A summer reading suggestion

With drug issues appearing to be the theme of the week around here, I want to invite everyone in Rutland to check out one of my favorite books: "The Corner: A Year in the Life of an Inner-City Neighborhood" by David Simon and Ed Burns.

David Simon was a reporter for The Baltimore Sun. He spent a year shadowing detectives from the city's homicide unit and wrote "Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets," an incredible read in its own right and the basis for a TV series some of you may remember.

While working on "Homicide," Simon befriended Burns, one of the detectives he was following, and the two collaborated on "The Corner," in which they spent a year in one of Baltimore's worst drug neighborhoods, following one family and the people around them.

"The Corner" (which was also adapted into an HBO mini-series) takes the reader inside the addiction problem and gives some rather terrifying examples of how much worse Rutland could get if the problem here continues unchecked. It also comments on some of the ways the problem is being fought, some of which I suspect are about to become part of the local debate.

Simon and Burns went on to collaborate on a show called "The Wire," which most of you have heard of but probably, statistically speaking, never saw. I don't think I could make this post without suggesting that anyone who hasn't seen "The Wire" stick it in their Netflix queue, but I realize a five-season HBO show might seem like a bit of a commitment. Read "The Corner." It will make you think.

Fighting crime

Mayor Louras just announced that the city will discuss the development of a "comprehensive and holistic" crime reduction strategy at tonight's public forum at the Howe Center. The plan:

...a task force made up of municipal officials will identify short, mid, and long-term objectives and goals designed to combat drug-related crimes and ultimately result in drastically improving the quality of life in our City neighborhoods.

Look for the discussion at the meeting, which is scheduled for 7 p.m., in tomorrow's Rutland Herald.

Click the link for the full text of the announcement:

Download Public safety strategic plan1

Overheard on Wales Street

"Was there a big music party?"

"No -- haven't you seen them all over the place. That's what that big event was over the weekend."

"Right, but what's it for?"

-two bypassers contemplating the Rutland Herald's heart (which has a sheet-music motif) from The heARTs of Rutland.

Grim thought for the week

I read this list of ways to tell if your city is dying and was uncomfortable with how many would appear to apply to Rutland.

Our population declined from 17,292 in the 2000 census to 16,495 in the 2010. Now, that's not nearly as bad as the loss the article describes in Detroit, but what kind of a standard is "not as bad as Detroit?"

Median age rose over the same period from 39.3 years to 42.9 years.

On the upside, I can't think of any "signature" buildings that are vacant.