guy beat up by teens in Prospect Park this afternoon

opossumqueen

not sure where to post this, so I'll go for here.

short version: guy was beaten but not robbed by large group of teens in the park during the day on the road.

long version:
Around 3:30 this afternoon while walking my dog on the footpaths over near the zoo in the park, I heard tons of laughter and yelling up on the paved road that goes through the park. As we got to the road I saw about 20 teens making the noise. There was one guy on the ground being kicked and punched. A lot. As I walked up they were "finishing" and running off, still tons of laughter. No apparent mugging or attempt thereof (and the guy had a bag and phone, at least).

Some folks (as there were plenty out jogging, biking, etc) at him stopped and we were trying to see how he was. Cut across his nose and cheek, one noticeable huge knot on his head, and he seemed to likely be going into shock. He had his phone and called 911. He was having trouble talking to them (not sure if it was a language barrier or the shock) so I took the phone and told them where we were. Cops came and, rather roughly, carted him off, and got what little info they could from us. Luckily some folks have a better memory than me and noticed that the kids seemed to be in school uniforms.

Needless to say, I then went in the opposite direction I saw them run. I did see a lot more cop cars (marked and unmarked) and motorcycle officers patrolling.

Just thought folks should get another reminder to keep a look out. It was daylight in the park with plenty of people around, but the group of kids was so large they didn't care who was around.

just me

well this is frightening. I also heard that there was an attack at the entrance of Garfield and PPW on Saturday nite. guy came from behind, smashed something over the guys head, girlfriend or wife was uninjured (this story was in the Post)
how can something like this happen when i see a lot of police presence in the park, they are constantly circling in vans, cars and scooters. if this occurred right after school lets out then maybe that's when they should be patrolling more (not at 9am when there are still a few dogs off their leashes)!

kosherdave

^^^^^---- I see a lot of police in the park too, but often their parked, reading, or just standing around making personal calls. I'm not opposed to either of these things if they're also keeping watch, but it does not sound like they are.

armchair_warrior

they should start treating these kids are adults, the laws should be adjusted. these kids know they can't goto real jail.

twocentsmccoy

How about writing a letter to the 78th Precinct? It's a larger community issue. If everyone who read the neighborhood blogs wrote a letter (vs. just posting a comment) expressing concern, maybe it could be better addressed. No guarantee, but it could.

gretch

Subject: It's horrible

The teens sounds out of control! That's aweful. I think I've read some other posts about teens magging or vandalism. What's going on???

MOD

The afternoon of the Sean Bell acquittal I had two teenagers try and start a fight with me. Luckily, they were young and didn't have the balls to take it further. I freeking hate kids!

the chipster

The 78 is well aware, as are most precincts, that certain crimes rise after 3pm. Worst time to ride the subway. Cops are tired of dealing with the John Jay brawls, and their "impotence" with dealing with these teenagers is written all over their faces. Then, when I see the way cops treat victims, (as OP stated; roughly) it's hard to feel bad for them. They are not trained or equipped to deal with all the nuances of adolescence.
Bring back the Guardian Angels! Cops can't do shit! And the parents don't care.

opossumqueen

One woman who stopped as we waited for the cops is a jr. high principal and said the large group around can indicate a gang initiation ceremony. FWIW, the victim was not white and looked like someone who wouldn't fight back.

The weird part is how many people just kept going as it happened and seemingly did nothing. Folks on bikes and skates could have followed the kids since they looked to stay on the road a good distance. And they could have done it in an unobvious way to help the cops get them. I certainly wouldn't have jumped in the middle of 15+ adrenaline crazed teens, but I sure can't imagine going on as if nothing was happening. I just wish I'd had a camera to get pics of the kids.

armchair_warrior

animals like this always wishes nyc should be more like texas, where you can carry a conceal weapon.

always choosing the smallest and easiest people to beat up on.

raw

Jesus.
That was good of you to help out with the 911 call.
Did the victim speak another language -- something other than English?