So, my buddy Bob (hi Bob) sent me this most recent posting, which he, as well as I (and anybody else who lives in NJ) would find ‘interesting’ to say the least.
On this above grouping of “Best Places To Retire in New Jersey/Family Destination Gems” Paterson and Camden are listed. And while I’m not casting asparaguses on these hamlets, have met perfectly decent New Jersians who live in or were born in these places, have driven through both, I also see news reports and online video posts on a regular basis reporting on how unsafe these towns are to live in.
In fact, Camden pops up on ‘most unsafe towns to live in the US’ lists all the time because of its crime-ridden popularity.
(Bob also pointed out another town, but I am not privy to give you his opinion here).
So, as Bob reiterated to me today and I always say, and even about seemingly positive facts reported about my great state, when some person or worse yet, a group of persons start counting, adding up stats, bringing in that or this group to give opinions to make a poll, you really need to explore the facts deeper. This is especially true in this day and age of social media intrusion, click-bait bias, and our 24-hour TikTok-ity news cycle.
Yes, you have read me here plenty giving forth some pithy (at least I hope I’m being pithy) rumination over a stat or two about New Jersey. But I use this stuff usually as a jumping off point for my satire, parody, fodder to get me into a subject I can have fun with. I don’t, nor should you, ever take any lists like the above, again these days any supposed ‘facts,’ at a Phil Collin’s face value.
And do yourself a favor, if you find yourself driving through Camden, do so with haste.
