Moving off the Q Line at Church Ave-- safety question

suburbantransplant

Hi Everyone,

I'm not new to Brooklyn, have lived off the church ave F and 25th street and Prospect Ave Q lines since 2007.
My roommate and I are looking to move to Caton Ave/E. 17th street, we just put in a rental application. She is very excited about the apartment, but I'm wondering about the neighborhood. I used to work around there and know it's okay during the day, but haven't been able to find anything recent that talks about how safe it is at night. Everything I've come across is from 2007.
For what it's worth we're 2 swf's one with a little more street smarts than the other.

Thanks - K

stella

I'd say it's pretty safe. I live closer to the park, but in the same section. I'm a white female, and I've walked home from the train station, alone, in the mid of the night, quite a few times. I've only been here for a few months so far, though.
I'd be happy to answer if you have any other questions.

suburbantransplant

Thanks. I am pretty sure it will be okay. Any part of the city you live in, I know there is a risk of crime. We fell in love with the apt, as it usually goes, and are still hoping we get it. We are going to go to the building tomorrow night and check out the street light situation, if we can get into the building without having a key (b/c i think the lobby door was open when we looked at it), and what the general feel is.
Thanks for your response!

bolletje

Also, if dudes try to "talk" to you, I've found it's better to laugh it off than get pissy or act scared.
Just be like, "lol, I'm busy" and keep walking.

Do any other ladies find this to be the case? How hilarious are dudes who look at picking up women like it's fishing--they think if you throw out a lotta bait maybe you'll get lucky?

Oh, and spend some money on security when you move in. Install your own brand new locks when you move in--2 big fat ones. I used SOS Locksmith and it was about $200. I also got a gate for the fire escape from SOS because the apartment didn't have one. They can measure your window when they come do the door locks and it takes a few weeks to get the window gate. Those aren't cheap, but I think there are cheaper ones too if you aren't planning to stay in the apartment for the long term. We are sticking around so sprung for the fancier gate.

suburbantransplant

If you get new locks installed, or extra ones, do you need to notify management? I definitely agree with getting extra security for the fire escape window.. especially since my roommate will be taking the room with the fire escape access.
thanks

bolletje

I am not sure if you have to tell management. I live in a co-op so maybe it's different.

In my experience most people will knock on your door if you are leaking into their apartment. My last place had a bath that leaked into the apartment below and he would come up to our place all the time to inform us. Unfortunately, we had a slumlord rent stabilized place so of course the necessary repairs were never done by the LL.

stella

bolletje wrote: Also, if dudes try to "talk" to you, I've found it's better to laugh it off than get pissy or act scared.
Just be like, "lol, I'm busy" and keep walking.

Do any other ladies find this to be the case? How hilarious are dudes who look at picking up women like it's fishing--they think if you throw out a lotta bait maybe you'll get lucky?

Yeah, I agree. Humor them a bit, and keep on walking. Some of them say the strangest things, though... Some guy yelled down to me from his 2nd floor balcony. "Hey Snowflake, where you going?"
Up to your 2nd floor apt, of course!

rezist

I recently moved from the corner of Church and Ocean, close to where you are talking. I witnessed a shooting directly in front of my building (literally under my nose) That was enough for me... there were gunshots a few nights a week, and lots of fights. It's mostly a Crip neighborhood and there is a lot of shit that goes down in the summer. Although I never had my car broken into or my apt. I was in a few fights over the few years I lived there. Not sure if you'd have to worry about fisticuffs though.

e

Nearly assaulted by a middle aged black male RIGHT IN THAT AREA:
http://brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=53218