Mugging victim speaks out
What is happenning to our town? I was mugged on Saturday, 7-7-07, not a lucky day for me. I was attacked by 6 to 8 kids, 13 to 15 years old. They used a TASER® on me and beat and kicked me even after I gave up the dollar and change and pack of cigarrettes -- that was all I was carrying. This was three blocks from my home, the 400 block of Maryland Ave.
It used to be that the "Avenues" were the quiet, "safe" place to live in York. Not any longer. I know of at least a dozen others in the past several months who have shared my fate, in this same area. All in this so-called "safest" neighborhood in town. I grew up in a "not-so-safe" part of town, where my parents still live, and gun shots are ignored as a daily part of life.
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Today I feel safer walking at night on West King and South West streets than where I live now, on Pennsylvania Ave. What has happened? Why is it that all of a sudden our children find it fun to beat and hurt people walking alone on our streets? And where are those who are supposed to protect us? When it happened to me, as I was at York hospital, being X-rayed and CAT-scanned and dealing with my broken ribs and head trama. I was convinced that the police were all on N. George St., protecting what is most important to us Yorkers, as far as our Administration is concerned, the Revolution fans.
No one is getting beaten and robbed in sight of those ball park lights, Mr. Brenner will make sure of that. However, since my mugging, three of my friends have had the same thing happen to them. Downtown, at Philly and Beaver, a 5 foot tall pregnant woman was punched in the face and robbed, two days later a 65-year-old war vet with a cane was beaten and robbed at the same spot. Both were within a half block of their homes. I found out that another friend of mine was stabbed and beaten on Madison Ave. Again, a block from his home.
When will this stop? Hopefully before it's too late. Someone is going to get killed. I have witnessed friends taking a walk with baseball bats and other various weapons in their hands . . . I will be looking for a place to live outside of this city in the fall. When I fear walking outside of my home after dark . . . it's time to go.
I do hope that our police figure this one out. So far they obviously have no clue what to do. This is not a letter to discourage those outside our city from visiting York. I've lived here all of my life and know that most of the people here are good, honest, hard-working and not these criminals that are out to attack and terrorize.
I just don't get why this is going on -- with no visible response from city hall and our police. Don't worry Revolution fans, you are safe when you visit our fine city to see a ball game. You are well protected walking to your car on North George Street, the safest place to be in York on any game night. Just don't wonder too far away from those stadium lights.
BRIAN GREIMAN
YORK
As a Hanover native, I read the YDR online. I am sorry to see that York citizens have been terrorized by the criminals and thugs of the permanent underclass, the only ones who can't leave the city if they want. The solution is to arm yourselves against them, either with legal firearms or the trusty baseball bat. If cops aks you what you're doing with it, tell them you're going to the game-- if you can survive the trip to get there.
As a retired city resident,tax payer and dilagent voter, words cannot express my outrage at recent beatings from this scum allowed to roam at will throughtout our city.As a symphony supporter and subscriber, as well as Strand Capitol supporter. Many people from Dr. Baker et.al. work very hard to present these programs. This scum cannot be allowed any more freedom to rule our city streets. The powers that be must take this matter to the fore front now. Tax paying city residents deserve as much rights as the bars, restaurants and ball field.Lets erradicate this scum from our city--work details come to mind for both parents and their destructive offspring.
Your are right, we need the old chain gangs for these people when they are caught, and perhaps the ass whipping there Mama's arent giving them. Enough already. The city nor any other area of the greater York area can progress without an absolute zero tolerance of these punks. It is time to act local officials before the citizenry decides to do it for you.