Kensington: A Drive Into And Drone Shot Of The Nation's Worst Hood

[@Dld1985]

I’ve never understood why people in poor neighborhoods throw their trash everywhere. Just because you’re poor doesn’t mean you have to be trashy. Show some pride.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Agreed!

[@phillyphreak5418]

Self centered, self absorbed people.

[@ranneff1903]

its like that almost all over philly, ive seen spots in south philly where u have to swerve around piles of trash in the road that are as big as your car.

[@carolineshields6916]

We don't

[@JW-uy2on]

When the world treats like you trash, you trash it in return.

[@craftiestcraftstress]

When I was about 7 (back in the 80s) my brother and I walked to that 7-11 you passed to get a few things. There was the first time I saw a prostitute and her John doing "business" behind the dumpster. I was beyond shocked and confused. Shortly after we moved out of the city, and it was getting worse and worse. I had become penpals with some of the other neighborhood children who grew up there... Little by little the letters dwindled... When I was a teen I saw a news story about a robbery that ended in murder and it involved one of the girls I went to school with back then... We had stayed penpals the longest, but her letters stopped when we were about 12. People often forget these individuals were once little impressionable children with a great deal of potential... Our society has failed them, creating a cycle that gets worse with each passing generation.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Great comment.

[@LoneGRoEnt]

Wow dude left a knot in my thought. Some of us have it really rough as children.

[@garyburchgb]

I agree to a point, however, people don't seem to do enough for themselves. I see it a a type of learned helplessness. I understand that it could be hugely demoralizing to live in these areas, and that could be the main reason for high drug addiction rates, but why didn't people do something to help themselves earlier? The longer it goes on for, the more normalized it could become.

[@rafaeltorre1643]

@@garyburchgb Imagine growing up in poverty and your mom is a prostitute and you can barely feed yourself. You can’t understand someone unless you lived that life. Who is teaching them how to better themselves when they barely have food and shelter? Confidence is everything and you don’t get it in the projects without two loving parents..

[@garyburchgb]

@@rafaeltorre1643 I was fortunate not to grow up like that, and I agree that there is no substitute for experience.. By your comment, I assume that you grew up like that. Was that the case?.

[@luvvdoe5486]

I think this is the first time I saw a drone shot of my hood.. Pretty cool... I live more toward Frankford and Castor... I'd say if you ever come down again go to Tioga Park at the Tioga EL stop.. If you still feel uncomfortable... lmk. lol.. I'll come out there it's like 2 blocks away..

[@tuck6464]

That's the original Needle Park.

[@nilsnyman6767]

Never...EVER...roll through those places with your windows all the way down! I was once a homeless junkie and, while not as bad as most, I would take the opportunity to relieve you of what was on your car seat while you were stopped at a light. Breaking a window and stealing could land me 5-7 years while simply reaching in drops that to 30-60 days.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the advice. And I usually don't, but Kensington has such an interesting, unique sound.

[@dopeMike_]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Whats the unique sound? When you blow up a balloon and squeezer the neck of it?

[@hollymcclelland8388]

I grew up in Kensington I am now 52 and heartbroken over what has happened in my neighborhood

[@floridaruttles3984]

.... When did you stop voting DEMOCRAT ?

[@floridaruttles3984]

@Jean-Philippe Rameau .....Rule #1, Don't live near scumbags. Rule #2, If you now live near scumbags, get the hell out of there. Hope this helps.

[@TerrenceLP]

I think voting matters to a degree, I got the hell out of the Bronx and live on land in beautiful NC. Quality of life matters.

[@lf1496]

@@floridaruttles3984 Even the so called "good" neighborhoods in America look depressing and cold. It's a society that breeds loneliness. Being in some big lonely house in the middle of nowhere is what you called opioid city. The whole country's $$$ obsession culture is empty with no humanity, throwing people away. In Europe the governments offer Free education all the way to the PHD level, subsidized housing, childcare, Free healthcare. America is an anti human society, rugged individualism is a Gaslighting trope for a sociopathic Social Darwinism nightmare. This is an embarassement on the society not on these broken left behind people who could have been productive if their society was

[@cliffordhritz5215]

@Jean-Philippe Rameau Democrats have 'run' Philadelphia for over 50 years. it's on them.

[@charlesthompson5193]

WOW Just WOW, Makes me thankful of the small country home I have in the middle of nowhere! Thanks for the tour, stay safe out there!

[@internette7229]

I mean, there are great places to live in big cities too. I'm glad that I don't live in the hood, but also not in the middle of nowhere. I tried to live in the countryside, and I just couldn't stand it. But I respect everyone who enjoys country life.

[@0rangecray0n]

Us Midwesterners really got it good I'll never leave northern Wisconsin I love seeing grass and trees to much

[@rizzmaster66]

Its definitely not the worst hood in America. Its got its fair share of problems, as does alot of philly. I think people are generally good, but you have alot of folks that lost their jobs, couldnt finish school, got hooked on drugs etc. Ive driven through the area and the hoods of west philly too, where I used to live right by. Both places have alot of character, good and bad, and I hope it ends up revitalized. Most the folks need help thats not distributed well, and the government, local, state and federal hasnt done a good enough job addressing the problems that plague the community. I appreciate this drive through though, I think more attention is needed to the area and i think you truly have to be a little brave to venture around.

[@TrooperSC]

Keep making excuses for them and their behavior. It’s worked well so far.

[@patriciagray756]

My Dad's side of the family lived in Kensington, PA and currently in Philly...this is so very sad

[@markaruski]

Wow what a journey, glad you are safe. Some of that area looked like a warzone. Safe travels to your and your spouse.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@stevekelly8898]

It is sad when a city gets that bad. No police presence, poor education and fatherless households are detrimental to a community.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Yep. You’re exactly right. It’s shocking to see this level of inept city and social mis-management first hand in this country. And it’s not because Philadelphia is big. I live in Dallas. Bigger than Philadelphia. There is not a place anywhere in Dallas that looks like this. Philadelphia is a mess.

[@floridaruttles3984]

................ but you still vote DEMOCRAT right ? (BTW, I do hope I am wrong).

[@bill9989]

Philly has passed the tipping point. After 10 years of increasing population, it has started to decline (again). The real estate values are still rising but I think that lags. It will start to decline because now it seems no neighborhood is safe anymore.

[@floridaruttles3984]

@@bill9989 .... I love it when DEMOCRATS get what they voted for !

[@floridaruttles3984]

@@s.r.t.5123 .......Well, keep voting DEMOCRAT.... tee-hee-hee !

[@robertsmith5970]

Such beautiful Victorian buildings.Must have been a very nice community years ago.

[@243wayne1]

Nope. It sucked then too.

[@danweyant707]

That big brick blog at about 18 minutes- clearly important at some point

[@Valmontst]

Yep, before the demographics changed.

[@Dalt21]

Philadelphia has some of the best architecture in the country. i recommend checking out the nice neighborhoods too

[@lf1496]

@@Valmontst These are MOSTLY yt people in Kensington and all over America on drugs, overdosing so how did the demographics have anything to do with it?

[@whatsmyname3237]

Great drone video. When you started out in Kensington, I thought "come it's not that bad..."Oh, wait...this is hell. Don't get out and fly your drone. Thanks, Spoda, you're braver than I.

[@jasonhaynes2952]

It looked much nicer in the drone footage. When you see it at street level, it's a whole different place!

[@TheGlantzs]

Cool drone footage. Been there plenty of times, driving through. Not safe. I used to drive Uber and had to drop someone off there at 9pm or so. Dark, people walking down the middle of the road. Riders were yelling at me. I dropped them off, said a prayer and got out of Dodge!

[@orangeyewglad]

Same dude it was always so sketchy dropping people off there. Definitely went on a few drugs run rides unknowingly for people a few times, and knowingly once or twice. lol

[@nclare7]

I’m about as white bread, middle class, naïve as they come but I am intrigued by the nice cars parked on all the streets. The buildings and people look really rough, but the cars look very nice. 🤔

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Sharp eyes. You ain't wrong.

[@thajemm4371]

It’s bc capitalist individualism is glorified, having a nice car can take ppls minds off their material conditions

[@Silk.With.An.E]

Those are the drug dealers.

[@SG-dg6oi]

Drug dealers

[@plaistowbill]

My father lived in Detroit in the 1950s. In some neighbourhoods people lived in shacks but often has a Cadillac parked out front. I once met a man who worked ina chicken processing plant. He bought a Corvette and slept in it rather than spending his wages on an apartment. It's a matter of priority.

[@tommyball1863]

Joe, you’ve got some big balls driving through those streets! Great video, thanks.

[@hollymcclelland8388]

Right at 18 minutes nine seconds after you come out from under that first bridge on your right or the black iron fences is Rocky’s house about 10 houses up on that little side street Tusculum. This is Rocky‘s neighborhood until he moves to South Philly and Rocky 2 Just a fun fact from someone who grew up there

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Really? I had no idea. Wish I had known that. I am a big fan of the movie Rocky. My wife's family all live in Philadelphia so I'm there often. I will definitely go there with my camera next time we're there. Thank you for the info!

[@michaelesgro9506]

My problem was the video ended right at 18 minutes EIGHT seconds!!! (???)

[@sg1770]

Enjoyed your video. I really like watching drone footage too. What drone do you use?

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

DJI Mini 2

[@revelationakagoldeneagle8045]

I subscribe to TOON215, he's a videographer that was born and raised in that part of Philly. He does walk through tour videos. And from what he's shared in recent months, a lot of the area around Kensington is being revitalized with new construction and remodeling of some of the older dwellings and industrial buildings. Haven't seen the area by drone, that's cool that you were able to get that footage, and I'm sure you were a bit uneasy on foot there. Thanks for sharing. Safe travels 🙏

[@vegas1a]

Block after block after block of super trashy Row Houses and might have been nice when built, but now are the breeding ground for drugs, violence and all manner of crime. Bulldoze it all and start with wider proper streets.

[@djpj9174]

I've said this before on other videos highlighting the utter and complete mess that is Kensington Ave in Philly. Unless drastic and extreme measures are taken to address the Opioid crisis gripping the US, and specifically the widespread and increased use of Fentonyl, these scenes will sadly become the norm in every major city in the US within the next two decades or so. You can already see the social destruction it reaps in some areas of Florida and California, amongst other places. Addiction rates down but youth deaths from drug overdose rising annually. Homelessness becoming just another accepted part of urban life. Viewing it from across the pond we can see it all playing out through somewhat dispassionate eyes and the future of the US doesn't look very bright at all. Very sad indeed. Great cinematic drone footage by the way. Addictive aren't they ;)

[@buddylee19082]

As someone who grew up in that area, let me tell you, in this neighborhood there's been an "opiod crisis" for nearly 5 decades! It was in crisis, due to poverty, crack, + heroin, long before America was calling it a "crisis" or an "epidemic." Nobody cared until people from the suburbs starting dying from it [heroin] and even then they did very little to stop what was happening. I've seen at least 5 different Mayors and just as many Police Comissioners try to do something in this city and NOTHING has changed but the faces. Sad but true. I guess technically it's "worse" now, but that's only because the addicts don't hide it anymore; they stopped locking them up!? At least back in the day they'd stay in the shadows so to speak. Don't get me wrong, there's almost always been an open-air drug market here, at least since the 80's, but the addicts weren't using and living out in the open, on Kensington Ave., they way they are now! It's complete anarchy down there now!? In the late 90's every other building in that area was abandoned; they tried to gentrify it, to bring in new investors, and rebuild the area... And well, you can see how that's working out.

[@dopeMike_]

They got rid of cabrini green in Chicago now its a Target.

[@martinnorth2680]

All of your videos are amazing, but this one is my favourite so far. Such a contrast

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for that, Martin!

[@victoryee7486]

You are one tough guy to get out of your car. This neighborhood looked rough. A side note. I enjoy the drives to the various neighborhoods in each city. I doubt that I will go to Kensington, though. Too rough for me.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It’s a crazy place.

[@a1ar127]

Somehow I expected to see burned out, boarded up buildings, but for better or worse this still looks like a place where people carry on their lives.

[@Actaruz]

Exactly, the way he was talking I was expecting way worst than that.

[@eddiegonzalez6824]

He skipped the worst parts I noticed. Oh well.

[@thomasalbright-u6g]

this was very important to document..on the ground and in the the air..at considerable personal risk all alone..you are a better man than I, Gunga Din...my friends and I got lost in a car in South Philly hoods in the late 80's ..those narrow streets are very scary..we made it out ok and got a Cheesesteak, but wouldn't do it again

[@marcdenlinger5282]

Wow, I thought Needle Park was just a nickname, but after double checking on the Google map, that is really its name! I've ridden through Kensington Ave. and Allegheny Ave. on bicycle. When you travel Kensington area on bicycle, you get a whole more intimate perspective of the area. It is crazy, and it is real. But I've exchanged "hello" with a lot of friendly people there.

[@thenanny14850]

That is incorrect, the real name of “needle park” is actually MacPherson square library, and I didn’t think it was cool at all for the video person to refer to it as Needle Park.

[@tuck6464]

As previously stated, that was MacPherson Square, they may call that needle park, now, but the original needle park is about 8 blocks north of there at Kensington and Tioga. Harrowgate Park.

[@marcodarko6941]

You people are way too delicate, don't want to hear the truth and face reality because of your feelings. You get all emotional and pssy and often violent because you don't want to face the facts. That's why this country is falling apart around us all and if that place is full of needles then by grab that is just what it is "needle park" get over it. Other people that don't want to be around that and have to live with it are forced to deal with the dangers of it because of people like you enabling it.@@thenanny14850

[@burnzy5150]

​@Kevin Schmidt but it's cool for people to do dope there and leave their needles laying around? It has the name for a reason.

[@dopeMike_]

@@thenanny14850 Is the library still open?

[@kevinbrewis6014]

much better video of the bloke who vlogs about Kensington, he just waffles on so much i fell asleep listening to him droning on and on, drone footage was great too, thanks.

[@cardinalblack5964]

At 7.33 min, it reminds me of Kijabe st/Kirinyaga rd/Grogan/ Globe cinema round about in Nairobi city, KE. Granted they are nothing alike, except for the ambience - neglect, dejection and the very real danger of being jumped. Also surprising is how run-down areas across the world are somewhat similar... Still, great footage and if it weren't for initiatives like yours, people like me would never have the privilege of "visiting" the real America. Thank you and stay safe.

[@kurtcichowski]

Love your work! I'd say just fly from the safety of your car! No need to put yourself into a bad situation for some footage. Thanks and keep em coming!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Kurt. :)

[@MattsScaleModels]

I’m really enjoying these glimpses into your nation, so far away. And as an Aussie, your Siri makes me feel like I’m home! Thank you! Philly has 33 miles of active streetcar tracks and 106 miles of out-of-service tracks. Hence, unused tracks with no overhead seem to be quite common.

[@TOCC50]

Blacks turn everywhere into their native Africa

[@MattsScaleModels]

@@TOCC50 'Dutch'? You need to go back to your own country. 😅🤣

[@sg1770]

This is typical of most democrat controlled cities.

[@victoriadeaton4432]

Shocking is all I can say.. Thank you for this sad yet informative video Lord Joe 🌹😢

[@lesmar234]

Great drone shots. I cruise this area myself alot but I'm more of a still photographer. After seeing this I'm thinking of getting a drone.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

You'll get hooked!

[@larrysmith2655]

I would have flew the drone from your car in a secluded area. You could get mugged in the middle of a park looking down. Either way, great footage 👏

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Larry. :)

[@cryptoegregore]

WHEN HE MENTIONED THEY WOULD TAKE HIS DRONE I CRIED LAUGHING

[@dopeMike_]

be lucky if thats all they took after they took his keys and wallet and asked where the bronco was.

[@wichita603]

I try to imagine those streets in better times . you can see from the buildings it was a nice town back years ago.

[@garyley4270]

Great video, loved the drone bit, amazing to see how the area is close up too

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Gary.

[@bakpas]

Love touring with you from Australia and love hearing Aussie Siri 😂🇦🇺

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

LOL, yes. It's cool you can change the accent. Australian Siri is my favorite. :)

[@Markus_Andrew]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip I'm an Aussie too and I think if I was driving around that area, I'd also want Aussie Siri just for some semblance of familiarity and illusion of comfort 😄Great video btw, you can be sure I'll be checking out more of them!

[@1940limited]

Visit Camden. It'll make Philly look like an upscale neighborhood.

[@AlexCab_49]

The architecture looks so beautiful! Shame that the neighborhood is bad.

[@bootscuffmagee4199]

I live here in Philly. If you even need a place to crash or even a home cooked mean next time you’re here, hit me up! Stay safe. Keep up the great work!

[@getreelproductions5737]

Wow this is what I envision the end of the world to look like. It’s so sad to see all the shops boarded up, the trash piling and the people seem lost. I bet it has a very proud history based on what was there, a shame it cannot be maintained.

[@BobbyTucker]

I wish you could have used your drone in Louisiana, that would have shown us way more than it did without. I enjoyed it anyway but now that I know you have a drone I hope you can use it more. I have a DJI Mavic AIR 2S with a fly more package but I haven't flown it yet. I got it January 11, 2021 and here it is April 18, 2024 and I still haven't flown it. I have a DJI Mavic MINI, the first series to hit the market, I fly that often. Enough about me, Thank you for showing us all around with your video travels. I really enjoy them.

[@funguy4utube]

Fascinating ….thnx! When u went aloft I imagined all the spirits that departed from that area.

[@johnhutchinson2981]

I was born in Sydney Australia in 1945. I have visited your country 10 times and do love it. I have visited the whole 50 states. I drove once from Orlando FL to NYC. I stayed one night in Motel 6 at King of Prussia. My wife when travelling with me refuses to stay at motel 6 but I like to save a few dollars. when travelling on my own. I did see a bit of Philadelphia but I found your video of great interest. In the early part you followed some railroad tracks down the street. I could see they had not been used for a while and there was no overhead wiring for street cars. Once again thank you so much for taking the time and the risk to make this video for all and sundry.

[@floridaruttles3984]

King of Prussia.... some of the greatest suburbs in the world are within a short drive of that place. HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA ..... and thanks MATE !

[@tuck6464]

@@floridaruttles3984 Your talking about West Chester, Plymouth Meeting.

[@dopeMike_]

Did Tom Bodett leave the light on for you?

[@jradcliffe4968]

Mostly old brick building with flat roofs well in excess of a 100 years old . Go figure !

[@rhiophiri6857]

thank you for your great effort to make such beautiful videos

[@georgeboatright6635]

thank you. a good tour and i enjoyed your comments.

[@944clogue]

My parents and grandparents were raised near Front and Allegheny, on Willard St. I use to spend the summers with my Mom-Mom's and Pop-Pop's. I thought it was great, we'd take the trolley to Independence Hall Church St and had a wonderful time. It hurts my heart that it's gotten so bad.. !!!

[@NotchaMomma]

Lol your GPS took you the long way to McVeigh! 😂what year did you film this? KA looks drastically different

[@markr8796]

Wow, that took guts for you to drive into that area and get out of your car to launch the drone. But your footage is fabulous. Please realize not all of Philly is like this. There are many residential sections of the city that are beautiful. Kensington was once a thriving town of factories and mills. It was a solid blue collar area where people made a good dollar and could buy a home. Generations of families lived there. Then the jobs went away when the mills closed and went south or overseas. Kensington never recovered. The only way things will get better will be through gentrification, which is already happening south of Lehigh Ave. The area from Lehigh to Allegheny is next.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Trust me, Mark, I know there’s lots of great areas in Philadelphia. My wife was born and raised there and as a result of that I’ve spent lots of time in the city. I love downtown, Boathouse Row and every year we come for the 4th of July to see the fireworks over the Delaware River. We also always stop by Pat’s and get an authentic Philly Cheesesteak. I did another video in which I explored downtown on foot and pointed out the great parts of the city.

[@markr8796]

Thanks for the reply. The next time you are here check out the Northwest part of the city: East Falls, Manayunk, Roxborough, West Mount Airy and Chestnut Hill. Those areas are gorgeous. Check out the Forbidden Drive on the Wissahickon and the architecture, especially in Chestnut Hill. Nothing like it.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

@@markr8796 Will definitely do that.

[@cathy5072]

Thanks Mark! ❤

[@christiancampagna2229]

I live in Mayfair & it's not a great area anymore either. I'm sure not everyone in North Philly & Kensington enjoys their living situation. I know we're having an extremely hard time getting out of Philadelphia.

[@transman9453]

Mayfair from the 60s was very nice but it's slowly been declining as the 13% move in

[@TheRagingPlatypus]

My mom grew up in Kensington. Back then, it was a safe lower class neighborhood.

[@flyparks3224]

Kensington always been trash

[@LKS-1976]

I was raised not far from that area, known locally as the badlands. I worked as a paramedic in that area for a few years. My wife has family in that area, behind Episcopal Hospital on Lehigh Ave. The tri state area comes here for the H, many don't leave. They call it, getting lost. I can't tell you how much narcan we went through

[@001Catey]

Although I like the architecture of the buildings they are too close together. If one catches on fire, looks like it can burn down a whole block. Maybe when they were built there was more greenery and it made sense to have them that close together. But people need space, fresh air and sun. No one can tell me living in tiny boxes side by side stacked on top of each other is healthy and does not contribute the state of mind that develops in a areas like this. I just stumbled on this video for whatever reason but there's my .02 Great footage and video. Thank you.

[@orangeyewglad]

This is just how real cities look. It's better for the environment to have high density housing, and better for your mental health when you have easy access to lots of close by amenities.

[@markrumfola9833]

Thank you for sharing this video Sir.

[@LDbcdAL-px7mg]

This hood is nothing compares to the Skid Row in downtown LA bro.

[@majorsynthqed7374]

I've been to Skid Row, Camden, and Kensington. I felt safer in Skid Row. Kensington is the largest open air heroin market on the East Coast. Fiends everywhere at night. Camden is, well, Camden. Nothing more needs to be said.

[@Redbuzzcut]

So which was worse to you, Kensington or Camden? Both are pretty scary but the street footage of Kensington is a post-apocalyptic drug horror. Great drone film - almost makes Kensington look clean and orderly.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Hard to say which its worse. Both are arguably the two worst places I've seen in the country.

[@guillermoferraudi8750]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip even worse than Gary or Detroit?

[@shannonallen2993]

@@guillermoferraudi8750 without a doubt Camden and Kensington are tied. I live 8 miles from Camden and have lived in this area my whole life. The elderly community speak of Camden as the place to be in their day.

[@guillermoferraudi8750]

@@shannonallen2993 thanks for answer. I enjoy exploring anandoned buildings and towns. Ill have to check out those towns.

[@shannonallen2993]

@@guillermoferraudi8750 use extreme caution.

[@honorladone8682]

I'm praying for everyone. Holland USA

[@Valmontst]

You know that I love your videos, but if you are to continue making them safely, might I suggest that you invest in buying yourself an Abrams tank!! 😉

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Heard that! :)

[@bobfitzpatrick8952]

The trolley tracks in the early part of the video reminded me of Cincinnati as a boy; my father used to point them out to me.

[@liamgray9644]

I have seen Skid Row in LA many times, but never been near Kensington. I know they both are bad in their own ways , but curious which one is actually worse.

[@spg1794]

i live walking distance from that area that you described as no mans land. I walk alone and unarmed at all hours through there, trust me you are invisible to the locals unless youre buying or selling drugs.

[@jayl8034]

I loved in Philly as a young lad.I knew ppl in Kensington, had family in N. Philly,(by Roosevelt and Bustleton). Back then everyone in one of those row homes had a decent job. Motorola, Budd Co., mills small manufacturing,etc. All those shops under the "El" did a decent business. I remember going into those shops with my Grandparents under the Frankford Elevated. Never had a worry all kinds of races and religions there. When the jobs left is when it got bad. Urban decay,.... poor business planning by local Gov't puts it in decline. Don't blame the people; they are the victims. So sad!

[@tach9663]

Thank you for the drone coverage. It looked risky, but you did it.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I've since been told it wasn't a smart thing to do. :)

[@tuck6464]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip A lot of you poor slobs don't seem to realize this whole Country is circling the drain currently, it's highly unlikely that it will survive 2 more years of this.

[@VakarianGirl]

I've watched several videos of drivethroughs/walkthroughs of Kensington in Philadelphia, and I had absolutely no idea. Like - it doesn't even compute. I just don't get it. Why is this happening? Why is nobody taking any notice? Why does the city do nothing? Why is there no help for these people? I still don't get it.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Basically, the city has taken a hands of approach, because for them it's easier to keep this particular activity there, and not have to deal with it in other areas of the city.

[@arlaabrell8658]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip A fairly common approach, confine "the problem" into one or two areas. Now and then they move them too.

[@arlaabrell8658]

It can be summed up in a few words actually, the unchecked spread of fentanyl is a big part of the problem,due in large part to the wide open southern border, despair among the lower once working class (many of whom now do not or can not work) an inability to live like a "regular person" in a house or apartment due to outrageous rent and utility prices that has increased the number of homeless people, and grossly ineffective management of addiction and metal illness and proper facilities to treat those affected by these afflictions. That's only a thumbnail of the entire problem of course but it's representative of the reasons behind it. Zoning and extremely petty city codes also contribute to the problems, and yes I'll say it because it's true, nearly ALL of the places that have deteriorated to this level are located in long time democrat strongholds and as long as that doesn't change, the problems are not going to get better, As to another one of your questions as to why, they don't REALLY care, these people do not produce any revenue, remember government gets ALL of their money from taxes, fees and fines, oh and the "grease the wheels" money and bribes, and ,they don't "notice" because they simply do not go there except for a photo-op now and then. It's sad, it's horribly sad, but this is the state that some areas of the country have sunk to. Unfortunately a comment section is also not the place to get into any deep discussions of this tragedy.

[@HarryHamsterChannel]

@@arlaabrell8658 Good money in the slumlord business.

[@gailwright4326]

Everything is so crammed together there. It's so dirty. How sad.

[@ek6321]

It's a deep shame to see such heartbreaking poverty and human misery in such a wealthy nation.

[@kevinkeller-w8w]

joe ,do you carry protection on some of these drives just incase you are so brave love your videos

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I do. :)

[@danweyant707]

Sees an emergency vehicle in response and says "you see a lot of that here" - really? Where a lot of people are? You don't say.

[@mtnwriter4011]

It's an interesting journey you've chosen. A long road to "somewhere," I feel. Some ultimate discovery, perhaps, awaits you. Crank up your drone when you're there.

[@gjdjdtht]

Wow such clear footage? Which drone do you use?

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

A DJI Mini 2.

[@jradcliffe4968]

It will take decades for this mess to get gone !

[@ronmartin4212]

Warrington's in Bucks County,near Doylestown,Pink's home town!! You're driving down Rt.611 near warminster in the first few minutes.It eventually turns into Broad St.After Horsham,Willow Grove(Montgomery County)Glenside,then Cheltenham

[@tuck6464]

Pink is from Upper Darby/ Lansdowne, a far cry from Doylestown.

[@ronmartin4212]

@@tuck6464 Well,she started out in Abington,then moved to Doylestown,where she went to school,and graduated from,Central Bucks West,in the borough.

[@tuck6464]

@@ronmartin4212 If you're getting this from Wikipedia, it's wrong she's from Darby, between Upper Darby and Lansdowne. Regardless of what school she graduated from.

[@ronmartin4212]

Her high school picture from Central Bucks West in 1997 yearbook.Look it up.Alecia Moore.She lived in Doylestown to go to school there.Hence,she lived in Doylestown.

[@ronmartin4212]

Did you live near her in Lansdowne/Upper Darby,near Jim Croce and Todd Rundgren,too?!??!!??

[@Theywaswrong]

Didn't realize they had gambling houses in Kensington. Right as you went in, a store sign said "We Cash All Checks"!!!

[@TheDexa88]

It looks bad but seeing so many stores around doesn’t give me the vibe that is worst hood in Us. Glad to see next video in Dallas.

[@rodeogirl8459]

you gotta go to minneapolis soon! it's a gorgeous city especially in the spring and summer

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Heading there next month! Looking forward to it. St Paul as well. I’m a huge Peanuts fan.

[@LDbcdAL-px7mg]

Hey rodeo girl, I totally agree with you having lived in Minneapolis from 1981 to 1989. Miss the 10,000 lakes. Say hi to all the folks there.

[@playswithsquirrels7614]

Its a nice hood. Good people, families. Just some people might get to drunk or be on drugs and they are the ones who act up. Dont look for trouble and trouble wont look for you. I never felt threatened. I felt like its just another neighborhood, but with small houses

[@HannumNeil]

I have seen much worse as well. I am guilty of clicking his bait.

[@williamsnyder4890]

White people stay out if have any sense

[@iluciferi5320]

U dudes r both nuts. I knew Black dudes who weren’t criminals but were hardened street type guys & they couldn’t wait till they got the F outta there…that N Philly

[@LukeandLucas]

It’s a complete shithole.

[@margieburgos1834]

Exactly You said it right .. ppl come to our neighborhood and over exaggerate ya can’t walk down street , I’m putting my life on line to show ya this video, that ticks me off .. yes it has changed just like any other neighborhood

[@danw3735]

Just comparing our 2 cultures, I come from Melbourne Australia a vibrant modern society with explosive growth. I don't know if it will ever decline into this. but it's both strange and sad to see when it's the lands of the most prominent democracy decaying like this.

[@SadieMarie108]

Our America is crumbling around us. It's difficult to witness. It is no longer the America it was prior to the 9/11 attacks in 2001. After that, things really changed. And by the crash of the economy in 2008, I don't think there was any way it could be turned around. Americans used to stand together. We are now quite divided on every issue imaginable. It's heartbreaking. Love and support your fellow countrymen.

[@josfoekens3331]

Awesome dronefootage welldone regards from.The Netherlands

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@gregorylenton8200]

WOW Great show today thanks

[@robfinegold1597]

The neighborhood looks nice in those drone shots though. A walkable, dense neighborhood with good transit? If I didn't know what it was like on the ground I'd be looking to move there

[@blyt5046]

i just know u must be “carrying”, walking in that slum. footage with drone is amazing

[@CaptainHowdy1969]

When I was watching you cruise down Kensington with the rail above you I kept thinking of the scene in the movie Donnie Brascoe with Jonny Depp and Al Pacino when they were in the car together...idk if that was filmed in Philly on Kensington but it looks pretty damned close...

[@luruperchausse10]

Looks nice from the drone!

[@ccahill8442]

Yikes!!! I appreciate seeing your journeys but this city was definitely a nail biter. Stay safe Spoda!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It definitely was.

[@justmyopinion9883]

Thank you for sharing this video. Isn't Philadelphia called "The City of Brotherly Love?". P.S. I love watching your videos. I feel like I'm on a road trip without ever leaving home. 😊

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you for the compliment. My goal is exactly that - to make you feel like you've been there. :)

[@teafortwo9307]

I live right outside of Philadelphia - years ago I used to feel safer walking around center city and rittenhouse square than I did in a suburban park...as a single woman. I would park in the Fairmount section and walk down to Rittenhouse, have lunch then walk for fun because I loved the city. We would go to Espositos on 9th street every few months for meat (then separate and freeze it). Not anymore. After 2020 and the general lawlessness that as ensued... no... we already had an opioid issue... when you hear about the push for 'safe injection sites'.... its utter nonsense. I know people aren't happy with the D.A. Oh... you know what really did it for me? The so called 'drivers equality act' Drivers in Philadelphia can no longer get stopped for minor infractions like a missing brake light or an expired inspection... say what? You're driving around with an expired inspection - do you have insurance? If you hit my car what are the chances that you will stay? This is more encouraged lawlessness. The drivers are already bad enough - so no. I do not go into Philadelphia anymore. Done...

[@1940limited]

I don't know how anyone operates a business on Kensington Ave. yet I see stores and restaurants. I don't think I'd want to eat there.

[@margieburgos1834]

Ppl if your from here you know ppl are friendly ask where something is at and you’ll be told I know I live here and I’m not on drugs I hate when outsiders go exploiting

[@margieburgos1834]

Crime stats are like where it is everywhere else , if I was to go videoing in another city I bet it’s about the same here , Only thing that’s is different and not really in some cities Is the cops let ya get high in front of them .. they figure let them go save the city money they gonna die anyway .. smh that the next step is to put our foot and get our mayor to start doing his job or we get him out .. we the people have to make it happen and it can be done 💯

[@vergilmontiero2558]

@@margieburgos1834 Exactly grew up in philly. People looking from the outside in don't usually get it right but that's only because they're just observers. Gotta get to know people first before judging them.

[@abstractfactory8068]

God damn, from all the videos I've seen on youtube I feel like this is home, I know all the streets by now.

[@Pladderkasse]

Same here. This must be the most documented neighborhood in the world.

[@vergilmontiero2558]

As someone from philly, yes there are places like this that are rundown and old. But there are places like that everywhere. All of Philadelphia doesn't look like this. Also if you meet some of the people, you'll find out that there are nice people out there. Obviously you'll want a guide like any other place you visit before doing so. If you only visit places that are well known for being notorious, then of course you'll have a bad impression about the city as a whole. Tl;dr, there's good and bad everywhere in the world, being in a first world country doesn't change that.

[@JamesBond-uz2dm]

In 1985, a radical black group called MOVE was holed up in a building and refused to surrender. The police, in a helicopter, fire bombed the building . The fire spread and burned the whole block of family homes. Many people were killed. Mayor Frank Rizzo was only US mayor ever to fire bomb his own city.

[@transman9453]

@@JamesBond-uz2dm Mayor Goode was the mayor at the time of the bombing

[@mic1240]

Kensington is ‘worst neighborhood in America”? Gary, Indiana says “hold my beer”

[@LKS-1976]

Needle parks real name is McPherson Square. I saw you were at 9/Somerset. Right in the middle of the badlands. The big cathedral on the right on Lehigh, facing the ave was Philly PD sex crimes, next to that is Episcopal Hospital, part of Temple Hospital on Broad/Ontario. That area is one of the largest populations of Latin American in the US, especially Puerto Ricans (my wife is). That Ambulance was Philly fire rescue, probably Medic 8 or 2. Medic 8 is at Hart/Boudinot around the corner or Medic 2, Kensington/Castor.

[@jayfelsberg1931]

Waiting see some fellas in colors come up and ask,":Hey, where you from?" Respond wisely.

[@Plimothrock]

LS-Great eye opening video-My wife and I are just happy you made it out alive!

[@madhavyu]

If Kensington was in East St. Louis, this would be the the best part of the town.

[@bobmmann3917]

Walking around there was not one of your best ideas. I’m glad you got out safe. Not exactly the shining city on a hill is it.

[@panchogeorocks]

Something about east coast ghettos/hoods that just hits like a brick! Idk why, but the blight, negative vibes, trash, and infrastructure conditions are just in a category of its own.

[@juni674]

Where you passed the UHAUL building is where Rocky 1 was filmed in part. The scene with Gazzo and Rock got out of the car after he told him that he did not break the guys thumb. My ex wifes Grandma used to live off of Lehigh (Fishtown) Ave. I remember a tiny ass sign for the Lehigh Ave. exit off of the 95. Easily missed if you are not familiar.

[@omglivetv1]

I didn't see the natives running around with spears saying OOga Booga (Sarcasm) like I was led to believe

[@nancywysemen7196]

a now sad section of town. plans to plant more trees where city can. lots of asmah in these crowded neighborhoods. hope you saw the beautiful sides too.

[@zeekwolfe6251]

I live in a small town, Republican run, where streets are clean, water fountains in the parks all work, basketball nets are replaced every week and homeless types are invisible. The city is comfortable and safe. If that is "code" for something, so be it.

[@pacman3556]

sounds like code for "self entitled white privileged people"

[@adele19b3]

What does republican run have to do with any of that? Are you so dense that you believe every democrat run place is like this? Like you realize every city has homeless cause it’s a city? Like your comparison is so asinine.