Don't Forget the Crime Scenes

They were selling these maps at the Santa Monica pier.

Do people really want to go visit crime scenes?  

And if so, why?

© Twenty Four At Heart

Comments

[goodfather]

FIRST!!

OK, this is a little creepy. Movie star homes, OK. Crime scenes...? I guess I'm not into crime tourism, lol. But it makes me wonder about other ways people could exploit misfortune, like maybe putting celebrity foreclosures, or 'career deaths' on the same map...

[Rob]

Hmmm... I'm thinking of an answer for your question...

Isn't it a good idea to have a "feel" for the neighborhood before you decide to live there?

Wouldn't a person do research on the location, schools, parks, protective services, neighbors...crime...prior to relocating to an otherwise attractive area?

I think it's fabulous that someone has figured out how to make a $ out of supplying some of that info. Besides the realtors, that is.

And actually - these days... - ya might wanna know about foreclosures, too. And if your career dies? Foreclosure and crime can follow.

The people need to know.

(of course I'm just kidding - sort of)

[karen]

It's just the curiosity factor I think. When the whole OJ/Nicole Simpson thing was happening, I am ashamed to admit I was intriqued by the whole case... felt horrible for all involved. And I would have liked to be able to drive by the scenes of the crime, for no good reason other than to see the points both sides were trying to make. Silly, I know. It's human nature to be curious about heinous events and their place of origin, Morbid? yes.

[Alexis (MN)]

Gawkers...curiosity yes....And, don't forget, California (LA in particular) was where we started watching pursuits (might have even started with O.J.'s). I think that's where COPS the television show originated also but I could be wrong about that.

The public has a fascination with celebrities and their lives in all the gory detail and the media feeds that. I can believe that Sharon Tate's house is on there, Bobby Kennedy's assassination site...heck, Heidi whatshername probably is listed for her...rendezvous points! LOL Capitalism at its best!! Only in America. You wouldn't believe the things that are sold on auction sites that are alleged artifacts of crimes, criminals and/or their victims. And people buy it...because SOME people are just weird. It's sad really.

And funny....

[Amy]

The media feeds us all the gruesome stories/drama. We feel closer to history/fame if we can see it?

Dunno, personally I am a history buff and the more places I can see where 'history' happened (sad, bad, happy, memorable) the more fulfilled I feel. Morbid? Perhaps but to deny history is to deny moving forward and understanding and learning from the past.

Have been to Europe and saw holocaust sites, Anne Frank's last home and catacombs in the deep dark passages of Paris.. The Zigfield line. Just fascinating to me to see a part of history.

History is fascinating to some I suppose.

[Amy]

One more point! The site of the former twin towers... How many thousands of people make a point to visit there each month? If I ever went it would be to honor and pray for the victims of that horrible, horrible day.. Not to gawk or belittle the dead and their survivors. To see a part of my history..

[Amy]

Flanders Fields! Am I sick to have visited them on my last visit to Belgium? I think not.

Sorry to hog your comments but just giving my 3 cents. Death/drama creates history. Something people want to be a part of to perhaps understand better or ?? Learn more about? Satisfy a curiosity?

Also visited 2 US/Canadian soldier grave yards, one in Belgium the other in the Netherlands. Crosses as far as the eye could see. The impact of the two world wars in only those TWO of many grave yards sure made one think.

History needs to be seen and understood!