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Nextdoor wars: Pushing the boundaries of privilege in La Jolla
Should firefighters be strictly a public good?
Why even have an enclave if it's just going to burn down?
San Diego has always been a city of hidden stories — murmured in the spaces between sun-bleached bungalows, whispered over backyard fences, and now, increasingly, shouted into the digital void of neighborhood apps. And nowhere are these narratives more brutally and hilariously exposed than on Nextdoor, the social media platform that has become the city's most unfiltered confessional.
La Jolla is a picturesque enclave where the ocean breeze mingles with upscale living and even the seagulls seem refined. Thought it was founded in 1887 by German immigrants who saw a breathtaking coastal paradise, the neighborhood's name supposedly means "the jewel" in Spanish. Originally a remote artist colony and scientific haven — home to the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography — La Jolla transformed from a rugged coastal outpost to a playground for the elite. It's a place where wealth isn't so much flaunted as assumed. Here, a beach view is no more remarkable than a steady Wi-Fi connection for the rest of us.
But ought there to be a limit to the kind of security that money can buy? Terri Y.'s Nextdoor post about private firefighters lit a match under the community's collective conscience.
The Original Post
“I was watching the news last night regarding the fires in LA. They said there are private firefighters that rich people hire to protect their houses and businesses. This particular company charges $2,000–$10,000 a day. This is the first I’ve heard about this service. How about you?”
Comments/Observations
1. The capitalists chime in: “That is smart—good for them. Where do I sign up?” “The Kardashians used them in the last fire.”
For these folks, money is a tool, and if it can save your house and your pool, why not?
2. The critics cry out: “Not surprising with all the inequities that exist in our society.” “Remember Animal Farm — some animals are more equal than others.”
Literary and philosophical, or just bitter?
3. Politics come into play: “Well, when liberal socialist leadership creates an environment of incompetence, people with means will pay for their own firefighters.”
You can practically hear the Fox News segment playing in the background.
4. We live in a society: “Money is obviously more valuable than human lives. The individual mindset is killing us.”
My hot take on wildfire privilege
The existence of private fire brigades underscores an uncomfortable truth: disasters don’t impact everyone equally. While wealthy neighborhoods like La Jolla can pay for extra protection, communities without those resources are left to rely solely on overburdened public systems.
One commenter summed it up succinctly: “Money gets you a lot.” Yes, it does, but it also raises the question of fairness. Should fire protection be a public good, or is it just another service you can outsource if your net worth allows it? This debate is a microcosm of a larger societal questions. How do we balance personal responsibility with communal care? And at what point does the pursuit of safety for some become a threat to fairness for all?
For now, the fires rage on — if not literally, then definitely metaphorically.
Here's something you might be interested in.
Nextdoor wars: Pushing the boundaries of privilege in La Jolla
Should firefighters be strictly a public good?
Nextdoor wars: Pushing the boundaries of privilege in La Jolla
Should firefighters be strictly a public good?
Why even have an enclave if it's just going to burn down?
San Diego has always been a city of hidden stories — murmured in the spaces between sun-bleached bungalows, whispered over backyard fences, and now, increasingly, shouted into the digital void of neighborhood apps. And nowhere are these narratives more brutally and hilariously exposed than on Nextdoor, the social media platform that has become the city's most unfiltered confessional.
La Jolla is a picturesque enclave where the ocean breeze mingles with upscale living and even the seagulls seem refined. Thought it was founded in 1887 by German immigrants who saw a breathtaking coastal paradise, the neighborhood's name supposedly means "the jewel" in Spanish. Originally a remote artist colony and scientific haven — home to the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography — La Jolla transformed from a rugged coastal outpost to a playground for the elite. It's a place where wealth isn't so much flaunted as assumed. Here, a beach view is no more remarkable than a steady Wi-Fi connection for the rest of us.
But ought there to be a limit to the kind of security that money can buy? Terri Y.'s Nextdoor post about private firefighters lit a match under the community's collective conscience.
The Original Post
“I was watching the news last night regarding the fires in LA. They said there are private firefighters that rich people hire to protect their houses and businesses. This particular company charges $2,000–$10,000 a day. This is the first I’ve heard about this service. How about you?”
Comments/Observations
1. The capitalists chime in: “That is smart—good for them. Where do I sign up?” “The Kardashians used them in the last fire.”
For these folks, money is a tool, and if it can save your house and your pool, why not?
2. The critics cry out: “Not surprising with all the inequities that exist in our society.” “Remember Animal Farm — some animals are more equal than others.”
Literary and philosophical, or just bitter?
3. Politics come into play: “Well, when liberal socialist leadership creates an environment of incompetence, people with means will pay for their own firefighters.”
You can practically hear the Fox News segment playing in the background.
4. We live in a society: “Money is obviously more valuable than human lives. The individual mindset is killing us.”
My hot take on wildfire privilege
The existence of private fire brigades underscores an uncomfortable truth: disasters don’t impact everyone equally. While wealthy neighborhoods like La Jolla can pay for extra protection, communities without those resources are left to rely solely on overburdened public systems.
One commenter summed it up succinctly: “Money gets you a lot.” Yes, it does, but it also raises the question of fairness. Should fire protection be a public good, or is it just another service you can outsource if your net worth allows it? This debate is a microcosm of a larger societal questions. How do we balance personal responsibility with communal care? And at what point does the pursuit of safety for some become a threat to fairness for all?
For now, the fires rage on — if not literally, then definitely metaphorically.
Comments