It seems more and more, every day, there is another senseless, callous crime being committed. Even my friends [[and several posters on this very site) most devoted to staying in the city are now truly scared for their lives.

This is more than "normal"... I mean, it seems the crimes are occurring with more frequency & evil within the last few months [[even weeks). There is an alarming trend of 'young' offenders & victims.

Examples in recent weeks [[and this is just what made the papers):
12-y/o shoots a woman
21-y/o carjacked & killed, allegedly by 2 teens
17-y/o tries to rob, then gets shot by intended victim
Movie crew mugged [[Then muggers caught! With awesome response time!)
Man beats girlfriend's 3 y/o to DEATH for wetting pants
19-y/o killed in crossfire, an "innocent bystander"
25-y/o accused of fireboming house with HIS OWN 5-y/o, ex-gf, & 2 others inside
19-y/o robs & kills 86-y/o
Repo-man shot 4 times, doing his job
Early 20-something killed over gas station argument
2 shootings on the 18th, one man in the head while sitting in car, other was a 30-y/o woman shot in bicep with glass shattered in her face
24-y/o shot in head in a driveway on Asbury Park

This situation is just out of control, and my heart is breaking. This is a very sincere post: I am not looking to start a flame-war, just mourning the loss of respect for humanity & life here. These victims [[and perps, let's not forget) are someone's son or daughter. What the hell is happening to us??