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November 3, 2008

Mugging on St. John's Place

While Fort Greene's had most of the headline-grabbing crime news in recent weeks, Park Slope got a taste this past weekend in form of an old-fashioned push-in mugging. Gowanus Lounge reports on an email posted on the Park Slope Parents board:

keys-1108.jpgA neighbor on my block (St Johns between 7th and 8th Aves) has reported a mugging at gunpoint last night (after dark). My neighbor apparently was walking up St Johns from 7th Ave, turned to enter a house, then while fumbling for keys was approached by two men, who then forced the neighbor into the house vestibule. My neighbor was then threatened with a gun and robbed. These details were posted up and down our block this morning. There does seem to be an increase in this kind of crime lately in our neighborhood.

The number one thing one can do to minimize the chances of this type of thing happening are to avoid listening to your iPod or talking on your cellphone on the street. On top of that, we're always shocked at the number of houses that fail to adequately light their stoop areas. There should be a law...




Posted by Brownstoner at 9:47 AM | Comments (73)
Categories: Crime, Park Slope

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Comments

There should be a law against those horrible floodlights that switch on when people walk by and deluge the whole block in stadium-strength lumens.

Posted by: dittoburg at November 3, 2008 9:59 AM

As crime continues to rise, I'm pretty sure people will be willing to put up with floodlights if it means not getting mugged!

Posted by: plgdude at November 3, 2008 10:04 AM

This is the real New York. This is what happens in a recession. Most of the readers of Brownstoner don't know this side of Brooklyn. Brooklyn is notorious for crime especially in bad economic times. i hope you are prepared to live in Brooklyn and live in your "investment".

The What

Someday this war is gonna end..

The things that are happing now are not a anomaly.

Posted by: Return of The What at November 3, 2008 10:09 AM

seriously 99 percent of muggings are on idiots blindly walking around listening to music or texting away on the cell phones. im sorry but if you are that naive, well... you know.

-r

Posted by: PitbullNYC at November 3, 2008 10:10 AM

seriously 99 percent of muggings are on idiots blindly walking around listening to music or texting away on the cell phones. im sorry but if you are that naive, well... you know. which i know prob isnt the case here 1 percent


-r

Posted by: PitbullNYC at November 3, 2008 10:10 AM

pitbullNYC - I thought those people are removed from the general population by natural selection when they cross the street in their inward world?

Posted by: dittoburg at November 3, 2008 10:12 AM

Amen! And I'm talking about YOU - 10th St between 7th and 6th.... DARK DARK DARK, esp with all that tree cover. PLEASE do your neighbors a favor and leave your porch lights on, at least until 11pm or midnight. That street is usually totally dark at 10pm!

Posted by: yso at November 3, 2008 10:17 AM

Rising crime during poor economic times is not exclusive to Brooklyn. There is a myth that some seem interested in perpetrating here that Brooklyn is especially rough in this regards. This is a national problem, but it does have local solutions. Vigilance on the streets, both for your personal safety and for the safety of your neighbors, needs to be the norm at times like this. Lets look out for each other and demonstrate that our communities and neighborhoods are stronger than the pressures created by the economic downturn.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 10:18 AM

"There does seem to be an increase in this kind of crime lately in our neighborhood" - these statements are rarely backed up by stats...usually just perception and kneejerk emotional reaction.
and another mindless play on fear comment - "Brooklyn is notorious for crime especially in bad economic times." so show me stats on crime and bad economic times. And why Brooklyn any different than anywhere else.

Also - any street wise person knows you don't 'fumble' for keys when entering your house... THey are in your hand block before you get home ready to use. And always be alert no matter what neighborhood or town or city. Headphones, cellphones, etc - are invitation. Sometimes I wonder why these dumb people just don't carry a sign that says mug me.

Posted by: Petebklyn at November 3, 2008 10:20 AM

I actually saw a 15/16 yr. old kid get jumped for an iPod and his wallet, on my block, on Halloween at 6pm - in broad daylight, two stoops away from me. There were easily 100+ people in the immmediate area. I hadn't seen anything like that in a long long time. I was a pretty surprised.

Their used to be little public safety ads telling you how to handle yourself on the street. Do you remember those What? A little list of like 5 things you can do to be safer? Don't flash your money, have your keys in your hand before you reach your apt/house. Check for anyone you don't know hanging around. If anyone is, go to a neighbor/friends house or store.

Posted by: cobblehiller at November 3, 2008 10:29 AM

So are all the normally law abiding citizens when suddenly faced with economic difficulties going to take-up arms and start robbing eachother?

And for those constant-cell-phone-talkers: who is it that you are incessantly speaking with? I curse those unlimited minutes!!!

Posted by: BobfromBklyn at November 3, 2008 10:29 AM

Let me dust off the lessons of my Bronx 1970s childhood and invite you all to:

Have your keys out and ready. Do not stand in front of your house fumbling.

Before exiting the subway, put away your phone, ipod, etc, and take your keys out.

Do not carry your keys and ID in the same bag. If someone snatches your bag, they'll have your ID. You don't want them to have your keys too. Carry your keys on your person (like in a coat pocket).

Xerox everything in your wallet and keep a copy in the house. That way, if your wallet gets snatched, you'll be able to call all of the credit cards etc and have your ID #s at the ready.

Lighten up what you carry. You don't ned to be toting your checkbook, passport, birth certificate, etc. Carry as little as possible. Basically, don't carry anything you wouldn't be "happy" to hand over to a mugger.

Carry "mugger money" and an extra metrocard on your body, like in your pants pocket or inner coat pocket. That way, if you have to hand everything over, you can still get home.

Tuck in neck chains and turn rings around. You may have to hand them over anyway, but don't flash them.

If some approaches you and you feel ill at ease, start yelling. Don't be polite about this stuff. Cross the street if someone makes you feel uncomfortable, go into a store or bar, just remove yourself. I know it goes against our polite instincts, but if you feel like something is up -- something is probably up.

If you have to run from gunshot, run in a zig zag pattern. It's hard to hit a moving target. (Actually, I learned that in a movie. My childhood wasn't that jacked up!)

Consider reading "The Gift of Fear" or taking a self-defense class.

And lastly, walk tall, try not to put yourself into dangerous situations, and hand over everything if you get into it. The watch, the ring, the money -- not worth nearly as much as you are.

And by the way What, and anyone else who would take pleasure in a return to a more crime-ridden city -- shame on you. I understand schadenfreude, but a dirtier, more dangerous New York is not something to to take any kind of pleasure in. It hurts us all.


Stay safe everyone.

Posted by: I_haz_TWO_toilets at November 3, 2008 10:33 AM

"Their used to be little public safety ads telling you how to handle yourself on the street. Do you remember those What?"

Yep sure do, We used to laugh at those ads. I think you better wake up Asshats. You thought you was going to "take over the Hood" but you are in the middle of ground zero.

The Mutant Asset Bubble died last month.

Gentrification is on life support and the priest is coming upstairs to give last rites..

the What

Someday this war is gonna end..

Posted by: Return of The What at November 3, 2008 10:35 AM

Two toilets...good advice. Thanks.

Also, don't look down at the sidewalk when you're walking.

Also, if you live in a building with out a doorperson. DO NOT buzz people in that you don't know.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at November 3, 2008 10:41 AM

I haz, thanks for the tips. Even for those who have read or heard similar advice in the past, it's always valuable to have a "refresher" course. Much appreciated.

Posted by: Biff Champion at November 3, 2008 10:43 AM

Thank you for your very handy advice Mr. two toilets.

Posted by: buckfire at November 3, 2008 10:43 AM

That's not happy news.

Some of those streets are unpleasantly dark and quiet after 9:00pm. Few blocks have good lighting or much street activity after dark.

Being prepared and carrying yourself properly is all well and good if someone is purposefully looking for an easy target.

But if someone is there waiting for an opportunity, all they need is a lone person and a quiet moment. Once they've decided to use a gun, looking tough isn't going to help you very much, except possibly to make them more nervous and edgy.

Posted by: northsloperenter at November 3, 2008 10:44 AM

"And by the way What, and anyone else who would take pleasure in a return to a more crime-ridden city -- shame on you. I understand schadenfreude, but a dirtier, more dangerous New York is not something to to take any kind of pleasure in. It hurts us all."

You see, you don't understand, NOTHING! The Asshats thought they could waltz in Brooklyn. Live in a dangerous neighborhood and nothing would happen to them! This is delusion and stupidity. a 135 pound Asshat walking down Throop and Gates, playing his I pod and looking like a "victim" and nothing suppose to happen???

Man you and others need to put down the crack pipe and see thing for what there are. This is Brooklyn NY Dumbasses. The thing that are happing now is part of life in the City.

The What

Someday this delusion is gonna end...

Posted by: Return of The What at November 3, 2008 10:44 AM

Hey buckfire -- I'm a lady, not a mister. :)

Oh What, I do understand. Try not to work yourself into a froth.

Posted by: I_haz_TWO_toilets at November 3, 2008 10:51 AM

what what does not understand is that crime happens where it is permitted to happen. The blase acceptance/this-is-how-it-is/no snitching attitude means your hood will continue to suffer crime if the rest of the residents act the same. Communities who continually make concerted effort by reporting, hassling the cops to come around, attending precinct meetings, increasing lighting etc. etc. drive local crime rates lower.

Posted by: dittoburg at November 3, 2008 10:52 AM

'a 135 pound Asshat walking down Throop and Gates, playing his I pod and looking like a "victim" and nothing suppose to happen???'

I say we go back to the days of carrying around boomboxes on our shoulders.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at November 3, 2008 10:52 AM

So what are you saying What - that you want it to be that way or that it's inevitable?

Posted by: cobblehiller at November 3, 2008 10:56 AM

Thanks, Two Toilets-great advice for any time.

I also would add one thing, just as a suggestion: close up your handbags ladies and sling them across your neck (and not just on your shoulder)! I know these pretty $1,800 Balanciaga handbags are wonderful, but any person can either snag something from it without your knowing, or even worse will just take the whole load, whatever the cost. Everyone knows what high-end looks like and can tell them apart from the knock-offs.

Posted by: gwbrubaker at November 3, 2008 11:14 AM

Preach it dittoburg.

Posted by: I_haz_TWO_toilets at November 3, 2008 11:18 AM

I haz is right on! That is what all New Yorkers (especially Brooklynites) knew prior to the Giuliani years.
Another thing is, if you think you are being followed, do not go into your building. confront the follower and say in a good, tough NY voice, on the street, "wnat do you want?".
If they want money, give it to them.

Posted by: sam at November 3, 2008 11:37 AM

I have a whole repertoire of near mugging stories, all of which end with me making a spectacle of myself and not getting mugged. The kids who chased me on my bicycle and may or may not have had ill intentions -- I squealed to a stop in front of passing couple and said simply "don't leave me alone." The woman said "yeah, no problem, we can stay right here." and then told her friend to "just hush" when he started trying to ask me what was going on. By then the kids had sped past and were well out of site and I rode home uneventfully.

On top of not disappearing into your phone or headphones, you have to also be willing to look foolish.

I haven't looked at the numbers so I don't have much to add to the crime stats conversation.

Posted by: serpentor at November 3, 2008 11:38 AM

All of those folks who moved into the neighborhood downtown and are shcocked, shocked! by the HOD will think more kindly of it if crime does become more of an issue. Having the HOD, with cops, court officers, correction officers around (discretely tho, I may add) 124/7 makes the immediate area far safer then the more residential streets just a few blocks away. No muggings, car break-ins or any of that bad stuff happend back in the 80s.

Posted by: BH76 at November 3, 2008 11:43 AM

"Serpentor...is that my name? I seem to remember...others."

A group of 8 or 9 black teenage girls tried to flash me on that block once, at around 7 p.m. As I approached I heard them talking:

"Ask the man."
"Leave the man alone."

As I met them, one asked, "Mister, wanna see my breast?" and her hand moved to her chest. I darted my eyes away and kept walking.

The four times I've been mugged/almost mugged, three were in Park Slope (the fourth in Canarsie).

Posted by: infinitejester at November 3, 2008 11:46 AM

Safety tip #1 - If you hear the word "asshat" on your way home, sprint for the nearest frozen yogurt shop.

Posted by: FatLenny at November 3, 2008 11:55 AM

I haz--great great advice.

What--if you are hoping actively for a more crime ridden city you are more twisted than I thought. But I agree, a 135 hipster walking down the street at Gates and Throop is a target no matter what year it is.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 11:55 AM

To add a little perspective, St. John's is an odd block. The stretch from 6th to 7th has some affordable income housing (although in beautiful brownstones) and there are a few bad seeds.

It is not indicative of the surrounding area. I'm not saying this couldn't easily happen on any block in Park Slope, Brooklyn or New York, but to hear it happened on St. John's really doesn't surprise me.

Posted by: 11217 at November 3, 2008 12:12 PM

"I actually saw a 15/16 yr. old kid get jumped for an iPod and his wallet, on my block, on Halloween at 6pm - in broad daylight, two stoops away from me. There were easily 100+ people in the immmediate area. I hadn't seen anything like that in a long long time. I was a pretty surprised."

Did you call the cops?

Posted by: East New York at November 3, 2008 12:26 PM

ENY: A neighbor I was sitting on the stoop with called. I went in awhile later, I haven't seen her to hear if she heard anything more, like if they got the kids.

Oddly enough the police showed up like 2 minutes later, but to a house on the same block that had also called about an incident - different people/incident altogether.

Posted by: cobblehiller at November 3, 2008 12:36 PM

So... I haz two toilets...

You had a rule about putting cell phones and ipods away during your 1970s Bronx upbringing!?

ha! sorry. good tips, but your wording was very funny.

Posted by: TD at November 3, 2008 12:40 PM

Some fool on another board (Brooklynian) tried to tell someone that s/he shouldn't call the police when s/he sees a crime because "snitches get stitches." I am not sure that one mugging on St Johns makes a trend, but obviously part of personal safety is social responsibility and letting people know it isn't safe to commit crimes in your neighborhood or block.

Posted by: Putnamdenizen at November 3, 2008 12:41 PM

BH76,

Good theory BH76, except that the HOD was open during the 1980s. I lived on State St. (Hoyt + Bond) back then, and an open HOD did not make the area safer.

Posted by: Boerum Hill at November 3, 2008 12:48 PM

What the hell is that Putnam - "snitches get stitches."
Someone explain this to me, it makes me feel like my head is going to explode.

Posted by: cobblehiller at November 3, 2008 12:49 PM

I have two toilets.......excellent advice. Nuff said.

Posted by: iluvclintonhill at November 3, 2008 12:51 PM

snitches get stitches and end up in ditches!

Been a while since i heard that one.

Posted by: A Guest at November 3, 2008 12:53 PM

I haz - great advice

I agree, I think we all have become too blase about walking home from the subway etc - checking our blackberries, yapping on the phone,listening to ipods that we rarely notice if anyone is even around us- Especially around my neck of the slope(7th avenue between 9th and 15th streets) that I am lulled into a false sense of security with all the hustle and bustle. Hell, I even feel safe walking home at 1am along 7th.

Posted by: gemini10 at November 3, 2008 1:05 PM

Boerum Hill: not a theory -- I lived in the area too. And we never had a problem within two blicks of the HOD.

Posted by: BH76 at November 3, 2008 1:26 PM

"So what are you saying What - that you want it to be that way or that it's inevitable?"

Believe or not the crime rates have been going up the last few years. The last years of the Giuliani administration crime stats was cooked. The crack epidemic was over and that Asshat Giuliani need something to hang his hat on. Then you homeboy Bloomberg kept the same game up..

"What--if you are hoping actively for a more crime ridden city you are more twisted than I thought. "

That's real funny! You unlike the rest of the Asshats I harbor no illusion about where I live. When I was growing up in Bed Stuy everyone got robbed, I mean everyone. From the Badasses to the punks. Why??!! We understood our environment and the risks of growing up here!

The main thing you Asshats don't get is you don't think of your area is danngerous. You are a bunch of self entitled smug Asshats and you think that people supposed to get out of you way. You put yourself in great danger!

When the shooting happen on Fulton St. the other day i was standing in amazement that the Assets was thinking "this is not suppose to happen". Chatting with there friends on the phone in stunned disbelief.

"snitches get stitches and end up in ditches!"

Please stop quoting Black slang!! I'm going to get sick....

Ether one or the other thing will happen. You will wake up or someone will put you to sleep...

The What

Someday this war is gonna end..

Posted by: Return of The What at November 3, 2008 1:39 PM

"What the hell is that Putnam - "snitches get stitches."
Someone explain this to me"

It means that nominally law abiding citizens are colluding with those involved in street crimes to protect them from the police.

I always think a good litmus test for a neighborhood is how middle aged residents react to street crime.

If they get worried and angry, it's probably a good sign that the neighborhood will act to protect itself. If they get close mouthed and indifferent, the neighborhood is in trouble. If they starting talking about 'no snitching', the neighborhood is lost.

Posted by: northsloperenter at November 3, 2008 1:48 PM

"The main thing you Asshats don't get is you don't think of your area is danngerous. You are a bunch of self entitled smug Asshats and you think that people supposed to get out of you way. You put yourself in great danger!"

You are a bigger fool than I had previously suspected What. Who thinks that their neighborhoods aren't potentially dangerous? Nobody on here. This is a post about crime in Park Slope. If it can happen in Park Slope it can happen anywhere. I keep abreast of as many crime statistics related to the 88th Precinct (my precinct) as I can and I have read with interest and some concern about recent crime developments in my area. So where are the people who think that there is no danger in Brooklyn? In re your childhood, that sounds bad and I would imagine that you don't relish the idea of being robbed these days. But to accept this situation as "the way it is" is a major cop out that you won't see me engaging in.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 1:51 PM

Park Slope deserves all the push in robberies and car break-in's they can get.

Maybe then they will stop encroaching on Sunset Park and calling is Slope South.

Posted by: Xander Crews at November 3, 2008 1:51 PM

"What the hell is that Putnam - "snitches get stitches."
Someone explain this to me"

It means that nominally law abiding citizens are colluding with those involved in street crimes to protect them from the police.

Yeahyeahyeah, I'm not a complete idiot, I get that...But why? Why does the guy that rips someone off get protected? What is the point?

Posted by: cobblehiller at November 3, 2008 1:52 PM

cobblehiller--this sort of saying would appear to be a remnant of the bad old days (which the What would like to see come back) in which people felt that it was safer to side with the criminals than with the police. IF neighborhoods are so indifferent to the situation on the streets, or if the residents have so little faith in the police to protect them from the criminal element then this sort of attitude can sprout up. And its the biggest thing to fight against in my opinion. Calling people out for their transgressions is the only way to promote standards of decency.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 1:56 PM

Touche TD! In fact, I was putting away my Walkman back then (and all of my copied-from-the-radio cassette tapes)!

Also, things frequently got ugly over the smudging of pristine sneakers.

Cobblehiller -- You don't snitch because if you do, and you are outed as a snitcher, bad things happen to you. That's the message there. Like you get a beat down. Or, depending on the severity of the crime and the level of the person you snitched on, you get shot at.

Neighborhood Watch, people. Time to band together.

Posted by: I_haz_TWO_toilets at November 3, 2008 2:04 PM

"But why? Why does the guy that rips someone off get protected? What is the point?"

Fear, indifference, or, in the worst cases, a certain sense that the victims "deserve" it (e.g., see Xander Crews sad little post).

Posted by: northsloperenter at November 3, 2008 2:06 PM

Xander Crews is clearly a sad little man with a sad little you know what by the looks of most of his posts...

Posted by: 11217 at November 3, 2008 2:12 PM

"Neighborhood Watch, people. Time to band together."

That's what I am talking about!

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 2:12 PM

You know something folks? I'm going to debate this crap and do you know why? The future is staring you in the face. We are going thru difficult times now. I have not seen these conditions in years and hope to GOD I wont live thru that crap.

If you believe you have made a good decision on buying here then deal with it. Let's not turn this board into thebrooklynian. Where people complain about everything.

I understand why some of you are upset with me because I'm point out the reality in your decision making process.

Have fun...

The What (I'm going back to the forums, where it's fun)

Someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: Return of The What at November 3, 2008 2:19 PM

I was wondering how long it would take for the what to return to his fucktard behavior. Time to get better meds, what.

Posted by: 11233 at November 3, 2008 2:19 PM

I'm not going to debate this crap, I mean.

The What

someday this war is gonna end...

Posted by: Return of The What at November 3, 2008 2:20 PM

"I have not seen these conditions in years and hope to GOD I wont live thru that crap."

Glad to hear you say that you don't want these conditions to return, though people could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. The point is that we don't have to let bad economic times ruin the fundamental goodness of our neighborhoods.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 2:22 PM

Frankly, if this was the only mugging of this type to be reported in Brooklyn in quite some time then I think things are in pretty good shape!!!!!

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 3, 2008 2:27 PM

Not that anyone here cares about facts, but according to the New York City's crime statistics for the 78th precinct, there have been 108 robberies in 2008 so far.

When compared to the 133 reported in 2007, robberies in Park Slope are DOWN 18.8% since last year, 32.5% in two years, 45.4% percent in 7 years and 84.5% in 15 years.

Overall crime in the 78th precinct is down 6.12% from last year, 15.98% in two years, 30.82% in 7 years and 73.55% in 15 years.

All very impressive numbers to anyone who actually cares to read them.

Posted by: 11217 at November 3, 2008 2:38 PM

Easy with the facts 11217! You could set a dangerous precedent around here.

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 2:45 PM

11217...what's the website for the data?

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at November 3, 2008 2:53 PM

http://www.nyc.gov/nypd has it by precinct.

Posted by: setancre at November 3, 2008 2:55 PM

You stalking me 11217?

Posted by: Xander Crews at November 3, 2008 3:42 PM

"You see, you don't understand, NOTHING! The Asshats thought they could waltz in Brooklyn. Live in a dangerous neighborhood and nothing would happen to them! This is delusion and stupidity. a 135 pound Asshat walking down Throop and Gates, playing his I pod and looking like a "victim" and nothing suppose to happen???"

Once again I find I must agree with the What.

I never use an Ipod on the street. I've been in NYC since I was born in 1954, and never have been robbed on the street in my adult life, altho three kids tried in FG park a few months ago. Pissed me off, I even called the cops on them. Even during the supposedly bad seventies/eighties, maybe had one or two half-hearted attempts. Never gave it up and never plan to unless I have a gun in my face and no way out. The trick to staying safe is to not get into a place with a gun in your face and no way out. If you can't outwit a sixteen year old with no education and prospects then plan to give it up regularly.

I also agree with the What, things are heating up no matter what the statistics say. I'm seeing things I haven't seen in years, saw some guys jack a taxi driver's wallet in the East 20s last week in the middle of the day.

In Ghouliani days, kids got so afraid of getting thrown up against the wall by the DTs they stopped carrying. It was considered impolite to get into a car and not notify the driver you had a gun.

With everyone screaming about stop and frisk these days, there are more guns being carried and way more brought into the neighborhood. There are a lot more shootings than are being reported.

Posted by: denton at November 3, 2008 4:13 PM

It never ceases to amaze me how some people carry themselves while walking on the streets of Brooklyn. I am by no means a criminal, but when I see someone walking down the street and think how easy it would be to knock them out and steal their iPhone, they might have a problem.

Posted by: A Guest at November 3, 2008 4:34 PM

This city needs to be on lockdown...No one on the streets after 7:00pm.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at November 3, 2008 4:40 PM

Bayridgegirl:

Not a problem! Already the case on 7th Avenue!

Posted by: 11217 at November 3, 2008 4:56 PM

I can't give it away on 7th Avenue
This town's been wearing tatters...

Pride and joy and greed and sex
That's what makes our town the best
Pride and joy and dirty dreams and still surviving on the street...

Don't you know the crime rate is going up, up, up, up, up
To live in this town you must be tough, tough, tough, tough, tough!

Posted by: SnarkSlope at November 3, 2008 5:44 PM

Shoo doo bee doo!

Posted by: wasder at November 3, 2008 6:11 PM

Snark, your new assignment is to post song lyrics into every post.

This one was perfect.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at November 3, 2008 6:20 PM

BRG - I hear and shall obey!

Posted by: SnarkSlope at November 3, 2008 6:29 PM

fyi -you can get crime stats from property shark.

i tend to agree with the What - although minus the ill-will to others or our economy. (i would prefer that things get better, not worse just for the record). there is no way i'm every moving to anywhere near a ghetto or a housing project. this includes north west slope, fort greene, clinton hill, etc.. know you all love your brownstones, but i'm am just too paranoid. dark brownstone streets create dark spots where you can't see people hiding up stoops or behind trees. my old boss learned this the hard way, and I always remembered what happened to him.

even though i grew up in a safe suburb, i really have been instinctively tremendously careful with my housing decisions. i've said it here before - follow the italians. if you have 2 + italian catholic churches and an italian funeral home in spitting distance, good! when i first moved to cobble hill in the mid '90's i actually saw 3 italian guys chase a dude who had stolen a leather coat right down the middle of court street. that's the shit.
if they get priced out, they get replaced with gentrifiers. safe and safe.


Posted by: wine lover at November 3, 2008 7:04 PM

Wow wine love...so not only are are you racist, but also completely dellusional of the fact that you live in a neighborhood with skyrocketing crime. Up 16% over last year, I believe...

I'll take a dark brownstone street over a dark street with 75% empty condos and old abandoned industrial warehouses, any day of the week.

How's that machete guy doin up there...caught him yet?

Posted by: 11217 at November 3, 2008 8:23 PM

Ask your precinct if you want to know if crime has increased. Not faceless people on a blog. Our local precinct denies there's an increase in more serious crime like this. They said grabbing of cell phones and iPods had increased, that's it so far. One mugging does not a crime wave make. Muggings always happened in Park Slope before. Like every week.

Posted by: traditionalmod at November 4, 2008 6:50 AM

11217 - there you go again bringin up the charge of racism. What in Wine Lover's post leads you to that conclusion - or are you refering to some previous postings?

Im guessing you're writing on an Apple on the basis of your "dellusional" comment.

Posted by: dittoburg at November 4, 2008 8:44 AM

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