Bang
Though most everything was perfect over the weekend, there was one thing that caught Sweets and me a lot off guard. And it resulted in us sitting in the bedroom of our neighbor’s infant son watching him coo at a mobile in his crib.
During one of our few down moments of the weekend, Sweets was in his leather chair watching football and I was at the desk on my computer. We heard a loud BANG. And another loud BANG. I looked at Sweets and said, “That’s weird. It doesn’t sound like a car door.” I opened our blinds and looked outside to see what was going on. I couldn’t see a thing.
Then, we heard another extra loud BANG. I raced to turn off the lights so as to be able to see better out into the dark, early evening light. I grumbled something and Sweets finally got out of his chair to also look. As he was looking out our front windows facing west, I saw something out of our front windows facing east.
To be exact, I saw a man. With a battered window frame around his waist. Running from the front door to our building.
I ran to put on my shoes knowing something wasn’t right. As we opened our front door, we heard our downstairs neighbor screaming into the phone. He was speaking with 911 dispatch. As we ran past him, I saw he had a butcher’s knife in his hand.
In our front yard, there was broken glass. A shredded screen. A missing paver to our garden. And a gaping hole where the window frame once belonged. Sweets took off down the alley after the assailant. The cops showed up within minutes. Asking for a description. I described the middle aged white or Hispanic male I saw running from our building. I told the cops they needed to speak with our neighbor from whose unit the assailant emerged.
Others from our building began to emerge from their units. Dazed and slightly confused.
The neighbor victim came out, clear that he couldn’t leave his son alone. I went inside to watch his child while he spoke to the police. As his son focused on the mobile, I heard people come in and out of the building. The colorful balls circled round and I saw our neighbor return the knife to his kitchen. As the mobile music played, I heard cops march downstairs to the scene of the crime. As I stood still, the world twirled around me.
Crime is all about opportunity. Our neighbors have a duplex down (2-story unit including the basement and high first floor levels), but rarely spend time in the front. Their windows were dark. As was that part of the yard where the windows look out. The assailant took advantage of this opportunity, thinking no one was home. While he gained access to the building, he raced out the minute he heard our neighbor was home. The second he heard our neighbor screaming on the phone to 911. Without a moment to lose the window frame, stuck around his waist.
This is the fourth time a serious crime has happened in my neighborhood within the last few weeks. The first two crimes involved guns. One involved a death. From what I know, those shootings were isolated incidents, not likely to have a lasting effect on the neighborhood. A few weeks later, I witnessed four people casing buildings on my street. A report to the police revealed these people might have committed a number of thefts on that very day. And finally, our own building was hit by an intruder.
I’m not sure how I feel about these events, in particular, the most recent one involving our building. I’m not quick to defend anyone who takes what isn’t theirs. Anyone reckless enough to ruin someone else’s life. However, for many people, this is a desperate time of year. Made more desperate by a faltering economy. I have never felt any sort of desperation in my life. I like to think I’d take the high road. But, the reality is I really don’t know what I’d do to put food on my table. Secure a roof over my head. Provide Christmas presents for my (hypothetical) children.
Over the course of hours and days after the incidents, I’ve spoken with neighbors who expressed utter shock in their voices. And showed fear in their eyes. I can’t say I share their immediate fears.
We live in a city. An urban city. A city full of really wonderful things. A city not devoid of some terrible things. As a city dweller, we take risks by choosing to live in densely populated areas. Just because we like our neighbors and think we live on a quiet street does not make us immune from the evils lurking around us.
I start every day fully aware of these risks. I do not walk through life scared. But, I do walk through life assertive. Aware of my surroundings. Keenly aware of things that don’t seem right. It, therefore, does not surprise me when bad things do happen. I know I am not immune.
Instead of being shocked by fear, my brain has fast-forwarded into action. What can I do, what can the collective we do, to prevent this from happening in the future?
In our case, we have begun to investigate options. Motion-detected lighting. Security bars on windows. In the near-term, leaving lights on in front and back rooms, even when we’re not home. Anything to make a potential intruder question whether a human being sits behind the closed curtains. Anything to send a potential intruder looking for a building with easier access. Anything to keep our building and the people who live there secure.
Do you think you’re safe where you live?
December 8th, 2009 at 7:33 am
I can’t believe you would host a blogger meet-up in such a dodgy neighborhood and not at least warn us to wear flak jackets! Heartless Nilsa! Heartless!
JK
We don’t have many true security features on our place save for deadbolts and a bar to wedge in the sliding backdoor. That’s my biggest worry is the sliding door. I don’t see how those can possibly be secure.
December 8th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Ohhh, wow, Nilsa. That’s a little scary! I’m so glad you and Sweets and your neighbors are okay!
I’m probably ridiculously naive when it comes to crime. In D.C., I lived in a very safe neighborhood—even still, that doesn’t mean I should have stumbled home, alone, at 2:30 a.m., when I was way more than tipsy. Now that I’m in a borderline “bad” part of Boston, I notice I’m much more aware of my surroundings, walking alone at night, holding tight to my purse, locking all doors, always having my keys out and ready, not making eye contact, etc. Because you just NEVER know.
I hate the idea of living in fear. But, I also hate to think what could happen if I dropped ALL defenses, you know??
December 8th, 2009 at 8:34 am
you know, we do feel safe where we live, although, i do also know that that is a fallicy in and of itself. we are more out in the country, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it is the only place my car has ever been broken into. we have a inaccurate sense of safety, i would say. there is PLENTY that can go wrong, wherever you live. I’ve lived in the heart of Denver and Austin, and never had anything happen to me, and i’m sure i was more risky than maybe i should have been when i was living there. crappy people live everywhere. it’s just a matter of opportunity for them.
December 8th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Oh goodness, that is slightly scary. I do feel incredibly safe where I live. Not only do I live in a small town, but my house is also one of the last houses on our hill. If somone has gotten to our house we dont know they are either lost or checking places out. Even still we have motion detection lights (that are most often set off my deer or raccoons) and other inside locks on our door that we use at night.
December 8th, 2009 at 9:25 am
First off I’m SO glad you and everyone else is fine. But something definitely has to be done regarding your building’s safety. Whether it’s putting the lights on (which is actually a good idea because it does deter them), or motion sensors (or maybe even light motion sensors that come on when someone passes through), alarms, whatever it is, must be done.
Yes people become desperate and who knows what you or I or anyone else would do if we were in that situation. It still doesn’t excuse the fact that people are getting hurt and even killed. You have a right to protect yourself, your home and your family and you all should do so.
I really hope this doesn’t happen again or in the near future. Be careful and be aware of everything (as I know you are).
Oh and no where is safe. Ever.
December 8th, 2009 at 9:30 am
It is very frightening when that happens. We had some break ins about a year ago in one of the towers. When we first moved one of the Hub’s priority was to get an alarm system. Some of our neighbors though we were wasting money. After the break ins, three people signed up.
We were told that even the security stickers on the doors and windows act as a prevent measure.
I am so glad that nobody was hurt and it goes to show that looking out for your neighbors is important.
December 8th, 2009 at 9:36 am
I live in a very safe neighborhood, but no place is void of crime. I very stupidly leave my front door unlocked very often when I leave the house. The “crimes” around here normally involve upper-middle class kids who are wanna be gangsters who “tag” the tennis courts at the end of the block and egg cars. Nothing violent ever, but you never know. I do set my alarm and lock my doors at night.
I know I’d be scared if things started happening in my area. As a single woman living alone, safety is one of the most important things to me. If I really started to feel unsafe I’d probably move from my house to a door-manned condo building.
But Sweets is such a hero. He went after the bad guy! You have nothing to fear with him around.
December 8th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Don’t know if you even want to see this, or if it will help you be better protected, but I found this website:
http://chicago.everyblock.com/crime/
I feel relatively safe here, I just try to be smart. For instance, people around here take it for granted that it is safe and door to door salesmen often invite themselves in. I never let anyone in unless I’ve called them first to do work or give an estimate. I also call the police for unusual activity, even if it turns out to be nothing bad. For instance, a couple guys came around once thinking that I had called to have my windows cleaned. They kept knocking at my door and insisting that I had hired them, no matter how many times I didn’t. What was scarier is that they were “casing” the house (scoping out the windows) for a while before even knocking and it was just me and two babies in the house. When they wouldn’t go away and started to raise their voice to me I called the police and they came out to tell them to go away. Turns out they really did think I had hired them and wouldn’t take no for an answer.
On another note, we did have a theft happen next door. They are having their kitchen redone and a contractor stole the woman’s wedding ring when the owners weren’t home. When she called the police he’d was still in the house working after he’d stolen it and she noticed it was gone. Somehow he knew they were coming (heard the call?) and ran out the door throwing the ring in the lawn. The police found it for my neighbor and charged the guy.
With that, I guess we are more nervous around the people we bring into the neighborhood rather than the people who are here or who visit. Though we have had some theft from cars (ipods, laptops etc) in the past by kids coming in from other towns.
December 8th, 2009 at 9:58 am
That’s so scary, Nilsa, wow.
I think that you’re right- crime is about opportunity and you just have to try to be safe. One of my friend’s apartments in Vancouver was broken into twice in four weeks last year, once while she was home. She moved out as fast as she could and resolved to never live in a ground floor or basement apartment again. You can only protect yourself so much without insulating yourself, but I think that you’re doing the right thing- not letting the fear take you over, not jumping to conclusions, and just being as safe as you can be.
Crime happens everywhere. In big fancy neighbourhoods, in scary neighbourhoods, in our workplaces. We just have to try to be smart. And I think more importantly we have to be like you- fast to help the people who are effected by crime. Be the people who watch their kids while they’re giving statements. More than anything, those networks of trust are what protect our sense of safety and community, and the people chasing those criminals out of your building send a strong message that you guys are a unit, and you will stand your ground.
December 8th, 2009 at 10:02 am
This post gave me chills.
I was house sitting for a family friend once and they were robbed on my watch. After figuring out the timeline and piecing together a few things I casually dismissed, turns out I was there just after or during the burglary which is a bit unsettling.
I think our neighborhood is safe for the most part as it’s further west, a suburb, and one of the counyt’s best areas but over the summer there was a rash of car break-ins, stealing mostly GPS’, XM radios and loose change. Years ago there was a dog thief kidnapping purebreed pups. And before that we had to be careful because of the kidnapping sprees that were taking place in StL so all the parents walked us to the school bus and picked us up each day, just in case.
I think that while most neighborhoods are generally safe, crime in some form is bound to make it’s way in especially during the holidays, times of need, and economic downturns.
Glad everyone was safe and that no one was harmed more than just emotionally and mentally!
December 8th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Glad everyone is okay!
I feel safe where we live. I think part of it is living on the 2nd floor and another part is that all of our neighbors have lived on the street for 20+ years and watch out for each other. That doesn’t mean we don’t take precautions because you just never know.
December 8th, 2009 at 10:18 am
How scary! I am glad everyone is fine.
I think I told you about how I booby trap our house at night and I live in a very safe neighborhood. I used to leave our door unlocked when we went to the park…until one time I announced it to my husband really loud as we were leaving. Now we lock the door when we go.
December 8th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Oh, that’s scary! I always feel like multi-unit buildings are safer than houses, but I guess that depends on the building and where the unit is located. As you may recall, I had some stress when we first moved into our house where I irrationally panicked every night that someone was in the house. I’m pretty much over that now. The neighborhood does seem safe, and I looked up Denver crime statistics by neighborhood, which confirm my opinions. We also have a dog and a burglar alarm. I think we’re as safe as possible, and for us to worry about it at this point is just to be paranoid, you know?
December 8th, 2009 at 10:59 am
wow nilsa! that’s scary and would really shake me up. i’m glad you were both home together, you and sweets though. i live in the outskirts of the city, but still a city in itself. and it’s not the best area by any means, but not the worst. i try to be cautious and aware, at the same time, not driving myself insane. because i have a tendency to overthink a noise from my cat in the other room, fearing that it’s an intruder under my roommates bed or something. and i’d be lying if i said that i didn’t still check in the bathtub before bed and under our beds when im home alone at night before turning in. that’s a little overboard, i know. but it gives me at least a teeny tiny peace of mind.
December 8th, 2009 at 11:35 am
That’s scary Nilsa! and I’m glad you aren’t living in fear, but taking precautions anyhow. I feel like I live in a very safe neighborhood (according to the statistics). I live on the ground floor and I would never do that living alone as a female in a bad neighborhood. I do make sure my door is locked ever during the day though, and focus on my surroundings a night when I walk from my car to my apt.
I know what you mean about thinking about these individuals who are committing these crimes. I saw this guy on Oprah who held up a lady at a check cashing place (I think). She convinced him to turn himself in and then they prayed together. The lady empathized with him and I think that saved her life. Not that it’s any excuse for what he did, but it makes not think so hard in my judgment. OF course there are other crimes (rape, murder) where I have zero tolerance or empathy.
December 8th, 2009 at 11:45 am
wow that’s scary. it’s so hard esp when you do have kids to make sure everything is safe. i feel safe where we live. we live in a quiet suburb and we’ve never had the cops called out to our subdivision unless it’s a domestic dispute. we leave our doors unlocked during the day if we leave the house. i barely lock my car at night. nothing’s ever happened. it’s a big reason why i never want to move. it’s safe and i like that.
December 8th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
That’s such a scary story, I’m glad no one got hurt though, that would’ve been tragic. I think every neighborhood has an opportunity to be dangerous – the neighborhood I’m moving into always has a bum drug dealer on the corner. Yay.
December 8th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
That is terrifying. To be honest, I would be furious with my husband if he chased an intruder down the street. You never know what a desperate person will do if they find themselves cornered. I would say it’s not worth finding out. Then again, would I want to let that person get away and risk further harm in the future? It’s a tough call.
I feel secure in my home because I live in a condo complex that’s surrounded on three sides by fences and gates. Pedestrians can get in at the front driveway without a key, but they have to pass the security hut to do so, and would have to go out the same way. There have been shootings in my neighbourhood, but never on the residential streets, so far.
December 8th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I give you a ton of credit for being as even-keeled as you are. I would be terrified if that happened in my building and if all of that had happened in my neighborhood.
I live in downtown Detroit. Friends joke that it’s the de-militarized zone of the city; meaning that it’s quite a safe part of the city, mostly shielded from the violent crime that happens in other parts. But? There’s also no foot traffic in downtown past 5 p.m. Like, none. So even though I’ve never known someone who has had a problem in my neighborhood, I’m still constantly on guard and try not to venture out at night alone.
You’re right that living in the city comes with certain risks, and you just have to understand and be prepared for them.
December 8th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Glad everyone is OK!
My husband is so paranoid when it comes to home security, constantly locking doors and closing blinds. He hates blinds being open after dark because “people can see in our house.” I keep trying to convince him that’s a GOOD thing, that robbers don’t want to break in to an occupied house (especially in AL, 10 year olds know how to use guns around here). I pulled the incident reports for our local police department and showed him that most break-ins around here happen smack in the middle of the day when people are less likely to be home. Just the appearance of someone being inside can go a long way towards discouraging someone from breaking in.
December 8th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I would be totally shaken up. And yes, this seems to be the second (or third?) time Sweets has gone after a bad guy. Was he a Medal of Honor recipient in a former life?
I feel safe knowing that I live on a very busy street (one upside to the car/pedestrian noise I deal with nightly) and that someone would have a hard time getting into my second floor window and THEN trying to find their way out of the double curtains I’ve hung on my side.
December 8th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
What a scary situation. I’m glad you’re all okay.
I don’t take as sympathetic a stance as you on reasons for robbery. Stealing is wrong. Period. Home invasion puts the residents and the perpetrator at risk of physical harm. Agencies, churches, individuals can offer some degree of help in a time of need.
But I can’t muster up sympathy for someone who breaks into some else’s home, whatever the reason.
December 8th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I *know* that my neighborhood isn’t safe, and it’s the main reason I know I won’t stay here long-term. I love my apartment, but there’s been a rash of crime in the past 2 weeks, even more than normal. A classmate who was walking back to their car a couple blocks from my house was mugged, the assailants kicking him in the face several times. He’s okay, but that and another attack (on a security guard, nonetheless) have made me really nervous about being out after dark.
December 8th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Oh my goodness, that is scary! I’m glad you are okay and things didn’t get too escalated. My neighborhood isn’t terrible, but I don’t think I’d describe it as “safe”. That being said, I love across the street from the Governor’s Mansion, which has 2 police cars (with police officers) 24-7. I don’t really worry so much.
xox
December 8th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Even though you’re not scared, I’m a tiny bit scared for you. :) But I’m a wimp like that. This is a great post, by the way. Your writing is fantastic.
The town that I live in is extremely safe, although many years ago, my grandma was mugged in her own front yard there by men with a gun. Isolated incidents do happen… In the 7 years I’ve lived there, I’ve only called the cops once on a creepy guy who asked me for money two nights in a row while I was on walks, and then showed up on my street. I don’t know what happened with him, but I didn’t see him again after that.
Like you, I don’t know the feeling of desperation to provide for myself or a family. But I would like to think that if I did, I would find better ways to deal with it. I wish the people in your city would too. Keep using your awareness and intuition – I think those are two of the greatest gifts we have.
December 8th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I know how you feel about firearms, but I firmly believe that an armed society is a polite society. Alarm systems are well and good, but they require a call to the police, who sometimes can take upwards of 10 minutes to get to your place. And then… too late. (And if the whole Katrina situation taught me anything, it’s that you can’t count on the police for your personal protection.)
Even though I live in the safest city of it’s size in America, our apartment complex has not been immune to crime. There have been sexual predators who pull sweat pants down on girls who are walking their dogs in the dark hours of the morning, a broken in front door of our next door neighbor, and sporting equipment stolen out of the garage next to ours. We have a locked (in a small safe bolted to the HEAVY dresser) and loaded firearm at our bedside for personal protection. I know how to use it and I’m not afraid to. So, agree with it or not, I feel safe.
But it’s not license to be careless about my surroundings; I don’t *carry*. I probably shlep down the stairs like a sherpa too much and have no arms available for defense, but I don’t go walking with earbuds in, I keep the door locked at all times when I’m home, and know most of my neighbors’ faces.
Glad you’re ok and that no one was in any serious danger.
December 8th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Wow. It keeps getting closer and closer to you. It sounds like you are taking the right action. I do feel safe, but we have talked about our home security options as well.
December 8th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
oh my gosh how scary! I would investigate the bars on the windows. My friend bought some after someone tried to break in while she was home, too. On one hand, I totally agree with you that it’s a big city, stuff happens, etc. and I think I feel that way too. But, I’ve never been mugged or had a break in… which is kind of surprising because I’ve lived in Rogers Park and Uptown. Our car has been vandalized several times (windows bashed out) and we get mad, but we’re kind of used to it. I think I would freak out much, much more if it involved someone entering my home.
Last summer I didn’t know there was a repair man working on our back decks and he wanted to move our grill. He opened our screen door and just walked in – I had no idea who he was. I started yelling at him and made him leave. It really scared me and I was still mad even after I found out he was just a repair person.
December 8th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
We live on the last street before getrification takes over in what used to be the “hood”. Although I feel safe on our block, I take the usual precautions (I think any major city in Jersey is a risk in itself. LOL!).
I don’t think any area is “safe” unless individuals protect themselves with security systems and such.
And Sweets is such the hero! But, please tell him to never do that again! So dangerous!
December 8th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Holy cow that’s really scary. I’m sorry to hear. And sadly, it does always take a situation like that to happen to start looking into security for yourself.
December 9th, 2009 at 11:04 am
As someone who lives in an urban setting, I feel similarly. If we chose to live here, we chose to put ourselves at greater risk for crime. It’s the nature of the beast. I think motion sensor lights and a security system are smart though. I’m glad everyone is okay! That would scare the crap out of me. When a woman was mugged across the street from my window I was really shaken. It just wakes you up to reality even when you know things aren’t safe.
December 9th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
I’m glad that you and your neighbours are okay.
I understand what you’re saying about choosing to live in a city and accepting the risks that go along with it, though when I came home to find the swat team in my building a few months ago I did feel fear and anger. I do choose to live in my city, though, so I have to accept that there is a lot of crime and I have to do my best to avoid it. For me it means living on the 4th floor instead of the ground floor. It means not walking my dogs alone when it’s dark. It means taking the long way home instead of cutting through the park. Little things that don’t necessarily mean I will be protected from crime but that make me feel like I’m doing something to protect myself.
December 9th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I feel like we are safe, but I attribute most of that to my 100 lb pit bull mix that terrifies most.
I am really getting fr.eak.ed. out by your scary posts.
December 9th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Oh, that is so scary! I grew up in an area that wasn’t particularly safe, but I never really worried about anything. Perhaps it was just ignorance or naivete, but I guess mostly I just believed that my big strong parents could protect me.
When you said, “I know I am not immune,” I was reminded of the first time I had to evacuate my house because of a raging fire threatening our neighborhood. It was the first time I ever really felt like my home/life/belongings were in real danger, and I even wrote a blog post titled, “I am not immune.” It’s definitely a harsh reality to acknowledge, but I do feel more empowered after incidents like that, because I’m suddenly more aware of the fragility of life. I take it one moment at a time, and it’s better that way.