The slow and painful death of the University area...

Ellen and I were at the mall yesterday when we both observed something rather troubling... businesses are leaving the USF area at a rapid pace. Bennigan's went bankrupt and so did Tia's, so I don't know if that really counts. But Jo-Ann's moved to New Tampa... JC Penny's and Dillard's moved to Wesley Chapel... Hollywood Video moved to Temple Terrace... and this has all occurred within the last 6 months or less. I know that businesses move all the time, but the thing is, nothing is moving in. Nothing. (Except for Mr. Empanada... that place rocks. But still, it is so tiny compared to the businesses leaving!)

It makes me worry about the area and the people who live here. The businesses themselves (other than the bankrupt ones) are doing great, I'm sure. They have all moved to more affluent and economically stable areas. But the more businesses that leave the University area (or "Suitcase City" as it is called by many homeless I've met), the more depressed this area will become. Less jobs, less economic activity, and less money flowing into this part of town... and I don't know how it will all stop and turn around for the better. People are so strapped for cash here, so what would entice a business to stay? They can get a lot more customers in a more affluent area, but they don't realize what they leave behind... and it is slowly but surely adding up. Do they see? Do they care?

On a more interesting note, I saw something crazy when Theresa and I were hanging out with Juan, Jordan, and Ryan last night. When Ryan left at around 1 am, he walked out the door and then ran back inside, yelling for us to come outside and look. We go outside, and in the parking lot are NINE police cars, THREE more unmarked cops, (all with lights flashing) and a POLICE HELICOPTER flying overhead. All of this was totally blocking the entrance to my complex, and was literally outside my door, IN my parking lot.

We stood and stared for a few minutes, trying to find out what was happening. There was one civilian car with the doors and trunk open, and it looked like it was being searched... but seriously. A total of 12 cop cars and a helicopter... for that?? My guess is that it was a stolen car, and they were perhaps chasing it. Beats the heck out of me why the person would drive into an apartment complex with only one entrance if they were being pursued, but whatever. It was definitely interesting... it kind of creeped me out when I went to bed though, because whenever there is someone being chased by the law, there is a chance of them trying to hide in YOUR residence... or so my nervous mind kept telling me. But as you see, I made it safely through the night once more. :)

Point is... the University Area is in trouble, and it makes me really sad. I mean, I can leave whenever I want. But what about the people stuck here, with nowhere else to go? What about the kids growing up here? It's really going down the tubes, and it's sad. I just don't know how it will ever get turned around... *sigh* Thank God that Jesus came for the poor... because it really seems like there is no other hope than Jesus in all of this.

EDIT: I found out what happened!! These three guys were arrested at my address just before 1 am... holy crap! Look at the charges!! O.o
http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us/pub/default.asp?/online/qdisp/bn=08067687
http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us/pub/default.asp?/online/qdisp/bn=08067686
http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us/pub/default.asp?/online/qdisp/bn=08067685

Felons with automatics breaking into my apartment complex... lovely...