I’m aware, now what

I and others have harped that you need to be aware of your surroundings. Well walking to a 6PM mass, I was struck by how dark the 400 block of Q Street was. There may have been one street lamp out and the trees, still leafy, blocked out the light from the other street lamps. So, I’m in the middle of the block when I achieve the awareness that this is not the best of conditions to be walking in. Once past the block and on lighter streets, I tried to figure out which route back from N & 8th would be the best. Luckily, I ran into a family from my street who drove me back home, so problem solved.
So what do you do when you become aware that the conditions are, or appear to be, less than safe? Thinking of my options, I tend not to like any of them. Turning back around is one. That option adds time to my trip. Crossing the street to avoid the crowd of teenagers, must be done at the top of the block, crossing in the middle is too obvious. So not just being aware but thinking a few steps ahead seem to be required.

10 thoughts on “I’m aware, now what”

  2. Most of the people on that block would jump for joy if the loitering on their block went away. Loitering is bad. Groups of people loitering get shot at – and it has happened before on that block. It creates a lawless environment. Unfortunately there are few people who think that the majority who want the problem gone are, I dunno, racist or disrespectful of “urban culture”, or something along those lines.

    Well in January we will have a functioning ANC, after the “parliamentarian” gets sacked and a competent chair is elected. I hope that the new ANC can encourage the MPD to unrelentingly focus on this block and other problem areas.

  3. I don’t care anymore that anyone would be offended if I crossed in the middle of the street, especially on my street.

    We’ve informed the city that the light is out on Q between 5th and 4th…it should get repaired soon. It is awfully dark these days on our street.

  6. don’t be so sure … the light has a tendancy to go on and off.

    As for the kids on the block. If you have issues with them, talk to them. I know most of them now and quite honestly they’re all pretty good kids. The loitering would drive me crazy as well if they were near my house, so please let me know via the comments if you’d like to chat with the kids. I’d be happy to join or approach them on my own to voice our neighbors’ concerns.

  7. Men and women must perceive danger differently. A woman walking alone into a crowd of young men, which would include teenagers, on a dark, almost pitch black street, in a neighborhood where some robbery/assaults have been perpetrated by groups of teenagers. Now, wouldn’t it be best to avoid walking the gauntlet of teens in the first place?
    I don’t live for danger and sometimes safety comes at the cost of trust. And no I’m not chatting with strangers on a dark street if I can help it.

  8. I’m in total agreement that sometimes there is a difference. Please don’t misunderstand my previous post. If one feels threatened or frightened there is no need for confrontation or discussion. That is why I offered to speak with the group myself. We are all taxpaying citizens (well, most of us anyway) and we all have the right to feel safe in our neighborhoods. I walk my pup down Q each day after picking up my girlfriend from work in Logan and would be more than happy to escort you home if you would like.

  9. J that’s a nice offer but I should have the freedom to come and go as I please in my own neighborhood without an escort. Otherwise, I may as well buy a car and move to the burbs.
    To be free I try to avoid the situations where the risk goes past my comfort level.

  10. at the end of the day… it’s about getting yourself home in one piece.

    Sometimes that means dodging the liquor store foot traffic on Georgia Ave; other times I jump on the bus and avoid it all.

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