Why Pick on the Renters?

A few days ago, the local newspaper cited an opt-repeated statistic about "the renters." It was a direct quote from the county administrator here in Escambia County. According to this statistic(which has multiple iterations but carries the same implications), renters are bad news for neighborhoods. Allegedly, renters bring higher rates of crime and bring the overall value of neighborhoods downward due to code infractions and just the overall "trashiness" that comes with being a non-homeowner. I put "the renters" in quotes to magnify just how crazy this statistic really is. It's as if we are "the aliens" or "the others."

I have been taught to question any blanket statements. Blanket statements are inherently dangerous, and this is a perfect example. To refute, I happen to be a renter, and I see no problem with it. Here's some reasons:

• I am a long-term renter. I pay my taxes, cause no problems, and actually know most of the neighbors who live near me (who also happen to be renters).
• My neighbors also a law-abiding, tax paying citizens who run the occupational gamut from insurance sales to teaching to being a full-time student. They are all trying to make a honest living.
• The recession brought many former homeowners into being renters once they went through the process of foreclosure. Does this make those former homeowners part of the dangerous "renting class" now?

I feel safe in my neighborhood. I like my neighbors. Our neighborhood is clean. We are all renters here. I think that renting will become more of a long-term reality for a lot of the population in this country due to the recession that we are now climbing out of. That is why it is utterly ridiculous to make a blanket statement that "the renters" are all a bunch of trouble. It is unfortunate that this statement is so prevalent in our culture. Sure, some renters probably are trouble makers in their neighborhoods. But I would also be willing to bet that some homeowners also cause trouble in their neighborhoods as well. The county administrator needs to realize that he is in office on behalf of all citizens in Escambia County, not just homeowners. We troublesome "renters" just happen to help pay him each month!