Police: Pair of punks nabbed for Public Garden robberies
Boston Police report arresting two Allston/Brighton teens on charges they held up two people walking through the Public Garden last night - in one case as part of a larger pack.
Police say a woman walking near the Lagoon around 8:30 was held up by the pair:
The victim stated that she declined to let the suspect use her cell phone and walked off when she heard one of the two men state to the other, "Give me the gun!" Seconds later, one of the two suspects walked up behind her and forcibly took her wallet and earphones.
Around the same time, officers met another victim of a robbery who reported that he was walking through the Public Gardens when he also was surrounded by several young black males. The victim reported that he overheard the suspects make mention of a gun prior to assaulting him. The victim stated to officers that he fought off the suspects and in the process lost his shoe and wrist watch before the suspects fled the scene.
The two alleged attackers, not named because of their age, were charged with assault and battery, unarmed robbery and intent to rob while armed.
Comments
Wolfpacks
Coyotes in west roxbury, wolfpacks downtown should be a fun christmas season
Can I use your cell phone?
This is the most common thing people say before they rob you.
Proper response
"Sure thing. Here it is. No - wait. That's my knife. Here it is. No - wait. That's my gun...."
Gangs and cell phones in public
Gangs roving around and looking for people to hurt is a growing problem. Was it last year that a gang of 20 people robbed a fellow on Mass Ave? Then there was the man who was beaten up in JP a few years ago by another gang. Plus there was the shooting and stabbing at the JP pizza joint, and all of the other gang related violence.
As for the cell phone robbery the standard recommendation is to not use a cell phone in public. Using a cell phone in a public environment makes a person a desirable target.
There is the aspect of cell phone use that turns public spaces such as he Public Garden (or buses, subways, lobbies, doctor's offices-including the doctors-and even churches) into living rooms, where the cell phone addicts proceed to pollute the environment with there non-stop tongue wagging.
If cell phones are not used in public environments, especially places such as the Public Garden, the gangs of thugs will not target people to steal cell phones. They will still target; there appears to be a psychopathic pleasure enjoyed by gangbangers.
Not using cell phones in public can offer the side benefit of respecting limits of use of public spaces; although consideration of appropriate use of public spaces seems to be fairly unimportant in Boston.
At a public level we need a way to deal with gangs who want to cause harm (not sure if the mayor or BPD are very much capable of doing this anymore). But as individuals it's possible to at least decrease the likelihood of being robbed and beaten up.
Nonsense. Classic "blame the
Nonsense. Classic "blame the victim" mentality.
In case you didn't notice, phones these days are used for a lot more than yammering away.
By the same logic, should we not take out our cameras (which may also be our phones) in public? Or wear any jewelry?
I partly agree with you, but
I partly agree with you, but basic city smarts would say don't use a cell phone in a park after dark. Maybe even don't cut through the park in the dark at all. As someone who walks through Public Garden every single day, it can feel creepy in the autumn/winter dark.
By all means be a target.
The separate problem of blaming the victim that happens in cases of violence does not compare to irresponsible use of a cell phone. Using cell phones in a public space is comparable to checking the wallet to see how much cash there is - in the middle of the park where anyone can grab and run. Choosing to be unnecessarily vulnerable (to do something that can wait) sidesteps the personal responsibility of making sensible decisions concerning vulnerability.
If I have to walk in an area where I perceive a greater likelihood of a mugging I take greater care is being aware and in how I present myself. That does include removing jewelry such as a watch. Why show that I have something that might be worth stealing? The point is to be less desirable to thieves.
Talking on a cell phone in a public space (besides being annoying when loud) ignores the reality that public spaces are not private spaces. To go about your business at the same level of vulnerability in a public space as you would in your living room is to be more vulnerable around people who might choose to do violence.
But if acting as though as you are invulnerable is important than by all means do so. You have my thanks for choosing to attract the attention of violent people toward you and away from me.
The Public Garden at 8:30 in
The Public Garden at 8:30 in the evening is hardly a desolate place. The exact same mugging could have happened on Boylston or Arlington St.
I second that. I've been to
I second that. I've been to the Public Garden quite a few times around that time of night and have seen others walking through, taking photos on the bridge, etc.
Cell phone behavior
People seem to think that the act of speaking on a cell phone puts some sort of force field around them. I have heard people say the most private things on cell phones, including credit card numbers, sexual conversations, and obscenity-laced arguments, in full earshot of all and sundry in public places. I have never completely figured out if these people are so utterly oblivious that they don't know they can be heard, or if they simply don't care.