Not long ago, an acquaintance of mine was shocked that I would suggest after she'd bitched at length about the conditions of our roads a midwestern city I'd visited (Columbus, Ohio) had worse roads than Charlotte. It seemed logical to me Columbus has much more snow and weather-related road damage. But conventional wisdom among the local alarmist set is that Charlotte's roads are hardly fit for a horse-and-buggy, much less a Civic. (Admittedly, our road system needs work, but put that need in perspective, OK)
Today's Observer has a story about gang-related activity anything from graffiti on up is rising in Charlotte, though estimated gang membership is not. I wonder what conventional wisdom about gangs seems to be in other cities.
Fond du Lac, Wisc.: Sheriff perplexed by DOJ's assertion of gang woes there Fond du Lac Reporter
Boston: Police setting up statewide database Boston Globe
Fort Sill, Okla.: Gang problems at U.S. Army base? The Oklahoman
Le Mars, Iowa: Gangs in rural Iowa? Daily Sentinel
Los Angeles: Delays hurt anti-gang efforts Los Angeles Times