the perception of crime, pt. 4.

Leslie Goelz wakes up at 5:30 a.m. every morning to run. Even though most people would feel unsafe where Goelz runs, she doesn't.

"I stay aware, but I would do that anywhere," said Goelz.

Goelz moved into the Ridgeway neighborhood two and a half years ago. She said she has never been a victim of a crime, no one has ever been mean to her and overall, she feels safe living there. However, she knows crime occurs there.

"I think some of the renters are involved with the wrong kind of people and that brings people in the neighborhood who end up causing crime," said Goelz.

Goelz wanted to get involved in the neighborhood when she moved there and started attending the monthly meetings. In addition, she got into contact with Michael Maw and Pat Kelley.

Goelz said that since she had moved in, she had this idea that positively affecting a neighborhood has to start with impact. Her idea of impact was showing the people in the neighborhood that they matter, are cared for and that they have a part in this community too. If people knew that Goelz said, "the atmosphere would maybe change in that area."

Goelz has done this in the past by passing out flyers, getting to know the neighbors and planning events such as a neighborhood block party.

Goelz said that yes, you're going to have the lower income houses that don't have completely green grass, but they're still good people. She added that maybe because people know those are the lower income families so they assume that's where crime will reside, which creates a negative perception.

"I think if you keep impacting the people, then the crime will fizzle out. You have to keep impacting them positively and showing them that this community is doing things," said Goelz. "If you show other people that this community is doing things, then maybe those people won't come. Say we don't want to do that anymore, so you don't need to come into our neighborhood to commit that crime."