saftey around Sterling Pl and Washington Ave

arkachic · January 2010

Hi everyone-
I'm thinking of moving to an apartment just past Washington on Sterling (one of the new buildings). Its just past the corner. I live in park slope and have been mugged at gunpoint before (in washington DC) and I'm now uncomfortable in quiet neighborhoods that i know arent safe. Problem is, i dont know if this area is safe. I live on 5th ave now in PS and although i know that "anything can happen anywhere", there is always activity and i feel safe coming home on the subway at 9:30pm (which is the latest i would probably take it home by myself).

So here is my question...is the walk safe from Flatbush (down sterling?) What abotu from teh 2/3? I figure the walk down Washington is safer than walking from the Q on flatbush down Sterling? I have visited at night, but its usually been at about 7pm and it was still busy. I guess I should visit later in the night. Ive also read about the ipod/bike thief which is a little worrisome. I did witness a purse snatching in broad daylight in PS once, but it felt like it was a VERY rare thing. the scariest thing to me is a quiet block, not necessarily a busy one (unless its TOTALLY sktechy!).

Oh, btw im im my early 30s, married and ahve a baby on the way...so obviously im concerned about walking with my baby there too. Thansk everyone.

armchair_warrior · January 2010

best bet is to walk around in the area few times at different times of the day and week. like you normally would after work and weekends. this way you'll get the feeling of the area right away.

cool the kid · January 2010

I think it's high time for someone to make a map outlining the safe + dangerous blocks

jack krohn · January 2010

Overall, that stretch (from Flatbush to Washington) is safe, though it can get quiet at night. The 2/3 walk from Eastern Parkway is much shorter and better trafficked. As armchair says, it's best to walk it a few times at night to test your comfort level. The neighborhood is cool and has seen a lot of gentrification over the past five years. It's much safer than it used to be, but, still, if you don't care for quiet streets, then the first route mentioned may give you pause.

whynot_31 · January 2010

arkachic- Jack's advice is valid.

Washington Ave is not yet stroller ready, but Underhill and Vanderbilt have been conquered since 2006. (Blue Marble Ice Cream/daycare and big playground on Underhill. Wide sidewalks and lots of lunch places for mom to eat on Vandy)

Cool the kid - Depending on your definition of dangerous, Gothamist has a map it updates every minute. Only big crimes are listed, but if you check back 5 days in a row, you'll see there are some undeniable patterns. http://gothamist.com/map/

"Smaller crimes" (like muggings, break-ins) aren't reported, but they are certainly far more frequent in the neighborhoods with the little blue badges always appearing.

bohuma · January 2010

I have lived on that block of Sterling for a little over a year. I would feel reticent about walking from Flatbush at 9.30 p.m. but not from Eastern Parkway 2/3. There is generally activity around the bodegas 'til very late most evenings. I think it's as safe as anywhere in this part of Brooklyn. As you move further into Crown Heights it gets edgier. A colleague of mine lived on Sterling between Flatbush and Vanderbilt for a few years, he thinks Washington is where Vanderbilt was in 2005. The recession will slow the rejuvenation of the neighborhood a little, but I think that rejuvenation will continue it's march towards the Nassau county line.

arkachic · January 2010

whynot- when you say that Washington isnt quite stroller ready....what do you mean? Its just a little grittier? I'm all good with local flavor and your occasional drunken bum, i just want to avoid the hoodlum kids on quiet streets who want to do me harm.

Bohuma- thanks for your opinion. (btw are you female or male?) I think i tend to agree since im more comfy with busier streets. I guess i'd have to make a judgement call on what time of day it is, if im with my husband or not, or if its light out. My whole world is going to change when this baby arrives, so i dont really know my schedule yet, but i imagine that i'll be coming home early on a more regular basis b/c of the tot. if i have to work past 9pm, my office does offer cabs, so i shoudl just also take them up on it when i can.

as for walking further into crown heights..i doubt i'd every walk past my bldg at night! thanks guys.

bohuma · January 2010

I'm male. If your office offers cabs after 8 p.m. take up the offer. If you're thinking of 475 Sterling, make sure you get a parking space, then your husband can pick you up from the subway if you're coming in late.

whynot_31 · January 2010

"whynot- when you say that Washington isnt quite stroller ready....what do you mean? Its just a little grittier? I'm all good with local flavor and your occasional drunken bum, i just want to avoid the hoodlum kids on quiet streets who want to do me harm."

The number of hoodlum kids (and adults) on Washington has gone down substansially since 2005, but Franklin still has its share. "Hoodlum kids on quiet streets" aren't a big worry, you aren't prey or anything.

The area has a lot of high schools (Acorn, PH, Health professions, etc) so I'd be a little wary right after school gets out, but that's the same throughout NYC.

After 8pm, Washington still has few businesses open: Nail salons, bodegas, and -recently- bars that seem to attract new residents.

As for stroller ready: Despite it coming along way since I moved here in 2003, Washington Ave is still not kept very clean. There is lots of litter, and it seems everyday is trash day. The sidewalks always seem cluttered with bags of debis.

artman · January 2010

Gee whiz. it was 2005 when Vanderbilt got all better? I feel so enlightened. Seemed fine to me in '95. And '85. And, well, okay '75 was the citywide year of crack and all. But '68 wasn't so bad. Thank heavens you folks are moving in tho and making my beloved neighborhood finally SAFE for me and the pregnant people (by the thousands, it seems...) from Park Slope and all. I am SO relieved. So blessed!

arkachic · January 2010

thanks Whynot.
I'm totally tolerant of trash and filth. Just scarred from my mugging experience so thats why im so sensitive to sketchy walks. Obviously its personal opinion.

Artman- dont worry, i'll try not to gentrify anything in front of your house.

whynot_31 · January 2010

You are welcome Artman!

...thanks for rolling out the redcarpet for us! Without it, and the largest economic boom in the city's history, some would have stayed where ever they are from.

brownie · January 2010

I have found one plus of being a parent to small children is that I rarely go out after dark, so the crime/safety issue is largely moot. I hear that some parents do go out though...

sterling2000 · January 2010

I lived on Sterling, just off Washington between Washington and Dekalb for 5 years, raising two small boys (now 10 and 5). The building is full of children and parents who walk and stroller in and around the major arteries of the neighborhood.

I'm a dude and I agree with the advice above. During daytime hours I enjoy the walk from Grand Army Plaza (pretty, tree-lined) but as the eve gets late I tend to stick to the Eastern Parkway 2/3 stop and roll down Washington.

park deliciatessen · January 2010

I walk my stroller on Washington EVERYDAY.

If your afraid to walk down Washington you should roll out.

pnlop · January 2010

I know this might be early in your mind, but you might also keep in mind the public school zone. PH now has a great school, PS9, but the cut off is Washington. If you are on the CH side, you would be out of zone. I'm sure it's that last thing you're thinking about right now, but trust me, it comes faster than you think, and then you end up with less options.

On the safety issue, I have walked many times from Washington to Flatbush after 9pm and really don't feel that comfortable as a woman walking the quiet streets alone, especially living on Park Place, where there have been issues, but like anywhere, I look around my shoulder and walk quickly.

It's a great neighborhood. Very low key and friendly.

Good luck.

doublediamond · January 2010

All very good points, but want to add something new: How safe you'll feel anywhere is going to be colored by being mugged years ago.

In addition to the suggestions of walking around the nabe (with someone else) at the times you expect you'd be walking home alone, think about where you are since the mugging: do you walk alert, shoulders back like you know where you're going? Do you take in your surroundings? Or, are you uneasy, unsure, scared and suspicious? This will also affect how safe you'll feel.

arkachic · February 2010

hey guys.
So last night i made my husband read all the threads on this board regarding safety to see what he thought. He was concerned so at 10:00pm, i got off my warm cozy couch and we took a cab over to the corner of Sterling and Washington to see how it would feel if i had to run out at that time of night or come home from the subway.

In all honesty, as i stated before that due to my previous mugging, im pretty paranoid....that being said, i actually felt pretty safe. We walked to 476/475 and its very well lit. East of that, Sterling was dark and i probably wouldnt walk down there. I peeked down the other side of Sterling and if i wasnt from the area, i honestly wouldnt really know that its a little shady. Of course a blanket of snow sort of makes everything look harmless, so that might be part of it.

We walked down washington at about 10:30pm to the 2/3 on Eastern parkway and every few shop fronts are still open. That bar (park something?) a few restaurants, bodegas..etc. There were other pedestrians too, none that looked shady. I did peek down St. Johns & Washington to see if i saw any shady fellas and while there were some people talking, they werent right on teh corner and I didnt feel threatened.

So! here is where i do the 360. I think i decided that i dont think im ready for this end of PH/CH. Came home and talked to the husband and realized that although everything LOOKED pretty safe, all of this background that i know actually made me MORE nervous. The comment that irked me the most from many posters was "you cant walk down the street with an ipod or phone out". I dont flash my money or stuff like that, buti dont want to feel like i need a death grip on my pocketbook everytime i walk to the deli.

Everyone keeps saying "its not park slope". Well, im sorry if im a pussy, but i like the safety that i feel in my current neighborhood. I know crime can happen anywhere, but its also just how it makes you feel. I lived on Pacific and Smith years ago and while it was getting better...and at the time Smith street was actually fine, i literally used to walk down the middle of the street until i got to my apartment b/c i was afraid of the dark sidewalks on Pacific. It was a relief to move to my currrent neighborhood and not have to worry much.

the sad thing is that i cant afford a 2BR in PS yet. looks like im going to stay in my smaller apt for a while and keep looking. im not ruling out PH totally, but right now, i dont think the sterling place is for me.

Thanks EVERYONE so much for your help. I might be back if i find another place!
-Arkachic

armchair_warrior · February 2010

yeap always do a walk of the place first

.

dru's mom · February 2010

Interesting. When I moved to the neighborhood 25 years ago, no one in their right mind would walk from the 2/3 down Washington to Sterling. The first time I did it, I had my purse snatched. We were then advised by neighbors to walk from the 2/3 at GAP along the north side of Sterling until you got to Underhill, then cross to the south side of Sterling. A lot has changed. I think all routes are pretty safe now.

bohuma · February 2010

If it's late at night and you're going to 475 or 476 Sterling, you can always get out of the train at Borough Hall and catch the B45 bus in Livingston St, it's then a quick 10 - 20 minute ride to Sterling Pl, where the bus stops outside Tom's Restaurant. Livingston can be lonely, but you can probably wait inside the Chinese restaurant next to the bus stop. The B45 can get snarled at Flatbush and Atlantic during rush hours, but early mornings, later evenings and weekends it is quicker to take the bus to Borough Hall than walk to Eastern Parkway and get the train. Personally, I never wander around with earphones in, not in New York, or any other city in the world for that matter, it pays to keep your wits about you. You can be a victim of street crime anywhere, if you keep alert to your surroundings and avoid obviously secluded places, you're usually fine.

saftey around Sterling Pl and Washington Ave

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