KC loan officer: Kansas City, bah!

Of the 170+ comments that landed on 1 stabbed in street brawl at The Point, none were as acerbic as two emails I got from David H., a loan officer at a prominent local mortgage firm:

• 3:41 p.m.:
• What do you expect from a place like the point, or any other dump in Missouri,  mid-town is a complete disgrace filled with trash, everyday something happens,
• These sick fools that are out late at night should just be removed from the list.

• 3:54 p.m.:
• I reply thanking him for his email, with regards, etc.

• 3:56 p.m.:
• No problem,  I am dead serious, 
• KCMO is a freaking wreck.,
• All the way from downtown, past bannister mall.

So there, Kansas City. A mortgage loan officer - whose job it is to spread the joy of home ownership in our town - has spoken!

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Comments

[christina]

Nice PLEASE do not help me with a loan, if his atitude is anything compared to his work ethic, we are all screwed!

[The D]

Because profanity is not allowed on this blog I will just say that if you don't like it here ... then get out.

(The D: Sorry, but I try and delete gratuitous name-calling, too. Greg Reeves)

[Jamie]

Interesting......so does he only push properties in Johnson County?? Just curious.

[You're a mean drunk R2D2]

Hmm, I have a feeling that David is a people person. And if he's going to make the comments he is, he may want to not use his work email which is easy to figure out who he is and who he works for.

[lr]

I think he needs to work for himself and not be around the general public much. Doesn't seem to have much PR and marketing prowess.

[K.]

I live in KCMO. Many of my friends live in Johnson County and have the same opinions of KCMO that this guy has. I guess it's a to-each-his/her-own situation, as I really dislike Johnson County and wouldn't move there if I could avoid it. Being somewhat new to the metro, but married to a longtime resident, it baffles me that there is such a hostile divide between JC and KCMO. If you think KCMO is so awful, why not try using your area of professional experience to help change things?

[Jeff]

Please don't assume that one jerk mouthing off on the internet is representative of our industry.

The fact that he works at a "prominent" mortgage company is not a valid point in and of itself. Anyone can work for a mortgage company. A loan officer doesn't need to pass licensing exams or be held personally liable financially for his or her actions. It is the BROKER of the office who assumes this responsibility.

Now, if a BROKER was making the above comment, it would be worthy of discussion. This guy is not relevant.

/I own a mortgage company.

[Jen]

I just feel so sorry for his children...

[lr]

Good point , Jeff. That man needs some personality skills.

[The Angry Conservative]

Johnson County and KCMO (Jackson County) are at odds mostly because of how different the two counties are despite being so close together. Just look at Mission Hills around the golf course (just south of Shawnee Mission Parkway @ State Line) and then go north about half a mile to 47th St, and you're in KCK (BIG difference). KCMO around that area really isn't that bad, IMHO, though.

There are areas of JoCo (where I live) that I would consider....um...not well cared for...but this is limited mostly to the northern areas near the section of KCK that is south of I-35 and older Olathe (which is nowhere near KCK or KCMO.

I like the downtown area, myself, but some of those streets down there are god-awful. Granted this will likely get better once post-arena development kicks in (if not before), but still.

But to consider what's fair and what isn't....if you had to pick, where would you rather be walking on a dark night at 2 am? 135th and Metcalf or ANYWHERE on Broadway in Midtown?

The big difference between the two counties is money. Joco is sh....excreting...money whereas Jackson and Wyandotte (west side by the track, aside) are not. Crime is high in both Wyandotte and Jackson. The VAST majority of murders in the metro occur in KCK and KCMO...and it's not just because they comprise most of the metro.

Nothing short of a hard (and I do mean HARD) crackdown on street violence (that means build as many jails as it takes) and make it clear that stupid behavior will either get you killed or get you locked up.

However, between the fact that this will never happen and the fact that you can't really legislate stupidity or prevent maladjusted people from breeding....it's a foolish dream, I'm afraid.

I will NOT buy a house in Jackson or Wyandotte. Do I really need to explain why?

[Luan]

that guy got his own blog section on here. how do i go about getting one too? i hate kcmo too!

[milwolf]

I have lived in northwestern Independence my entire life . Frankly, I strongly agree with David. Jackson County -- KC, Raytown , and western Independence are becoming ghettos. In the case of Independence, the civic leadership has abandoned us because they want to profit from their land investments in the Little Blue Valley. Also, they are encouraging the migration of low- income
( welfare Section 8) housing to proliferate in my part of town. My position is supported is supported by the State Education Department demographic statistics. While I prefer to live in western Independence because of the convenience, I am planning to move into the Blue Springs School District inorder to protect my quality of life.

[sasquach]

Most of my friends who live in KCMO and like it do so because they get hassled by the cops less. They can throw loud parties with people drinking and smoking pot without the man bringing them down. Unfortunately this means the cops hassle everyone less, which means more crime. JC has no crime (to speak of anyway) because the real criminals know that JC cops don't mess around. They have nothing better to do than ruin your day. I complain about JC cops being jerks quite a bit, but the truth is that they made my parent’s neighborhood (Mission) as safe as it was. Can't say the same about my grandparents neighborhood anymore (75th and Holmes).

[openmind]

As far as I am concerned, Johnson County is at the top of my "Places most detached from reality" list. The funniest thing is that so many JoCo people have never gone west of Lawrence or east of Columbia and they speak with absolute authority about things they know nothing about. Hey, I have never tried lobster, but let me tell you the best way to cook it.

I live downtown and would not move to JC if you bought my off-white house for me, gave me a minivan and a Volvo, and even through in a $500 shopping spree at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Sometimes I sit and ponder how many Brads, Chads, Laurens, Abbey (Abbie and Abby too), and Chips I would have to meet before I puked. My guess around 12, give or take a Jon.

People who actually live downtown aren't scared because they dont spend all of their time in gated communities and know how to interact with a wide variety of people.

Since when did homogeneity become an asset to a community?

[Liz]

I am very tired of all the judgementalism that goes on in this town, and everywhere else. I live in Johnson Country and I love KCMO too. I go to Midtown all the time and have wonderful experiences. There is a lot of creativity and energy there. I love the diversity I see too. Both Johnson County and KCMO have good and bad points. Why does it need to be a competition?

[openmind]

*threw

[d]

please, to the guy who claims he is someone because he is a broker or record.

wow, it is a breeze to get licensed in ks or mo. i have broker licenses in both states. i have my own warehouse line. you are a typical softie who refuses to acknowledge that KCMO is in bad shape.

by the way, a monkey can " own a mtg. co. " big deal

[d]

by the way i am the l.o who made the comments

[d]

by the way i am the l.o who made the comments

[d]

yeah, yeah, yeah, the energy, the creativity of mid-town. puuuhllllease

i am referring to the massive amt of crime, and general state of chaos in KCMO. watch the news

[Jeff]

I didn't say I was somebody.

I said you were a nobody.

What's your license number in Missouri?

[openmind]

"watch the news"

problem numero uno

[ScooterJ]

>But to consider what's fair and what
>isn't....if you had to pick, where
>would you rather be walking on a dark
>night at 2 am? 135th and Metcalf or
>ANYWHERE on Broadway in Midtown?

That's easy... Broadway/Midtown. At 135th & Metcalf there's probably no sidewalks and no good pedestrian crossings and at 2am the only drivers are going to likely be drinks flying by in big fat SUVs with no expectation that any pedestrians will be out. :) (I've walked along Broadway a few times at 2am and later without feeling any worry, and I walk downtown every night. And no, I'm not a hooker. ;) )

[sasquach]

I agree with d. At 75th and Holmes (which isn't even that bad of a neighborhood), at the gas station in January, 2 moron pulled guns and dumped a clip each at each other. Neither one hit the other. I've never heard of a shootout in Johnson County between anyone other than the police themselves, and even those cases are very rare. For that matter, I've never heard of a 20 person bar brawl in JC either. That's not to say that KCK/KCMO don't have their good points. They really are just more crime ridden.

[d]

like i would give you any numbers. Mr. " i own a mtg. company " you put it all out there right then.

i can see it now.

[openmind]

Greg, Do you have any statistics for KCMO crime rates? current v. past rates or KC v. other large cities.

[Lance McNack]

... And this guy is in mortgages? I'm a realtor that works very closely with mortgage officers, and I'm also a mid town resident. Although he has the right to his opinion, he should not try to make money off of the "trash" in mid town or anywhere else in the area. Mid town is actually a great place to live with alot of diversity. Sure some parts of KC aren't the greatest, but that goes on in any city or town in America. Every city or town in the Metro area has "bad" or "ghetto" parts to them. Why does everyone act like KC is the only city with ghettos around here?Look at the oldewr parts of Johnson County, Parkville, Blue Springs etc. Whats the difference? Besides that, if you don't like KC, simply move away from the area or continue to live in the really boring and fake suburbs.

[d]

yeah, " fake suburbs "

that is where people move, because the school system is not even recognized by the united states as legitimate.

i guess fake suburbs are better than fake schools and fake r/e agents

[ScooterJ]

You do realize that the KCMO School District is only 1 of 14 school districts that serve Kansas City, MO, don't you? And that some of those other 13 districts are better than most you'll find in JoCo?

[Theresa M]

Who really even cares what this guy thinks? I don't!

[d]

goodbye ...

[crazyj]

I agree with openmind. I hate generalizations, however growing up in KCMO, living in DC, then moving back here 7 years later gave me an oppurtunity to see how real cities function. Overland Park is not a real city, it is and always will be a suburb of Kansas City, as well as all the other towns in Kansas. So the next time you guys build another strip mall, with the same crappy stores as the one down the street, and communicate with people that looks like you because there is no diversity in JO, drive over to Kansas City, MO, go to the airport and catch a flight to Chicago, LA, DC, New York, Houston, Dallas, or Boston and observe the things that give these cities their mystique. It is not how bumpy the roads are (most BIG cities have that problem in sections of the city), it's not the amount of strip malls, it's the people. And the people in JO, are as bland Overland Parks skyline (whoops, that doesn't exist). So Johnson countians who hold these opinions about KCMO, you live in Johnson County, that's not even a freaking city ..., so don't compare you're county to our diverse BIG city in Missouri.

[Jamie]

Quote from Lance: "Sure some parts of KC aren't the greatest, but that goes on in any city or town in America. Every city or town in the Metro area has "bad" or "ghetto" parts to them."

Well said Lance. I received an email from mr. loan officer who wanted to know what the big deal was. I stated my point which was this:

You personally going to attack me now because of something I said?

I do watch the news, as well as work downtown in KCMO. I see the potholes, the homeless people, and the filth. And I have been down here after dark as well. I am not afraid to be down here. No matter where you go, no matter what city, what county - there are ALWAYS bad spots. Not all of KCMO is horrible.

I see some people are trying to make changes for the better down here, and I see others like you just bitching about it. And most of those just bitching about it come from JOCO. I lived there, and would not ever go back. JOCO people, for the most part, have the worst attitudes and are so high and mighty.

I know a lot of single people that live downtown and love it. It may not be for everyone. But don't you knock it if you don't like it. No one is forcing you to live in KCMO, or even visit there for that matter.

As I said, I did not like JOCO, and would not go back there. My choice. He doesn't like KCMO? Don't go there. That is simple - just as Lance stated. I too stated, as Lance did, that EVERY city has a bad spot.

Mr. Loan Officer's response? "There are not “ bad spots “ in all cities." I asked him to name one city.

His response? Leawood. I am sorry Mr. Loan Officer David, I consider Leawood a town, not a city. How can you compare Leawood to KCMO? Give me a city comparable in size to KCMO that has no bad spots in it.

[sasquach]

Salt Lake City?

[The Angry Conservative]

CrazyJ:

Overland Park is not a "real city"? Overland Park BY ITSELF is the second largest city in Kansas. They have their own fire and police departments, and they run their city overall 10 times better than KCMO or KCK does.

The only thing that differentiates a regular suburb from a city like KCMO is that they happen to be in the same cluster of cities...that's it. If KCMO was wiped off the map, OP would be just fine.

The crime rates, average education levels, quality of schools, etc. of JoCo (which is comprised of a lot of different towns) make KCMO (which is one big city but is, of course, segmented by school districts, etc.)look pathetic...any way you slice it.

If you're definition of "mystique" is high crime, poor education, a lot of no-class citizens (not referring to everyone), and urban blight....well....you can have it. On the other hand, JoCo is not straight "vanilla" and it's not all good.

People have the right to live where they want. I'm not exactly sure how you can chastise JoCo residents when the evidence against the "mystique" of your county is damning. People say the same thing about the Ninth Ward in New Orleans...doesn't change the fact that it is and was a slum.

[sasquach]

Well I guess thats not true either ("SLC Punk");)

[Champion of Justice]

People have their own opinions.

[ScooterJ]

"Overland Park is not a "real city"? Overland Park BY ITSELF is the second largest city in Kansas."

Hahaha! That's like saying that the second biggest city in Montana or North Dakota is a real city. :)

[sasquach]

Interesting point:

Half the reason KCMO is the lovely city that it is today is because Leavenworth wanted too much money for the land to build the railroad yard. That's right, KCMO is the result of a Kansas screwed up. That's all we really are. Overgrown Cowtown on the railroad line.

[KMW]

I grew up in JOCO, now live in KCMO, and wouldn't think of living in suburbia again. I live ON the Plaza and pay less than $500/month in rent. I can walk to the grocery store, and take the bus anywhere I need to go that's not in walking distance. I couldn't make it on my current salary in JOCO where rents are higher and a car is practically mandatory. Not to mention I like the movement and diversity of midtown (which I can walk to!) I just don't dig the homogeneity of JOCO though it was a safe (if boring) place to grow up.

People who think downtown/midtown KC is 'filthy' need to see some other big cities and then make comparisons. I lived in Sao Paulo and THAT is a crime-ridden, filthy city. (that I desperately love!)

[OldMan]

Well,

I live in JOCO, mainly because of the schools and I'm partial to Kansas. But my children are all out of school and my grandchildren are starting school. I'd prefer my grandchildren attended SM schools, like their parents did.

Yes, every city has its bad area. You learn where itis and stay away, if possible.

I enjoy living close to the state line. Being in a suburb gives me the pleasures of a small town and the enjoyment of a big city. I get the best of both worlds.

There are many fine restaurants in KCMO and I'm not talking high dollar restaurants. I like the little restaurants like the one @ Scmiecka's in Gladstone; Streetcar @ Crown Center; the Flea market in Westport; Bryant's barbeque; Smokestack BBQ on Wornall; Jess & Jim's in Martin City; Cascone's in the River Market and there are thousands more!

You don't wanna be in KCMO, hey...it's a free country, don't go. Leaves that much more wonderful food for me!

[Crime Scene KC]

Hi opennmind,

Years ago I compared property and personal crime rates between Kansas City south of the river to Kansas City, North and Johnson County.

I need to dig updated figures out of UCR (Uniform Crime Reports) data, but I believe the pattern is longstanding - and fairly alarming.

I'll spell out what I know in a post tomorrow. I hope readers of this thread come back for that, because the post will be on a topic closely related to this one.

Thanks,

Greg Reeves

[Jamie]

This should be interesting - thanks Greg!

[Faith]

I don't understand why so many folks seem to seriously dislike the people that live in JoCo. I live in JoCo, and prefer to live there because of it's location in the city. I can get to my dentist down at 128th and Metcalf in the same time it takes me to get to my job on the Plaza from my home, and THAT is a lovely thing!

I love checking out different parts of town, and do so often when my boyfriend and I go to dinner every week. Whether it's in Westport, or Downtown KC, or south Overland Park, we spread the love, my friends. It's one of the great things about living in a city like KC, and having the advantage of the suburb options outside of Downtown.

These comments about JoCo inhabitants are really offensive. I'm not from this area originally, but I don't see why it is that since I choose to live in JoCo, I'm viewed as being racist, or self-centered, or a non-advocate for diversity. I'm all for it! I know that in certain areas of JoCo, you might not find too many folks like me, but we do exist! So lay off, will you all? In my neighborhood particularly, I think you'd find that diversity is welcomed, and I think it's talk like this in these comments that keep people from believing that changes can be made. (And here, here, Angry Conservative! You really make some good points out here, man.)

[Jamie]

Faith,

I never said EVERYONE is JOCO was that way....I said most people where that way. When I lived over there, I didn't meet JoCo standards according to most of the people I ran into. I know there are some nice people over there, but not where I was living obviously.

As far as location - it took me one hour and 15 minutes to drive to the river market district to go to work every morning. I moved just as many miles away on the MO side - now it takes 20 minutes. I-35 in JoCO is a nightmare.

All I must say is watch your back. JoCo will have you conforming in no time.

[SICK AND TIRED]

kansas city is trash...
rapes and muggings on the plaza...
crime...drugs...and murders from
50th to 5th street
meth on every street corner...
beggars killing stop lights downtown..
dirty...nasty looking city...
NO WONDER JOHNSON COUNTIANS ARE STAYING
OUT OF KCMO...WHAT A PIT OF A CITY IT IS.

[OldMan]

Jamie,

I've lived in JOCO for over 15 years (this time) and I'm not a conformist.

I understand everything you say about the snobs that live in JOCO, I just make it a point not to worry about them.

After all, the only person I have to impress, is me!

[aquaman]

There are bias on both sides of state line.

We live where we live because we enjoy the neighborhoods. We have bias against the others because we don't understand why the other would want to live differently than ourselves.

There are cultural differences. Some people embrace diversity and some people are wary of diversity.

Let's just all come together and make love, not war.

[aquaman]

Oldman, do you impress yourself?

[KMW]

Yay Aquaman! That's how I feel. I just happen to have a KCMO bias since I live there and it suits my chosen lifestyle better than JOCO.