The online financial news and opinion website, 24/7 Wall Street released an article ranking the 25 worst cities in America to raise a child. In the article, Hammond was ranked fourth.
I have only been a resident of Hammond for about three years now to attend college and have lived on the university’s campus during that time. So being a temporary resident and also not having any children of my own, I’ve never worried whether or not Hammond was a good city to raise children, but from what I’ve seen in my short time as a Hammond resident, the city is not a bad place to raise children and certainly does not deserve the rank of fourth worst city in all of America to raise a child. I disagree with the article’s claim because the city of Hammond has been awarded for providing a healthy and safe community for children. Also, my personal experiences from living in Hammond do not correlate with the claim.
There were three main backing points as to why the Hammond area was thought of so poorly to raise a family. Those three points were high crime rates, low graduation/preschool enrollment rates and there not being enough areas such as parks and recreation centers for physical activity. The 24/7 Wall Street article states, “Just 67.7 percent of the Hammond population has access to locations for physical activity such as parks and gyms, one of the smallest shares nationwide. Violent crimes can also hinder outdoor recreation. There were 769 violent crimes reported per 100,000 Hammond residents in 2015, more than twice the national violent crime rate.” The article also states that Hammond is a metro area with some of the worst educational outcomes, stating, “Just 74.0 percent of high schoolers in Hammond graduate within four years, far less than the 83.0 percent national rate.”
They were legitimate numbers from government surveys from 2015, but that is enough time for the numbers to change and while reading the report, I noticed the disclaimer that “only metro areas for which such data was available were included.” So that fact plus the statistics may have been outdated information, and may or may not be accurate made me suspicious of the authenticity and reliability of the claim that Hammond is a bad city to raise children.
I cannot really speak about the K-12 educational system of Tangipahoa since I graduated in Livingston Parish, but the college level is fantastic. For example, my department of communication has won many accolades. I am proud to say that I am a part of the lion nation in Hammond, and if my future children do attend the university, I would feel the same.
In an article released by WWL-TV, Hammond leaders and city residents address the claims made on the quality of life for children in Hammond.
“There are immense choices in our offerings for education – public, private and charter – and within these systems we have offerings for Montessori, magnet, International Baccalaureate, and much, much more,” said Parish President Robby Miller. “This report neglects to mention our Louisiana Technical Community College campus, nor does it take into account that we are home to Southeastern Louisiana University, which has been recognized for its innumerable honors on state, regional, national, and yes, even international levels.”
As for there not being enough recreational facilities in Hammond, I can name offhand five parks and recreational centers that are less than eight minutes from my dorm on campus. Not to mention Hammond has received the status of being named “Playful City USA” six times from KaBoom. According to its website, KaBoom is a “national non-profit dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all kids particularly those growing up in poverty in America.” So, how can there not be enough recreational places for the populous of Hammond if it receives recognition for its parks and initiative to keep children active? I live next to North Oaks Park, and every time I go there to walk, I see a family with children either playing on the playground equipment, walking or riding bikes.
As for the crime rate of Hammond, I do not think it is drastically different from any other city that should warrant immediate concern. In the time that I’ve lived in Hammond, I as a young woman have never had an unsafe moment. Sure, now and then you will run into some sketchy people Thursday nights, but this is a college town, and that is to be expected. If one keeps a level head and avoids dangerous situations, Hammond is just like any other city. I feel safe in this city on my own, so if I did have kids, I would feel Hammond is a safe place for them as well.
The article released by 24/7 Wall Street states that Hammond is not a great place to raise children, but I disagree. No, I do not have a child to worry about, and I’ve only sent a small portion of my adult life here. But, Hammond has offered me my second home and family at the university. It is here in Hammond where I found my passion and discovered what I was to do in life. I have made lifelong memories and friendships. It was here in Hammond where I’ve found some of my forever friends, future bridesmaids, and godparents of my future children. Hammond is like any other city it is not perfect, there will always be crime and always some children that will drop out of school or not get enough exercise, but that can be found anywhere. I hope that the children that are raised here find the same amount of opportunities in the city that I have because Hammond has so much to offer people in any stage of life.