this occured at the clinton heights and calumet street intersection, one block south of north broadway this afternoon. i went home on my lunch break to grab something, and i saw three kids (mid to late teens) test my main apartment building entrance to see if it was unlocked. i then saw them cross the street and one kid try the other apartment building's main entrance. i stood by my car to try and be apparent that i was watching the kid test the entrance to the other building, but i'm uncertain if i was seen. they continued to walk west on clinton heights toward high street, and i was unable to see if they were doing this to other residences. they could be just fooling around, but better to be safe than sorry... and seriously, 2:00pm in the afternoon?

this saddens me, as i was feeling very secure since i moved to the area.

Shit, that sucks. My mom lives on Clinton Heights, actually (between Calumet and Indianola avenues) and she was once burgled by someone who walked into her unlocked house (she was in the basement), grabbed her purse and took her wallet. The only time I've had a car break-in was when it was parked in her driveway, actually.

All of that goes to show that even "safe" neighborhoods have problems with crime, and even just the basics--locking doors, closing windows when you aren't home--can reduce the opportunity for criminals to take advantage.

I think the best thing to do in such a situation as the one you experienced is (as long as you feel safe) make it obvious that you're watching. Say "is there anything I can help you with?" or "Hey, what are you doing?"--something that doesn't explicitly call 'em out, but makes it clear that you've got your eye on them ...

Anyway, thanks for the info--I live on West Longview, and I know I'm not always vigilant enough about home security stuff.

or, yaknow, call the cops.
645-4545

My duplex-neighbor said there were a few kids going through unlocked cars in our driveway a couple nights ago.


Time for booby traps.

That's why I always have rusty fishhooks in the bottom of my glove compartment.

Yes, that, too.

Whip out the cell phone and take their picture!
I don't even leave my 2nd story patio door unlocked for this reason. I'd guess most burglaries are done by bored teens.

sorry, wasn't trying to be a shit to you or cass, it's just this is the epitome of things that should be called into the non-emergency line. as stated above, in neighborhoods like that, most of the actual crime comes from dumbass kids being dumbass kids. the girl and i have been looking to buy a house this year, and "too many fucking teenagers" is the BIGGEST turnoff to me in most of the neighborhoods that i've crossed off the list.

trying to protect the handfull'a donewaiters in clintonville is good, but protecting everyone on your street is even better!

i understand not wanting the confrontation with a group of teens, so calling them out or taking their pix might not be the best plan, but getting a cruiser to roll down the street and roust them before they find the neighbor who HAS left their door unlocked is ALWAYS the best plan. let 'em know there are eyes in your neighborhood watching them at all times, and those eyes report what they see. having the cops roll up on them saying that neighbors reported their activity with at least get them to knock off that activity. and you get to keep your face/house/car out of their eyes.

and all you haters can shove that "stop snitchin'" sign right up your ass.
arrest those teens!!!







(god, i love being a crotchety ol' man!!!)

I was hanging out on a friend's porch at 4th ave & Forsythe & saw a group of guys walking down the street, trying car doors to see if they would open. Called the police non-emergency number & they were VERY interested in responding. I guess if they can catch someone in the act, it beats coming after the fact & trying to "investigate". It's up to us to let attempted criminals know that people are watching and they can't pull it off in our neighborhood.

Oh, no, I didn't take it in a bad way at all. I don't have much experience with the non-emergency line--glad to hear police are responsive to those kind of calls!