[Prospero]

Sounds like we may have been "neighbors," since I lived near Kendell Drive in the early 70's. I remember two distinct times of "heightened tensions," following the desegregation of Miami-Dade schools and almost a decade later between the Mariel Boatlift and the peak in the Cocaine Boom, c. 1980, mitigated by Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

What an interesting place to live, with the fascinating history in a town now barely more than a century old.

Kendell was on the edge of South Miami, forty years ago, and now there's no interruption of population density and traffic past Homestead. A city as stable as a sandcastle on the geological timescale.

Since about 1970, there has been a kind of oscillating wave manifesting in periods characterized by ruthless violence, slowly increasing in frequency and nihilism.

A great place to live if one is reasonably well off and cautious, but unimaginably harsh, as harsh as the Everglades in August, on its good and evil poor people, and an above-average population of state-supported and impoverished mentally ill outpatients.

But, with high fences and a screened-in pool, and well-stocked ammo, etc. (you know, the "necessities" everywhere, these days) I'd probably risk living there still.

[Vinnie]

Maybe we were neighbors.
I grew up at SW 27th ave and Coral Way. Went to Miami High.
After I got married moved to Sunset Dr and 98 ave.
My kids went to Killian. Fled in 1984.

My oldest son and 2 grandkids survived (barely) Andrew.