A blog for the Bloomingdale neighborhood in Washington, DC.
Pages
▼
Monday, March 25, 2013
Bloomingdale resident attacked by kids earlier this evening -- Monday, 03-25-2013
See this 03/25/2013 09:54 pm message:
Wanted
you to know that my housemate was attacked/mugged by the group of kids this
evening at the corner of 2nd and T Streets. She believes they were younger than
high school kids!! She's physically okay, but they did hit her and tried to
grab her purse and gym bag, while screaming "give us your money". We called 911 two hours ago, but the police
have not shown up yet. Residents really need to be aware if walking out in this
area!!
Yeah, this recently was covered by Prince of Petworth....seems like a rash of things with this particular group. Can't the police do anything??? Seems like this new head of police isn't as effective as the old one.
Todd: This 3-25-2013 post is a separate incident from the Prince of Petworth incident (/http://bloomingdaleneighborhood.blogspot.com/2013/03/popville-neighbor-attacked-tuesday.html) on 03-20-2013.
I forwarded this post to Commander Solberg and expressed concern about another incident and the slow response time. I hope that many of our neighbors will join the community walk this evening, and that MPD will make a strong showing. It would be great if we had a large enough group to split up and cover multiple areas.
This is horrible and occurring much to frequently. Maybe a story needs to be done about this and the lack of response from the mpd. It seems the police are waiting until this escalates to a more "violent" level of crime before they do something. An FYI to get a quicker response from the pd--they come right away if you say you think they have a gun. I don't endorse this but I know that mentioning weapons speeds up response time. Can someone contact mpd and ask them directly what they are doing to address this situation? How about a town hall?
Hmmmm, let me guess. The victim was a White lady? This is what typically happens in gentrified neighborhoods. Not saying it's right but its the truth.These kids see a huge influx of white people in their neighborhood and they already have an advantage because they know 1)You don't know black people. 2) You're already scared of black people. 3) You're already thinking a praying that this group of kids don't bother you.4)They know you're afraid and wont fight back.Like I said, not saying its right but that's the mentality. If is was a black woman walking home with her purse and gym bag, I very strongly doubt these "kids" would think twice about doing this. It's a respect thing. Another thing, a lot of people need to realize where they live. Don't think because you have a condo or a town home in Bloomingdale makes you immune to these things. This isn't Pleasantville. You live next and close to very low income housing and these things do happen. Same goes for LeDroit, Shaw, and Eckington. It's like sharks smelling blood in the water. They might not attack immediately but sooner or later it will happen. Oshe.
Wow Bam Bam... it happened to her because she is white and "scared of black people", and anyone who lives in this neighborhood should just accept it and not try to change things because that's how it is in the real world. It's easy to see why these problems continue.
I have lived in DC most of my life... I understand the need for situational awareness. However, being physically assaulted for what you look like is never OK, and is never the victims fault. It's not OK if you are black in rural town in Mississippi, and it's not OK if you are white in DC.
Hi Dancingmantis......thanks for responding. I can clearly tell that you read my comment with great haste because not once did I blame the victim. I never said "its her fault she walking down 2nd street" or "she should have ran screaming help". I'm glad that you've lived in DC most of your life and I have lived in DC ALL of my life. So I'm very sure I know what I'm speaking about. This is what typically happens when a person speaks from a perspective of truth and realism. Ok, I'll admit one thing, I shouldn't have said "you're already scared of black people" but the truth is most people in these neighborhoods are. I'm not saying anyone who lives in this neighborhood should accept it because it is very wrong but you have to realize and be honest with yourself that these types of thing do happen when this type of neighborhood dynamic is in effect. Being assaulted because of race is not ok, BUT, as I said earlier, that's why it happened and thats the cold truth. You bring up a good situation Alex. If I'm a black man in Rural Mississippi (which I would never be due to the much detailed history of that state)its not ok for me to get assaulted but if I was living in a neighborhood with rednecks next door, it might happen. Let me reiterate, this is not a black/white crime, its an opportunity crime. These kids saw the opportunity to attack and attempt to take this ladies bag because the opportunity presented itself and as much as I hate to say it, they knew she would be scared of them and probably not fight back. Please don't ever say "It's easy to see why these problems continue" because there are deeper issues to this than meets the eye. There are socioeconomic issues, parental issues, peer pressure issues and just not giving a shit issues. Of course I want to see things change and the neighborhood be much safer so these things don't happen but I'll tell you this. It will happen again. What happened to this lady is horrible and unacceptable, but you have to be real with your self and understand the dynamic of your neighborhood. If you leave your $2000 shades in your vehicle parked on 2nd, or Thomas or Flagler, or T St, your car will probably be broken into.Ask any police office this. Again, not saying its ok, but the truth is never easy to hear.
BamBam, an assault is an assault is an assault. Period. It doesn't matter who the assailt is and who the victim is. Race, age, gender, etc play no part in diminishing the seriousness of an assault. You can bring all the gentrifing issues you want but the facts are: a neighbor was assaulted by a group of teens. I do not care which color each of them are, or age, or sexual orientation. I don't even care (and nobody should) if they've been living in the neighborhood for a month or a decade. NOBODY should be assaulted. PERIOD. Your assumptions are embarrassing to read.
It seems to me that maybe I must have written my comments above in French or maybe Mandarin because some of you are not comprehending what I'm saying. Assault on any one (Black or White) is wrong, but dont tell me that gentrification issues play no part in this Ileana. For the record, I am not diminishing the seriousness of this assault (as I said above). I guess its impossible to be real and honest with folks about real facts about whats going on ( read Kanika Harris's post below). That is the rationale of these "kids". You can choose to ignore it and want to sing kumbaya all you want but its the truth. They see huge influx of residents into this neighborhood as threat to their livelihood and sustainability. There are underlying issues here like I said previously and you can choose to REALize it or try your out of sight out of mind approach. Before you think I'm just some angry Black man who knows nothing, Urban and Community development is what I do for a living. I've seen it in sooooo many other cities and its the same here. All of you reading this blog, as yourself ( and actually think about this) how many times have you walked past one of these kids or someone else and given them that fake smile that disappears in half a second? or that look away move you like so much as if the person cant see you? or my personal favorite, the "I'll wait till you get close and look at my cellphone" move. Get real. Like is said, the issue is more than kids acting up and acting out. They cant afford to live in a neighborhood they probably grew up in anymore due to the entire neighborhood being unaffordable anymore. Ileana, I do emplore you to think twice and get real with yourself.
I am truly sorry to hear of this attack. I sincerely hope the victim has a full recovery both mentally and physically. It is important to also recognize that addressing this issue as simply right and wrong and ignoring the many factors that are at play in this situation is also a form of violence. One that is easy to do as we strive for change and move into neighborhoods plagued by decades of discrimination, racism, and crime. To further contextualize this issue- these "kids" have family members that have lived in this area for generations. They are seeing an influx of newcomers move into their neighborhoods with lifestyles and amenities that was never accessible to them. Additionally, their new neighbors do not talk to them and show little respect for their existence. Their parents worked hard for the same change that now seems to come so effortlessly with gentrification. Its funny how new residents assume that lifers of Bloomingdale did not fight for change, better housing, better opportunities, better amenities in their neighborhoods. They DID!!! They wore orange hats and stood on dangerous corners to protect their kids and family members when police would not respond. They cleaned the neighborhood. They marched and protested when resources like pools and rec centers that are now all of a sudden returning were taken away from them. They protested and talked to city councils when the area was a food desert. Now, eventually "these kids" will be forced to move and be displaced to a new hopeless situation. They do not understand why this is happening in their neighborhood. They do not have the words to articulate or explain why their parents work so hard but cant get the same benefits and lifestyles as their new neighbors and it hurts. So they lash out. They want you to feel a little piece of their daily reality. Most newcomers cant wait for the area to totally change. There are restaurants and stores popping up that these "kids" cant even afford and are locked out. It is scary for them. So they want to make some else hurt and scared. No it is not right but there can be redirection. One of the best ways you can protect yourself is to start speaking as you walk in the area and get to know your neighbors and all of them. Simply forming little groups of "us" against "them" or "those people who let their neighborhood go and loiter on the corners." See how you can get involved to help and change their lives. Find out why they are closing the boys and girls club and why there is a perfectly new rec center on New York Ave. that has not been accessible to them. Find out how you can get involved to make sure resources are available to them. Gentrification could be a positive process for all, the problem is most people have interest to benefit themselves and people like them and not the entire community. That takes a lot of work. If you are only interested in calling police as a form of protection and change there lies a long road a head of us.
This is reprehensible.
ReplyDeleteYeah, this recently was covered by Prince of Petworth....seems like a rash of things with this particular group. Can't the police do anything??? Seems like this new head of police isn't as effective as the old one.
ReplyDeleteTodd: This 3-25-2013 post is a separate incident from the Prince of Petworth incident (/http://bloomingdaleneighborhood.blogspot.com/2013/03/popville-neighbor-attacked-tuesday.html) on 03-20-2013.
ReplyDeleteI forwarded this post to Commander Solberg and expressed concern about another incident and the slow response time. I hope that many of our neighbors will join the community walk this evening, and that MPD will make a strong showing. It would be great if we had a large enough group to split up and cover multiple areas.
ReplyDeleteThis is horrible and occurring much to frequently. Maybe a story needs to be done about this and the lack of response from the mpd. It seems the police are waiting until this escalates to a more "violent" level of crime before they do something. An FYI to get a quicker response from the pd--they come right away if you say you think they have a gun. I don't endorse this but I know that mentioning weapons speeds up response time. Can someone contact mpd and ask them directly what they are doing to address this situation? How about a town hall?
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, let me guess. The victim was a White lady? This is what typically happens in gentrified neighborhoods. Not saying it's right but its the truth.These kids see a huge influx of white people in their neighborhood and they already have an advantage because they know 1)You don't know black people. 2) You're already scared of black people. 3) You're already thinking a praying that this group of kids don't bother you.4)They know you're afraid and wont fight back.Like I said, not saying its right but that's the mentality. If is was a black woman walking home with her purse and gym bag, I very strongly doubt these "kids" would think twice about doing this. It's a respect thing. Another thing, a lot of people need to realize where they live. Don't think because you have a condo or a town home in Bloomingdale makes you immune to these things. This isn't Pleasantville. You live next and close to very low income housing and these things do happen. Same goes for LeDroit, Shaw, and Eckington. It's like sharks smelling blood in the water. They might not attack immediately but sooner or later it will happen. Oshe.
ReplyDeleteWow Bam Bam... it happened to her because she is white and "scared of black people", and anyone who lives in this neighborhood should just accept it and not try to change things because that's how it is in the real world. It's easy to see why these problems continue.
DeleteI have lived in DC most of my life... I understand the need for situational awareness. However, being physically assaulted for what you look like is never OK, and is never the victims fault. It's not OK if you are black in rural town in Mississippi, and it's not OK if you are white in DC.
Hi Dancingmantis......thanks for responding. I can clearly tell that you read my comment with great haste because not once did I blame the victim. I never said "its her fault she walking down 2nd street" or "she should have ran screaming help". I'm glad that you've lived in DC most of your life and I have lived in DC ALL of my life. So I'm very sure I know what I'm speaking about. This is what typically happens when a person speaks from a perspective of truth and realism. Ok, I'll admit one thing, I shouldn't have said "you're already scared of black people" but the truth is most people in these neighborhoods are. I'm not saying anyone who lives in this neighborhood should accept it because it is very wrong but you have to realize and be honest with yourself that these types of thing do happen when this type of neighborhood dynamic is in effect. Being assaulted because of race is not ok, BUT, as I said earlier, that's why it happened and thats the cold truth. You bring up a good situation Alex. If I'm a black man in Rural Mississippi (which I would never be due to the much detailed history of that state)its not ok for me to get assaulted but if I was living in a neighborhood with rednecks next door, it might happen. Let me reiterate, this is not a black/white crime, its an opportunity crime. These kids saw the opportunity to attack and attempt to take this ladies bag because the opportunity presented itself and as much as I hate to say it, they knew she would be scared of them and probably not fight back. Please don't ever say "It's easy to see why these problems continue" because there are deeper issues to this than meets the eye. There are socioeconomic issues, parental issues, peer pressure issues and just not giving a shit issues. Of course I want to see things change and the neighborhood be much safer so these things don't happen but I'll tell you this. It will happen again. What happened to this lady is horrible and unacceptable, but you have to be real with your self and understand the dynamic of your neighborhood. If you leave your $2000 shades in your vehicle parked on 2nd, or Thomas or Flagler, or T St, your car will probably be broken into.Ask any police office this. Again, not saying its ok, but the truth is never easy to hear.
DeleteBamBam, an assault is an assault is an assault. Period. It doesn't matter who the assailt is and who the victim is. Race, age, gender, etc play no part in diminishing the seriousness of an assault.
DeleteYou can bring all the gentrifing issues you want but the facts are: a neighbor was assaulted by a group of teens. I do not care which color each of them are, or age, or sexual orientation. I don't even care (and nobody should) if they've been living in the neighborhood for a month or a decade. NOBODY should be assaulted. PERIOD.
Your assumptions are embarrassing to read.
It seems to me that maybe I must have written my comments above in French or maybe Mandarin because some of you are not comprehending what I'm saying. Assault on any one (Black or White) is wrong, but dont tell me that gentrification issues play no part in this Ileana. For the record, I am not diminishing the seriousness of this assault (as I said above). I guess its impossible to be real and honest with folks about real facts about whats going on ( read Kanika Harris's post below). That is the rationale of these "kids". You can choose to ignore it and want to sing kumbaya all you want but its the truth. They see huge influx of residents into this neighborhood as threat to their livelihood and sustainability. There are underlying issues here like I said previously and you can choose to REALize it or try your out of sight out of mind approach. Before you think I'm just some angry Black man who knows nothing, Urban and Community development is what I do for a living. I've seen it in sooooo many other cities and its the same here. All of you reading this blog, as yourself ( and actually think about this) how many times have you walked past one of these kids or someone else and given them that fake smile that disappears in half a second? or that look away move you like so much as if the person cant see you? or my personal favorite, the "I'll wait till you get close and look at my cellphone" move. Get real. Like is said, the issue is more than kids acting up and acting out. They cant afford to live in a neighborhood they probably grew up in anymore due to the entire neighborhood being unaffordable anymore. Ileana, I do emplore you to think twice and get real with yourself.
DeleteBamBam (Love this name)
I am truly sorry to hear of this attack. I sincerely hope the victim has a full recovery both mentally and physically. It is important to also recognize that addressing this issue as simply right and wrong and ignoring the many factors that are at play in this situation is also a form of violence. One that is easy to do as we strive for change and move into neighborhoods plagued by decades of discrimination, racism, and crime.
ReplyDeleteTo further contextualize this issue- these "kids" have family members that have lived in this area for generations. They are seeing an influx of newcomers move into their neighborhoods with lifestyles and amenities that was never accessible to them. Additionally, their new neighbors do not talk to them and show little respect for their existence. Their parents worked hard for the same change that now seems to come so effortlessly with gentrification. Its funny how new residents assume that lifers of Bloomingdale did not fight for change, better housing, better opportunities, better amenities in their neighborhoods. They DID!!! They wore orange hats and stood on dangerous corners to protect their kids and family members when police would not respond. They cleaned the neighborhood. They marched and protested when resources like pools and rec centers that are now all of a sudden returning were taken away from them. They protested and talked to city councils when the area was a food desert.
Now, eventually "these kids" will be forced to move and be displaced to a new hopeless situation. They do not understand why this is happening in their neighborhood. They do not have the words to articulate or explain why their parents work so hard but cant get the same benefits and lifestyles as their new neighbors and it hurts. So they lash out. They want you to feel a little piece of their daily reality. Most newcomers cant wait for the area to totally change. There are restaurants and stores popping up that these "kids" cant even afford and are locked out. It is scary for them. So they want to make some else hurt and scared. No it is not right but there can be redirection.
One of the best ways you can protect yourself is to start speaking as you walk in the area and get to know your neighbors and all of them. Simply forming little groups of "us" against "them" or "those people who let their neighborhood go and loiter on the corners." See how you can get involved to help and change their lives. Find out why they are closing the boys and girls club and why there is a perfectly new rec center on New York Ave. that has not been accessible to them. Find out how you can get involved to make sure resources are available to them. Gentrification could be a positive process for all, the problem is most people have interest to benefit themselves and people like them and not the entire community. That takes a lot of work. If you are only interested in calling police as a form of protection and change there lies a long road a head of us.