Hey Midtowners, Be Careful Out There

Over the last few weeks there have apparently been a series of muggings in Midtown, and specifically in my part of Midtown. Last week a guy was help up at gunpoint a few blocks north of us, and in one that hits close to home in a few different ways, on Sunday a woman and her infant were mugged at knifepoint two blocks away. They were unharmed, thanks to a quick response from neighbors, who heard her screams (no Kitty Genovese redux in the HBG), and the cops were on-scene within minutes, but the assailant got away.

Scary stuff. Neighborhood infomaven Ryan Hickey, who sent out the email letting us know about these attacks, has this to say:

"We all need to look out for each other, so please talk to your neighbors, exchange phone numbers, call each other if you need an escort to your car, and please call the police immediately should you see any loitering or suspicious behavior of any kind.

We can't let our fear of being a nuisance to our neighbors deter us from trying to improve our neighborhoods and watch out for each other."

Amen, and let me add, since he didn't, TURN ON YOUR OUTSIDE LIGHTS. It's really something to be walking up Penn Street, where everyone has their front lights on, and to cross Clinton, where it suddenly gets real dark. Light acts as a deterrent to criminal activity, plain and simple.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving, and enjoy time with friends and family, taking time to remember all the things you're thankaful for.