On our block we have an association that consists of about 7 or 8 of the houses. It was formed in the late '60s when everyone's house was getting broken into - during the day I might add because they would leave for work. The block association formed with full representation except for one house. Now over time, the block is safe enough that not every one wants to attend meetings or become a member.

Any way, we have a section devoted to "survellance" that is lead by our block captain who goes to the police precinct meetings where they talk about crime trends. He comes back and reports to us about shootings, most wanted people, car jackings, even the type of muggings that have been happening. Like once, it was to watch out for a kid on a bike that would ride by you as another kid on a bike did too. They would hit the person on the head and take their wallet.

It gets you kind of paranoid but it also makes you more aware of what might be happening.

You should offer to host some of the people that you speak to on the street about meeting once a month and starting to do things like keep porches lit or walk around the block at night as a sort of patrol. People on the street can be extremely effective for deterring crime. It sounds corny but if all these old guys have done it and still take the time to look out the window if they happen to be up at night, it becomes effective habits for keeping crime away.

Didn't realize this was being discussed on this thread as well.

I started a post here:

http://www.phillyblog.com/philly/sho...0&page=1&pp=10

[quote=Talon1125]Ok i'm going to go out on a limb and say that I honestly hope that these little hood rats pick the wrong person one day and end up on the wrong end of a self defense justifiable homicide defense. I honestly think that the ones doing these crimes will never change. we can all be hopeful that some day they will see the error in their ways but they can't be taught that becuse if they could learn anything other than what they hear in music (yes I am stereotyping) QUOTE]

I would agree with you as I would love for some of these guys to catch some street justice. I don't know about killing them, but...

I have had a good friend of mine and a brother who were victimized by violent muggings. In both cases I offered to be the bait as I was followed up by some friends. My idea was I would get drunk/ or at least act drunk and wait til someone tried to mug me/ beat me up and my friends would come and ambush these guys and give them a taste of thier own medicine. Both times the idea was shot down. It probably is a bad idea, but you get so frustrated. Both of these guys who got hurt badly could knock out 99 out a 100 guys walking down the street - no exageration - both guys were over 6'2" and over 200 lbs. But they were both drunk, and got attacked from behind by three guys. I probably would have gotten shot if I did this.

I wish some of the cops had the balls to do the same thing. Best as I can figure out the problem the cops have is complacency. Most cops on the street are collecting a paycheck and trying to get home each night with out getting shot.

Oh and I am sure the violence these kids see on TV, hear in music ect is an influence, but I listen to rap and hardcore rap at that. I have watched Scarface, but I never felt like shooting anyone. It seems to me the biggest connection to crime is poverty. Get rid of poverty and you get rid of most crime.

Also shouldn't these be under Crime security thread?

All that's needed is for a handful of these kids to go watch it...

__________________
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Just don't stop to give anyone directions. I've always tried to be helpful to anyone, even young black males in hoodies, but not anymore, especially for stupid questions like "do you know where Sansom St is?" or "where's 10th st?"

BTW, I wonder if maybe we're getting an influx of criminals from Camden. Here's a quote from an article, about the Morgan Quitno rankings, in today's Metro:

I'm not going to knock the Philly PD, I think they're working hard. I just don't think they're working as "smart" as they could be. I think all the energy our cops are putting into their job could often be channeled a little better.

__________________
Your representatives on Philadelphia's City Council are at odds with our new mayor over whether many reforms he has proposed should become law. Please write to them and tell them what your priorities are.

Indict State Senator Vince Fumo into The Crooked Pol Hall of Fame.

http://www.dailypennsylvanian.com/vn.../43816a50012db

Good link.

Yeah, but then in the same issue:


Weekend robberies strike heart of campus
Van Pelt Library and Hayden Hall scene of latest juvenile crimes
By andrew whitney
November 21, 2005


Efforts by University Police to deter the flurry of juvenile robbers that struck campus last weekend have yet to show results.

This weekend, teenagers committed three robberies and one assault on and around campus, Penn Police Deputy Chief of Investigations Mike Morrin said.

A visiting professor and a Drexel University student were sent to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania with minor injuries. Two suspects were arrested.

Detectives are investigating whether this weekend's attacks are the work of the same group of juveniles that police believe committed three of last weekend's crimes. Police have shifted personnel, paid officers to work overtime and deployed a tactical task force since last week's crimes.

The first robbery this weekend occurred at about 1:10 a.m. Saturday outside Van Pelt Library, located at 3420 Walnut St.

Three men approached a Drexel University student from behind and, without warning, punched and kicked him.

The assailants took an unidentified object from the victim. They then reportedly fled west on Walnut Street.

The victim described one robber as a 16 to 20 year old male, about 5 foot 9 inches tall, clean-shaven and wearing a dark running suit and dark shoes. The other assailants are also described as 16- to 20-year-old men dressed in dark clothing.

The victim was treated at HUP for minor injuries and released later that morning.

Almost immediately after the robbery, police received a report from a Penn student who said that he had been assaulted on the 3400 block of Walnut Street by three men matching the descriptions of the robbers from the earlier incident. Police think it likely that the robbers encountered the Penn student as they fled after robbing the Drexel student. It is not clear why the assault occurred. Nothing was taken from the Penn student, who was not injured.

At about 5:10 p.m. Saturday, an attempted robbery occurred on Smith Walk outside Hayden Hall. Two juveniles reportedly approached a 45-year-old visiting professor from behind. One of them reportedly punched the man in the face without warning. While one assailant held the victim, the other went through the professor's pockets. The professor yelled, attracting the attention of others nearby, who also began yelling for help. The assailants fled east on Smith Walk toward 33rd Street.

The professor described his attackers as two black males, about 16 years old. Both were reportedly between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 7 inches in height with thin builds. One was further described as wearing a khaki green coat with a fur collar around the hood.

The professor was taken to HUP, where he received treatment for minor injuries and was released a short time later.

At about 9:10 p.m. Saturday, robbers struck near the other end of campus, this time on the 4200 block of Osage Avenue. Two 19-year-old male Penn freshmen were walking when they were approached by two juveniles who revealed a gun. The robbers reportedly took a cell phone and cash from the victims. Police arrived, but the robbers had already fled the scene. Officers disseminated suspect descriptions provided by the victims to Penn Police officers and to the Philadelphia Police Department in West Philadelphia.

About an hour after the robbery, Philadelphia Police Narcotics Strike Force officers who were working near Penn spotted two teenagers matching the descriptions inside Allegro Pizza, at the intersection of 40th and Spruce streets. A search of the suspects produced a cell phone and cash -- matching the items taken in the robbery -- as well as a BB gun styled to resemble a Ruger 9-millimeter handgun.

Police brought the two robbery victims to the scene, where the students identified the two 17-year-olds as the robbers. The suspects -- whose names are not being released because of their ages -- reside on the 5000 block of Chester Avenue in the Cedar Park neighborhood of West Philadelphia. Morrin said that the quick work by the Philadelphia Police in making an arrest demonstrates the department's commitment to assisting Penn in combating crime. Numerous Philadelphia officers have been added to the University City area to deter crime.


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Muggings in the middle of Penn's campus at 5 pm!!! This is f*cking madness. These people obviously fear absolutely no reprisal or punishment.

So we drove down to Colonial Pizza last night around 7pm and passed 3 cop cars and one van on our 7 block drive east down Pine. Inside the pizza shop was one Penn police man and 2 city cops.

Then on our way home we passed another 2 cop cars driving around.

Not sure whether this is actually a trend or not...

http://www.dailypennsylvanian.com/vn.../438d5a80400d7

Penn crime uptick may have shifted north
The group of young robbers that recently targeted Penn's campus has shifted a few blocks north, police authorities say.
Two robberies occurred Monday night near Drexel University, and police believe that these are related to crimes that took place on Penn's campus last week.

Penn Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush said that she is not comfortable with the proximity of the robberies to campus.

"What they're doing up there today they could do anywhere tomorrow," Rush said.

To ensure that the robbers do not return to Penn, Penn Police are partnering with their Philadelphia counterparts, Patrol Capt. Joseph Fischer said.

"We're working with the 16th and 18th districts, the University City District and the Southwest Task Force," he said, "to communicate and share intelligence."

Fischer also said that Penn Police are assisting in efforts to catch the robbers near Drexel, even though the two most recent crimes occurred north of Market Street, outside UPPD jurisdiction.

Safety programs

While police work to keep the Penn community safe, data have shown that students are taking similar initiatives.

Whether it is a result of increased student fear or improved awareness, the use of 898-WALK escorts has increased dramatically.

It's nice of you to care for the neighborhood but it's also ignorant for you to just assume stuff like this. The place is a recording studio. I talked to one of the guys outside of it and went inside for a look because I've been into many studios before and wanted to check it out.