Crime alert - Davis and Powderhouse area

[ron_newman]

I got this robo-call and e-mail from the city last night:

The Somerville and Tufts University Police Departments report that over the last three weeks three late night robberies have occurred in the area between Davis Square and Tufts University, with the most recent robbery having occurred very early in the morning on Friday, July 19. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings, particularly when walking at night, and, if possible, should not walk alone after dark*. Three separate assaults and robberies were reported in the vicinities of Powderhouse Blvd and Leonard St, Cottage Ave and Walker St. The incidents are believed to be unrelated, and three suspects in one incident has been arrested.

* (editorial note by Ron: I don't find this "should not walk alone" to be useful or sensible advice.)

Comments

[intuition-ist.livejournal.com]

"should feel free to walk alone if accompanied by a large baseball bat"?

[cfox.livejournal.com]

Something that I'd like the local police's opinion on, is to what extent a potential victim is endangered by not having stuff to hand over. Is carrying no cash at all and a totally minimal set of cards and id simply less stuff to lose?

[lost-ligeia.livejournal.com]

Well, in general, if you are carrying a vagina with you, most police departments advise that you should not walk alone.

So I guess I shouldn't walk alone either.

[cfox.livejournal.com]

I'm not about to drastically change who I am in response to a crime bulletin, but changing what I carry is on the table.

I would also posit that shifting to "never walk alone" might well have unintended consequences - does it make one a more likely victim of acquaintance rape? Does it cost more in taxi-related expenses than one would lose in a potential robbery?

[ron_newman]

The "don't walk alone" warning in this alert was addressed to everyone, not just to women. The robbery victims have been both women and men. (Still, I don't think it is useful or practical advice.)

[dial-zero.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your ed note.

[achinhibitor.livejournal.com]

I don't find this "should not walk alone" to be useful or sensible advice.

Can you elaborate? It seems to me that the advice to avoid walking alone is useful in the generic sense, since it reduces the chances of an undesirable event. (Whether one follows it depends on one's situation and priorities.)

[ron_newman]

The people on Cottage Avenue were robbed while in their car. They were neither walking nor alone.

[dibalh.livejournal.com]

I can only guess what Ron's editorial note means, exactly, but all of the following are true:

* It is very improbable that you will be robbed if you walk in a group.
* It is very improbable that you will be robbed if you walk alone, though perhaps more probable than if you walk in a group.
* It is inconvenient to only leave the house during daylight or in a group.

I find the risk to be inconvenience to be disproportionately large to the risk, and as far as I know there is no neighborhood I'm very uncomfortable walking in at night in Somerville. Your mileage may vary.

That aside, "if possible, should not walk alone after dark" sets that all aside and asserts that the risk merits the inconvenience. That's not the message I want coming from my friendly neighborhood PD at all. Certainly not in as relatively safe a city as Somerville.

[beinneighe.livejournal.com]

Also, at least in the email from the city, it said "If possible, never walk alone, particularly after dark.". So, the advice is never to walk alone at all, especially if at night. But I'm guessing most of us aren't going to start arranging for escorts to, say, a 2PM walk from Diesel to iYo and then a 3 PM walk from iYo to CVS.

[ron_newman]

Indeed, the remainder of the e-mail said this, which I cut for brevity:

However, residents are asked to exercise vigilance by remembering the following steps:

• If possible, never walk alone, particularly after dark.
  
• Avoid distractions like air buds or headphones.
  
• Walk in well-lit areas.
  
• Avoid short cuts that take you into dark areas.
  
• Keep your cell phone handy, but not visible, at all times.
  
• Download a location app on your phone so that it may be traceable if stolen.
  
• Trust your instincts.
  

If you think you are in danger, call 911 immediately. Please remain alert and careful, and call Somerville Police with any information.

[lost-ligeia.livejournal.com]

So, in other words, don't be an idiot and don't put yourself in a vulnerable situation.

My best friend was robbed once in Somerville, but this was on an occasion when he decided to walk from Somerville to Charlestown at 1:30 am three-sheets-to-the-wind drunk, which I don't think was a particularly shrewd move.

Reckless decisions aside, I resent the suggestion that I shouldn't be out alone. I know our police department does work hard, but they should have a greater presence during times when assaults happen, not discourage people from going about their nighttime business. My old, paranoid, Italian mother heard the police message and now wants me to carry mace.

[achinhibitor.livejournal.com]

Although this case is somewhat unusual in that regard:

On July 19, three young men were robbed on Walker Street at around 1:15 a.m. by eight to ten other young men, Upton said.