Brooklyn Heights Blog

Comment from hickster
Time: October 29, 2009, 9:58 pm

cant wait till the libs come out and make you into a racist, colonialist.

Comment from cat
Time: October 29, 2009, 10:08 pm

I’m glad you’re safe. That sucks. One evening a week I walk home from the subway around 9:30-10:00 pm, and I don’t feel very safe anymore. I am on my guard and walk very fast. I usually try to walk within 10-15 ft. of someone else who has gotten off the subway and is going in my direction. We need a buddy system in this neighborhood nowadays.

Comment from matt
Time: October 29, 2009, 10:10 pm

Perhaps you could provide us with a basic description of the criminals.

Comment from Curmudgeon
Time: October 29, 2009, 10:13 pm

I am sorry for what happened to you, Miss and I am glad you were not hurt. Thanks for letting us know.

Note to hickster,

Your sympathy for what happened to this person is touching. You could have made an unnecessary cheap and political remark, but you took the high road. Now go back to watching FOX with the others of your ilk!

Comment from B
Time: October 29, 2009, 10:23 pm

Wow. And I thought Bed Stuy was rough.

seriously.

Comment from andy
Time: October 29, 2009, 11:28 pm

Well Curmudgen, your comment about waching Fox was certainly tolerant.

Comment from Billy Reno
Time: October 30, 2009, 12:04 am

Way to go OG, Lillian, and call their bluff. I did that 2 years ago on the corner of Sidney and State.

Comment from huh?
Time: October 30, 2009, 2:46 am

Wait - Am I reading this wrong? You had a gun pulled on you years ago… but this evening some kids asked you for a cigarette and you called the police?? I fail to see how this is a story and wonder if you’re maybe overreacting.

Comment from Curmudgeon
Time: October 30, 2009, 6:29 am

huh? Read the post again:

“I stopped and the next thing I knew I had a gun to my head”

Comment from Sam
Time: October 30, 2009, 7:12 am

Curmudgeon, I think huh? is right to be confused - the way it is written, it is unclear if the gun was pulled on Lillian in this incident, or the last one. Lillian, I’m so sorry to hear you were frightened. Could you give us a clearer account of what happened last night so that we can all be on alert? Was there a gun involved in last night’s incident?

Comment from AEB
Time: October 30, 2009, 7:47 am

Terrible! And so’s the partisan bickering. NB: hickster’s instant “sensitivity” to color….

Comment from Kim
Time: October 30, 2009, 9:14 am

Hi All! I’m glad that you got away safely but, wow am I concerned for everyone. My husband is there full time for work and my children and I on weekends ( until the end of this school year ). We decided on Brooklyn Heights because it seemed like a safe and positive environment for our kids. I’m realistic in knowing that crime has no boundaries but, are things just getting a bit out of control or is this normal seasonal crime sprees?

Comment from Josh
Time: October 30, 2009, 9:28 am

Kim - It is a battle zone here. Stay in the suburbs where it is safe

Comment from Suzy
Time: October 30, 2009, 9:30 am

Thanks for the info. I walked that way last night at 9:30 and there were many cops on the corner of Joralemon and Willow. I often walk home at that time and you really have to pay attention no matter how tired and rushed you are.

Comment from Jane
Time: October 30, 2009, 9:30 am

I agree with Sam, this was confusing. I didn’t realize there was no gun yesterday until the comments. Look, a group of kids at night can be scary–that’s their goal. I have had similar things happen and not just in this neighborhood. 9 times out of 10 it’s nothing We got mugged in the Heights in the ’70s more than once or twice; but overall, it’s safer now. That being said, I watch my back, occasionally walk down the center of the street and have my keys ready.

Comment from Kim
Time: October 30, 2009, 9:41 am

Thanks for the heads-up. We’re Urban dwellers who don’t go out much after dark…kids go to bed early, we’re lazy… but, we do enjoy the every now and then walk to bakery for cookies after dinner. It’s such a lovely walk down Montague. We’re careful but, I have three kids in tow and that kind of makes me a target. Oh well, I guess that’s life in the big city. Has anyone told these thugs they are not welcome in our neighborhood? By the way, is there a neighborhood walk with the police? A citizens on patrol? We’re always out walking.

Comment from Sam
Time: October 30, 2009, 10:05 am

Kim -

Until we get some clarification from Lillian, I think calling this a “crime spree” is a bit premature and also potentially hysterical. The two incidents described occurred 5 years apart, and on its face, the incident last night appears, at worst, harassment. That’s not to say that people shouldn’t be careful and vigilant, but the neighborhood is hardly a “battle zone” (although I suspect @Josh had his tongue in cheek there).

Comment from John Wentling
Time: October 30, 2009, 10:13 am

Brooklyn Heights has a long history of attracting criminals from surrounding neighborhoods (mainly the city housing projects), and you have to face certain facts, Nabe residents are typically easy prey - far easier than say another resident of a city housing project, and far more likely to have something of value. The problem with robbing a resident of a housing project is that they might actually fight back - the odds of a Heights resident doing so is virtually nil. Criminals choose victims that are more likely to have something of value and less likely to resist, or potentially do them harm.

Fact is, you’re sitting ducks, and you seemingly prefer it that way given the types of people you elect to office. Someone fights back and you immediately label them a “vigilante” - and Hickster is right on the mark. Your sensitivity is your undoing, and you’ll forever be cast the victim for ignoring reality and wishing something so that never was, and never will be. To quote Malcolm X, “it’s criminal to teach a man not to defend himself”, and isn’t that exactly the case? “Don’t resist, give them your belongings, call the police.”

Reminds me of that former NY weatherman who said “if rape is inevitable, lay back and enjoy it.” Despicable statement, but on the same token, it rings of reality.

Go ahead and attribute crime to poverty, injustice, sub-standard housing, Republicans, the economy, etc., the truth is, bad people predate any of that (remember Cain and Abel?), the only thing that inhibits their behavior is the likelihood of becoming victims themselves.

BTW, fully 50% of Fox News viewers are Democrats. Hickster, you rock.

Comment from Kim
Time: October 30, 2009, 10:16 am

Thanks, Sam. I did re-read the OP and believe the two incidents are isolated. I am by no means trying to say our neighborhood is dangerous or becoming so. By “spree” I meant it’s getting close to the holidays and crime usually picks up or starts around this time of year. We’re from Baltimore and it’s rough here year round…no matter how desirable the zip code. I will say that I have always felt safe in Brooklyn Heights and I appreciate the feed back so we can be cautious.

Comment from AEB
Time: October 30, 2009, 10:35 am

Oh, please, John: one can decry victimization and at the same time remain alert and guarded.

You paint, as they say, with too broad a brush. By your lights, concern for the downtrodden is automatically an expression of weakness–too frequently interpreted as the refusal to fight.

But the problem, in this case is an expression of that very aggression.

Comment from No One of Consequence
Time: October 30, 2009, 10:48 am

This is the net effect of gun control. Now only the criminals have guns.
I’m with John on this.
If there was a prospect that you would fight back, or better yet, be armed, you would no longer be the easy target.

Comment from Mookie
Time: October 30, 2009, 10:56 am

Were they white?

Comment from Sticky
Time: October 30, 2009, 10:58 am

Sorry this happened to someone. It shouldn’t. Just to agree with john here, there are times to be nice to people, and there are times when you should not. That is one of the times you do not talk to anyone.

If this happened at 4 am I would not be surprised, 9:30 is unacceptable. I do not think this should be looked at as racism. Everyone who lives here know the heights is full of discrimination. Nevertheless there are African-American punks as there are white punks. It does not matter. African American Thugs approach me at night? I would be scared also. Are you kidding? In suits and with women, not so much. Same goes for a bunch of white trash hoodlums.

Racism is not the issue.

(unrelated)
To quote the Simpsons:
“Springfield Heights: We discriminate becasue we can.”
(just wanted to fit that in somewhere. been making me laugh for a long time.)

Comment from nabeguy
Time: October 30, 2009, 11:00 am

John, given your 35-odd year distance from BH, you’re viewpoint is a bit dated. I don’t know how things are in Arizona, but the old badlands of your youth have changed quite a bit. To wit, Dumbo.

Comment from Eason
Time: October 30, 2009, 11:10 am

Look if you see a bunch of 15 year old kids at 10pm in any area by themselves, on a weeknight, just hanging around, light bulbs should go off that they probably aren’t up to any good. If you think something isn’t right with the way they are acting call the police. Seriously, the cops are looking for anything to do on a slow weeknight, they wont mind, and the neighbors wont mind. The kids might mind but they are 15 and will get over it by hanging around somewhere else. If you are wrong, who cares, you did the right thing. Just tell all your neighbors about all the recent crime in the area and tell them to call the police if anything looks out of place after 7pm. This is an easy problem to solve.

Comment from beth
Time: October 30, 2009, 11:27 am

Wow. I’m sorry for what happened to you five years ago, but I don’t think what happened last night warrants a warning to all of the community, unless you’re leaving something out. How are you certain it was a gang initiation?

Comment from John Wentling
Time: October 30, 2009, 11:31 am

No doubt Phillip, but some things never change - in particular, the criminal element. We had our homegrown variety as we both know, but invariably, they came from outside the nabe, because it was, and still is, considered a prime “hunting” ground. I know Concord Village has changed considerably, but has public housing on Sands or Nevins Street, or for that matter, the Red Hook Houses? Last I checked (2000), those were still “badlands” and I’d wager, where much of the criminal activity originates.

Not really my point though, and while I’m a pacifist at heart, I refuse to be victimized, and have no expectation that the cops are going to miraculously rescue me. They rarely if ever do. There are things you can do to help minimize the problem - for instance, is there any concerted effort at Block Watch?

Comment from kh
Time: October 30, 2009, 12:38 pm

Thank you for alerting us all, I think we should be happy to have a neighbor who thinks of others. I am sure there was a perfectly good reason for her to suspect they were not innocent kids, I am certainly not afraid of my neighbors teenager and she’s lucky she followed her instincts. It feels safe here because it’s attractive and we have nice neighbors but you have to remember a few blocks away is a completely different world and you have to stay alert.

Comment from Eason
Time: October 30, 2009, 12:39 pm

Warning the neighborhood is never a bad thing, warranted or unwarranted.

But why doesn’t Lillian have a cell phone?

Comment from Sam
Time: October 30, 2009, 12:39 pm

I’m not sure if many of you commenting on this currently live in the neighborhood or not, but if you’ve been paying attention to this blog, the news, or community papers, you’d know that there have been multiple muggings in our neighborhood over the past months and many people have said that they have been approached by some kid asking “what time is it?”.

There is nothing wrong in being cautious, being passive, or putting a blogged warning out there. My cousin is a cop and he specifically told me that if this happens, to do exactly what Lillian did - keep walking. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Comment from andy
Time: October 30, 2009, 12:51 pm

And since tomorrow night is Halloween, with many people coming in to the neighborhood, it is especially good to be alert and careful My daughter’s friends were severely beaten and robbed last Halloween right on Pierrepont St. You can’t do enough to be careful. Look around and down the street. If you think you see something suspicious …cross the street. Do it as many times as you can. Walk near other people. i don’t care if people think it looks weird. People need to trust their instincts

Comment from LA Slugocki
Time: October 30, 2009, 1:05 pm

And that’s exactly why I wrote this post. I trusted my instincts, knew I was in a potentially dangerous situation, and acted accordingly.

Comment from just me
Time: October 30, 2009, 1:12 pm

I really appreciate the post and thank Lillian for sharing her experience and providing a “heads up.” I’ve lived in the heights for 12 years - and in Park Slope for 25 before that… Over the years, have had 2 or 3 incidents including being held up at gunpoint (by a guy who asked me “do you have the time?”)… I’ve had no issues in the last 10 years or so and have begun to think the neighborhood is safe - and have even left my door unlocked as I run to the store for milk…
I greatly appreciate Lillian sharing her experience - we can all use it however we like. I will use her info to ensure that my complacency is kept in check… Hey, this is New York, even in our semi-safe Heights enclave you can never be too careful and I thank Lillian for reminding me of that.
Say, Wentling, can I borrow your .357? (just kidding.) : )

Comment from cat
Time: October 30, 2009, 1:16 pm

Lillian, thanks for providing more information on what happened to you last night and what you did to keep yourself safe. It sounds very scary. I used to live on Hicks and walked home from the grocery store many times down an empty Hicks Street. I’ve often felt there is a false sense of security in this neighborhood. Since I’ve been reading this blog, now I know I was right.

I wish there were more beat cops in the neighborhood–esp. when the cops know this is Blood’s initiation week. You’d think they’d be a little more on top of this stuff.

Thanks again for the warning.

Comment from since47
Time: October 30, 2009, 1:19 pm

After reading Lillian’s posting last night, I sent out an email to friends in the neighborhood who may not have been aware of what’s been going on here in the last month or who may not check the BHB. I received a quick response from one friend (a male) who told me that around 8:35 last night, after turning the corner of Willow Place and heading up Joralemon, he was approached by a group of kids, the shorter of whom asked him for the time (sounds like the same kids Lillian encountered). Remembering what I’d told him about the recent mugging sprees ‘from the Heights to DUMBO,’ he mumbled some approximate time, and ‘with attitude’ pushed through them and continued towards Hicks Street. He never saw a weapon, but felt this brief meeting could have turned into something worse had he actually stopped.

This isn’t the first time the Heights has been plagued with muggings; this isn’t a gated community and we’re no safer here than anywhere else in the city. The Heights spells m-o-n-e-y, making it the perfect target. But we all have to be smart and not become victims (if at all possible). Walk with a purpose; don’t stroll down the street while talking on your cell phone; be aware of who’s in front of or behind you; walk WITH someone, if you can. There are so many things you can do – just don’t appear to be wimpy.

And one more thing: Joralemon and Willow Place is SO DARK nowadays; you literally need a flashlight to get down WP. I know that Con Ed has been doing work on the street, but all calls to 311 (and Con Ed) have gone unheeded. It’s a dangerous spot now and perfect for muggings. So please - just be careful out there.

Comment from cait
Time: October 30, 2009, 1:24 pm

I was walking on State Street Wednesday night around 7pm between Henry and Clinton and a group of teenagers, some on bikes, started shouting at me asking me what time it was. I was immediately very scared — there was just a feeling about it, the insistence with which they were shouting at me, and the realization that even at that early hour, it was dark and I was the only other person on the block besides these guys. Plus, why the hell did they need to know the time? I’m sure they all had cell phones. I told them I didn’t know and kept walking, as fast as I could. I heard some more shouting in response but they then went on their way. Odds are they were the same kids.

I have to say, I feel safer in my new Carroll Gardens home than I did living in Brooklyn Heights.

Comment from BH-guy
Time: October 30, 2009, 1:35 pm

To the author- I am so sorry this happened to you… thankfully you kept your cool and protected yourself. I’m not sure how I would have handled it… which scares me. As a husband and father, I appreciate you posting your story for our benefit. And I’m so glad you are safe!

To certain commentators (huh?, Sam, Jane, Beth) who are confused and/or are accusing the author of jumping to false conclusions or overreacting–
What are you missing here? You are confused because a gun wasn’t pulled on her last night? Perhaps you have trouble distinguishing thugs from harmless teenagers, but there is a BIG difference. These guys were clearly up to no good… it was nighttime, they outnumbered her 4-1, they followed her in a menacing manner asking multiple questions. Do you really need a weapon to be pulled before you realize that you are in a dangerous situation? By the time a weapon is pulled, you’ve just gone from a dangerous situation to a truly life-threatening situation.

This isn’t a matter of skin color, clothing, profiling, or having a hunch. Their behavior was threatening, pure and simple. It doesn’t even matter whether he had a gun or a knife, or how much worse it could have gotten, because the idea is to diffuse the situation and never find out.

Comment from RAH
Time: October 30, 2009, 1:37 pm

We still feel safe in CH after more than 20 yrs, but the rule of thumb, no matter where you are, is ALWAYS look around, be aware if someone is too close, etc. We see lots of stuff all the time on the local police blotter, and then I try to ignore it. But after being accosted by a group of kids while walking our dogs one evening (they hit me, but then ran when I started yelling and the dogs barked) I now have the 76th precinct number on speed dial on my cell. But overall, I do feel safe in my neighborhood. That must have been so frightening, Lillian. Very sorry that happened to you.

Comment from The Where
Time: October 30, 2009, 1:40 pm

Gangs are stupid cults just like Scientology. Member are weak minds fooled by oppressors. What time is it? Time to say no to the system that keeps you down. Joining a gang is like entering slavery voluntarily. WAKE UP PEOPLE!

Comment from No One of Consequence
Time: October 30, 2009, 1:51 pm

TW, who is that directed towards? Certainly gang members are not regular readers of BHB.

Comment from Jane
Time: October 30, 2009, 2:02 pm

BH Guy, I think you missed the point of my comment and the others mentioned as well. The confusion was as to what exactly happened last night. Which, frankly, is pretty important. Now, thanks to additional posts, we all have a clear picture of what is really going on in the neighborhood. Further, as I stated in my original comment, any group of kids who starts talking to you like that is clearly trying to scare you. Whether or not there is a weapon is irrelevent. I further said that notwithstanding the decreased level of crime in 2009 as compared to 1979, it makes sense to stay alert, walk down the center of the street if you have any concern and have your keys ready, no matter what time of day it is.

Comment from Eason
Time: October 30, 2009, 2:03 pm

do gang members read?

Comment from suchandsuch
Time: October 30, 2009, 2:06 pm

I think NO CONSEQUENCE is a ringer from out of the nabe who’s posting anywhere and everywhere their insane gun “control” rant can be injected. Less guns = less crime. Proven, true, period. That’s one thing Bloomberg’s done very, very right.

Anyway: NC should just please stay away from BH, armed or not.

Comment from BH-guy
Time: October 30, 2009, 2:18 pm

Thanks for clarifying Jane… sorry if I was aggressive… your original post seems much more reasonable as compared with Huh? (fails to see why this is a story… she is overreacting), Sam (this was at worst harassment) and Beth (this doesn’t merit a warning to the community)

Comment from No One of Consequence
Time: October 30, 2009, 2:54 pm

I do and have lived in BH for 12 years. You?
“Less guns != less crime.” Gun control only guarantees that only 2 factions are armed. Criminals and police. So they have taken away your ability to present a deterrent, and the police presence is nil.
It’s almost a wonder crime rates aren’t higher. Must be due to human nature to be good.

Comment from beth
Time: October 30, 2009, 2:55 pm

Ok, so, I’ll refine my statement that this doesn’t warrant a warning. I’ll say it warrants sharing. Objective information sharing is never a bad thing. And being alert, aware, and informed is a good thing. I do think the way the story was originally presented was in an unintentionally alarming manner because of some clarity issues. That was what made me most uncomfortable with it.

But I still feel uncomfortable with two things: 1., anyone here defining these young men as gang members or being certain of gang activity just because of their actions, numbers, and appearance in the situation described, and 2., any of us being certain that they would have committed violence. Fact is, we can’t know these things. You’re welcome to jump to your own conclusions, of course. But acknowledge that that’s what you’re doing.

Again, be vigilant, be aware, and above all, be safe. I am just not going to indict any young men of crimes that I have no evidence beyond assumption and imagination that they are guilty of. I’ll stick to considering them guilty of what they did do to Lillian (which I do not defend, at all) and not what they might have done.

Comment from Kim
Time: October 30, 2009, 3:09 pm

Bottom line is that we “All” need to be careful. Crime is all around us and yes, sometimes it’s in our face. If you feel threatened then there’s probably a threat. There’s no harm in being cautious. I will say that a gang/group of teens on bikes roaming the streets ( anywhere ) puts me on alert.

Again, I want to thank everyone for sharing. Things like this are very important…Thanks, Jane for your quick thinking and taking the time to post.

And yes, we are residents

Comment from No One of Consequence
Time: October 30, 2009, 4:10 pm

I wanted to remind you that at LEAST two of the greatest crimes committed in this country this century were committed right across the river and neither involved ANY guns.
9/11
Bernie Madoff
(there are some other great crimes that occurred over there, but are more open to be subjective than these two)

In the end, posts like this, even if somewhat alarmist, are important to staying alert and abreast of crime trends.
But, until we get our beat cops/regular patrols back and/or an organized neighborhood watch, the criminals will continue to prey upon the wealth that this neighborhood represents.

Comment from PJL
Time: October 30, 2009, 4:22 pm

Beth, please feel free to stop and look at your watch if a few kids ask you the time and share with us the conclusion. I think most of us will heed the warning. Lillian, we’re happy you’re ok.

Comment from Eddie Wilson
Time: October 30, 2009, 5:36 pm

4 people… a GANG.

My, you know the city has been SUPER gentrified when the bloods can only get 4 people together.

Comment from Eddie Wilson
Time: October 30, 2009, 5:39 pm

“The first time was on an R train, coming up from Bay Ridge. Four or five teens, aged anywhere from 14-16 years old, got on the train, began swinging from the overhead bars, and at a pre-arranged signal began beating everyone up”

OK, now I just smell bs.

Four or five 15 year olds beat up an entire train? Methinks this person just watches too many movies.

Btw, I’ve *actually* been robbed at gunpoint. So, I’m not saying that can’t happen… but this just sounds like a bunch of baloney.

Comment from Eddie Wilson
Time: October 30, 2009, 5:41 pm

BTW, the bloods initiation thing… yeah, its just another urban legend. A lie.

http://www.snopes.com/crime/gangs/halloween.asp

Try your made up story somewhere else.

Comment from anon
Time: October 30, 2009, 6:32 pm

http://gothamist.com/2009/10/30/brooklyn_heights.php

Comment from bklyn20
Time: October 30, 2009, 7:36 pm

Lillian is my neighbor. If this were a 1940s film noir, she’s what the detective (played by the male lead) would call “one cool customer,” after which he would take a long drag on his cigarette. She is neither paranoid nor hysterical.

Her story about the subway was not too far from some things I saw in the 80s; luckily I was only a witness and never the target.

Gang or no gang, if groups of kids are targeting people and attacking, or even trying to attack, it is a serious problem! Everyone should call 311, their elected representatives and the 84th Precinct and complain until there is a renewed police presence in the South Heights.

Hicks Street between Montague and Joralemon is VERY dark. What’s more, the west side of Hicks between Remsen and Grace Court has basically no window onto the street — it’s all a long 6′ high wall. A very nice-looking wall, with no way for anyone to see what is happening, as would be the case with houses or apartments facing the street. Perhaps there should be an additional street light mid-block on that side of the street?

There has been an increasing number of gun-related crimes in the neighborhood lately. Isn’t the possibility of being shot much more worrisome than the possibility of being punched, painful as that may be? Everyone please pay attention, look out the window if you hear trouble on the street, and watch out for each other.

Comment from x
Time: October 30, 2009, 7:47 pm

I agree that most of the area between Montague and Atlantic Avenue lack sufficient street lighting.
Maybe instead of new lampposts, we can get more street lighting instead??

Comment from anon
Time: October 30, 2009, 8:12 pm

bklyn20, you missed the fact that there was no gun.

Comment from AEB
Time: October 30, 2009, 9:17 pm

Racist bullexcrement, Conrad.

PS, is “outbreeding” anything like outsourcing? What the $%#$#@ are you talking about?

Comment from nabeguy
Time: October 30, 2009, 9:34 pm

Holy moly, there really must be a full moon out tonight. I don’t mean to diminish Lillian’s genuine fear at her predicament, but the responses to this thread, running the gamut from arming the citizenry to eradicating miscegenation, scares me a hell of a lot more than a bunch of punk 15 year-olds.
John, I find it ironic that you quote Malcolm X in defense of your positions, given the way the man met his demise. And the Tex Antoine line is offensive, no matter which way you look at it, unless your perception of “reality” is so warped that rape is an acceptable mode of behavior. Chances are you’d be reaching for a .45 if a member of your own family suffered such a fate. Sorry to say, but that was a really bad reference.

Comment from MermaidAveTwirler
Time: October 30, 2009, 10:14 pm

“OK, now I just smell bs.
Four or five 15 year olds beat up an entire train? Methinks this person just watches too many movies.”

I remember frequent incidents like these throughout the 80s: a handful of teenage girls with razors ducking in to slice the faces of train riders seated by the door, 2 guys walking through subway stations giving every person they passed a fast shot to the face causing broken noses, groups of 8-10 bursting out into a whirlwind of fists pummeling everyone in their path (saw this MANY times). Wasn’t it called Wildin’ back then?

Comment from The Where
Time: October 30, 2009, 10:42 pm

Mr. Wilson lives under a bridge. He is an infamous troll. Homer must pour salt on him now.

Comment from 6floorwalkup
Time: October 31, 2009, 1:27 am

I just wanted to say that it’s SOOOO Brooklyn Heights-y that the comments stopped at 10:42pm on a Friday.

Except for me, of course.

Comment from AEB
Time: October 31, 2009, 7:49 am

And a gold star to you, 6thfloor, for being up at 1:27! Really, quite the accomplishment!

Comment from bornhere
Time: October 31, 2009, 9:25 am

Are you for real, Conrad? Those websites are scarier than the event that generated this thread.

Comment from Ilikebrooklyn
Time: October 31, 2009, 9:49 am

I scanned the responses to this post and perhaps someone already commented on why the ‘gang’ or someone wanting to harm/steal from someone would ask for the time. If someone is wearing a watch they would look at the watch and expose what could be valuable jewelry (or a desired cell phone/Blackberry. I was jumped while in college DC in the mid-70s. It’s not fun.

Thanks for warning us to be careful — I am often alone at very late hours on the streets mentioned.

Comment from bklyn20
Time: October 31, 2009, 10:57 am

Actually, I did NOT miss the fact that there was no gun involved in Lillian’s latest incident, although perhaps I should have made that clear in my post. I read in one of the local papers that there was a mugging at gunpoint on Joralemon St at Sidney Place a few weeks ago. And whatever happened to the gentleman on crutches who was pistol-whipped on Pierrepont? The police had a license number — update, please? I recall a few others, but unfortunately I don’t have the time to look them up now.

For the posters who cry “racism!” — no one has mentioned the race of the kids. Kindly park your soapbox in another arena.

People simply need to be aware of the incidents, report them to the police (and maybe here as well) and follow up on said incidents. In my experience, the police tend to placate until things get serious, but I hope it doesn’t get that far.

Comment from soulman
Time: October 31, 2009, 11:27 am

Wow - there really are a lot of sicko, reactionary bastards on this list. To Gauleiter Konrad, I’d love to meet you on a dark street one day, preferably one with a large garbage can where trash like you belong. Or perhaps on Staten Island 50 feet below the top of a waste pile would be a better location for your remains.

As for many the rest of you - Brooklyn Heights is a remarkably safe place to live. I walk my 29lb border collie (there’s a clue) at night in the park and down many of these not-so-mean streets every day. While we’re not quite the gated, guarded community many of you aspire to, the picture painted by a pathetic, paranoid minority is given the lie by the amount of men and women who use these streets at all times of day and night. Yes, stuff happens, but statistics and experience don’t lie. It’s not only very safe, it’s safer than it’s probably ever been. So, my friends, remember to take your meds and stay home unless you can afford the Blackwater guards you most surely need.

Comment from MadeInBrooklyn
Time: October 31, 2009, 3:25 pm

Bring back the MSB who used to hang out on Montague and Henry (and at the Court House), in the ’80s and kept the neighborhood safe and save all the St. Ann’s kids from getting mugged.

Comment from soulman
Time: October 31, 2009, 6:15 pm

That should be “live amongst us”.

Comment from nabeguy
Time: October 31, 2009, 11:01 pm

When asked why he robbed banks, Willie Sutton had a simple answer… because that’s where the money is. So how does a well-heeled community such as BH maintain such a low rating on the Comstat charts? Is it because the 84th precinct does an exemplary job of patrol? Well, other than the one car that stations itself outside of Fascati’s, I’d say no. Is it because the criminal element looks at the liberal demographics of the populace and decides they’re just too tough to handle? Hardly. The single most important factor that keeps us safe is our connection to each other as neighbors, regardless of the myriad ways we define ourselves. So let’s all watch out for each other and keep using this site as our virtual block association.
BTW, tourists are especially vulnerable, so let’s not turn our backs on them, even if they drive you crazy by asking for directions to Grimaldi’s or the esplanade.

Comment from Claude Scales
Time: October 31, 2009, 11:47 pm

“Esplanade”? Is that what it’s called in the Hungarian phrasebook?

Comment from Bewildered
Time: November 1, 2009, 1:00 pm

Almost a year ago I was assaulted on Boerum and Livingston at 10pm on a Saturday night. A group of about 8 teens beat me and robbed me, leaving me with a broken jaw and cuts and bruises. I have not felt the same since. I think the warning may not be necessary to some people, but when those people are on the business end of a beating they will change their minds. Thanks for the warning.

Comment from willow street
Time: November 1, 2009, 3:03 pm

thanks for the warning. it’s always good to be reminded to pay attention.

Comment from ABC
Time: November 1, 2009, 3:17 pm

that Bloods initiation thing is very much a rumor. hasn’t that been going around for 15 years now? I’m not sure why people keep falling for that one.