Crime a Mainstay in One Neighborhood

Memphis, Tn - Just off Kansas Street in South Memphis, brothers Robert Foster and Eric Bowen have for years sat on a porch and watched the toll time and crime have taken on their now desolate neighborhood. Considering they're surrounded by abandon ramshackle homes with cardboard windows, their perch is far safer than walking.

"We hear gunshots around through the neighborhood all the time," says Foster. "You have to watch it. You don't know whose going to drive up the street or down the street. You don't know if they've got a target for your house or they just be shooting."

Having lived more than 20 years in the community, both brothers are familiar with the criminal exploits of the area's most infamous native convicted drug king pin, Craig Petties. With Petties and some of his former mob members on trial and facing long prison sentences, the brothers are by no means convinced that for, Kansas or the streets around, that crime is going to take a holiday.

"Just cause he's in jail that ain't gonna stop nothing. Not gonna stop it. That ain't gonna stop it," says Foster.

Bowen see the cycle continually repeating, "You just got one and another one coming right behind him or one that was doing the same thing he was doing…They looking at the fast money. I can make this. I'm seeing you riding around in this. I'm seeing you get all this money. I can do the same thing."

Foster says the neighborhood's decline has been steady since the days when city services were prevalent. Now, with gutted houses making up most of the landscape, unattended trash and the constant movement of older residents out of the community, the brothers are still hoping city government will take note of area's plight. But, they aren't holding their breath.

"Until somebody can get in office and step up to bat and swing the bat and make the first swing. South Memphis gonna look just like this," says Foster.

But, while the brothers don't know if and when change will come, the reality of the present is clear. One gangster behind bars is not a reason to celebrate.

"There's more Craig Petties in the world."