Just wanted to let you all know that I got mugged by a small group of African-American men on 46th street near Pine while walking to the El after seeing Superspeck at Dahlak. They first walked up and started acting nice, but then as I was walking away, one of them grabbed me by the neck and put me in the chokehold, knocking me to the ground. A second one then hit me in the face and kicked my a few times demanding me money. I then handed all the money I had ($40) and they left. And I spend the last five hours at the police.

I'm asking you all to be extra careful, especially in the area where it happened and victims of other muggings to file a report. Please spread word about the mugging far and wide for me.

Sorry to hear

Are you a male or female? Fortunately, you are ok. Obviously, this could have happened to anyone.

WoW!

How about petitioning the cops for a Granny Squad to create a
sting operation for this kind of thing?


Joel

TODAY'S AGENDA

a. Cops are drinking coffee inside their clubhouse.
b. Perps are taking down victims.
c. Cops are called to the scene.
d. Perps are drinking beer inside their clubhouse.

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OMG! So sorry to hear that -- I live just 2 blocks from there. I know the time is screwy in here, but it looks like your post was written at 5 am. What time did this happen?

Glad you're OK.

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- We must be the change we wish to see in the world -
Mahatma Gandhi

I am sorry to hear that this happened to you. I used to live at 46th and Locust and moved because I felt very "unsafe" walking around. I lived in Philly my whole life (Summerdale...not a real nice area of Philly) and went to HS downtown....was mugged on the el & the sub during HS but never felt scared. U City made me feel quite unsafe at times...and always at night. (Same reason...groups of young black teens you would follow me (or run right up behind you and laugh because they know you're a little concerned) or smile in the not so happy way when I would walk past someone's porch or steps coming from the El.)

ALthough it has improved dramtically, University City is not totally safe...and will never be because it's right next to a very depressed part of West Philly. It's too easy for the trash in West Philly to rob a Penn or Drexel kid and there's too many desperate or criminally minded people in West Philly that see the rich little white & asian students or their cars or apartments as a perfect opportunity. Just remember...they can tell if your scared and they love to catch people alone. I would always take a cab home at night if I was by myself (that's if they will actaully go to West Philly at night...sometimes the cabbie's protest taking you there because of the same reasons)

Now we'll get to hear from all the new people who live in West Philly who "never had a problem" and live near Clark Park and the long time residents of West Philly who will claim that this usually doesn't happen.

I remember that when I went to Temple, many fellow students used to comment that although the area around Temple is rougher than University City, it always seemed like there were more muggings and violence on the campuses of Penn and Drexel. Seems like it's always been that way. Temple's campus seemed very nice and secure considering the area around it compared to other campuses.
Shame that this happens. Unfortunately the police doesn't seem to be able to really patrol areas known for muggings, to the extent that is needed.

Give me a break, zur. This is life in the city, man. This ain't the '50s and it ain't Mayberry RFD. I'm fairly new to West Philadelphia/UC so as you predicted, I'm about to refute what you said. I feel perfectly safe where I live. BUT -- I wouldn't feel particularly safe in any part of any city walking alone in the middle of the night. Reality check time: Do you think there is anywhere in any major city where muggings don't happen?

__________________
- We must be the change we wish to see in the world -
Mahatma Gandhi

You're about the fifth person that I have heard of getting mugged up there in the last two months. The 40's and Pine is becoming a favorite territory of muggers. At least yours wasn't at gunpoint as happened to a few people I know.

I just got off the phone with a friend who lives at 41st and Pine, and she said her g/f was mugged at 44& Pine this weekend. Her friend is ok, just shaken and without a handbag.

While its a shame that I do this I usually EMPTY my pockets before walking in the city. I make up a "throw away" wallet with cash in it and seperate the CC/ID from the cash.

One of these days I'll remmeber to dig up some expired/closed account CCs to use as well..