another mugging
There's been another mugging in the Shaw-Howard area, this time near 1911 5th Street, NW DC. That makes six people I know who've been mugged in the past year by groups of youth in their late teens or early 20s. It's not in the news yet, but the victim has made a crime report about the situation.
The victim was a lone gay man with a backpack wearing headphones walking home at about 9:30pm Thursday night. A group of young black males on bicycles jumped him and took his backpack, then rode away. The victim was not hurt, and they did not yell anti-gay epithets, but it's just another example of the rise of muggings by groups of youth in the city of late.
In more positive news, an arrest has been made in connection with the beating death of a man on the 9th Street corridor.
Regardless of whether it's anti-gay or not, we need to pay attention to our surroundings. I can't believe the number of people I see walking home or jogging at night with their headphones on. Headphones and cell phone conversations lower your awareness of your surroundings and mark you as an easy target. In many of these cases, the perps "came out of nowhere." Only mutants with teleporation powers can do that, and there's a lot you can do to reduce your chances of being mugged.
I keep hearing people claim that being on a cell phone keeps assailants at bay because the potential victim thinks the assailant is less likely to attack them when they're on the phone with someone. That's a myth, and involving yourself in a conversation with somebody somewhere else keeps your attention away from your current situation. Keep your electronics in your pocket, keep your head up and be aware. 
You can see a potential problem from blocks away, or are at least able to dodge or confront potential attackers if you're alert and aware of your assailants. Be aware of your surroundings when you leave a bar, and take a cab home if you're feeling tipsy. Intoxication also lowers your awareness of your surroundings. I'm hoping bartenders, bouncers and doormen can leave a kind word of concern with people leaving the bar as well.
I won't be leaving a bar in a tipsy state this weekend because I'm simply broke. Those boys wore me out last weekend and this week. Assailants shaking me down will only come up with lint, dust and moths flying out of my pocketbook.
This morning I was downtown for my dental check-up and teeth cleaning, yet another assault on my pocketbook. On my way to my 8am appointment, I saw the common sight of a V.I.P. motorcade racing down 17th Street, between I and K. Don't know who it was in the big black vans, but you see that a lot downtown, especially near the White House.
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"Only mutants with teleporation powers can do that"
and Zombies!
Jimbo, glad to see you are attempting to raise the awareness of Pod People!!!! Especially in these times of tight finances. Raising their awareness might be futile but worth the try!
I cringe when I see people walking/jogging with iPods or talking on cell phones. It pretty much announces "I'm not paying attention. Now would be a good time to mug me." I've found that another good tactic when walking late-night in the city is to walk down the middle of the street, if it's possible, and preferably against traffic. It's not easy to surprise someone who is alert and in the middle of the street. Sounds crazy, but it's worked for me.
in regards to muggings, I was on my way home from 14th/P after watching the first Presidential Debate. I had had a few and after making several attempts to hail a cab, I decided I wasn't far from home (10th and M)...so walking down N street by that church on the corner and alley, some guys, literally snatched my glasses ( I couldn't see after that) and basically robbed me. Took my hat, phone, camera, credit cards (left my drivers license though, bless their hearts) and a ring I had for many many years, oh and my Obama pin (wtf) and proceeded to push me into some weird caged area or fence. Well because I couldn't see, I was kinda freaked out so I stayed put until I knew they were gone, then I figured out (after a few minutes) how to flip the mechanism to let me out of the fenced in area and made it home. I had to go to Portland in the next 2 days so I had to scramble for everything. Now I just feel like, stay away from 14th street, catch a cab, and maybe just maybe, don't go out in DC ever again (kidding). This is the second time I've been assaulted by dc hoodlums...the first was a hate crime...not sure I can really put up with a third. Maybe then my latent mutant ability will manifest and I'll kick their asses. The Pacific Northwest is seriously looking better and better the longer I stay here. Nice blog btw!
Does your dentist charge more because you can "mouth" a pint glass or does it just make his job easier?
Related question ... am I a dental hygiene slut because I enjoy my hygienist who has big, darkly haired hands? "Did you get the shredded pork behind my wisdom teeth? Dig deep and help a gurl out."
I've got to stop drinking and commenting ...
There is a "Clockwork Orange" ultraviolence-like element involved in living in the District...living there will always be dangerous...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWLByMshYIU
Jim I'm making up a batch of lemoncello, so you're welcomed at Mari's Bar and Grill, though there is no grill. The food is okay provided that you don't need vegetables.
So, let me ask this: You think that putting Obama HUSSEIN in the White House is going to solve the problem of roving gangs of BLACK males who just beat up people and take what does not belong to them because they feel it's their "right"?
Welfare is going to be the absolute ruination of this country and this action, thugs and "black youths" who do as they please because liberals continually make excuses for them and cry about their "plight"....well, old Osama, IF he gets in the White House will only EXTEND the current welfare state BEYOND what it is. So think twice my friend about voting in a racist, welfare proponent who has no experience. You might just get what you wish for and you'll be wishing you hadn't made that wish in the end.