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tinypliny’s journal

Ever been mugged in Buffalo?

· · 🌡️ 62°F

If so, where were you mugged and what was extorted out of you? Have you ever thwarted a mugging in Buffalo - either yours or someone else's? What are the ideal weapons that one should carry - would you be likely to be called into court or arrested if you stabbed a potential mugger? And lastly, where would one get the weapons of choice?

I got nearly mugged today, less than an hour back in the semi-dark sidewalk near Delaware and Summer. The creepy character was hiding behind one of the many parked cars on the south side of Summer. As I passed the car he was hiding behind, he tried to spring at me, but I dodged and ran the fastest 30 metres of my life, into my building and up 5 levels of stairs in under 2 minutes!

Though its flattering to find out that I can indeed run and that my lungs are not the mass of solid mud that I previously thought they were, its not so comforting to confront the fact that I could potentially be mugged and that it doesn't always happen to "someone else but not me".

I think its just awful that any creep can have a gun here. At least you can outrun people in countries where guns are outlawed, but unless you are one of those loopy characters in some crazy movies who can dodge bullets, how are you supposed to escape being mugged?? Talk about total unfairness!

Update: My brother just sent me this excellent article:
It has some very sound advice and I think I will just take it *and* get the loudlest little foghorn I can get, so I wake even the dead at Forest Lawn Cemetary, the next time I am mugged.

Update 2: I filed a formal police incident-report.
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💬 12 comments

  1. lizabeth ·

    Damn, that is really scary. I'm glad you're ok.

    And to answer your question, no, I have never been mugged, in Buffalo or anywhere else... though given where I am living now, I'm sure it's just a matter of time. :(
  2. ladycroft ·

    yikes! even if it was just some drunk homeless guy having fun, it's still scary. they do have keyrings with panic alarms on them, lets off some hellacious sound. myself, i'm a fan of holding my biggest key between my knuckles...makes an excellent and practical eye poker ;)
  3. janelle ·

    I've never been mugged, but I know there have been at least two muggings on our street. One in broad daylight! I can't imagine how you felt. Maybe e-strip ladies should get together and take one of those self defense classes? I bet they offer them at one of the universities.
  4. leetee ·

    I am sorry to hear about this... must have been scary! Glad you're ok.

    I've not been mugged, but i have been in situations that have been very close. Once, a couple of guys were circling me in downtown Toronto, where i was about to meet my friend Mark. I told him i was weirded out by some guys and Mark got all tough. Now, that probably doesn't sound weird to anyone, but Mark is the biggest wuss i have ever met. I had to hold his hand when he got his ears pierced.

    There's nothing wrong with keeping something with you that will be a deterrent... keys between the fingers, a big loud horn or whistle.
  5. lauren ·

    This is crazy...and to think it happened so close to your apt...and mine! You are lucky you had the ability and the instinct to run...
    two of my friends were held at gun point in this city, but I don't know where...
    I think a foghorn is a great idea, or some pepper spray, or a giant machete :)
  6. jenks ·

    you know, even if it is legal for just anyone can have a gun (and is that really true??)- it is still not legal to shoot people.
    The sad thing is- the kind of person that would even think about shooting someone, is the kind of person that couldn't care less if it's legal or not. :(
  7. joshua ·

    Believe it or not (since it was brought up) in some states it is legal to shoot somebody that is breaking into your home, but depending on your locality its a gray legal area that is subject to interpretation, whether or not you are preventing a felony, whether or not you tried to flee first, whether or not you are preventing rape, etc. I have no idea what the law is in NY, but it doesn't take a great deal of imagination to determine the answer.

    I can't remember the name of that defensive martial arts course that was marketed towards women, but it seems pretty useful... not just for women but for everybody that feels a little inadequate about being able to defend themselves. I think its a good idea, anyway!
  8. metalpeter ·

    First of all glad you are ok that is the main thing.

    Secondly that part of summer is very dark and I used to all ways walk in the street. The way the shadows (not sure if they are this way) were you couldn't see shit, not sure if the lights have changed or not. My point is right around there you really have to keep your eyes open and really pay attention to what is going on.

    In terms of weapons I have no idea what to tell you there. The thing to remember is what ever you have you have to make sure that you can use it very well. I reason I say this sometimes people carry a knife and the person they wind up fighting gets a hold of it and uses it on the victim.

    Legally speaking I don't really know the laws, other then you have a right to defend your self. If someone attacks you and you stab them and there isn't anyone else around to see it it may never make court so I wouldn't worry about it to much. If someone attacks you and then gets stabbed they are an idiot to try and take you to court.

    The thing with being sucker punched, robbed, or having gold removed from you is that often the robber (or at least in my cases) thinks quicker on their feet. Often they have the advantage of the surprise, you did good to get away from the person. That being said some self defense classes might be a good idea to. Yes you can give up your things and maybe be safe but sometimes that might not be enough or what they want is more then you can part with so in those cases knowing how to defend your self may save your life.

    I don't want to get all political about guns but the problem is that mostly the people who shouldn't have them do.

    Glad you are safe and hopefully this person dosen't get anyone else.
  9. libertad ·

    I was mugged during the day. There were all these cars driving by when it happened.
  10. fellyconnelly ·

    wow.. glad you are okay!!
  11. theecarey ·

    oh crazy! So scary! I'm glad you are ok. How are you now? I didn't see this entry until the most recent one you just posted! Again, nice job on putting together the map, if you didn't see my comment in the chat. I had been just about to post the same article, when I saw that you did the same. This is all too much..
  12. tinypliny ·

    It is indeed. I am kind of shaken by that article, so I am seriously planning on changing my work hours so I am not out after dark at any event, even if it means getting up really early. Here's hoping muggers generally are not early birds.

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