gun toting teen wants your ipod...
Keep an eye out for a hoodlum on the loose in PH. On Wednesday (5/23) night at 9:25pm a young dark-skinned black man (5'8" between 13-18yo) wearing a black hoodie and black jeans pulled a gun on me after I declined to give him my iPod on the corner of Sterling and Underhill. A brief canvass of the area immediately following the incident in a squad car with two officers from the 77th pct. proved fruitless. He had his hood drawn almost to his eyes so I couldn't see his hair but he was too young for facial hair, and his two front teeth were unusually short - for what its worth. He ran north up Underhill and I'm sure is now rocking out to Wilco and Arcade Fire. Keep those iPods out of view!
Comments
-
glad you didn't get shot and are OK. too bad about the ipod.
and please, don't take this to mean I'm blaming you. I think it's important to walk around the neighborhood without distractions that take away your ability to hear what's going on around you. like listening to ipods or talking on cell phones. it's like putting a sign on your forehead that says "I won't hear you come up behind me - go for it!"
again, not trying to blame the victim - no one deserves to get mugged or have a gun pointed at them. just wanted to share my world view. -
Yes, do not cut off your senses! And make sure you walk in single file, properly spaced out so that an ambush, or a landmine, doesn't take out your whole group. Do not accept gifts from small children, as they might be rigged. Be on alert at all times. The only thing separating you and instant death at the hands of the natives is constant vigilance and a merciless ability to strike first.
-
I'm glad that you weren't hurt (at least physically).
Too bad we don't have more rec centers in the area. After all, research shows that ping-pong tables are a major deterrent to violent crime. -
Glad you're okay.
the parent need a license to have kids and the kids don't need no free sports club aka rec center. -
what is wrong with you people? this isn't nebraska...i would never think of listening to an ipod while walking home from the subway much less do it at 9:25 at night when it's pitch dark...
i guess i'm just a jaded paranoid native nyc'er... -
ltjbukem wrote: what is wrong with you people? this isn't nebraska...i would never think of listening to an ipod while walking home from the subway much less do it at 9:25 at night when it's pitch dark...
No, dude, you're just being practical and smart.
i guess i'm just a jaded paranoid native nyc'er...
I wouldn't walk around my neighborhood in Fargo, ND at 9:25 at night when it's pitch dark.
Don't keep the iPods out of sight - keep them out of your ears when you're on the street. -
I have to say I'm always amazed at how many people wear iPods on the street. Many years back I tried listening to my discman on the subway and the disconnect I felt from my surroundings made me very uncomfortable. Never again.
BE HERE NOW -
LimestoneKid wrote: [quote=ltjbukem]what is wrong with you people? this isn't nebraska...i would never think of listening to an ipod while walking home from the subway much less do it at 9:25 at night when it's pitch dark...
No, dude, you're just being practical and smart.
i guess i'm just a jaded paranoid native nyc'er...
I wouldn't walk around my neighborhood in Fargo, ND at 9:25 at night when it's pitch dark.
Don't keep the iPods out of sight - keep them out of your ears when you're on the street.
^^^
I totally agree...NYC, Virginia, California...don't keep valuables in sight no matter where you are... -
its sad that when a guy has to hide his own things in public. are we in a third world country during a war?
-
No, armchair, and everyone else for that matter.....its called STREET SMARTS people!
Fact is, Guiliani made the streets safe for the most part (yeah, yeah...) but the people who've moved here recently (like, last 5-8 years or so) are under the impression that NYC is completely safe.
WAKE UP.
Don't be an idiot. Don't wear your fucking ipod on a dark (or bright) street. Seriously, you need all your senses when walking in this area...
If you're white (yeah, I said it), keep your wits about you....
On second thought, forget it. You either have it or you don't.
You either have a big fucking V on your head or you don't.
Deal. -
I'ts nice too see people on this board are actually coming to their senses. Writting off all these incidents as being isolated occurences only serves to aid in the further victimization of its residents. With summer right around the corner,unfortunately they'll be more of these incidents. Lets all be vigilant and aware of our surroundings. If you do happen to be a victim of a crime or witness one, pay attention and take note as to as many details about the perpetrators as possible.
-
This is the 3rd thread in 2 weeks about someone being ambushed by a teen/teens. I have kids so rarely go out after dark, but clearly there is a trend. I hope the cops in our precinct are reading this & PLEASE make sure you place a complaint with them when this stuff happens! (Not you Woodrow; sounds like you did)
Who do we bug to start something for these ancy teens? -
Subject: Re: gun toting teen wants your ipod...
woodrowcall44 wrote: Keep an eye out for a hoodlum on the loose in PH. On Wednesday (5/23) night at 9:25pm a young dark-skinned black man (5'8" between 13-18yo) wearing a black hoodie and black jeans. Keep those iPods out of view!
Given that it was dark at the time, are you certain it wasn't a young dark-skinned white man or a young light-skinned black man?
It's times like this I'm glad I never carry anything electronic.watchuwant wrote: Fact is, Guiliani made the streets safe for the most part (yeah, yeah...)
I heard that he took credit for it but had nothing to do with it, and the main causal factor was Roe v. Wade. -
Given that it was dark at the time, are you certain it wasn't a young dark-skinned white man or a young light-skinned black man?
Look out folks... if the kids don't getcha the guilt just might! -
Subject: Re: gun toting teen wants your ipod...
doctorj wrote:
I heard that he took credit for it but had nothing to do with it, and the main causal factor was Roe v. Wade.
[quote=watchuwant]Fact is, Guiliani made the streets safe for the most part (yeah, yeah...)
freakonomics... only wouldn't that trend continue since roe continued to be legal? -
Just a reminder to others in this thread about our cardinal rule at Brooklynian.com (which, along with all the rules, can be read at the handy-dandy "READ THE RULES" link at the top of every page of the site): BE NICE.
While walking around at night with earbuds visible (if that's indeed what happened -- we don't know for sure and shouldn't jump to conclusions) may not be the wisest thing, there's no need to call the OP an idiot. I'm sure some of you haven't always made the wisest choices, and even if you are a shining example of urban self-awareness I'm sure he feels shitty enough after having a gun pointed at his face. Blaming the victim, even if the victim wasn't acting in the most street-smart fashion, is hardly productive or neighborly. -
Think of the value of the items you display as you walk down the street:
Cellphone -- how many hundred?
iPod -- how many hundred?
PDA -- how many hundred?
You wouldn't walk down the street with wads of cash dangling from your ears, so why would you do so with your equally valued electronic products? -
Internet condolences: trifling pseudo-concern
-
--
-
I don't ever walk around with my iPod on, that actually stemmed from wanted to make sure I heard shouted warnings or honking horns in an effort to avoid being killed by traffic, but it will work for crime too.
I have been known to pop my cell phone if a message or call comes in though. At first I felt weird about it, but it seems that _everyone_ has a cell phone anyhow, so I don't worry too much about it anymore. Use is generally limited to a couple second look at a message or a ten second call saying, talk to ya later.
What I keep hearing here and what I think is _the_ most important thing is: PAY ATTENTION! Use your head. Don't be a target. Don't be a victim. While there is dumb luck involved at times, generally a lot of it is up to you. -
MeredithB wrote: Internet condolences: trifling pseudo-concern
Internet snarkiness: useless armchair quarterbacking. -
Candicissima wrote: [quote=MeredithB]Internet condolences: trifling pseudo-concern
Internet snarkiness: useless armchair quarterbacking.
Internet metastatements: Internet metastatements -
qtrain wrote: [quote=Candicissima][quote=MeredithB]Internet condolences: trifling pseudo-concern
Internet snarkiness: useless armchair quarterbacking.
Internet metastatements: Internet metastatements
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! -
So many things wrong with the comments on this thread it's hard to know where to start. Why the hell would I pay hundreds of dollars for an ipod if I was afraid of using it in public places? The whole point of the ipod is that it's portable and helps make commuting tolerable. If I didn't want to use it on the street/in the subway/in the park I would just plug my headphones directly into my stereo at home. Same with a cellphone - if I'm only using it at home I might as well chuck it and just have a landline.
Changing your lifestyle in order to ward off muggers isn't a sensible way to avoid becoming a victim it's an affirmation that you already are a victim. -
So many things wrong with the comments on this thread it's hard to know where to start. Why the hell would I pay hundreds of dollars for an ipod if I was afraid of using it in public places? The whole point of the ipod is that it's portable and helps make commuting tolerable. If I didn't want to use it on the street/in the subway/in the park I would just plug my headphones directly into my stereo at home. Same with a cellphone - if I'm only using it at home I might as well chuck it and just have a landline.
iPods are great for wearing when you're working out, for tuning out the family when you're at home or when you're killing time in an airport or train station. But to think that you're making a wise, smart-smart decision to be wearing one while you're walking down the street at 9:25 in the evening is really a bit much.Changing your lifestyle in order to ward off muggers isn't a sensible way to avoid becoming a victim it's an affirmation that you already are a victim.
Let's say that your normal walking route home during the day takes you through Ft. Greene Park but now you're walking home at 1:30 in the morning. If you walk around the park or get a cab home are you saying that you are a victim because you've altered your lifestyle? Certainly doing so at that time of night with your iPod blaring in your ears would not be considered very bright by most.
I would say that by walking around the park or by grabbing a cab home that you're just being smart. The reality is that you DO need to make alterations to your habits and your lifestyle if you want to be aware of the dangers on the street - and that includes the muggers.
It's simple street sense. -
Ridiculous. I am sorry woodrow, that you were mugged - at gunpoint no less - but I am more sorry that some of your neighbors took the opportunity to kick you while you were down. ipods are portable and commonly used on city streets at all hours. You can use one ear bud - as I do - and still stay connected to your surroundings. You can also easily keep your ipod out of sight in a pocket.
I agree with chrispy. I wear my wedding rings - which I imagine are worth considerably more than an ipod - everywhere I go. I am not going to refrain from wearing the rings in public or at night because I am afraid someone will take them from me. It doesn't mean I am a victim asking to be mugged or an idiot, it just means I am married. -
I would say that by walking around the park or by grabbing a cab home that you're just being smart. The reality is that you DO need to make alterations to your habits and your lifestyle if you want to be aware of the dangers on the street - and that includes the muggers.
Is it? How many times would you have to walk through the park with your ipod on before getting mugged? Assuming for arguments sake that the average cab ride is $10 then you only have to walk through the park 35 times without getting mugged to pay for a shiny new 80 gig ipod which runs at $350.
It's simple street sense.
I don't know Ft. Greene Park so I can't spout off about it's relative dangers with any degree of authority, but are you really going to suggest to me that one in every 35 people that walk through that park using an ipod/talking on a cell phone/wearing a jewelry are going to get mugged? Even at 1:30 in the morning that sounds pretty preposterous. I'd take those odds in Baltimore or Camden where crime is a serious problem. -
@ Chrispy....why put yourself at risk in those situations when there are safer options/alternatives available?
I have no idea about the crime statistics for FG park. I'm simply using it as an example but if one simply walks around FG Park instead of taking the cab you will save your $10 but you might get home 5 minutes later. That way you don't have to do any cost-benefit analysis vis-a-vis how many times you can walk thru FG Park before you can get mugged.
Ideally I should be able to walk wherever I want listening to my iPod, checking out my Crackberry or talking on cell phone as long as I don't cause any harm to any other individuals. Unfortunately the world doesn't operate that way.
Some people, when they see me walking down the street with my gear on display will think "Hey if I mug that guy for his iPod I can flip it for a quick $100". The consequences (i.e. getting caught) for the irrational behavior (i.e. the mugging) are not factored into the mugger's decision making. As a result we as the rational decision makers, the non-criminals, need to make some allowances for the irrational behavior of others.
I still don't equate my decision to walk the streets free from the distractions of my iPod or my cell phone as akin to admitting that I'm a victim. I equate it with making a rational decision that prioritizes my personal safety. -
This is my first post here.
I grew up in Prospect Heights, in the 50s and 60s, except in those days no one called it Prospect Heights. It had no name. It was simply 'my neighborhood'.
Also, what is this with 'north', 'south' 'east' and 'west'? Since when did residents stop aligning with the Park or Flatbush Avenue or downtown? Jeez. How do you get along without a freaking compass?
And you actually take cabs. Hmmm... We used to call your kind: 'rich kids' and would want to beat them up. Lived there 17 years and never took a cab once. None of us did. Our parents were white working class.
Besides, with the great transportation there, what's wrong with the subway or bus? Shank's mare not good enough?
Anyway, back to the topic.
I got an iPod for Christmas and never opened the box.
I gave it away to a little kid. When her parents asked why I didn't want it, I replied, "Because I want to be able to hear the perps before they come up to me from behind." We laughed, yet I was serious.
This is what I learned in the neighborhood, oopps 'Prospect Heights'. You too will learn.
You are not in Kansas anymore, my friend. But don't fret. You will slowly acquire street smarts.
Perhaps you and other naifs on this blog should recall Thomas Wolf's short story, Only the Dead Know Brooklyn. :roll: -
laura wrote: I have to say I'm always amazed at how many people wear iPods on the street. Many years back I tried listening to my discman on the subway and the disconnect I felt from my surroundings made me very uncomfortable. Never again.
Some of us want to cut ourselves off from our surroundings, Laura. Especially on the dreary morning commute. :P
BE HERE NOW
Seriously, I don't wear an iPod on the Subway - but I do wear earplugs. Yes, this cuts me off from my surroundings somewhat, but till they develop a silent subway train, I'd rather sacrifice my connection with fellow commuters than risk losing my hearing.
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