-
be safe y'all///
Comments
-
I live on the block and I'm pretty sure I know which building you mean. I've never had problems with the little kids, but the guys my age +/- a few years (24, FYI). And I'm definitely more than a little tired of the fake thug garbage.
But, I'm gonna go on record and say: taking pics probably isn't the best plan of action. You might escalate that more than you can handle. -
be safe y'all//
-
I've never tried to go in the video store - it's beyond sketchy lookin'. besides, 3Ds next door has videos.
re: lil' gangsta -- when kids bug me for money, which is rare, I generally say something like "get a paper route" or something equally obnoxious, which derails the entire thing quickly. -
I just say no (not in a Nancy Reagan way, mind you).
-
Subject: Re: 15 CENT (a Lil Gangsta Watch initiative)
JimmyJones wrote: There's this building on our block that
I admire your courage; it's about time someone stands up to these troubled kids. I saw a bunch of them in a fight the other night in front of Shane Restaurant. The police came and the little turds acted like the police weren't present. So be careful and watch your back
houses a bunch of 'kids' that go 'down south' regularly (aka jail for you
recent ex-manhattanites). We 'get along' quite fine with them, as in, don't
bother us, and we won't bother you. Individually they always say hi, in
a group they act like they don't know us.
Anyway...
Today I pass this same place, there's nobody standing outside for a
change, and a little kid leaves the building ahead of me, wearing one
longish black coat, his hair in corn-rows, and walking with da gangsta
shuffle, and I estimate him to be 11-13 years old. I remember thinking...
wow lookie here... there's 15 cent (just short of a quarter). He walks
ahead of me, but is rather slow so I overtake him.
While I pass him he says, "Hey mister, you have a dollar?"
I respond: "No I don't and if I had I would not give it to you".
He then says in a threatening voice, while opening the top of his jacket,
and shoving his hand under his armpit: "What did you say to me?"
I am baffled. This little baby is threatening me. He repeats the question
and, while laughing I repeat my previous reply. I think he was acting out
a little gangsta move he copied from his buddies (or TV)
He then proceeds with "You don't talk to me like that". I then suddenly
realize he may be serious and might carry a gun (forgive me, I'm a
European, I'm slow that way).
If there's one thing I've learned in this neighborhood it's that nobody
respects you if you act skittish. Hence instead of ignoring it I go into fight
(vs flight) mode, i.e. facing him straight, circling him, never turning my
back, and reaching with one hand under my coat on my back, now
pretending that *I* have a gun.
That seemed to get his attention.
I see he's following my hand, but he does not break a smile, say "I'm
kidding" or anything like that. Not willing to escalate the situation any
further I point to the door of my building and say: I got you on camera
now (we have a camera security system) and continue to I walk up to
my building and enter.
Once inside my amazement turns into anger, as I realize he never even
changed his behavior, i.e. stayed in his lil gangsta role and who knows,
even this lil baby might be dangerous.
So I immediately exit, point my digital camera, zoom & focus, shout
after him, and start taking pictures, he turns around, sees my camera,
immediately swings back, but I did manage to take this picture:
I know it's fuzzy and all... but I'm sick of this nonsense. It's time 'the
element' moves on & out. I love this hood, I love my neighbors, and
I will not be scared by a little turd who's trying to prove a point.
I really could not care less what people do in their private time (sex,
drugs & rock/roll) but this was the last drop.
Hence... this will be the first installment of my Lil Gangsta Watch
pictures. I plan to take covert pix of the criminal element in our
hood, and post them here...
Long live the camera phones...
Keep checking, there will be more in days/weeks to come.
If anyone wants to join me in this quest, leave a comment here or
on fotki (the email address associated with this account is a spam
trap, so unused).
Finally, one note.. I love this site. Recently discovered it. Nowadays
I go here first to get my questions answered (e.g. flickering lights,
accident on V'bilt, etc. etc.)
Keep it up admin! Ultra-local news is the future.
JJ -
Subject: Re: 15 CENT (a Lil Gangsta Watch initiative)
JimmyJones wrote:
I've wanted to know what these kids parents think of this? Where are they? They ( kids and parents) certainly don't care about anyone else or the neighborhood at large, so,
I admire your courage; it's about time someone stands up to these troubled kids. I saw a bunch of them in a fight the other night in front of Shane Restaurant. The police came and the little turds acted like the police weren't present. So be careful and watch your back -
be safe y'all//
-
Subject: Re: 15 CENT (a Lil Gangsta Watch initiative)
AR wrote:
I've wanted to know what these kids parents think of this? Where are they? They ( kids and parents) certainly don't care about anyone else or the neighborhood at large, so,
when i was a h.s. teacher in queens, the majority of the kids had many siblings of various fathers and the fathers were often unknown, just plain gone, dead ("dead"?), or in jail. a lot of these kids shared one room with multiple siblings... i don't know, how does one come out of that situation o.k.? some do, amazingly so... but as for the rest, usually it's cycle that is hard to break. this was just my experience with troubled nyc youth, but you know, so many kids here just have the most f'd up lives, it unfathomable. -
What I think is sad is that there is no sense of community or someone to help, teach, or impart a little wisdom to them that their actions only make it easier for their neighborhood to change. Now not only are people facing rising rents and changing faces, but as these kids grow older and more violent their own neighbors want them gone. That's happening in CH right now, the old residents are selling their houses and moving, thus allowing an open door to the neighborhood, and others (while not happy to see rent increases), are happy that an element of the neighborhood IS getting forced out. Most of these kids have no idea of the effects of rent and gentrification, they like to cause trouble.
-
Subject: Re: 15 CENT (a Lil Gangsta Watch initiative)
JimmyJones wrote:
Why couldn't you have just said, "Sorry, no dollar, kid." And kept walking? IMO, your responce was cocky and rude. So it's ok if you insult him but he can't insult you? Granted, the "pretending like he had a gun" was rather drastic, but when you came with that insulting line of not giving him any money if you had it, blah blah, YOU immediatly turned the situation into power struggle between a MAN and a BOY who is still learning 'leader of the pack' type situations.
While I pass him he says, "Hey mister, you have a dollar?"
I respond: "No I don't and if I had I would not give it to you".
JJ
He's a CHILD -- he doesn't know how to diffuse those types of situation. You think his absentee father is showing him? His 'friends' in the squatter house? He's still learning social interation skills. YOU'RE THE ADULT. You are the one that had the power to shape that outcome -- and YOU shaped it negatively, by turning it into a 'i'm bigger than you' type of confrontation. Great job.
I guess I just don't understand why you couldn't have treated that kid with some respect. He asked you for a dollar -- so friggin' what? Why does he not deserve some human dignity and respect? -
yeah, i gotta say, trying to put the situation to rest by both of you having to reach for your imaginary gats does not filll me with confidence. still, punk kids modeling bad behavior has always been a problem. it becomes a self-fullfilling prophecy; did you guys hear about the 14-year old kid who jumped into the East River cuz his classmates tormented him for being smaller and quiet? totally depressing, but i'm at a loss as how to change it.
but i think antagonzing these kids is only gonna make them feel more justified in their behavior. -
I say good job. Shows him you're not a victim. Report the incident. He obviously wanted you to think he had a gun, which would count as a threat.
Though I would doubt there was actually a gun there. Most of the gang bangers I've seen tend to carry in the waistband or taped up their back. Very few rock the shoulder holsters. -
Subject: Re: 15 CENT (a Lil Gangsta Watch initiative)
PHeightsGirl wrote:
I kind of agree with this. Why bother escalating it? Do you really think you are going to teach him some lesson? Like he is going to have some epiphany of how to treat other people by you threatening him back? He is a kid. Kids do stuff like that... regardless of whether they dress like a gangsta or some preppy kid in the suburbs. In my humble opinion, sometimes not engaging in it makes the point much better. I don't think it shows weakness just to say no and keep going. Seems to me the only "lesson" you taught him was how some adults like to play games too. And your "first installment" game just proves the point to me that you are as immature as he is. If both of you act like you are 15 in the end, it looks worse for you because at least he is 15!
Why couldn't you have just said, "Sorry, no dollar, kid." And kept walking? IMO, your responce was cocky and rude. So it's ok if you insult him but he can't insult you? Granted, the "pretending like he had a gun" was rather drastic, but when you came with that insulting line of not giving him any money if you had it, blah blah, YOU immediatly turned the situation into power struggle between a MAN and a BOY who is still learning 'leader of the pack' type situations.
He's a CHILD -- he doesn't know how to diffuse those types of situation. You think his absentee father is showing him? His 'friends' in the squatter house? He's still learning social interation skills. YOU'RE THE ADULT. You are the one that had the power to shape that outcome -- and YOU shaped it negatively, by turning it into a 'i'm bigger than you' type of confrontation. Great job.
I guess I just don't understand why you couldn't have treated that kid with some respect. He asked you for a dollar -- so friggin' what? Why does he not deserve some human dignity and respect? -
Subject: RBG
I've saw this group of boys deal a brutal beatdown to a grown man about a month ago. Like them, the man was African-American. I was appalled and frightened---for both him and them. They beat the guy down...ripped off his coat and kept sayin', "you don't know who you're f---in' with!!!" The poor guy tried to fight back, but he was overpowered.
I've been in PH for 12 years and in my current apartment for 3. This group of kids is new...They're just growing into their menacehood. They even scare me sometimes. These kids are more violent and angry than the older 20-somethings that hang out on St. Johns. Because they're juveniles, they have less to lose and know it. My advice? When you see them, cross the street and keep it moving. If they ask for money, say you don't have it and move on. Keep the snarky comments in your head and avoid taking the "me against you"attitude....
These kids are dangerous and would love a good fight. If you can, just leave them alone.
On a brighter note: I parked my car on St. Johns place and when I came out this morning, but back window was gone...Or so I thought. Finally, my car (the infamous BMW) had been broken into. As I moved closer to the car, I realized I'd left the window down---OVERNIGHT. I'm happy to report that my loose change, CDs, Ipod connectors, old coffee cup, and gym sneakers remained in the car totally untouched. We live in a great neighborhood where people do respect each other....sometimes...
-
Your initial response to him seems questionable, why escalate? They wont always be little kids and your best bet is to stay under that radar where you can keep an eye on them and not the other way around.
-
I agree that escalation is bad. But sometimes people catch you on a bad day, and you just don't have the patience to turn the other cheek. I had a similar run-in with the kids on my block one day. It was the day before my wedding and I was having the usual pre-wedding problems (rehersal dinner was falling apart, vendors calling with last minute requests, wedding party travel issues). I walked out of my house with my overnight bag and my veil and was greeted by a bunch of comments shouted down the block. I put all my stuff in my car and proceeded to walk up to these kids and ask who exactly had something to say to me. At that particular moment in time, I was ready to beat some loudmouth black puffy jacket wearing Bloods associating ass.
Was it wrong of me? Sure. Would I have done the same thing on a different day? Probably not. But at that point, I had no patience for anything. My bridezilla moment occured because the were literally the straw that broke the camel's back, and at that very moment, I was not above taking off a shoe and beating one of them like we were kin.
So I feel for you. Don't know what the answer is, but somewhere between responding in kind, and laying low and hoping they don't make you a target is probably a good place to start. -
your response to him was hostile -- don't invite drama
when someone asks you for a dollar say "NO" and keep walking
if they insist, i smile and say "i wish i could help" and keep walking. no stopping.
ignore them at that point.
i used to live in crown heights and i still remember an episode where 4-5 teenagers chased an older man into a sneaker store and stabbed him to death. little kids do kill.
their world is entirely different from ours, a whole different set of rules apply, fierce, natural, savage -- it's the only way they can survive in their world.
slowly, the rising real estate prices are forcing them out of the neighborhoods. Many of my old crown heights neighbors were on section-8 and have since been shipped off to Projects in New Jersey
i couldn't stand the daily drama that you and others have described and i finally moved out almost 2 years ago
the disease is bigger than the symptom of 1 tough 15-cent gangsta kid. -
I've got to say I'm finding this and the buzzer incident thread really disturbing. The initial posts are radiating this strange sense of entitlement and this almost bragging bravado on the part of the poster showing the person they encounter who is boss or something. This is a neighborhood in transition and I don't think these pseudo power struggle episodes (with zingers!) are especially cool or helpful. If anything, these episodes are more reminders that you can take your smart ass stuff only so far in real life before it may turn on you.
-
i agree that the teenagers seem a bit more threatening than the kids around my age in my area (PLG), because they stare more, and say stuff more often. i have to say im a bit nervous about stuff just based on the fact that i'm visably gay. just can make you an easier target for harrassment as anyone who went to high school knows!
but maybe also because i'm a woman, im also a bit more paranoid to EVER speak back to someone in a hostile tone, even on my WORST day, i either say 'sorry' or just 'no' and keep walking. its not worth escalating over a stupid question like hey got a dollar. because they will remember your face, and might fuck with you even more after that.
but, its certainly not a fun thing to have to deal with. -
outeraccelerator wrote: i agree that the teenagers seem a bit more threatening than the kids around my age in my area (PLG), because they stare more, and say stuff more often. i have to say im a bit nervous about stuff just based on the fact that i'm visably gay. just can make you an easier target for harrassment as anyone who went to high school knows!
huh, interesting. I found, when I lived in Harlem (no one bugs me in PH, well, except for that (white) short person with the pitbull, but I haven't seen him in a year), that talking back got the teens to back off. I'd get flanked by like 4 or 5 kids, asking me for money. I'd say no and, at first, shove my ipod headphones in and keep walking, flanked the whole time to my building (doorman, thank goodness). over time I developed a more "fuck you" attitude and started to leave the headphones off, instead talking on my cell phone. when they flanking would happen, I'd use my "get a paper route, kid" response and then keep talking on the phone. not sure if it was my flippance or confidence, but something discouraged these kids. I don't advocate this for everyone - it's about attitude more than words. and I'd NEVER stop walking like the original poster did, or try to confront the kids on their level.
but maybe also because i'm a woman, im also a bit more paranoid to EVER speak back to someone in a hostile tone, even on my WORST day, i either say 'sorry' or just 'no' and keep walking. its not worth escalating over a stupid question like hey got a dollar. because they will remember your face, and might fuck with you even more after that.
but, its certainly not a fun thing to have to deal with. -
"their world is entirely different from ours, a whole different set of rules apply, fierce, natural, savage -- it's the only way they can survive in their world. "
LOL -
Subject: Re: 15 CENT (a Lil Gangsta Watch initiative)
PHeightsGirl wrote: Why couldn't you have just said, "Sorry, no dollar, kid." And kept walking? ... I guess I just don't understand why you couldn't have treated that kid with some respect. He asked you for a dollar -- so friggin' what? Why does he not deserve some human dignity and respect?
I agree with PHeightsGirl. Just say no, and move on. Hopefully, that would be the end of it. Take the high road. Could possibly be that he was just trying to get a rise out of you. Or attention. Or just a dollar, cuz he needed it. -
Best to lay low. I know a guy, also European, who got shot in the foot for a similar show of (alcohol-fueled) bravado.
-
devincf wrote: "their world is entirely different from ours, a whole different set of rules apply, fierce, natural, savage -- it's the only way they can survive in their world. "
All Day LOL!
LOL
Apparrently we need to wach out for lions and tigers on St. John's! -
devincf wrote: "their world is entirely different from ours, a whole different set of rules apply, fierce, natural, savage -- it's the only way they can survive in their world. "
This, along with making it your signature, is quite the dick move...
LOL -
nybt wrote: This, along with making it your signature, is quite the dick move...
True, but it is pretty funny... -
He is just a kid. He couldnt have even been 13.
It probably was not wise to escalate it -
Saying, "sorry I dont have a dollar" would have worked.
Or better, yet, if you were feeling charitable:
Take the kid to the corner store and buy him something and take the opportunity to talk to him as an adult. Ask him wy he is asking people for money on the street, where are his parents or sibling? He may even be a good kid with bad guidance...
Engaging with people as humans and neighbors is sometimes the best deterrent to unnessesary escalations.
BUT anyone pretending to reach for a gun, should be prepared to deal with a real one that he other person (inlcuding me) may be carrying. -
dailyheights wrote: Best to lay low. I know a guy, also European, who got shot in the foot for a similar show of (alcohol-fueled) bravado.
A girl got shot down in the LES last year for challenging the mugger, "what are you going to do..shoot me".... -
be safe y'all//
-
Subject: Re: Lay low?
JimmyJones wrote: Re: reaction (fight vs let it go)
I am a little disturbed that you imply that people not engaging in childish behavior and faking a weapon is therefore "cowering in fear." I think theres a lot more bravery in choosing to de-escalate a situation. And while I wasn't in this neighborhood 7+ years ago, I have a pretty good sense that the people that I know that lived here then weren't cowering in fear either. But maybe they are your statistically mythic 5%.
I have the same experience as alafairnadia, i.e. unless you react you'll never be taken serious. "Best lay low" is what got the neighborhood in the trouble it was in 7+ years ago. A few screwing it up for the rest. Nice people (95%+) cowering in fear for the few troublemakers.
Where I grew up I had many 'parents' (neigbors etc.) If we did something wrong, they'd take us to our mothers or punish us themselves to teach right from wrong. It used to be the same in the USA I hear, before people started looking away...
Anyway, may you react in the most socially conscious way when it happens to you...
JJ
JJ, I kind of want to take you to your mother right now so she can punish you. Because YOU ARE ACTING LIKE A CHILD.
Oh, and I didn't get the sense that Alafairnadia was arguing your same point. But maybe thats my misguided read. :roll:
Howdy, Stranger!
Categories
- 40K All Categories
- 27.1K Neighborhoods
- 5.1K Crown Heights/Prospect Lefferts Gardens
- 7.1K Prospect Heights
- 2.3K Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy
- 8K Park Slope
- 549 Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Bushwick
- 442 Flatbush/Midwood/Ditmas Park
- 657 BoCoCa (Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens)
- 151 Red Hook
- 104 Gowanus
- 304 Bay Ridge/Bensonhurst
- 130 Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Sheepshead Bay
- 270 Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO and Downtown
- 598 Windsor Terrace / Kensington
- 673 Greenwood Heights and Sunset Park
- 749 Brooklyn and Beyond
- 6.3K Stuff
- 86 Brooklyn Back When
- 1.2K Brooklyn Pets
- 257 Brooklyn Kids
- 241 Brooklyn Eats
- 51 Brooklyn Booze
- 3.6K The Lounge / Random Stuff
- 611 Brooklyn Politics
- 122 Brooklyn Sports and Fitness
- 111 Brooklyn Photos
- 339 Site Issues
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 6.2K Listings
- 1.1K APARTMENTS and REAL ESTATE
- 1.3K Sales Openings Events
- 2.3K The Classifieds