Well, it does appear to be more an extension of Baltimore City...Look at the stores we attract in our shopping centers. Do you see any upscale stores coming here? The empty shops sit empty for a very long time... Then a new dollar store, or warehouse type store appears.
Also, it would be nice if UMBC students and employees would not turn a beautiful green field, which isn't even state property, into a parking area.

I have been here about ten years. First, Arbutus is a small town, not a suburb. Second, Arbutus, one of the true small towns left in America, has all the characteristics of a place that could become a green, walkable community. I too see trash when I am in the middle of town. It comes in the form of persons who appear to have a LTR with illegal substances; they have the tell-tale missing teeth and sunken cheeks to prove it. They attract all rats that cook, vend or otherwise provide those substances. Oh, did you mean other rats and trash?

Other than the sorts of beings no functioning person wants in their part of any county, I love this town. I chose to live here. New people are moving in, restoring charming old houses, and participating in the community. The police are responsive and community-centric. The Arbutus Volunteer Fire Department is active and present in the community.

The proximity to two a large cities, an airport, the commuter train makes this a terrific location for access to those things a small town cannot provide.

And, everyone who doesn't like it is free to move somewhere else!

I have lived in Arbutus for all my life, nearly 25 years, and I decided to purchase a home in Arbutus because I love the area. As a previous poster mentioned, the stores are constantly in flux. By no means do I think that Arbutus should draw in high-end stores because the demographic just is not here to support those types of businesses. Most of the residents are working class individuals. However, I feel that some effort could be expended to draw in some middle-of-the-road establishments. Also, most of the buildings in our East Drive district could just use a minor facelift. I do see a county worker out at least every few days cleaning trash up along the main intersection at East Drive and Sulphur Spring.

I also feel that Arbutus has a high amount of rental properties, at least that is what our realtor was telling us when we were looking at houses. This breeds the problem of having absentee property owners and renters who might not have a long-term interest in their community. Overall, if people just took a little more pride of ownership in their properties, I think it would make a noticeable difference. For example, there is a row of several houses on Sulphur Spring right across from Arbutus Elementary where a house has grass that is at least a foot and a half high and a house next door that has a ton of people over constantly that make it look like a frat house, complete with cars parked over the front lawn. Hopefully this changes over time with new residents.

My husband calls it Mayberry !! Come to the flag raising on Memorial Day at the flag poll in town. You will see the veterans and the people that have lived in Arbutus all of their lives so proud of this little town.

I agree JDR! What other town around here still has a soap box car derby like Arbutus does on Fourth of July? There are problems everywhere; no place is ever going to be perfect. As always tends to be the case, there is a small percentage of the population that does not care about their community and unfortunately that is what often stands out to people.

I moved here for the same reasons true small town,I have noticed that issues of Arbutus distance themselves from 21229 Northern Arbutus,We had an upswing when the shopping center was revitalized it looked like an attractive area,New Rite Aid building,Mars,and other stores The older generation is gone The old houses they lived in are turning into apartments That’s a two fold problem landlord not enforcing there property maintained and renters don’t care,the older generation not only cut there grass but flower gardens having pride of there home. The sign of the times the liquor store has steel doors to protect from B&E, empty stores old Shooks place with swingers club, a hip hop club I believe it was illegal. The confusion of the emergency communication system when calling 911 city police answers instead of county police. Zip code 29 has an Arbutus identity problem is one BIG ISSUE it needs to be 27 or 28 we don’t care which one look at a zip code map! The amount of renters out number home owners for the small area of Northern Arbutus, complexes that once was a nice place to live back in the day are run down and landlords don’t invest in upgrades lowering them to low income housing, sure we are in economic times and low income need a place to live, generation and economic issues contribute but some take advantage due to greed. Is the problem the people? The Government officials that wait for a group to form before they start earning their pay check that we provide them.

I grew up in N. Arbutus 21229, as a child I remember the dairy farm, the seminary, the carnival at the field which is now the Giant strip center. The farm burned down, townhouses went up, Slowly, Baltimore city started encroaching a great little town, we had to move in 1998, we found syringes in our yard. Our neighbor found crack in hers, working girls were walking up and down Wilkens Av. I don't know what the answer is, but unfortunately once the drugs move in, everything goes down quick.

I agree with Patricia; drugs come in, good people move out, crappy people move in. Although not official, the city line has basically enveloped Arbutus. I, too, have lived here all of my life (33 years) and have watched the area go from being so nice that children played in alleyways and in the parks, to going so far downhill that the children look like thugs, get off the bus cursing, smoking, and fighting, groups of kids hang in the street and refuse to move, cars get graffiti, people let their dogs crap in your yard and don't care to pick it up, and there is always a cop at the middle school. My son is almost 2, and we will move before he goes to middle school. I used to love this area... now, I'm almost ashamed and embarrassed to call it home. And, when we do move, it will not be to an area that is on or near the bus line!!!

We love it here. We lived for years in a "nice" neighborhood in Baltimore city where police helicopters circled and lit up our backyard several times every night, and simply going out for groceries could mean getting mugged in the parking lot, shot in the store, or shot as you bring groceries in (all of this happened within blocks of us last year). Here we can finally put away the pepper spray and get to know the wonderful neighbors. The proximity to parks, interstates, and shopping is phenomenal. The low prices and friendliness of the Sav A Lot are incredible. Every day, a new experience of kindness and peacefulness makes us even more grateful we found our way here. Thank you all for making us feel so welcome.

Definitely down the tubes! I have lived in Arbutus and Relay my whole life and have recently (within the past year) noticed a great increase in crime in my neighborhood! My father-in-law's truck has been broken into many times, although there is nothing of significant value to be stolen. I have witnessed under aged children walking up and down the alley teasing the dogs, smoking cigarettes and marijuana and drinking alcohol! Just the other night I went into my back yard to find a full grown man urinating in the alley! I am afraid to let my dogs into the yard witout supervision because I am afraid someone walking through the alley may harm them since I have already seen a young man attempt to punch one of them because he was barking (mind you, these are not small dogs by any means!) At this point the rats and trash are the least of our problems!

I ordered from Peapod delivery during a snow storm - they would not deliver to 21229 so I changed my order to 21228 and there was no problem - we are as much a part of Balto Cty as downtown Arbutus! I am here 49 yrs and both my daughters got a wonderful education here - I,too, see a difference in people walking by and more problems during the night,but the Balto County police have always been very responsive to us and our AVFD is second to none! Neighbors need to keep up their properties and watch out for each other!!!

Arbutus suffers from an identity crisis and is a victim of both location and layout.

Its identity crisis comes from its residents wanting "small town charm" with "suburb amenities." The two are simply incongruous. There is no room for a modern strip shopping center in town, yet that is the kind of place where people want to shop. They don't want to park on the street or in dilapidated parking lots, they want shopping centers that are like the managed properties found in Howard county.

We are never going to get it, either. That's because of our location and layout. Unless Arbutus is your destination, there's little reason to drive through. The MARC station is Arbutus's biggest asset in attracting outside dollars, but communters can get there without ever passing through town. The planned relocation of the Leeds Ave ramp to the inner loop is only going to exacerbate that.

The tracks themselves are even a hindrance. They prevent direct access to Southwestern Blvd from the inner loop if you're coming from the south, and I don't think adding it is part of the aforementioned planned ramp relocation. They also make it just inconvenient enough to downtown is "out of their way" for Halethorpe residents heading to other places.

I too live in Arbutus and have some mixed feelings about the opinions I have read. I do notice that our "main street" doesn't attract the more upscale businesses. However, are we going to support those upscale businesses? Why did Rita's leave? What are people looking for in Arbutus? Perhaps that's something our Business Associations should consider asking people. I voiced my opinion about what business might move into the old Super Fresh building. I was hoping for Trader Joe's or something similar. I don't find Arbutus particularly dirty, but do see places that could surely use some sprucing up. Maybe we need to think about having all the churches in Arbutus participate in a sort of "Habitat for Arbutus" weekend. We have the Habitat for Humanities resources right off Washington Blvd where less expensive supplies can be bought. I've lived in Arbutus for almost 23 years and for the most part feel safe here. Let's all think about how we can make it even safer, cleaner and more attractive to others.

Soap box derbies and a Flag ceremony doesnt make it May Berry! If it were only that simple. We don't need high end stores either but when Rita's can't survive and a " ciggerettes outlet" can there is something wrong. Where does it start? The established business that have been here for decades should be the leaders in promoting and keeping other shops around them succeed. These " Good Ol Boys Networks" take in money from the community and I see no improvements to their places year after year. I guess if you sponset a little league team every now and then you are a community actiivst ?? NOT! Just paint or change the facades of the fronts of the buildings, clean up how crappy the outside of the Parkin lots look. I am sorry but i don't consider graffiti on the side of th building is "art" it looks like Baltimore city as well as the stores when you walk inside of them. Take note of Paradise on Frederick Road , a new Salon opened up there and did so well has exPanded their space and just by doing a few things to the outside of that little strip of stores has made it look ten times better. They made it cute and young inside. This is not about crime that happens everywhere. It is not about high end stores It is about getting everyone involved and it might start with one little face book comment but something needs to change. May Berry Shmay Berry let's get this neighborhood fixed!

i think the comments you all make are funny. instead of sitting there typing storys about what the problems are you get your butts up and do something about it. talk is cheap and boring do something.
its also funny that "Arbutus Town Crier" uses ever chance they get to promote their blog. i cant stop laughing. get off you butt and go clean a yard or two.

I grew up in Arbutus, and moved out in 1993. I spent a few years away and have recently been back in town visiting family and friends. So I haven't seen the gradual decline, but I am appalled at what's become of the town. Super Fresh, gone. High's is now a "Pantry One" that seems to sell a lot of hookahs and marijuana pipes. This, of course, is right across the street from the cigarette outlet which also has, you guessed it, a lot of hookahs, pipes, bongs, and other drug paraphernalia. Sanitary, gone. Even the Sulphur Spring Inn is gone. Oh, and how can I forget the "Adult Bookstore" down the boulevard from Captain Dicks, the one that's shut down for glory holes. This is NOT the Arbutus I grew up in, and yes, it is totally going to hell.

I'm finding this conversation very interesting, but I don't know where I fall in opinion. I bought my house in Arbutus 2 years ago (in the apparently shady 21229 area; my main complaint with that is that the arbitrary zip code jacks up my insurance when I purposely bought in Baltimore County), and have been pretty happy. Most of my neighbors keep neat yards and homes; kids are outside playing on summer nights. While there's occasional crime near my home, there has been no violent crime, and certainly nothing more than I saw in my 5 years in downtown Annapolis. I feel safe walking around and know most of my neighbors, at least to say hi. That is a huge consideration.

What I do miss is having a walkable and vibrant downtown. Except for the antique store, and the now defunct Ritas, there isn't really anything in downtown Arbutus I'm interested in spending my money on. I don't know the solution to this. I'd love to support local business, but my money is limited, and I do almost all of my shopping- grocery on up, in Columbia or Pikesville. That's a shame.

I was speaking with a friend yesterday with a friend who grew up in Brooklyn Park. She was saying how sad it was what had happened in that community. She made a direct comparison to Arbutus, saying 30 years ago they were similar small town type communities. While Arbutus managed to stay that way, Brooklyn Park went downhill. So what has Arbutus been doing for the last 30 years, and how do we keep doing it?

I don’t believe it’s a sh_t hole, but it is heading in that direction Wilkins police dept I have great respect for, I know some of my family name is well known, one was in a shoot out where he defended himself and his partner was sent to shock trauma. I lost a great friend of mine in a back flash while fighting a fire. These are the Angels of Arbutus and they have the highest regards for there acts of Valor in the community. All the community activities, gathering trying to showcase Arbutus with the greatest intentions working together is just a part of solving certain issues. All the comments are legitimate
I witnessed the same negative underlying issues as others. Question is how do we reinvent and reverse course? Can we create a better Arbutus; I think we can put ideas out to attract businesses? We have artist of great talents, so how can Historic Ellicott City do it with the little retail area…. Come on throw out some idea’s that make Arbutus unique and be the showcases for other communities want to emulate.

The Arbutus Improvement Association meets once a month. 
Every last Sunday 7pm at Leon's in the downstairs banquet hall.
The meetings are open to all community residence who own or rent.
In attendance there is usually always a member of other area associations representing or not such as   Halethorpe and Lansdowne Improvement, ABPA, AVFD, WPCRO, etc...  Also in attendance is our Councilmen's Office as well as our State Delegates.   There is also a book which is located right next to the sign in sheet which shows the improvements the AIA has made since Sept.  Which also shows how much the members (community residence) care.  If you have a problem or a concern it is heard and acted upon. Change may not happen over night but it's CHANGING for the better.   When comments are made like this it's not taken seriously, voice it where it's really heard and makes a difference.  When someone emails or asks the AIA to address something We Do, but if you are not present to help with the questions a person who can fix it has then there is nothing we can go further on because then it becomes a guessing game.  This month our meeting fell on a holiday and has been canceled so i hope to see each of you at the next meeting in June!

Hi Nikki,

My understanding is that the Arbutus Improvement Association only includes a portion of Arbutus. I live in the 21229 zip code. Are we part of the area your association covers?

I do appreciate the way you're trying to steer the conversation to some positive action community members can take. Complaining and even analyzing only get you so far. At some point you need to get up and do something.

Nikki, we'll have to agree and disagree. I agree that change IS happening. But I disagree that it's changing for the better. Unless you consider "head shops", smut shops and dollar stores changing for the better? Is that what people want? They must, because THOSE seem to stay in business.

Apparently this group needs support more than any other to reverse the decline. Businesses are is the weakest link not the ones putting their energy in cleaning painting; if the community works creatively the issues can be solved. everyone will be painting and cleaning in vain, These are hard times (ABPA) fosters the growth and development of businesses in Baltimore County by encouraging the community to "buy local," attracting new businesses to the county and partnering with various organizations to strategically plan for the future. The ABPA advocates for maintaining a strong business district in Arbutus because without the tax revenues provided by businesses, residential property taxes would increase for home owners.

I agree there are some serious issues in Arbutus. Mainly, cleanliness and safety. But, I feel if EVERYONE (business owners, homeowners, county and state agencies could agree on the main problems, that they could be resolved. I still love Arbutus. Yes, I see the teenagers walking the streets at all hours, the graffiti, the loud cars up and down the street at all hours. But, those things really rely on the parents/guardians and the person themselves. I see the rental properties are really going down hill. And there are a lot of them now. Most of the "old school" residents have moved on and people buy the homes for investment. That's when the trouble starts with tenants that down care because it isn't there property. Also, I too agree that the businesses need to clean up there buildings and parking lots and quit catering to the teens just to generate money. But, while addressing the issues we have we must consider all genre and expectations as a whole community.

tbw, if you read the comments from everyone its Arbutus Business District has changed, Times have changed and needs to be addressed What I posted is the mission statement of (ABPA) If there mission is to foster growth and development in Baltimore County and use "Arbutus" not "Baltimore county business and professional Assc". I would expect they would have Arbutus as there showcase. this group is the only one that covers all of Arbutus. Look over the comments Susanna, Rob and Patricia on the decline. polish painting sweeping will be a viscous circle people will get tired of it and stop there efforts human nature,

Nice ad hominem attack, David Sohns. It's typical of someone who can not attack the substance of the debate to attack the debater himself.

Ya know.. it is really hard sometimes to keep being in service to the community when so much negativity is thrown at you. So.. the painting of the graffiti might not seem like much to a few people. To us it is one step in the right direction, we have lots of work to do folks. Currently we are working on a project to tear down the old rusted fencing on Hammonds Ferry Rd. and to have the overgrowth of vegetation removed. We are working with Code Enforcement to rehabilitate businesses. A community sweep will be held after our Dumpster Day/ Hillcrest Park cleanup. And guess what folks.. the same people who always help will probably be the only ones helping again. It must be nice to sit back and complain instead of picking up a paintbrush or a rake oe evn attend a meeting once in a while. May I remind folks that we are all VOLUNTEERS, we jobs and families too yet we manage to find the time. We are getting things done, everything can't be accomplished overnight. It would be so nice just to hear someone say thank you. Hang in there Nikki, you are doing a great job.

Chris Koloski, VP Lansdowne Improvement Association

ps............ If you want change.... then BE THE CHANGE !!

Nikki, thanks for coming over and showing your support for the tunnel painting and the Community Fair. By the way.. your donation was the ONLY one placed in our donation jar.. a lot of the things we have done this year have been funded out of own pockets. Thats how much we care for our community. Stay positive girl :)

I believe this has been a good debate, except for negative comments to people when this is not about everyone hard work. all the hard work is not making Arbutus attractive for business, local government to the top Seems like know ones gets it! we can paint and polish all we can over and over is due to the issues you wont address except "i did this' "we did this" does not solve it , Its more to it

Nikki, people made comments that some can not grasp the real issue. Let’s start for one. What is the reason tunnel required to be painted? Paint flaking off? Why did it get painted? It was needed and a job well done I must say and the wonderful people putting there time in for the community. Yes that is the right thing to do. But those rosy glasses need to come off and ask how can we stop the graffiti, crime, and other real issues, the REAL issues need to be talked about and have any constructive input so the work is not in vain? These are the real issues, I don't have the answer but if we can engage put ideas out there maybe, just maybe it can be resolved and not have to paint until nature and wear cause to repaint. It’s that simple and the facts: people called negative when presented with there facts and opinion, getting off the butt and painting is not the answer. I don’t care what Al statements are meant to distract attention and does a great job to promote ATC and I thank him for that. But to the real issues that need discussion. I created Arbutus Town Crier is to promote thought Creative suggestions for all of the Area Not self interest It’s for venting working for the best interest of the place we call home. So stop by put a issue out there were as a community can find the answers.

I live in the 21227 area of arbutus and we are over run with Rats and Drug dealer but we always felt we lived in Mayberry until just recently-like the past year...then the Rats and Drug Dealers moved in....whats a home owner to do?

Go down to Anne Arundel Farmers CO-OP across from Michael 8th Ave they sell one inch block cubes of Rat poison 4 lbs bucket get the green ones for out door Place them in the holes close the hole up. Then put the cubes where dogs and cats get to them. That plus the feral cats maintain our balance, Now the drugs contact Wilkins precinct inform them of the location, the dealers are smarter now cell phone hand to hand takes 5 second transaction. The other transaction type is the dealer has located the stash and the buyer will be on the cell Ph looking around for the location for the drop off point. Keep a log of Location, time of transaction, and description tag # the transactions are so fast gather as much information. By the time you reach for the phone the deal is done their gone. I suggest all do this for the crime I will post this information on my Blog this is part of the reason I created it for you My Neighbors, There is always an answer some where by one or collectively.

No! Arbutus is not going down the tubes yet, but it certainly could go there quickly if measurements are not taken. Many nice neighborhoods like Arbutus with town centers have gone down the tubes, and most likely because action was not taken when the first signs of decay were noticed. A clear example of the onset of decay in Arbutus is displayed right here in the photo heading the article. The photo shows a trash receptacle in shambles with graffiti and stickers all over it and a broken leg, based on it's listing appearance. The fence too is in shambles. Its top rail is bent, and the whole thing appears to be in disrepair. It appears to serve little purpose except to cordon off the beer garden once a year during the Arts Festival. It should be repaired, replaced or removed. Same with the trash receptacle and the many that look just like it. Many will blame the government for not taking action, but quite simply, they don't have the money to monitor the graffiti on trash cans, park benches, etc..

Active concerned community members and neighborhood organizations must to be willing to get dirty and do some work on their own, like painting over graffiti, or else the evil forces of urban decay will creep in while we're not paying attention. When things like this trash can and fence are ignored, the area looks more inviting to the mutants sporting wife beater tank tops that hang on the bus stop bench at the nearby corner. Don't let the mutants feel comfortable, or else they'll stay for good. This measure may sound way to shallow and simplistic for some commenters, but it will make an improvement nonetheless.

Cont…
Many rental houses are not even registered then you have the Apartment complexes have been neglected and run down so much in the need of greed some need to be condemned. Since there so run down and outdated windows no insulation Lead paint with many coats of latex paint One complex gets a rating of 14% livability. Some allege its immigrant sanctuary for an area for years in these deplorable conditions’s welcome to America live in this dump. If I was the one doing trying to do good for others I would be ashamed to put them there. Have they no decency? But these low rent complexes rental houses attract mutants (Mike’s word) and some decent respectable people but the balance of the scale is tipped same as rental homes, Have you looked at the zip code area, of Baltimore City not the county. Is there a reason for this zip code and a connection with for these places Just look at the zip code map. Makes you wonder?

Besides painting and repair lets address how we can change? plenty of complaints. how about being diligent like call 911 when something just don't seem right or suspicious. don't second guess If it looks like a duck let our finest look into your suspicion, It may quack.! You may just save a life, B&E, or the paint can man. When you call they chart where issues are located, let the dispatcher decide what you see is credible enough . They do a big part and they do make a a big difference
Now I started a solution can someone else like to join in? come on lets get to the root of things

When my son (who is now 32) was a teenager kids were not allowed to congregate on East Dr., the police chased them off. Now I see people, not necessarily teenagers, but a lot of whom look like they may be homeless or maybe mentally ill. They are sitting on the benches in groups or just hanging around. This would be great if it were grandma and grandpa or mom and dad and kids, but not these sleazy looking characters. In fact they are probably the ones dealing the drugs.

CAW21227, their are allot of issues the community but most will not discuss how we can get our community back, no one wants to discuss why we have these issues and correct them. Like I said before the painting and cleaning needs to be done.but the community don't get it. The community were people think paint and cleaning will fix the issues and why they enjoy doing it over and over again, I have not read any constructive debate on how can we do to stop the graffiti, what can we do to attract business or think of a theme for east drive to be a popular place specialty shops unique eatery's NOTHING except paint and cleaning while cheering each other like we were at a football game.. once the community engages in ideas and can picture what they want Arbutus to be, and work on what they picture, change can happen. Only engaging of the mind, and unity can build the Arbutus we knew but even better. So engage in productive discussion , be creative, and have a vision , Or Arbutus community will be known only as painters and waste management that once was Mayberry. But with Imagination working toward the future making and being creative and meeting goals moving forward can work, if they want to

Arbutus Town Crier, with all due respect toward your desire to better your community, I don't think you are going to be successful in the fashion that you are currently employing. Your comments are riddled with very poor grammar and ramble on rather incoherently. I think you are scaring people. Your comments really resemble Ted Kazinski's manifesto. Is your neighbor's dog telling you to write these comments?

You are going way too deep to get anyone's attention.

I don't think so the founding fathers who wrote the Declaration of Independence,The Constitution at a time when people had no schooling, used an X for there signature, and later generations had only 8th grade education. Its not deep at all its simple but you may be right in some aspects sometimes the easiest things are the hardest. I will take you comment into consideration for the good of the people. please feel free to comment on my comments in a positive manner or if you would put it into laymen terms. only request is truth and respect of ones opinion. We may help create a vision that is positive. Chillin I have one thing to add, I have talked to people from different area's in agreement of what I blog BUT are truly afraid of making comments in fear of there email address to found out conveying the issues. and a good amount would truly feel this way.

Jeremy, you may be right BUT the way you state your issues are not the way to get your point across. Yes their are racial issues, the pendulum may have swung the opposite way. and your comment fuels the fire. who knows why the things are the way they are? maybe some Military organization took an oath to disrupt misinform and re write history for people to think the way they do. it may be, who knows unless you search history and be informed

Jeremy,
There are problems that have nothing to do with race. For instance, illiterate, uneducated racists such as yourself are symptomatic of the overall decline.

Its not racist its called realism look around!!!

The situation you describe may or may not be real. However, your derogatory choice of language IS racist regardless of the situation. Grow up and learn to have an intelligent, literate, adult conversation if you want to be taken seriously.

chillin,why don't you go swallow another anti-depressant you stupid cracker

You're not helping your case any.

@jeremy s, Yo Chillin was illin for a bit, but I took the pills that my doctor gave me and I feel all happy now. No more crittizims Yo. YO!, y'all got your comment taken off cause they can't handel it, yo. WTF! Tell us what's rong wit Arbutus n Morrell Park agin. They ain't gittin it man. Reality sucks like an MF yo. spell it out to tha blind as they can't see. Betta use the man's wurd thogh, so they don't snuff out your comment again. Down wit it yo.

How many barber shops do we need in Arbutus, anyway? I went through there again today and I counted no less than FOUR between the end of East Drive and the Hollywood. What's up with that.

Yes, you do, Patti-Sue. There's one down by the Pizza Boli and the Hallmark store (is that still there?). There's one by the old Arbutus Hardware that is now a bizarre combination cycle shop / pit beef stand it would appear. A third stands directly across the street from that one, and the fourth is over next to the Hollywood theatre. And it was simply commentary, is all. I was checking out what sort of businesses survive in Arbutus nowadays, and it just struck me as very odd. I was also surprised to see that in addition to the two "head shops" I know of, there's also a "hookah lounge". Who knew?!

It's simple: Get the kids involved in cleaning and protecting their own neighborhood. They should grow up with pride in where they were raised. If they are accustomed to supporting the area, they will not be involved in its destruction or decline or whatever terms we have been using.
First, be a model. Speak positively of your own community and keep your own property as you would have all others keep theirs.
Next, adopt a section of a road. Clean up trash once a week. Rake leaves, plant flowers . . .
Get involved in a neighborhood association and volunteer to complete projects (like the amazing ones that have been mentioned). Find KIDS to help! They need service hours for school . . .
One more thing . . . be POSITIVE! Your home is what you make of it!
(Yes, I know that I repeated myself, that was the point).

Oh, and be positive! Be the change! Make a difference!

One big change would be a good start and make a difference I will post later

Seriously, Paul? Where are the head shops? I don't even LIVE in Arbutus any more (my father does) and I know where they are. One is disguised as a "cigarette outlet" on East Drive, a few doors down from Sorrento's and where the Rita's USED to be. Sure, they cell cigarettes, but they're selling an awful lot more than cigarettes in there too. The second one is across the street there disguised as "Pantry One" - it used to be the High's. Now it's a ghetto "convenience store" that peddles paraphernalia aws well. Sure, I know, you use those little pipes and bonds to smoke your tobacco, yeah, yeah, we know.

This ii the plan for down grading 21229 and other areas instead of Improving, is being PUSHED on us We fight an uphill battle to to improve our neighborhood?
At least 75% of the units must be occupied by low-income residents and either (1) at least 20% of the units must be occupied by very-low-income residents or (2) 40% must be occupied by residents that do not exceed 120% of the very-low-income limit for the area in which the housing is located (up to 25% of the units may be provided at market rates to residents who have incomes in excess of the low-income limit).

The project must actually be occupied by poor and distressed residents, subject to a reasonable transition period (typically one year) to place the project into service.
The housing must be affordable to the charitable beneficiaries.
If the project consists of multiple buildings and each building does not separately meet the safe harbor requirements, the buildings must share the same grounds.

@Patti Sue Nolan, well I gave you the RAW Truth Documented info! info what can you do? if these cannot be corrected how do you expect for Arbutus to regain the heritages that Arbutus deserves? What should have happened was instead of slop allot or what ever the name of the depressed store in Superfresh was The Amish
restaurants and bakery instead of Patapsco would have drawn other business into our great town. Maybe Arbutus can be a place of artisans natural food etc to draw in

you asked

Fuck arbutus. I got robbed twice in one week. Around 5k of stuff in total.

Be more Active and "work with your neighbors", and you may want to change your name for starters .

I've grown up in Arbutus and I have seen a definite change in the lifestyle here. As a kid I was able to ride my bike around and hang out anywhere without feeling threatened. Now, being older, I'm practically scared to walk around alone. I've had my car broken into twice. It's been vandalized two more times. Bot of my brothers cars have been vandalized. I was victim of armed robbery twice in three months. Like, really?

Plus, Arbutus is boring and does not offer a lot of opportunity. Adolescents have nowhere to go and spend their time. I guess the only option is to hangout at the former AES gazebo. Either that or a hookah lounge or antique shop. Arbutus needs something more than a movie theatre for the kids.

On the topic of opportunity, since Arbutus is so small and many businesses do not have ample enough business to expand, job opportunities suck! There's nearly no where to have a 'professional' job so our middle class workers must branch away from Arbutus. In addition, teenagers looking for jobs are often denied because either the establishment can't afford to pay wages or they have no room for anymore employees because the ones that do have jobs there keep them for a long time since job opportunity is poor. And what are the teenagers to do? Without a license or a ride outside of Arbutus they can't work.

I would like to see more family restaurants in Arbutus. How about a Cracker Barrel!?