W000250
Wednesday, November 07, 2001 4:11 PM
We ARE Victims Too
There is a population of individuals who do not qualify under the definition
of victims. However, we are victims nonetheless. Our lives have been turned
upside down since September 11th because we live in the immediate vicinity
of Ground Zero. While my apartment sustained no physical damage, it was
filled with contaminated dust which had to be cleaned by a company
specializing in handling Hazardous Materials.
We were banned from our neighborhood, our homes, for a variety of reasons
while many disaster and crime related incidents took place. In the hours
immediately following the disaster, when I begged to be allowed in just to
retrieve my dog, my loyal companion, and was told no, I asked "So you're
going to let him die in there?" . One Federal marshal told me point blank
"Yes, I guess so". This is a government official that is supposed to SERVE
us?! Also, even with emergency and rescue workers, and the press,
commandeering buildings and streets, tourists seemed to flock to the area.
The sheer volume of tourists made commuting around (for those of us who live
here) a nightmare. Not to mention that for a time, the area looked like a
war zone-certainly not indicative of a "Free Country".
Now, as our buildings reopen, amidst a swirl of controversy (the EPA says
the air is safe, yet why do we get headaches, nosebleeds, rashes, etc.?) and
concern (is the air really safe? Short-term? Long-term?), we are faced with
rebuilding our lives. A hefty task considering that many of us do not have
renters insurance and have to absorb thousands of dollars in HazMat cleaning
bills, laundry bills, alternate lodging, meal and travel expenses. Even with
the help of FEMA and Red Cross, it is still not enough to help us regain the
semblance of normalcy every politician in the area is suggesting we do. Our
landlord has offered menial concessions, at best, even with a formidable
tenants association on our side.
Our neighborhood has suffered too. Transportation is limited. Quality of
services and amenities will be reduced for a long time. Air quality is
questionable, at best. All this loss may be quantifiable, but what about the
psychological and emotional toll this tragic event has had on us. What
choices do we have? Leave a neighborhood we have come to call home or live
near a mass graveyard. Add to this the potential decrease in work
performance, strain on personal relationships and necessary therapy or
counseling, and you have a serious dilemma.
We ARE victims too.
Individual Comment
New York, NY