New York woman visiting Detroit falls victim to crime

[wolverine]

Never give money to anyone. Some homeless even get in on the act as a front to the attacker.

[Islandman]

Last time I parked on Alexandrine I noticed broken glass all over the sidewalk relating to a previous user of the spot. Leaning up against a light post was a brick, I guess conveniently left so it wouldn't have to be lugged back to loot the next victim. 'Fraid I might have stolen the brick from the poor crack head. Deepest apologies if that was someone's favourite window smashing weapon. I actually think the area is getting better by the year - Great Lakes Coffee and the renovations to the Garden Theatre are a big change.

But this incident is terrible - I worry about my female friends in this city. Can't stop thinking about the woman who was abducted at Christmas while shovelling snow in front of her house. I think about her all the time.

I had a girlfriend visit from Toronto back in the early 2000s. She parked on Alexandrine. We hit Majestic, then decided to check out a few other places with my car. When we got back later that night, they had smashed two of her windows. The brick was still on her passenger seat. She keeps it as a souvenir to this day. She took in in stride being a previous Windsorite and familiar with our lawless ways.

[Danny]

^^^ Since when is the area of the Medical Center, WSU, and Midtown the 'ghettoes' of Detroit?

Detroit is the world's biggest ghetto! Even Midtown has a ghetto. The only way to rid of it is gentify it, get rid of yahoos with more security and video surveillance and lure in diverse people with exotic regional businesses and homes and apts.

[Danny]

I thought Midtown was the safest area in the city. Right.

No! every neighborhood in Detroit is not safe. Not during the day or at night. Yahoos and savages are looking are any innocent victim, attack and leave before the police come.

[corktownyuppie]

I thought Midtown was the safest area in the city. Right.

Well it's probably the safest neighborhood in the city. The safest area in the city would be the inside of any of the 3 casinos. Those are like Fort Knox...which just demonstrates, if we really want to get serious about security, there is a way.

In other news a serial rapist is targeting young women in East Lansing for the 3rd time in the month. One time was at 3 am, the other time at midnight, and now this one -- brazenly -- at 8pm.

Always be on guard, and always be prepared. The world is getting rough out there.

[313WX]

I thought Midtown was the safest area in the city. Right.

Yes, but Midtown/Downtown are still only safe by Detroit standards.

[[mostly because of the WSU Police and the high DPD presence).

[Zacha341]

Yep, Detroit standards tolerate a great deal.

[Zacha341]

UPDATE!

DPD releases photo of suspect in crimes against New York woman

Read more: http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/22...#ixzz2U1ApLVTi

[drjeff]

Yes, but Midtown/Downtown are still only safe by Detroit standards.

[[mostly because of the WSU Police and the high DPD presence).

There is actually more crime aroung the University of Michigan campus than there is around the WSU campus. Seriously.

[313WX]

There is actually more crime aroung the University of Michigan campus than there is around the WSU campus. Seriously.

Probably partially because U of M has a much higher student population living on campus and in a much higher density.

[stasu1213]

This poor woman was totally caught off guard. New Yorkers have a keen street sense when it comes to being aware of their surroundings. Many muggings, pickpocketing, etc occurred in New York for many years. I don't let my visiting guest from out of town go anywhere without me especially at night. I hope that the FBI seriously get involved being that this was also a kidnapping

[stasu1213]

Hate to hear this. I used to hang out as a young single woman in that area all the time 10-12 years ago and nothing ever happened. To be sure, I don't even have the time of day for the panhandlers when I'm a pedestrian. I'd rather donate to churches, community orgs, the Capuchins, etc.

Extremely sorry this woman has this experience. Surprised WSU police wasn't around; it's time for foot patrols in Midtown.

Want viable, walkable neighborhoods? Cops and security have to walk the beat. They can't just cruise around -- they need to WALK.

This is the kind of story that people hear and draw all kinds of conclusions about. However the same kind of thing happens here in Philly, and up in NYC. Perhaps not in Rittenhouse here or in Times Square there, but things definitely happen. But it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy... a string of bad incidents back home means that Detroit is terrible, but when bad things happen here, people don't draw conclusions quite so quickly. Not sure what the difference is.

New York City invest in their public safety while Detroit especially council take away money through budget cuts. Bing had been soft on crime in Detroit while criticizing New York's Mayor Bloomberg's stop and frisk policy. Having Wayne State to walk the beat in the midtown area is an excellent ideal. Some could be on bicycles as well.

[Zacha341]

Yes, and the criminals KNOW this and seek to catch you 'off gaurd' in order to strike. And of course they justify their actions!

[aj3647]

There is actually more crime aroung the University of Michigan campus than there is around the WSU campus. Seriously.

That's an apples and oranges comparison though. Most WSU students do not live on or around campus, it's a commuter school. Nearly all of UofM's students live on or near campus.

And you shouldn't make the mistake of thinking that reported crime rates reflect the actual realities of crime in an area. How many property crimes go unreported in Detroit just because people know the DPD isn't going to do anything about it anyways? If someone breaks your car window in Ann Arbor, AAPD or UM DPS will come to you and take a report. Would the same be true in Detroit? Of course not, you'd have to go to the police station and file the report yourself, and even then, they won't act on it.

[stasu1213]

Yes, and the criminals KNOW this and seek to catch you 'off gaurd' in order to strike. And of course they justify their actions!

I give to the panhandlers only if I have change in my pockets. I am leary about pulling out my wallet for anyone on the streets. Others may be watching and my mug you. I will donate to outreach programs that the churchs have to feed the homeless