“Just because people live near each other does not necessarily mean that they have much to do with each other. There may be little interaction between neighbors” (Lee and Newby, 1983); Throughout the community mapping exercise and interviews in the Bartram neighborhood, it was noted that many people, both those who reside and those who work in the area, do not recognize the Bartram neighborhood as community. Marsha, a Bartram Village employee, stated that “Bartram is not seen as a community by the people who live there” (personal communication, March 2014). She further explained that residents identify with the broader Kingsessing or Southwest Philadelphia area. Ms. Clara, a resident of the neighborhood, also explained how she and other members perceived the neighborhood. She said, “If you mind your own business and keep to yourself, you will be fine” (personal communication, February 2014). A 12th District police officer said, “Bartram is not a community. The community is Bartram Village, the housing project; the rest are found only in Southwest Philadelphia” (personal communication, March 2014). All individuals concluded that Bartram is "like an island", that community members do not interact, and that there is no Bartram identity as a whole (personal communication, February 2014. Some members of the community doesn't see this as a problem, "it's just the way it's always been" (personal communication, February 2014). They mention lack of resources, crime/security, lack of investment. and lack of educational resources as the neighborhood's main problem However, without this neighborhood coming together, these other problems will go unaddressed. 19...... middle of paper ...... and social networks flourish, individuals, businesses, neighborhoods prosper Economically, social capital can help mitigate the insidious effects of social disadvantage. -economic (Putnam, 2000). Public spaces in areas with high social capital are cleaner, people are friendlier and the streets are safer. mobility is not as important. Places have higher crime rates, largely because people do not participate in community organizations, do not supervise younger people, and are not connected by networks of friends (Putnam, 2000). There is consensus in the literature that "when people share a strong sense of community, they are empowered and motivated to change the issues they face and are better able to mitigate negative impacts on things they are concerned about." have no control” (Chavis & Wandersman, 1990).