Good Afternoon Everyone, I hope this email finds each and every one of you physically and spiritually healthy. Also, let me apologize, as I normally respond to these emails in a timelier manner, but I did not work much in December, due to my daughter's school schedule. I did however; monitor all of the emails, including the vehicle break-in suffered by Mr. and Mrs. Goldman, and directed our personnel to the area. Personal assaults and robberies, although I can appreciate the mentality that one would want to fight back, but I would not advise this as a first course of action. Yes, some criminals will not continue in their efforts if you fight, but that is not usually the case with a person who enlists robbery as a way of life. They understand from the onset that they are going to confront a person, and are often prepared to escalate their level of violence. Vehicle thefts, criminal mischief and vandalism crimes: there has been an increase in property crimes in the past six weeks. Zone Five sponsored a television commercial with KDKA and Weed and Seed to address these issues, but it doesn't hurt to remind anyone. Please do not store valuables in you car...including money, laptops, camera equipment, purses, wallets, ect. The Reservoir is a virtual shopping mall if you peruse the vehicles. Additionally, please do not leave the keys in your vehicles to run errands, or warm the car. Law Enforcement Remedies: * I will gladly coordinate a couple self defense classes for anyone who desires to learn a few techniques to AVOID becoming a victim. * I have asked for the Narcotics and Vice, as well as, the Street Response Unit to respond to Highland Park. * The Zone Five Sector car has been made aware of the rash of assaults in and around Negley, Jackson and Portland. Community Input: I agree an active block watch program is effective. Evening walking groups and maintaining lighting are also very effective. In August, I sent the HPCDC a survey to perform a physical neighborhood assessment to address lighting, abandoned cars, litter, drugs, prostitution and other quality of life crimes. Filing out those forms are extremely beneficial and go a long way toward creating a public safety plan tailored specifically for Highland Park. Additionally, there is a Public Safety meeting held on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm at Zone Five. You are all invited! Sorry to be so long winded. Again, I apologize for the delayed response, and a personal apology to those Highland Park residents who have been a victim in our community. Cmdr. RaShall M. Brackney, Commander Zone Five Police Station Penn Circle West and Ansley Pittsburgh, Pa 15206 412-665-3607 -----Original Message----- From: neighborhood-bounces@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us [mailto:neighborhood-bounces@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us] On Behalf Of Sweeney, Dan Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2005 9:51 AM To: bmrobison@alum.calberkeley.org; Groups St. Andrew's; Neighborhood Highland Park Subject: RE: [Highland Park] Saturday Night Dear Bruce, First, I am relieved to learn that you are recovering in both body and spirit. I don't want to think about what we would all do without your strength and guidance. I was assaulted late at night once when I lived in Brighton Heights, so I get it when you say that you're relieved to have escaped any further injury. But I'm troubled my the message that we should cover up, hand over all we've got and beg for mercy. That feels like an invitation to more assaults. We should not wait for help from the police on this. I've spoken to four police officers in the past year and they all have the same message, "We are so understaffed, we sometimes have three guys show up for roll call." I know that the 14th Ward and Brighton Heights have had citizens' groups, with police mentorship and supervision, patroling the streets in cars. Should we be talking about starting that here? Taking that stand appeals to me more than waiting my turn to play the victim. Dan -----Original Message----- From: neighborhood-bounces@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us [mailto:neighborhood-bounces@highlandpark.pgh.pa.us]On Behalf Of Bruce Robison Sent: Monday, December 19, 2005 9:00 AM To: Groups St. Andrew's; Neighborhood Highland Park Subject: [Highland Park] Saturday Night As St. Andrew's friends and our Highland Park neighborhood may have heard, this past Saturday night my brother-in-law (visiting for Christmas from Massachusetts) and I were assaulted and robbed as we walked home down North Euclid from the church after the Pittsburgh Camerata concert last Saturday evening. We were just below Wellesley when we were suddenly and very roughly tackled from behind by two young men--late teens or early twenties, wearing hooded sweatshirts or parkas--beaten-up pretty viciously, both with fists and kicks, and with the verbal threat of a knife, which we never saw--and then with the two assailants sprinting down Paca Alley toward N. St. Clair Street with my phone and wallet (including, sigh, credit cards, driver's license, pictures of the kids, etc.) and my brother-in-law's cash and keys. Both of us had our glasses smashed and were battered, bloodied, and bruised. Mike also took several blows directly to the face and eventually needed more medical attention. So a bad deal. It probably took all of 60 seconds from initial tackle to completion--but, well, it seemed longer at the time. Fortunately we are both in pretty good shape and didn't suffer any more serious injury--as we may have if we had been older or with any other health/medical problems. This was pretty rough and pretty intense. A couple of comments. For Commander Brackney, I just want to say that the Zone 5 group, especially Officer Strachan, who responded very quickly when we got to 911, and who scoured then neighborhood looking for these bad guys, and for the medic team, were all great. Better than great. Courteous and compassionate and very patient with a couple of very shaken-up victims. Thanks to them all. And our neighbors and friends in the parish and up and down the block have been so very kind and supportive. Our next door neighbors Rick and Mary were outside within a couple of minutes to express their concern and friendship. We've had cookies and nice notes, calls, e-mails--all with much encouragement. There is no question in my mind but that this is the best neighborhood in the city--certainly the neighborhood with the best people. I've had also some reflections about the incident itself. I don't know if there's much to do about the actual event. These two guys were probably just cruising, looking for "something." Maybe a car to steal, or a passer-by to roll, etc., but without a particular plan in mind. We just happened down the block at the unfortunate, intersecting moment--and if it hadn't been us it probably would have been someone else or something else. But once the attack started I think I at least didn't react too wisely. I haven't been in any kind of physical altercation since about the 8th grade, and most of my adult athletic activities have been in the long-distance running, stairmaster climbing category, but for some reason I decided on the spot to get in touch with my inner Sly Stallone--to put up some resistance to this attack, hitting back at first, then yelling and trying to get away--maybe for 15-20 seconds, anyway. If he'd had a gun he probably would have shot me--and perhaps if I'd been more compliant after the initial tackle I wouldn't have gotten so beat-up. Who knows? Mike didn't resist, and he got slammed all the same. It's certainly difficult to second-guess, and there actually wasn't much "thinking" going on in the moment. Just gut reactions. But I think I'd want to do it differently if it happened again. Also, a good idea on reflection, my brother-in-law was able to give his cash to "his" assailant separately from the rest of his wallet--thus managing not to lose credit cards and other personal items. I'm in the future going to think pretty seriously about what I carry and how I carry it. But again, with thanks to all for kind thoughts, prayers, and best wishes. It was a scary deal, but the swelling is going down, and we're getting better. Christmas and Hanukkah coincide this year, which seems a special blessing, the Steelers still have a shot at the playoffs, and the sun is shining on this lovely Monday morning as I sit at the computer drinking a home-brewed cup of Amy's Highland Park blend. It's good to be here. Bruce Robison Rector, St. Andrew's Church -- <http://www.highlandpark.pgh.pa.us/mailman/listinfo/neighborhood> -- <http://www.highlandpark.pgh.pa.us/mailman/listinfo/neighborhood>