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.
I agree that the description of the attackers was fine if factual. Would redheads have cause to complain if the description said the robberies were committed by a group black males and females approximately 15-16 years of age with bright orange hair?
Hey Gidget — Pick up a copy of “The Gift of Fear.” It’s a fascinating book that offers real insight into danger and our response to it (and keeping ourselves safe). Otherwise, I’d suggest basic urban survival strategy: Don’t flash jewelry or electronics (tuck in chains, turn rings around, don’t walk and listen to your iPod, don’t walk and talk on your cell, or text on your Blackberry), wear shoes you can move in (sneakers or flats), carry a handbag that closes securely and that you can keep a grip on (a backpack or something with handles that fit over your shoulder). Tuck a $20 and a Metrocard, and your house-keys, in your pocket, so if someone does mug you, you can still get home. (it’s a good idea to never carry your house-keys in the same bad as your ID — you don’t want a mugger to have your address and your keys). Empty your wallet of everything but the most crucial items, Xerox those and keep copies someplace safe (so you can cancel credit cards etc if you need to quickly). As far as being on the street, try not to carry yourself like a victim — head up, strong stride (no mincing in heels that make you easy to topple), bag close to your body. And if someone, or a group, strikes you as dangerous or even just makes you uncomfortable — get away. Don’t worry about being polite. If someone approaches you, start yelling NO, GET AWAY, BACK OFF (or something like that) LOUD. Hold up a palm in “stop” position. Worst case, hand everything over and protect your face (get down on the ground if you need to). Taking a self-defense course is a great idea, find one that caters to women specifically. Stay tough!
‘guest’ at 1:06-
It was around 3:15pm early last week (I do not have my mobile records on immediate hand to give you the specific time-sorry), yes I called 911 on my mobile and gave pertinent information to the police (as best I could-I’m with a vocal palsy that makes it very difficult to speak.)
Could you please direct me to the Tish James website, please? I would be more than happy to assist her with this.
I’ve not witnessed any regular pattern here.
too bad for the project dwellers that they have to live near you 1:07. Better watch out with that ‘tude of yours or we won’t be seeing your sorry ass on the threads here much longer!!!
I live near the projects also and to me they are like zoo’s that house animals. The only thing is these animals are allowed to leave their cages to prey on societey.
11:17: What time of the day was the attack on Clinton Avenue and Greene? Did you report to the police what you saw, especially the men in front of the building telling the perps where to run to? What about the Tish James website for reporting these incidents? Is there a pattern (time and day of the week?) What about a bit of facts?
A physical description is a physical description. It shouldn’t be turned into an indictment of an entire group of people though.I don’t think Pratt was wrong to put that in. It’s the people who want to use that information to try to prove racist points that I worry about.
“These occurrences have happened during various times of the day.”
“Avoid traveling late at night.”
Contradiction?
Clarifying… no 12:56, they should not have reworded their email…if all of the attackers were black.