Several business owners are upset with how and when media refer to Hillyard. One person said that when something good happens in Hillyard, the area is referred to as "Northeast Hillyard" - but when something bad happens, like the recent shooting at the Special K Bar (on Garland and Market) it's referred to as "Hillyard" - an argument could be made that the Special K is not in Hillyard.

Part of the business owners' frustration is that they say they have worked hard on changing Hillyard's reputation and as long as crime continues to be a problem, they say, it is really hard to keep the good PR going.