Pratt Community Alerted to Rise in Violent Muggings
Last Friday Pratt Institute brass sent out an email to students and faculty warning them of a reported increase in violent activity near the Clinton Hill campus. The email said, in part, the following: The NYPD 88 Precinct has reported an increase in robberies within its confines. The robberies are reported to be committed by…
Last Friday Pratt Institute brass sent out an email to students and faculty warning them of a reported increase in violent activity near the Clinton Hill campus. The email said, in part, the following:
The NYPD 88 Precinct has reported an increase in robberies within its confines. The robberies are reported to be committed by a group of black males and females approximately 15-16 years of age. It has been reported that the group runs up to the victim, assaults them by kicking, punching, and scratching; then taking anything of value. These occurrences have happened during various times of the day. All students and Pratt community members are recommended to travel in pairs or groups. If you must travel alone consider using a car service. Avoid traveling late at night.
Repeated queries to the 88th Precinct for more information on the rash of robberies yielded no answers, but the precinct’s published report on crime for the 28 days that ended last Sunday shows there were 26 robberies committed during the period, a 37 percent increase from the 19 committed during the same weeks last year. Pratt isn’t the only neighborhood entity that’s been showing concern about safety in the area lately. Clinton Hill Blog has been chronicling appearances of a car in the neighborhood called the “Clinton-Washington Neighborhood Patrol,” a security measure undertaken by the Clinton Hill Co-ops. A couple months ago the Daily News reported that there’s been a big jump in the number of robberies and car thefts in Clinton Hill so far this year.
Clinton-Washington Neighborhood Patrol [Clinton Hill Blog]
Double-Digit Increase in Clinton Hill Crime Rate [Brownstoner]
Photo by PhillyBlunt.
Good to know. What happened with it? more info would be great to better watch out.
A guy got jumped late last night on the corner of Gates and Downing. Seeing the kids as I went out to help, it seems like they were the same ones.
Well put.
The 88th precinct has some of the worst statistics in the city. the 88th is poorly run. And they would say, it is poorly staffed (which may very well be true). but the point is, the 88th isn’t getting the job done.
For the new people in the Clinton Hill area… I’m white and new here too. But have a little common sense and pay attention to what is going on around you. Don’t go jogging alone at 11pm. And don’t be talking on your cell or listen to your ipod without noticing the group of teenagers standing at the top of the subway stairs. You do live in a city people, be aware of your surroundings.
I have lived here for about a year and i have never been bothered by anyone. try saying “hello” to your neighbors or the people on the street every once in a while. Don’t walk alone at night. Don’t come home drunk at 3am. if you do, I have news for you, a group of 15 year olds looking for some fun, will hassle you.
it happens in suburbia too people – try walking by the 7-11 at midnight and see what the 16 year olds throw in your direction.
i don’t agree with the posters who said we should fight back when mugged – but i do think we should all report it when our cars are broken into or someone harasses or mugs us. The city keeps track of these things and I hope will consider those stats when assigning new patrolmen to he 88th.
Clinton Hill is a neighborhood in transition people. There are some people here who don’t play by the rules and don’t have all that much to lose. there are some new people here trying to make the place a good place to live and raise a family. and there are people who have lived here for years who are good people. But everyone has to play their part – it isn’t an us versus them. be aware of things. report crimes. say hi to people. make a little eye contact. and if 15 teenagers are standing on a street corner make you nervous – cross the street.
to those who posted earlier about crime stats and racism – try being a part of your community. You can’t just show up in a place and demand that everyone who has lived there for 30 years leave immediately. and for the people who have lived there for 30 years – accept that things change and the color of the other people in your building changes too. if you are white – you are most likely to be the victim of a white-on-white crime. if you are black, most likely to be the victim of a black-on-black crime. try getting along with the guy next to you – because he is the person most likely to either rob you or help you out if you get into trouble.
Not a problem. It’s really becoming quite dangerous in the area.
I was wondering if anyone knew of/was interested in something similar to this posting. Perhaps a blog or website where people in the area could list their experiences/witness accounts of trouble in the neighborhood. It could really help out others and give a better idea of where to be extra cautious or stay away from.
Thanks!
Thanks for the info, glad you weren’t seriuosly
hurt. My wife and I have definitely heightened
our guard and awareness.
It happened slightly out of the 88th precinct’s jurisdiction; just on the brink of bedstuy. On Monroe St. between Franklin ave. and Bedford ave.
The guys forced my face to the pavement, so I was unable to identify any more than a general description, but they appeared to be anywhere from teens to early 20’s.
According to police, there have been a similar string of attacks/robberies on this block.
Dodgebullets,
Sorry that happened to you. Where did this happen? And were these young kids or adults?
Thanks.
Living in this area has its benefits and problems. Every day I hear about my fellow Pratt Students getting attacked, or mugged, or both. I never thought it would happen to me.
A week ago I was walking home from school at about 7pm. Not paying a bit of attention, a little too comfortable, only a block from home. I had my ipod on and was not paying attention.
Then I was struck in the back of the head with a brick by two African American males. I say they were African American Males because that’s what the police wrote on their papers. That’s the term accepted by our system of laws. They took only my ipod and cellphone, and ran off.
These things happen. I’m lucky it wasn’t worse. The most disheartening thing was the attitude of neighbors who witnessed the entire event. Upon approaching them, they did not let me use their phones to notify the police, or offer any assistance.
Pratt Students: We’re targets in this area. People watch, they learn, they talk. People know Pratt is a pricey school, and that news spreads fast. Be smart when walking. Don’t walk alone if you don’t have to, and I would suggest never listening to your ipod when traveling by foot. Let’s face it, your music can wait til you get on the train or to your destination. It’s not worth a welt, paperwork with police, and humiliation. Bed-stuy/Clinton Hill will not be completely safe ever, like anywhere. Avoidance is best as people on here have said. If you get an uncomfortable feeling, notice what it is and change it however you need to.
The good news is, this crime is brazen, there are witnesses, and enough complaints to the precinct or even city hall, will bring more patrols and with them a, hopefully, safer neighborhood for us all.