Near East Side, Columbus, Ohio
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The Near East Side is an area made up several historic neighborhoods on the east side of Columbus, Ohio. Some neighborhoods making up the area include: Mount Vernon, Nelson Park, Eastgate, Beatty Park, Bexley (annexed), Olde Towne East, Old Oaks, Driving Park, and Bryden Road. Today it is bordered by interstate 670, interstate 70, interstate 71, and bisected by Main Street also known as the National Road. This area is in Precincts 6, 12, and 5 of the Columbus Division of Police
[edit] History
The area holds a large place in Columbus history, being home to Olde Towne East as well as several famous historical districts. It was home to several affluent bedroom communities during the 1880s and later. Many notable individuals of Columbus during the 19th century resided on the Near East Side. The Near East Side was a predominantly Jewish community consisting of wealthy Jewish doctors and businessmen. East High School was built to serve the burgeoning population on the Near East Side. During the latter parts of the 20th century as other established communities experienced the growing problem of white flight and urban decay. The Near East Side community remained strong until the 1970s and 1980s. Decline came about when many of the factories and labor type jobs with strong income began to closed in the inner-city. As they became outsourced the families dependent on that income could not maintain the same quality of life on lower income jobs.
[edit] Crime
The Near East Side has been criticized lately for being a hotspot for crime in the city. The area had 18 homicides in 2005. It is one of the leading places for murder in Columbus. Mostly gang related crimes, the Near East Side is territory for several gangs. In all other crime categories the area is either 2nd or 3rd, behind the Short North (University Area) and the west side. The Near East Side has historically been ignored by the city, but now news reports show the consequences. Some small projects are planned to help the struggling area, but more support must be shown to bring the area back to life and return it to the glory it once had - its full potential.
