Mugging in front of Brooklyn Museum

OMG, just saw a woman have her purse and cell snatched from her from two guys riding ONE bicycle! Middle of the day, on busy eastern parkway, right in front of Brooklyn Art Museum. I always thought this area was a pretty safe neighborhood??

mod note: title edited for accuracy

did you call the cops?

I was jogging by so did not have a cell, but got some standers by to do so. The cops response was mediocre, not as fast or organized as you would have liked, but not terrible either. We all helped her as much as possible, but mostly everyone was just amazed this happened right in front of BAM in mid-day. So brazen. I'm just about to move to Prospect Heights and am wondering if this area isn't safe enough. It could have been anyone....

that sucks. fyi, BAM is the music place, BMA is the museum.

Sorry, I mean BMA, near the corner of washington ave and eastern parkway. The worst part of all of this was that this woman was visiting new york because her daughter was very ill, and had just gone out for a little walk, and then this happens to her.

Is there some resource where you can find out how frequent things like muggings and burglaries are in various parts of Brooklyn, so I can better assess where to move to? Many thx for any info....

Its like every other thread is about a robbery or murder or break in these days.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=106641398518181392265.0004445476e19d4eff6cd

brokechick wrote: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=106641398518181392265.0004445476e19d4eff6cd

Somebody "vandalized" that map....i wouldn't consider it valid anymore.

Yes, someone obviously feels the map is 'useless'. Anyhow, could this spike in crime-talk on this forum be related to the fact that we just had like a biblical stretch of rainy weather, and now we are finally having dry summer nights (and days)? Wistful thinking on my part?

Also, is CH and PH 'Crips' territory--or are things more patchwork? I'm seeing a lot of muted blue and white on peeps around the area?

independent mind wrote: I'm just about to move to Prospect Heights and am wondering if this area isn't safe enough. It could have been anyone....

Where are you moving from?

St. Marks and New York Ave.

Check the NYPD website for crime stats. But whoever told you that was Prospect Heights wasn't being honest. That's Crown Heights by far (not that there's anything wrong with that, but a very different neighborhood)

Ridonkulous wrote: Check the NYPD website for crime stats. But whoever told you that was Prospect Heights wasn't being honest. That's Crown Heights by far (not that there's anything wrong with that, but a very different neighborhood)

S/he said that's where s/he is moving from.

Was this around 2:45? Saw cops.

No, it was around 12:30-1pm. But they may have come back there for some reason.

independent mind wrote: No, it was around 12:30-1pm. But they may have come back there for some reason.

Ah that explains the cop on the scooter and the other cops loitering that I saw from the other side of the road about that time. Shame Segway cop wasn't around he could have stopped the robbers.

Oh, oops! I need to work on my reading skills. I thought that NY Ave was a stretch!

arches wrote: [quote=brokechick]http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=106641398518181392265.0004445476e19d4eff6cd

Somebody "vandalized" that map....i wouldn't consider it valid anymore.

I came across this map on another topic:
http://projects.nytimes.com/crime/homicides/map

Sunday July 19th walking my dog at 430pm on Prospect Place between Classon and Franklin and a youngish man runs past me and I hear a very weak "stop him" coming from the poor hipster behind me. Something was heisted off him (wallet, cell phone). Anyway, the heister runs past me up the shuttle walkway. by the time I reach franklin ave the heister had apparently cut through the shuttle terminal to park place and was walking/running down franklin back down towards prospect place turned and started off towards Rogers Ave. SHIFTY! I tried to help the poor heistee as much as possible. I got a good ID on the guy, called the cops, etc.

I learned two things tho: BE AWARE... even at 4 in the afternoon! an easy mark is an easy mark no matter what the time of day. and two, if you are new to an area where you might be targeted simply because you stick out...stay in shape! Watching that poor hipster try run in his overly tight pants was sad. I did feel so bad for him but I also couldn't help think oy, done in by fashion! He tried his hardest, as did his friends, and I do hope he triumphed ( I doubt it though) : (

Sunday July 19th walking my dog at 430pm on Prospect Place between Classon and Franklin and a youngish man runs past me and I hear a very weak "stop him" coming from the poor hipster behind me. Something was heisted off him (wallet, cell phone). Anyway, the heister runs past me up the shuttle walkway. by the time I reach franklin ave the heister had apparently cut through the shuttle terminal to park place and was walking/running down franklin back down towards prospect place turned and started off towards Rogers Ave. SHIFTY! I tried to help the poor heistee as much as possible. I got a good ID on the guy, called the cops, etc.

I learned two things tho: BE AWARE... even at 4 in the afternoon! an easy mark is an easy mark no matter what the time of day. and two, if you are new to an area where you might be targeted simply because you stick out...stay in shape! Watching that poor hipster try run in his overly tight pants was sad. I did feel so bad for him but I also couldn't help think oy, done in by fashion! He tried his hardest, as did his friends, and I do hope he triumphed ( I doubt it though) : (

independent mind wrote: I'm just about to move to Prospect Heights and am wondering if this area isn't safe enough. It could have been anyone....

It could have also been any where. Snatchings like that are common.

Ishtar wrote: [quote=independent mind] I'm just about to move to Prospect Heights and am wondering if this area isn't safe enough. It could have been anyone....

It could have also been any where. Snatchings like that are common. tis true. of course certain neighborhoods are generally safer than others, but bottom line is it's a big city and anything can happen at any time in any place. you can leave your car unlocked in east new york and nothing happen and end up getting mugged 2 minutes after your bus from the Poconos arrived at Port Authority on your way to Dave & Busters (mmm, authentic NYC fun times!).

Might also have something to do with the fact that BMA and the BBG draw in a lot of tourists, who might be seen as easier targets (or likely to have more cash and cameras on them). For the same reason, I really try to be careful with my bag around Times Square/Chinatown.

PH is safe. I moved here from uber-gentrified Cobble Hill and am raising an infant here. But, it is a very urban environment, so you have to be alert, pay attention, and know what to do if something does happen. It's not about being scared or living in fear, it's just about being a realist.

Subject: Mugging

Although, I live directly across the street from the Brooklyn Museum I am not surprised about what crimes happen in Prospect Heights. I have lived in the same apartment since 1976 and things have gotten much better if you can believe it.

Secondly, my purse was snatched on the the #6 train at Whitlock Ave. in the Bronx with my cell phone and all my money, credit cards, work documents inside. Although I still carry a purse I know carry my credit cards, money and cell phone in my pockets. This way if I get mugged again they will only get a bag full of makeup and miscellenous items. 8)