Safety walking late at night

anonymous

How safe is it to walk from the Dekalb subway to the Clermont Avenue area near the BQE in the late PM and very early AM (1-3 AM) hours for women in their 20's?
And are there cabs available outside the subway at those hours?

anonymous

I assume when you say "dekalb stop" you are talking about either the G train at Fulton or the C train at Lafayette. As is the situation anywhere late at night, you should always be cautious. Is it dangerous? no. but you always have to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. That goes for anywhere in the city.

as for cabs around that area late at night, i think it's pretty unlikely you would find one regularly.

anonymous

Subject: Safety at night

Thanks very much for the reply.

jimmylegs

how is the dekalb stop the G or the C? there is an actual dekalb stop at flatbush, which is really more downtown, but i could see how a ft greene resident might use it, it's 2 blocks from the park.

that said, the journey from anywhere around there to the BQE side of things is a bit more perilous than if you were just going to, say, dekalb and vanderbilt.

urbancowgirl

I am a single girl in my middish-twenties and I live in just the area you're referencing. It is somewhat dangerous to walk home late in any neighborhood but, after living in other neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens, I've found this one to be the most disconcerting. Aside from taking a cab home from wherever it is I've been, I've found the least dangerous route home to be the F train to Jay street and then the B54 up Myrtle. The Jay Street area is well lit and usually somewhat crowded and the B54 runs often. Otherwise, if you DO decide to walk home from the train, choose one of the brighter streets (like Clinton Ave and unlike Waverly or Vanderbilt). Do not listen to your ipod or talk on the cell phone. As I say, walk "with purpose". It is very unlikely that you will find a cab, however the myrtle avenue car service is very quick and inexpensive.

I know I sound paranoid, but I had my blackberry stolen and was knocked around a bit at 10 pm one night after coming home from a business trip. I had simply taken it from my pocket to check the time. I love this neighborhood and I do believe that the good outweighs the bad. Just stay alert.

rtraindweller

i live one block over on Adelphi near the BQE and while i havent gotten off at DeKalb that late at night to often I have gotten off at Jay St. that late from the A, C or F. I usually wait there for the 54 which runs up Myrtle or the 61 which runs up Park under the BQE. Also there's always tons of livery cabs around there waitin' to pick people up. If you're gettin off at DeKalb though the 54 bus does stop there in front of the Applebees. After i think 2 though it only runs once an hour. It's not a bad walk though, it's usually been pretty quiet the few times I've walked home from there late. I usually go up DeKalb til the end of the park then go down Washington Pl, cut down Willoughby then continue down Adelphi. Just use the common sense you would anywhere and stay alert and off your phone or ipod.

anonymous

Oh yeah! i forgot about that DeKalb stop. well, my advice remains the same. actually, the walk from there to fort greene is a little less appealling just because you have to walk through some fairly desolate areas at night. my girlfriend used to walk home from there. just be careful

drkman

The other posters responses about using the Jay Street stop on the F train and then catching the B54 is the best route to go. If you have to utilize the DeKalb Avenue stop you can usually catch a cab on either Flatbush or Fulton by waving one down any time of the night. Walking late at night is not overly dangerous but you will have to be alert and I would not walk the same route on a consistent basis.

rtraindweller

drkman wrote: I would not walk the same route on a consistent basis.

just a curious thought, why not?

anonymous

Subject: Safety at night

The present apartment is in Crown Heights by Franklin and Sterling. It sounds like it would be a walk similar in experince to the one now, but further, late at night.
Thanks again for the info.

drkman

rtraindweller wrote: [quote=drkman]I would not walk the same route on a consistent basis.

just a curious thought, why not?

Just growing up in New York, I was always told by my parents not too walk the same route at night on a consistent basis. The reason being is that if there is a "criminal element" out, you are letting them know which route you walk and when you are going to be at a certain location. If you switch it up from time to time, it is harder for someone to keep tabs on you. Not saying you go totally out of your way but a slightly different route is not bad, unless, of course you are walking down well lit streets that have establishments open during the time you are walking. If that is the case, it makes more sense to follow a well lit route then to detour onto dark blocks.

rtraindweller

ahh gotcha. yea i was thinking towards the later part of your response. find a good route and stick to it. but that definitely makes sense. and heck switchin things up a bit you might find a better "safe" route when you're new to an area. i also just noticed i posted my (though seldomly used) route home :shock: they gun git me!

drkman

rtraindweller wrote: i also just noticed i posted my (though seldomly used) route home :shock: they gun git me!

LOL. I am sure that your route is still safe. Dark but safe. Now what time do you walk that way?