Talk:Opa-locka, Florida

Crime
I said ONE OF THE WORST!!! I've gotten research from many sites, and simply chose to include the official FBI one as my source.

ReignMan 13:38, 1 December 2006 (UTC)

I've moved the Crime section back here because the source cited does not support all of the statements. The numbers of crimes reported for Opa-locka are supported by the source, but the statement about Opa-locka having the worst violent crime rates in America, and the comparisons to other cities, look like original research and therefore cannot be left in the article. -- Donald Albury 00:32, 17 November 2006 (UTC)


 * Opa Locka has one of the worst violent crime rates in America. In 2005, it's population was a mere 15,673, with 352 violent, and 1,529 nonviolent crimes reported (8 murder/non-negligent manslaughters, 4 forcible rapes, 176 robberies, 164 agrivated assaults, 703 burglaries, 626 larcenies, and 200 motor vehicle thefts). This is more violent crime per capita than Camden, NJ, St. Louis, Mo, Compton, Ca, Detroit, Mi, etc.

"Great" City?
Why is this sentence included in the article?


 * [...]look.Opa-locka will alway be considered The "Great" City.[...]

--63.145.26.194 (talk) 17:06, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

~$3,000 Median Income for Families?
Man, this article is badly written.


 * An increase in the he median income is projected wherein a household in the city will move from $25,000 to $32,000 and the median income for a family from $2,742 to 3,200.

--63.145.26.194 (talk) 17:12, 14 January 2009 (UTC)

Origin of the name Opa-locka
The article reads: The name Opa-locka is a contraction of a Native American name for the area, "Opa-tisha-woka-locka", meaning "The high land north of the little river on which there is a camping place."

"Native American" is not a language. The likeliest candidate for the native language of the area is Seminole. I have been unable to get access to the sources cited in the article supporting the "camping place" theory, but a little research turned up a total of five alternative translations. So here is a list:

1. The one currently used in the article: "The high land north of the little river on which there is a camping place."

2. Lexicographers have derived Opa-locka from Seminole opel-rakko, "big swamp." See A Dictionary of Creek/Muskogee by Jack B. Martin and Margaret McKane Mauldin, ISBN 978-0-8032-3207-5.

3. "The name Opa-Locka is from the Seminole Indian word "Opa-tisha-woka-locka," meaning "a dry place in the swamp covered with many trees." (Marvin Kitman, The Man Who Would Not Shut Up: The Rise of Bill O'Reilly (Macmillan, 2008), p.11) Apparently Kitman got this info from an earlier version of the city's official website.

4. The current version of the city's website translates it as "a big island covered with many trees and swamps." Apparently this info changed since 2008.

5. An earlier source rearranges the elements of no. 4: "big island in the swamp covered with many trees". (Larry Luxner, "Opa-Locka Rising," Saudi Aramco World Sept./Oct. 1989, pp. 2-7).

6. The name was originally Opatishawockalocka (slightly different spelling), meaning "a sturdy growth of trees." (Lauren Kroiz, "Stealing Baghdad: the city of Opa-locka, Florida and The Thief of Bagdad", The Journal of Architecture 11, no. 5 (November 2006), p. 587.)

None of these names is especially well attested, and only no. 2 offers evidence from an Indian language. The likeliest language of origin is Seminole, but this is not certain. A few sources link the name to the Tequesta Indians rather than the Seminole, but this is unlikely, as nothing has been preserved of the Tequesta language. It's possible, if Glenn Curtiss really did bestow the name personally, that he could have gotten the name from anywhere, including fiction.

I'll see what else I can find out to help choose between the candidates — or dismiss all of them! — ℜob C. alias &Agrave;LAROB  02:28, 6 November 2011 (UTC)

I've created a work page in my userspace: User:Alarob/Opalocka. Stop by and consult. — ℜob C. alias &Agrave;LAROB  18:43, 6 November 2011 (UTC)

Merger proposal
Someone has edited and renamed Opa-Locka Company as Opa-Locka Thematic Resource Area. But "Opa-Locka Thematic Resource Area" is just the name of a proposal to list several properties on the National Register of Historic Places. Comparable proposals are listed at this page at the Florida Department of State.


 * 1) I am proposing that the article Opa-Locka Thematic Resource Area be merged with this one, Opa-locka, Florida.
 * 2) Another editor would like it renamed Opa-Locka Company.
 * 3) A third possibility is to restore the former name List of Registered Historic Buildings in Opa-locka, Florida.

What do you think? — ℜob C. alias &Agrave;LAROB  22:39, 5 October 2012 (UTC)
 * I'm the one who recently expanded the Opa-Locka Thematic Resource Area. Here's my thinking on why the content should not be merged:
 * First, and although the naming may not be elegant, there is substantial and long-standing precedent within WikiProject National Register of Historic Places for articles concerning significant thematically-related NRHP Multiple Property Submissions. For example, see 19th Century Spring Hill Neighborhood Thematic Resource, University-Cultural Center Multiple Resource Area, Downtown Jacksonville Multiple Property Submission, Apartments and Flats of Downtown Indianapolis Thematic Resources, Lee County Multiple Property Submission, Illinois Carnegie Libraries Multiple Property Submission, East Jefferson Avenue Residential TR, Homestead Multiple Property Submission, Daytona Beach Multiple Property Submission, Bartow Multiple Property Submission, Hudson Highlands Multiple Resource Area, Cass Farm Multiple Property Submission, Warehouses in Omaha Multiple Property Submission, Spanish Revival Residences in Mobile Multiple Property Submission, Historic Roman Catholic Properties in Mobile Multiple Property Submission, Cuyuna Iron Range Municipally-Owned Elevated Metal Water Tanks, Historic Fish Cabins of Charlotte Habor, Florida.


 * Thanks for listing those. The last two are basically good names about interesting topics which happens to have been covered in a MPS/TR document. However they should be renamed to use lower-caps:  Cuyuna Iron Range municipally-owned elevated metal water tanks" and "List of historic fish cabins of Charlotte Harbor, Florida".  The others all should be renamed, IMO.  It is not proper in wikipedia to have an article titled for the name of one study about a subject.  The article should be about the subject, not about the study.  If it is about the study, it should be covering the writers of the study, how they studied the topic, etc., which none of these articles do.  If there is another book about the same subject, should we explain the history of that study too, and rename the article? (To be clear: No). -- do  ncr  am  12:33, 8 October 2012 (UTC)
 * Second, the article on the Opa-Locka Thematic Resource Area is not new. It has been in existence since 2006 (created by User:Ebyabe, a long-time editor on Florida historic places).  That strikes me as the most logical place (and name) to collect the information on this thematically-related historic area.
 * Third, it would be unwieldy to merge it into the article on the modern city of Opa-Locka. It is typical protocol to deal with registered historic sites in articles separate from the city in which they exist.  It would be a good idea to have a clearer link in the "History" section to the Thematic Resource Area article.
 * Fourth, "Opa-Locka Company" is not really suitable either (who is suggesting it should be renamed in that manner?). A stub article about the company was created earlier this week and largely duplicated content from the pre-existing article on the Opa-Locka Thematic Resource Area, so I converted the stub article on the company into a re-direct to the Thematic Resource Area. Moreover, the company is not what's notable.  Opa-Locka Company was simply a development and sales company used by Glenn Curtiss in connection with the initial construction/marketing phase.
 * Fifth, the problem with renaming the article List of Registered Historic Buildings in Opa-locka, Florida, is that it dilutes the thematic focus. The properties covered by the article are all thematically related in that they were built at the same time, developed by Curtiss, reflect a common architectural style, designed by the same architect, etc.  That's the reason why there was a multiple property submission to the NRHP.  There may now or in the future be other historic sites in Opa-Locka that do not fall within the existing Thematic Resource Area.  Also, a city-specific List of Registered Historic Buildings in Opa-locka, Florida is superfluous since there's already a list including Opa-Locka at National Register of Historic Places listings in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
 * For these reasons, the existing Opa-Locka Thematic Resource Area, which has been in existence since 2006, should be preserved. Cbl62 (talk) 02:31, 6 October 2012 (UTC)

Keep separate but rename "Opa-Locka Thematic Resource Area" to "Arabian Nights theme architecture of Opa-Locka, Florida" (or something else)". I was the one who started the Opa-Locka Co. article but no one is advocating using that name.  At its Talk page, I already indicated my approval of editor Cbl62 merging that material into the pre-existing Opa-Locka Thematic Resource Area article.  However, I don't think anything with jargon phrase "Thematic Resource Area" is the right title. As for many other NRHP MPS / TR documents, I think there can/should be an article about the topic of the study, as there is now, but the name of the document is not the right title for the article. I've commented elsewhere that we don't create an article for every non-fiction book that exists. That was just a one-time study. There are other MPS/TR documents that are catch-alls about all historic resources in a geographic area, not thematically linked, which don't deserve an article at all, IMO. For this MPS/TR topic, the topic does seem thematically linked. But, the title should be the topic of the MPS/TR document, stated better, and I suggest: "Arabian Nights theme architecture of Opa-Locka, Florida". That would allow for coverage of other same-themed buildings which have not been preserved, too. -- do ncr  am  12:26, 8 October 2012 (UTC)
 * So, doncram and I agree this should not be merged into the city article. I think Ebyabe expressed that view on the Opa-Locka Thematic Resource Area Talk page as well.  The only issue between doncram and I is whether OLTRA should be renamed. My feelings on that aren't as strong, but "Arabian Nights" doesn't seem right.  While some sources indicate that the development was inspired by the "Arabian Nights" (possibly also by the silent film "The Thief of Bagdad"), the architectural style has been called Moorish Revival. So, if a change were to be made, "Moorish Revival architecture of Opa-Locka, Florida" might be more accurate. Cbl62 (talk) 20:03, 8 October 2012 (UTC)
 * Moorish Revival architecture of Opa-Locka, Florida would be fine by me, too. Especially since this article is being evaluated for DYK, perhaps a bold move to that title is warranted, and would probably settle this issue, I would hope. ℜob C., can you please comment? -- do  ncr  am  20:11, 8 October 2012 (UTC)


 * No merge, please. I am neutral about renaming—any normal sort of name is fine with me. Binksternet (talk) 15:39, 21 October 2012 (UTC)

The thematic resource area article is up on the Wikipedia main page right now, as DYK (... that the Opa-Locka Thematic Resource Area includes 20 buildings developed by aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss using an "Arabian Nights" theme?). I had coincidentally tried an edit earlier, which i reverted upon seeing the DYK notice. What I was trying was to provide the following revised lede text: Moorish Revival architecture of Opa-Locka, Florida is an interesting cluster of Moorish Revival architecture applied as a promotional scheme for development of the city of Opa-Locka, in what is now Miami-Dade County, Florida, in the 1920's. The theme was studied in a 1981 National Park Service study of the area, which led to many buildings becoming listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The buildings were designed in the mid-1920s by architect Bernhardt E. Muller as part of the development of Opa-Locka by aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss and his development and sales company, Opa-Locka Company. In developing Opa-Locka, Curtiss sought to follow a theme inspired by the Arabian Nights.

The term Opa-Locka Thematic Resource Area is the title of the 1981 study and also applies to the group of thematically-related historic sites in, United States that was studied. The area includes 20 surviving Moorish Revival buildings that "passed" and became listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and others that failed. The designated buildings include the Opa-Locka Company Administration Building, considered the anchor of the Opa-Locka development, the Opa-Locka Railroad Station, and the development's first commercial building, the Harry Hurt Building. to go with the article being moved to "Moorish Revival architecture of Opa-Locka, Florida" title instead, per this discussion. -- do ncr  am  17:11, 24 October 2012 (UTC)


 * I have, perhaps boldly, removed the merger proposal tags. About the requested rename, i am inclined to implement the move to Moorish Revival architecture of Opa-Locka, Florida and to implement the above suggested lede text, in a few days, after DYK traffic dies down.  And fully close this discussion here.  If there is not further discussion here within a few days. -- do  ncr  am  19:22, 24 October 2012 (UTC)
 * some of the proposed lede inappropriate. Word "scheme" in particular.  Calling it "interesting" as well.  Also bit about "passing" and "failing" is questionable and unsupported by sources. Cbl62 (talk) 05:27, 25 October 2012 (UTC)
 * Sure, those wordings could be improved, they are a bit informal. The idea of renaming/moving the article had support, is still open, but would best be taken forward by a formal requested move at that article, rather than discussed further here, i think. -- do  ncr  am  15:58, 27 March 2013 (UTC)

Good discussion. I support closing it without merging. — ℜob C. alias &Agrave;LAROB  18:50, 8 May 2013 (UTC)

Crime again
I reverted a sentence copied directly from cityrating.com which predicted that crime would go down in the future. Text from cityrating.com should not be copied and pasted (it is copyrighted) but the bigger issue is that cityrating.com is not necessarily reliable for predictions. The larger picture is that Opa-locka crime is still staggeringly high, according to many news reports. Painting a rosy picture about the city's crime is against the guideline at WP:NPOV.

Also, User:CityofOpalocka is in violation of username rules and will have to change to a personal username rather than an organizational one. There is the WP:conflict of interest matter regarding a city agent making changes to the article to skew its neutrality. Binksternet (talk) 15:24, 27 March 2013 (UTC)


 * Press reports indicate that the city has hired a new police chief. The public found out when another town announced their chief was moving to the OLPD. In any case, this police department has a lot of newsworthy stuff and is due for its own article. Paul, in Saudi (talk) 15:56, 27 March 2013 (UTC)

As a reader with no ties whatsoever to Opa-locka, I'll just comment that I'm tired of unsourced allegations that the city has a "staggeringly high" crime rate. Such assertions are commonplace in the United States and often have little or nothing to do with the actual crime rate. They are also bound up with anxieties about race and class, even when middle-class black people repeat them. As author William Upski Wimsatt has observed, after meeting well-intentioned Americans throughout the United States, "Everyone has a reason why their black people are the scariest." So unless an editor can reliably source what they're saying about crime in Opa-locka, they're probably just repeating local folklore. Finding a source, but piling on local rumors as if they are supported by the source, is out of bounds. If that's all you have, post it on your blog, not in Wikipedia. — ℜob C. alias &Agrave;LAROB  18:46, 8 May 2013 (UTC)

Sentence or paragraph omitted? Unclear reference.
Under "History" of Opa Locka, the article contains these paragraphs:

"''Amelia Earhart launched her historic trip around the world from Miami Municipal Airport, just south of Opa-locka.[6] The famous German dirigible Graf Zeppelin visited the NAS Miami, which later became Opa-locka Airport, as a regular stop on its Germany-Brazil-United States-Germany scheduled route.[7]

In keeping with that vow and to advance community pride, the city became the first community in the United States to commemorate the first African-American President of the United States by renaming a mile-long section of Perviz Avenue from Oriental Boulevard to Ali-Baba Avenue, Barack Obama Avenue on February 17, 2009.[8]"''

My question is, What "vow" is being referred to in the above paragraph? It appears that a previous sentence or paragraph has been omitted, for I see no reference to any "vow" in the paragraph immediately preceding that statement, nor in any part of the article above that statement. What do Curtiss, or Amelia Earhart, or the Graf Zeppelin have to do with Obama? Am I missing something?

````G. Reynolds

Surrounding areas section looks terrible
The “Surrounding areas” section is a layout hack that looks ridiculous (on mobile at least). If there must be such a section, isn’t there a template for that? 172.56.31.53 (talk) 14:51, 10 June 2019 (UTC)
 * That layout is used in a lot of articles about populated places. There is Template:Adjacent communities, used in a number of articles about cities, which is similar in appearance. - Donald Albury 18:00, 10 June 2019 (UTC)