mugging just now

bobbybrummel wrote: i really want one of these to defend myself with out on the rough and tumble streets of prospect heights.

That site def. has some weird stuff. Lead cap comes in handy during x-rays at the dentist though. Still, I think this one takes the cake... http://www.defensedevices.com/reprapdet.html (not that the subject matter itself is amusing).

Plucky Purcell wrote: as long as you aren't carry/using any weapons that are illegal in NY state or city, i seriously doubt the police will even arrest you for defending yourself.

and even if you're arrested for "show," the precinct will probably void the arrest later.

Don't kid yourself. If you run into the wrong cop, you'll get arrested for anything. Which isn't a rant against cops, most of them are great. I nearly got arrested for having a pocket knife. Which is legal in NYC, and I use it to open boxes at work. I don't carry it anymore though. I ended up with six cops around me, five of which were all for arresting me and handing my kids off the some agency and letting the court sort it out. I also know someone who did get arrested for a pocket knife. The precinct isn't going to do squat. He got kicked quick once he got before a judge, but that took overnight. Not something I'm willing to chance. I don't want to get mugged, but I'm not going to start carrying a weapon. More than likely, it would be taken from me and used against me anyhow. My plan is to outcrazy the crazy mf's that jump me, then run away like a little girl and call 911 at the earliest opportunity.

No offense to little girls. I have the utmost respect for them.

daver wrote: I don't want to get mugged, but I'm not going to start carrying a weapon.

Hey man, I wasn't suggesting people walk around armed or that cops would be okay with that. I was saying that, generally speaking, you probably won't be arrested for punching/kicking a thug who tries to mug you.

Fjord wrote: Have any of these little cowardly twerps been armed?

Other than the occasional thrown bottle, I don't recall any talk of them being armed. Feel free to correct me if I am mistaken.

And let me insert a standard tm Brooklynian disclaimer here, I am in no way implying that by not having weapons that it is ok to beat on people or that boys will be boys or any other such nonsense.

crayolalettuce wrote:
Ultimately I think it was the stupid white Apple headphones which gave me away. I went out and got a new iPhone, but I bought some black headphones to go with them yesterday. I don't think I should have to suffer an inferior phone because hooligans might take it.

Sounds like you've learned a lot from this experience.

So why no weapons? It's not hard to find a knife. Is there some kind of major difference in the sentencing for muggers convicted of robbery without a knife? Or are they just young, and haven't gotten to crime with weapons yet?

Also, where to these kids really live? When one gets caught, does he or she turn out to be from another neighborhood? Or from here?

And what do they do with the stuff they get? Do 14-year-olds really have the right connections to fence a stolen iPhone? Or even the cash to get a new charger for it?

Just wondering.

prospectus wrote: So why no weapons? It's not hard to find a knife. Is there some kind of major difference in the sentencing for muggers convicted of robbery without a knife? Or are they just young, and haven't gotten to crime with weapons yet?

definitely a difference. mugging someone with a knife would be 1st Degree Robbery, a Class B Violent Felony. this is as opposed to a C or D Felony for 2nd or 3rd Degree Robbery. the difference in sentencing can be a matter of years - so, major enough! and I'm pretty sure that juveniles who commit violent felonies can't be adjudicated as "youthful offenders."

Deputy Inspector Cosgrove attended Crow Hill Community Association's February meeting. The minutes are posted here: http://www.crowhillcommunity.org/minutes.html
They contain suggestions and information on how the community can participate in preventing/abating crime .

Cool The Kid wrote: Best bet to survival here, is to look poor, and bike or drive wherever you go.

While I suppose that would work, I would call it overkill. I would say that the #1 thing is maintaining awareness. The vast majority of the incidents involve folks getting jumped from behind. The #2 thing would be to not advertise your exensive toys. Keep them in your pocket or bag while walking from the subway. And remember that targetting has happened on the subway, so perhaps put them away a bit earlier.

Standard Brooklynian disclamer (tm): I'm not blaming the victim. I agree that you have a right to wear your expensive jewelry and talk on your iphone while walking home oblivious to the world. These are simply tips to avoid being a victim. If that is something you are not interested in, I have no problem with that and wish you the best of luck. You will get away with it the vast majority of the time.