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 with you, Gidget, that this thread gets ugly at times. Sorry about that-it is one of the unfortunate results of guest comments.
Don’t automatically assume that every person of color is out to get you. There are tell-tale signs when these incidents occur, no matter what their background. I think of it as a ‘swarm-attack’-where they will act strangely and then surround you for the assault. That is why you should just keep your eyes and ears open.
Other than that I would recommend a self-defense class. That might help, but during incidents when it is a large group of individuals the sheer number would be quite intimidating.
ah some real good discussion here. keep it up folks! we’ll crack this case soon, i can feel it! troll power!
nice dig at the 88th from Pratt, guess it’s a vote of no-confidence for the short arms of the law.
In the next printing of the book “Freakonomics” there will be a chapter devoted to how the iPod has raised crime rates throughout American inner cities.
Gidget-
Just keep a look around you when you’re walking around. Be aware of your surroundings, and limit your use of the iPod while walking around. This keeps you from hearing people coming from behind you. And if you see a group of people you don’t feel comfortable with, cross the street. If you’re being attacked, SCREAM and try to get out of the incident as best you can.
12:10, gosh, brilliant. Cross the street for each group of black teenagers I see in this historically black nabe. That won’t happen on every damn block. And of course, the one group of criminals would never think of following me.
Like I said, nice constructive thread.
what to look for?
a gang of 15/16 yr old AAs in Clinton Hill
what to do?
cross street.
Well, this is a constructive thread.
As a Clinton Hill resident, if anyone has *real* suggestions on how to avoid becoming a victim of these thugs — what to look for, what to do — I would appreciate it. Also, ways to help the police and/or anyone we see victimized in this way. Can we demand more action by the police? Also, if these are daylight robberies, why does Pratt’s advice center on late-night behavior?
(As I am a petite woman, “knock their teeth in” or whatever isn’t much of an option.)
I’m anxiously awaiting boxgirl’s drivel. Where is she? Its 12.10 already.
11:45
This kind of violence has been going on for far longer than the Depression. The reason is slowed down during the Depression was that no one had anything to take.
It’s not a license to justify asbo-behavior. It’s just an unfortunate reality.