Crime at Pratt on the Rise

Williamsburg isn't the only Brooklyn nabe with a rash of violent assaults; Brownstoner reports that last Friday Pratt Institute students and faculty received a warning about an increase of violent activity near the Clinton Hill campus, as reported by the 88th Precinct.

The email stated that "the robberies are reported to be committed by a group of black males and females approximately 15-16 years of age. It has been reported that the group runs up to the victim, assaults them by kicking, punching, and scratching; then taking anything of value. These occurrences have happened during various times of the day. All students and Pratt community members are recommended to travel in pairs or groups. If you must travel alone consider using a car service. Avoid traveling late at night." Pratt's community board has a thread on the recent crimes, and one student posted an update:

"The girls (yeah that's right, 15 year old girls) have all been spoken to by the police. The one who mugged my room mate last week will be spending the rest of her summer in counseling and with a sort-of-probation officer on her tail all the time. I know that all 3 of the girls were brought into the precinct, but my room mate and our other friend who was mugged only identified the one."

In less than a month around 26 robberies were reported, a 37% increase from the year prior.

Photo via mariaspix's flickr.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in News on June 13, 2008 2:15 PM

Comments [rss]

Jerky

Time to stop screwing around and start carrying some bear spray. That sh*it works wonders on groups of humans, and you can mount it to your bike frame. They won't be getting of the ground

after you hit them with this:

http://www.udap.com/

nayomi

it's here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN2VqFPNS8w

and of course it isn't on their list of things to do. that's the problem. i was suggesting that maybe if they were receiving better educations they wouldn't be acting out.

it's pretty revolting that you say they're from the "jungle" and even more sickening that other folks are making jokes about sterilizing children.

but i guess i shouldn't be surprised.

nayomi

sorry to offend snoop. you obviously didn't get my reference.

Snoopy

I doubt if reading a motherfuckin, or any other kind of book is high on their list of "Things to do today."

plk779

Um, yeah, as mentioned above, Pratt's been there for 100+ years. I went there and tried my best not to step on anyone's toes but still caught shit for no reason. I had a pack of kids run up and punch me in the back of the head just walking to class. Worst part was they didn't even want anything, just to fuck with me. Fuck those people. I have zero sympathy.

nayomi

teach the babies, dammit. they wouldn't be kicking and scratching on pratt students if they were reading a motherfuckin book.

Snoopy

^ Another bleeding heart liberal that likes to go easy on scum. ^

Snoopy

I believe Pratt was there a long time before the thugs. What they should do is reverse gentrification and move out and let the thugs and other aholes take over the hood. Then the 88th precinct will really have to work. The 88 was the precinct that was caught with there pants down in the late sixties or early seventies when a news reporter photographed five or six of their sector cars parked in Fort Green park with the cops "cooping" inside.

Classon Avenue is the dividing line between the jungle and civilization.

ilovejapgirls

it's the hipsters fault, they bring scourge and death to every neighborhood they inhabit - good jobs by these thugs to keep em out

Snoopy

^ good one ^

Muscley Armed Paper Boy

If a 15 year old Brooklyn girl is attacking you, just punch her in her pregnant stomach!

bagelman

we need to stand up and protect ourselves from the wave of 'nabe' usage!

Snoopy

Pratt should have moved out of Clinton Hill back in the early seventies before they started building that"community" gym on campus. They usually have at least one murder per year around the campus. Not a very nice place to live and try to get educated in that kind of environment.

#7 great idea, you pull a knife and they pull a gun. Guess who's going to win that one?

sonyactivision

All they're gonna get around Pratt are Starbucks gift cards (expired) and some pot seeds.

JacqueMehoff

You want to be with white people move to West virginia. God Bless the NYCHA.

kane

Here's a good one:

"The one who mugged my room mate last week will be spending the rest of her summer in counseling and with a sort-of-probation officer on her tail all the time."

For some reason I highly doubt that the NYDOC will have this girl as a top priority with someone "on her tail all the time." And if it's social services, forget about it.

Think2wice

This is Nicole duFresne all over again.

IMO this is why unfettered gentrification is the lesser of two evils.

ed_Extinct

I'm sure Al Sharpton's community restructuring plan has nothing to do with this.

bettyMachete

nice photo of pratt MANHATTAN...

also, why should students be targeted just for living in the area? this school has been here since 1887.