling cops that they said Paul shot Ryan but you quick to talk about somebody else you hoped had something to do with it and all wrong. Some people other than the person that did this had other and better things to do on Christmas day than think about him. Sorry for the loss.

Hmmmm so much to say so little physically done!!!!

Ok its fine,,,Start working on this little tired county, but Please give these people some respect. Ms Deb aint got nothing to do with this, so why are you still trying to Slander her name?!? I dont know why people acting so scared to tell what they know, everybody in town done snitched and still walked the streets, wuts different now?!?! Think about all the snitches walking the street.....I was just about to start naming them....smdh

Lol u stupid hoe u a snitch and a bitch and probly suck hahahahaha u guessed it. Smh but lmao

Ppl say there going to step up but they don't it shouldn't be the ppl stepping up they need to get more cops on the street walking, biking, and driving there just isn't enought cops on Norristown street I was born n resist in that town n now I won't even step foot in it n I have family that live there if they want to see me I have them come to my home or we go to the kop mall

Rest easy lr

At the end of the day, lives have been lost, and parents and families are in tremendous pain. Please, please stop attacking one another and pointing fingers. Let's truly think about how WE as a community can impact Norristown for change and then take action. NOTHING is impossible. My prayers go out to ALL of the families from years past and up to the present. Being the relative of a person lost to violence, I want to let you know that although it may feel like it now, you are not alone. The pain that you feel is unspeakable, but you will make it through this!