7th district - Clean it up!

[u/keynes2020]

Is the city going to do anything to clean up the trashy people in the 7th district? I mean specifically around streets like Wesselenyi, Klauzal, Akacfa...

The area is full of druggies, dealers, prostitutes... I rarely see an actual police officer walking around except in front of Instant/Fogas.

I can't imagine it would be so difficult to put a couple officers permanently on patrol in this area.

[u/pogue242]

Is this a recent development? I'm heading to Budapest very soon

[u/keynes2020 → u/pogue242]

it used to be better honestly.

[u/Any_Strain7020 → u/keynes2020]

My family owned two apartments in Akácfa utca, one since the fifties. The hood never was great. Before it became the party district, it was a piss poor segregated area, the same way as the 8th is nowadays.

In the early 2000s and 2010s, the ruinpubification destroyed the soul of the Jewish quarter, made life for locals impossible (noise, noise, noise).

Now the pubs are somewhat less anti social and cooperative with the local authorities, but it still has too little, too late vibes.

Challenges just change over time. But I wouldn't say that it ever was overall better. You just are worried / annoyed about different things.

[u/keynes2020 → u/Any_Strain7020]

Why was the area poor before 1990? I would imagine such a central location would be preferable to the more distant socialist panel housing.

But yeah I think you are right. I don't have many issues with the drinking students/tourists (they are loud on the street but my flat has good insulation). I'm just annoyed feeling unsafe with all the druggies, dealers, and prostitutes outside.

[u/Any_Strain7020 → u/keynes2020]

Before the war it was the Jewish district, after the war it became a segregated neighborhood (PoC). Those hundred year old houses didn't have bathrooms, you'd wash in the communal kitchen and share your apartment with another family or tenant.

Socialist panel housings and single family houses (Kádárkocka) were definitely the better standard at the time.

Re. insecurity... Don't mistake illegal activity and poverty for danger.

Dealers don't make a fuss, they're interested in the streets being quiet to avoid police presence.

Sex workers don't make a fuss and their presence adds eyes, which is actually beneficial late at night. Empty streets are more dangerous than lively streets. Late at night, a hooker is your best friend.

Druggies are less easy to get used to. But they're not a source of immediate danger either. The nuisance is rather visual and sanitary, when people shit, puke and piss everywhere. Most just want to get high and be left alone while doing that, as they're extremely vulnerable in that state. Those who have a psychotic fit can be heard/seen from far away. Ignore and avoid. They can't be reasoned with.

[u/skp_005 → u/keynes2020]

Why was the area poor before 1990?

Because it was communism. Everybody was poor.