In the 14 years that I've had this blog, I have always chosen to share photographs of the attractive things about Philadelphia, such as: the beautiful architecture, the parks, and the rich American history.
However, today I would like to share a different side of Philadelphia.
The filthy side.
Like with any place, there are positives and negatives. And when it comes to Philly, one of the negatives is that half the residents here care about this city, while the other half could care less; particularly when it comes to doing their part in keeping this city clean. It's so much more convenient for them to throw their trash on the ground than in a trash receptacle. And although I can honestly say that this city does not supply nearly enough trash receptacles on our streets, even if they did, I'm sure I'd still see a ton of trash on the sidewalks and streets because I've watched people toss trash in spite of being 2 inches away from a trash receptacle. And they do it with a sense of entitlement.
There is also a phenomenal amount of crime, homelessness, aggressive panhandling, and drug use. But those are things that many Philadelphians won't tell you about when boasting about this city because they live in an alternate reality called denial. It's a city that believes if they don't look at something by ignoring it, then "it" doesn't exist. And that includes our governor and mayor because they walk around with blinders on. They create laws and then don't enforce them.
But trust me, as someone who is a native-Philadelphian who's also lived in many different places in comparison, this city has some major problems.
However, in this post, I'm going to focus primarily on the trash.
Before I begin, I would like to share two articles that you can read if you wish. They both confirm my claims:
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Please note that some of these photographs are mine, others I found online while googling for images of trash in Philadelphia.
Also, these images are prior COVID-19. And I say that because this city likes to focus the blame outside itself, rather than taking responsibility. The trash and dirt you see in these photographs were long before the COVID pandemic.
It's known as the Philadelphia TRASH pandemic.
And I've watched this pandemic escalate every year since moving back here in 2001-- the past four years being the absolute worst.
WARNING:
You may want to use a pair of goggles and some hand sanitizer before and after scrolling through these photographs...
This is a street in South Philadelphia...
Notice how certain Philadelphia residents choose to dump their own trash bags next to street receptacles...
These last several photographs are of Kensington, which is one of the scariest places in Philly. A gal I used to work with had a home there that she and her husband recently sold. They couldn't take living there any longer because of the filth, crime, and drug addicts living on the streets. She not only moved out of the city, but to another state altogether.
When you look at these photographs, I'm sure you'll ask yourself, "Why doesn't the city do something about this?" And I would love to answer that for you, but I don't have one other than, "You're right, why don't they?"
And that's what I meant when I said at the start of this post, "It's a city that believes if they don't look at something by ignoring it, then "it" doesn't exist."
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the exquisite town of Kensington...
Notice the drug users in this photograph who can't even stand up. And this is something you not only see in Kensington, but I've witnessed it countless times in Center City, where I live.
They look like zombies in the movie, "Night of the Living Dead", don't they?...
These two people were so wasted, they just passed out on the subway stairs, while everyone else had to walk around them...
Sorry to gross you out mid-week, but I couldn't go a minute longer without sharing the trashy side of this city, that just keeps getting trashier.
And I conclude this post by saying three things to Philadelphia...
Open your eyes!
Clean up your act!
and
Have a fantastic rest of your week, everyone!
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Hi! Someone forwarded me your post because they knew I would enjoy it, and I did. As a native Philadelphian myself, I wanted to say that every thing you said about the trash, crime, panhandlers and druggies is 100% correct! That's why my wife and I moved out of the city. We were disgusted with Filthadelphia. And you're right when you said that people live in denial that it even exists because no one does a damn thing to correct it. We used to love living in that city, but over the years it's turned into a ghetto of Wawa's that only attracts more ghetto. Philly is its own worst enemy. It's so self-destructive. Thank you for sharing this, it needed to be said. And I loved "Don't Shit Where You Eat!" LOL!
ReplyDeleteWow Ron, those are some scary pictures in comparison to all the photographs you've posted about the beautiful parts of Philadelphia. I died at the flossers on the ground. Yuck! I read an article several years ago that talked about the dirtiest and cleanest cities in the US and I did see Philly on the dirtiest list. I'm curious to read the articles you linked, which I will later today during my lunch hour.
ReplyDeleteInformative and interesting post, Ron. I love reading you. xo
OMG, I wasn’t sure whether I’d be laughing or crying by the end of this post, but I DIED when I saw the Zombie! Bahahaha! That is just too much. And the flossers next to the limp lettuce leaves is pretty funny. You’re right, who the hell is flossing their teeth while walking down the street? Nuts!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, the photo of Kensington is how I picture the slums of India. It’s just sad all around. And the pay phone that looks like it has a protective device on it? Just remove it already! Like you said, a big part of it is the city’s fault, but littering is also a lot of lazy ass individuals who just don’t give a damn. I’m sorry you have to deal with that, living in the city.
I have to say, Cleveland does NOT look like that. We just have a mayor whose grandson and great grandson are gang members who rob and shoot people, get DUI’s, as well as domestic violence, all while the mayor looks the other way and/or intervenes with the police/courts. AND people keep voting him in because, you know, political parties! And that’s not even the half of it. The entire county is corrupt, with the Commisioner and his cronies all in prison. The list of offenses was unreal, all funded by taxpayers, of course! I always remind my husband about all the hookers and steak dinners he paid for in Vegas! Too bad he didn’t get to enjoy them! Lol!
Hope you have a sweet smelling week, Ron! XO
"You may want to use a pair of goggles and some hand sanitizer before and after scrolling through these photographs..." OMG Ron, I know this post was more on the serious side, but your snarky sense of humor cracks me up. That was so damn funny! And like your other reader said , I too LOL at the "zombie" reference. I love how even when your serious, you're humorous at that same time.
ReplyDeleteI have say that I'm shocked at the condition of Philadelphia. Holy shit, that is some heavy duty trash! And it's no wonder your coworker and husband moved out of Kensington, those pics are pretty scary. I can't even imagine what it would be like to look at that everyday.
Always enjoy your posts, dude!
Hi Stan! Welcome! And thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, which btw, I thoroughly enjoyed. I know so many people who have moved out of this city over the past two years because they just could not put up with all the issues that never seem to get addressed. It's almost as if the abnormal has become the normal because it's becoming more and more the NORM.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED what you said about Wawa because it's SO SPOT ON! In fact, one of my friends and I talk about the plethora of Wawa's (like on almost ever single corner), and how they're like a ghetto magnet. I have THREE Wawa's by my apartment and they're all horrible to walk by because of all the riff raff standing in front harassing you.
And I agree, Philly is is own worst enemy because it enables the behavior, which continually destroys anything that's been created.
Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on this post. Appreciate it!
Have a great rest of your week!
X
Hey there Candice!
ReplyDeleteI know, aren't the pictures scar-y? In all the years I've had this blog, I've never shared the trashy parts about this city. However, they've gotten so bad over the past several years, I felt the need to share it. But the sad part is that I know that nothing will ever change because they don't want to address these things because it's easier to ignore.
A good friend of my sent me one of those articles last week, so I wanted to include it on this post. In fact, it's the article that gave me the push to share my own feedback about this city.
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Always a delight to read your comments!
X
"OMG, I wasn’t sure whether I’d be laughing or crying by the end of this post, but I DIED when I saw the Zombie! Bahahaha!"
ReplyDeleteI know, I just couldn't help myself because that's what they look like....ZOMBIES, from Night of the Living Dead. Bwhahahahaha!
Aren't the flossers disgusting? And I see that all the time while walking down the streets. And now with COVID, I also see masks all over the place that people just throw on the ground.
"Honestly, the photo of Kensington is how I picture the slums of India. It’s just sad all around. "
Yes! And that is a PERFECT way to describe it. And thanks for pointing out the protective devise on the payphone because I even notice that. GOOD eyes you have!!!
"a big part of it is the city’s fault, but littering is also a lot of lazy ass individuals who just don’t give a damn."
Could not agree with you more! It's the lazy-ass residents who just don't give a damn. Because like I said, even when I've seen a trash receptacle close by, they still throw their trash on the ground. And trust me, I've been contemplating making a move out of this city because I'm at a point where I don't want to look at this anymore. And that's sad because the city itself (the structure), I love. However the mentality of this city is a completely different story.
I've seen pictures of Cleveland from a blog I used to read and it didn't look anything like Philly. I was so impressed by how nice it looked.
"AND people keep voting him in because, you know, political parties!"
Yup, I sure do because it's the exactly the same here. I used to know a tenant in my building who worked for the city of Philadelphia and said that if everyone knew just how corrupt it was, we'd be shocked. But I told him that I wouldn't be shocked be I could tell just from the way our city it run.
Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by and sharing on this post. Really enjoyed your comment!
Have a great rest of your week....X
Hiya Matt!
ReplyDeleteYes, I had to add some humor to this post because if I didn't it would just come off as an angry rant LOL!
Don't they look exactly like ZOMBIES? I immediately thought of the movie, Night of the Living Dead, and the music video, Thriller!
"I have say that I'm shocked at the condition of Philadelphia. Holy shit, that is some heavy duty trash! And it's no wonder your coworker and husband moved out of Kensington, those pics are pretty scary. I can't even imagine what it would be like to look at that everyday."
I have never been to Kensington other than riding the subway and passing through. And the reason is because of the photos you see in this post. I've seen videos on You Tube that people have posted and they are so SCARY. The drug use is unbelievable. And it's constant.
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a faaaaaaabulous rest of your week!
X
This breaks my heart, Ron. Philly has such a LONG history and, while I've never been there, it's sad to think they aren't playing up to the history and keeping their city clean. My own small town never looked so good as when we had a female mayor, who was BIG on beautification. I just don't see how elected officials can turn a blind eye to stuff like you've shown us.
ReplyDeleteAs a former journalist, I'm particularly appalled at that newspaper dispenser box. How tragic! And those poor slobs falling all over themselves from drugs and such. Good grief.
I'm rather fond of the photo of the black man helping the gray-haired woman near the statues of Ben and George. Reminds me of "Driving Miss Daisy"!
Enjoy the rest of your week, my friend! xo
You're welcome, Ron. As soon as I read your post, I knew I had to comment. I don't know what it is with Philly and putting a Wawa on every corner because they can see what type of traffic it draws. There was a Wawa where my wife and I used to live where people set up mattress on the ground and made it their home. Geesh!
ReplyDeleteStan, I've seen the SAME THING (bed mattresses) at the Wawa that used to be around the corner from my apartment. Fortunately, though, they shut that Wawa down last year. And it was right the center of one of our largest tourist areas, which tourist had to look at whenever they visited our city.
ReplyDelete"I'm rather fond of the photo of the black man helping the gray-haired woman near the statues of Ben and George. Reminds me of "Driving Miss Daisy"!"
ReplyDeleteYes, Debbie, isn't that the sweetest looking photo? Too bad that trash has to be sitting right there in front of them.
" Philly has such a LONG history and, while I've never been there, it's sad to think they aren't playing up to the history and keeping their city clean. "
Yes, it is sad. Very sad, because we have a lot of tourist who have to look at that trash. It's embarrassing to live in a city with such a rich American history, yet looks like a ghetto.
" I just don't see how elected officials can turn a blind eye to stuff like you've shown us."
This city is filled with such denial. And our city officials walk around with blinders on because if they actually looked at it, that would mean that they would have to DO something about it.
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your feedback. Really appreciate that. Have a great rest of your week, my friend!
X
Wow Ron! I don't need the hand sanitizer, I feel like I need a hot shower after seeing these. It's pathetic. I don't understand why the city doesn't take control of the situation or even make an effort to try. What kind of a place doesn't at least have regular trash pick up? It's all pretty mind boggling!
ReplyDeleteHi there Martha!
ReplyDelete"Wow Ron! I don't need the hand sanitizer, I feel like I need a hot shower after seeing these."
LOL! Exactly!
"I don't understand why the city doesn't take control of the situation or even make an effort to try. What kind of a place doesn't at least have regular trash pick up?"
You see, this city creates laws, but then they don't enforce them, such as, NO LITTERING IN THE STREET OR YOU WILL BE FINED. They make that law, but then turn their heads when people break it. Like the law stating that you cannot ride a bike on the sidewalk, you have to ride it in the street or you will be fined. That's another law that goes out the window because I see people riding bikes on the sidewalks all day long; almost hitting pedestrians. Yet, no one enforces the law. This city is one big FREE FOR ALL, so you can pretty much do whatever you want.
And the trash pickup boggles my mind as well. Thank God I live in a building that has a trash room in the basement because at least I don't have to smell it whenever it backs up and starts to stink.
Always so nice to see your comments. Thanks so much for stopping by. Hope you're enjoying a fabulous week!
X
Ron, I am both grossed out and totally enthralled by this post. Also, entertained by your wit with words. Not ever having lived in a city, I can't begin to imagine what it must be like to see trash just spewed about like this?!? I know most cities have good areas and bad areas, but WOW! I'm such a neat freak and germaphobe, so I'd be freaked out if I had to walk by overflowing trash bins like that. And yes, I bet they stink when summer kicks in and the heat rises.
ReplyDeleteKensington looks pretty scary. It almost looks like a slum. Imagine walking there at night.
"Don't shit where you eat" got to remember that!
Hello there, Daniel!
ReplyDeleteTrust me, I'm grossed out everyday, when I have to see this. In fact, just today I was down in Old City and saw a street lined with trash, just sitting there. And not just neatly placed inside trash bags, it was all over the place.
"And yes, I bet they stink when summer kicks in and the heat rises." OMG, the worst time for me is summer because the restaurant trash bins in alleyways that are filled with food start to stink like hell when it gets hot. It smells like vomit. That's one thing I don't enjoy about living in a city - summertime.
The gal I mentioned in this post who moved out of Kensington said that at night coming home from work was horrendous because she rode the subway and that's where the majority of drug addicts hang out, asking for money. She said there were used syringes all over the streets.
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're enjoying an awesome week!
X
Powerful post, Ron! And I loved how you concluded it. What a great saying. I knew of it, but never found a way to use it until now. It suits Philadelphia very well LOL! Being that I live in South Philly, I can attest to what you've shared here because I see it. Thankfully, our home is in a section that is better kept. But if we walk four blocks and turn the corner, we suddenly see a section that looks like a trash bomb exploded. What you said is true, half the people care about this city, while the other half could care less. There is also a lot of tension and judgement in South Philly from the people who were born, raised, and still live there. I have to say that my husband and I were surprised by how unwelcoming many of the people are. And coming from Long Island, New York (not that New York or New Yorkers are perfect, far from it), I can truthfully say that although New Yorkers are not outwardly warm and fuzzy, they are more accepting.
ReplyDeleteWe've never been to Kensington, but have heard about it. And looking at these photos, we don't plan to ever visit LOL! Like you said, every place has positives and negatives. But I think Philly needs to take some of the immense pride they have for their sport teams and start taking more pride in keeping their city clean.
Well expressed, Ron! xo
"I think Philly needs to take some of the immense pride they have for their sport teams and start taking more pride in keeping their city clean."
ReplyDeleteYes!!!! You nailed it Elaine. And I say the same thing! Even if they took 1/4 of the pride they have for their sport teams and put it into keeping their city clean, they'd be doing a lot. That's all this city really cares about anyway, their sport teams and their sport bars!
And also agree with what you said about South Philly being unwelcoming because it's so true. I've lived here AND in NY, and I think New Yorkers are MUCH more welcoming and accepting. Like you said, NY is not perfect, but it's a hell of a lot more accepting that Philly. I'm a native Philadelphian and I have never felt welcomed in this city. And that's because I'm not like your typical Philadelphian. For all it's "Brotherly Love", I've always found that to be so not true. LOL!
Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor! Hope you're having a great week, and had a wonderful Mother's Day!
X
I lived in Philly for four years when I was in college (Temple). And even then, as a college student I knew it was not a city I would ever want to settled down in. It wasn't so much the trash and dirt because back when I was there, the city was cleaning itself up. But I had heard that years before I got there, it was a mess. Philly had a strange vibe to me. I know from a college friend who stayed in Philly for two years after we graduated that it's place where it can never retain anything nice that it's created, it always goes back to trashing itself.
ReplyDeleteHi Randy!
ReplyDeleteYou went to Temple? That's not all that far from Center City. In fact, when I take the train out to Chestnut Hill, it makes a stop at Temple University.
What your friend said about Philly is very true. And I mentioned that to someone else in my comment to them, it's a very self-destructive city. It moves in a circle by creating something nice and then destroys it. Sad. Yes, me too, when I first moved back to Philly in 2001, it was at a time when Philly was cleaning up it's act, but it gradually went back to trash.
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your experience. Appreciate it. Please stop back anytime. Have a super week!
X
Ron, I wanted to stop back because I forgot to ask you in my previous comment, are you not loving this weather we're having right now? It's the perfect temperature, isn't it? I would love for it to stay like this all summer, but I know it's going to get hot and humid eventually. Enjoy it while we can, right?
ReplyDeleteOMG yes, Elaine, I am freaking LOVIN' this weather right now. In fact, I've been spending my days off outside, taking long walks and spending time in the parks. Yup...let's enjoy it while we can because I have a feeling next month we'll be getting much hotter temps. X
ReplyDeleteRon, these images are so upsetting but I'm glad you posted them.
ReplyDeletePeople need to hear--and see!--the truth about where they live or nothing is going to change. I find littering so infuriating and I've seen plenty of idiots in New York toss their trash into the street. Morons!
And I'm seeing a lot of discarded masks in the streets lately. One of my friends calls them the cigarette butts of the 21st Century!
It's funny. I was in Philadelphia a few years ago and I met two cab drivers who were ex-New Yorkers who told me they moved to Philadelphia because it was cheaper than New York. They didn't mention the trash!
But I still intend to come down there soon and visit you!
Great post, buddy! Have a fabulous weekend and think clean thoughts!
Hey there Rob!
ReplyDeleteI know, aren't they horrendous? But I've got to a point in which I needed to share the filthy part of Philly, which I feel is escalating every week. It's embarrassing to know that I live in a city that doesn't take pride in their home. Yet, they take a TON of pride in their sports teams.
OMG...yes!!! I see masks all the time just disregarded all over the sidewalks here. HA! And I love what your friend said about being the cigarette butts of the 21st Century. That was BRILLIANT!!!
"It's funny. I was in Philadelphia a few years ago and I met two cab drivers who were ex-New Yorkers who told me they moved to Philadelphia because it was cheaper than New York. They didn't mention the trash!"
Yes, Philly is cheaper to live than New York, most definitely. However, I've lived in both cities and New York is not nearly as trash ridden as Philadelphia. And New York is a much bigger city, so if anything, it should be more trash ridden because of the population.
Oh yes, please do come and visit. I'd love that! Just let me know when you're thinking of coming down and we can hang out and catch up!
Much thanks for stopping by, buddy. Have an AWESOME weekend!
X
Agreed! Such a shame that people think it is OK to litter!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is, isn't it, Fiona? The people of Philadelphia need to join together and take pride in their city.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by, my friend. So great to see you!
X
Such sad views os a historic city, Ron. As I may have already shared with you, I attended my last 2 years of college at Temple University and while there were many unsettling areas around the campus and in Center City, it wasn’t as bad then as what you have showed in this post. I left in 1970 and have not been back since. While your previous posts have shown there are good sides to the city, these views were very depressing because they are so true not only of Philly but many other once proud cities.
ReplyDeleteDid you feel any unease as you wandered around and took photos (camera or phone)? And did you ever have anyone accost you in the process?
Hey there, D!
ReplyDeleteYes, I know exactly where Temple is. It's just on the other side of City Hall on Broad Street. And you're right, Temple has some unsettling areas surrounding the campus. To be honest, other than passing through Temple by train, on my way out to Chestnut Hill, I haven't been in that area in many, many years.
And yes, you are so right, this type of carelessness is occurring in many other cities as well.
"Did you feel any unease as you wandered around and took photos (camera or phone)? And did you ever have anyone accost you in the process?"
I don't know whether you noticed at the start of these photos, but I mentioned that I didn't take any of these pictures. I found them online while googling for images of trash in Philadelphia. I've also watched videos on You Tube of people who have gone to Kensington and filmed what it's like there. And it's painful to watch because of all the drug addicts shooting-up on the streets.
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts and feedback. Appreciate that!
Have a super week!
X
This just makes my heart sink. Philadelphia has such a rich history. It's deeply disturbing to see these photos. To see how San Francisco has devolved is also heartbreaking. It's such a shame the leadership of the city is in such denial over these issues. Honestly, this is a personal responsibility mindset and that seems to be a dying virtue because I can see it happening everywhere....to some extent. Love the closing "sign." Maybe these need to be posted all over town! Take care and stay out of those areas! X
ReplyDelete" Honestly, this is a personal responsibility mindset and that seems to be a dying virtue because I can see it happening everywhere....to some extent."
ReplyDeleteYes, Lisa, you are so right, it's happening everywhere to some extent; particularly within the past four years.
"It's such a shame the leadership of the city is in such denial over these issues"
OMG, the leadership of this city is SO in denial. You and I have shared things through emails throughout the past several years in which I shared how this city is a handout city that expects everything to be given to them and DO everything FOR them, which includes...picking up their trash.
HA! Yes, don't you LOVE that "sign?" And you're right, it does need to be posted all over town.
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend! X