Just Moved Here, And Feeling Unsafe (Albuquerque: crimes, home, neighborhoods)

[rybert]

Lord knows we're in a safer town since Mr. Gates left...

[truckzter]

Originally Posted by mortimer

You talked about "cat calls" before. What you have quoted above is not a "cat call." That's just someone trying to earn a living.

"Cat calls" are rude.

Well, that's why I put a comma between "cat calls" and "hey baby" and added the etc. It was meant to signify that both (and others) have happened to me.

[truckzter]

Originally Posted by rybert

"Hey baby" isn't rude?

Wellll ... when three men are staring at me, and one guy starts with the "hey baby ..."

I just looked him in the eye and said, "I am NOT your baby. Do not call me that." And his friends started laughing.

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by truckzter

Wellll ... when three men are staring at me, and one guy starts with the "hey baby ..."

I too, used to get cat calls when I was in my 30's and looked like a fine 20-ish specimen.

I dated someone living on Montclaire just South of Silver.

In case you didn't know, that intersection on Silver for about two blocks on either side was the male prostitute area. Sometimes, it took me many minutes to cross the street due to the fact that I was "better" than the boys working the street.

They'd slow down, signal for me to come over. It was just nuts.

It was a lot of work to get to my heterosexual activities on the other side of the street.

Alas. I don't get that much attention any more now that I'm older than most of the guys trying to pick me up.

[trailtramp]

At this age I'll take any positive comments I can get, no matter who its from...hell its tough turning 50!

[violent cello]

Originally Posted by truckzter

Wellll ... when three men are staring at me, and one guy starts with the "hey baby ..."

I just looked him in the eye and said, "I am NOT your baby. Do not call me that." And his friends started laughing.

Nice My husband is a black belt and once totally lost it and beat the crap out of someone on the 66 bus who was stroking my hair and saying all manner of things to me. I turned around and said to him "what the **** are you doing?" and the hubby lost it. The whole thing was awful, we had to go to the police station, he was let go thank god, mainly because the guy who stroked my hair was actually in ABQ on violation of his parole and so they were more interested in detaining him than my husband. But it was a really bad day. I was angry with the hubby but I could understand what he was trying to do.

However, like you, this doesn't make me think that ABQ is some awful place. I have friends in London who could recite the above as having happened to them almost word for word. I think ABQ has a big macho culture where you're supposed to go around looking tough, but that doesn't mean you're a gun-toting homie...it usually means you're some 18-year-old WalMart employee with a neck tattoo trying to look the part. Someone was murdered on the corner of the street where I used to live, but the victim was shot while in an SUV in an alley: an obvious drug-related murder. They were not after me.

[truckzter]

Originally Posted by violent cello

I have friends in London who could recite the above as having happened to them almost word for word. I think ABQ has a big macho culture where you're supposed to go around looking tough, but that doesn't mean you're a gun-toting homie...it usually means you're some 18-year-old WalMart employee with a neck tattoo trying to look the part. Someone was murdered on the corner of the street where I used to live, but the victim was shot while in an SUV in an alley: an obvious drug-related murder. They were not after me.

When I was studying in the south of France a few years ago, I had more "attentions" from men (particularly those immigrated or on a Work Visa from North Africa): In one instance, a man grabbed my face to force me to look at him and listen to him. Also men from North Africa proposed to me (and other friends) off the street. It's true that to the North African men, blondes are a hot commodity, and I'm not exaggerating. They would tell us "come marry me, so I can take you back home."

French men just followed me and my friends in their cars and cat called us. I didn't know wearing knee-length shorts would cause that much of a commotion! But I learned that French women do not wear shorts in public -- just capris and skirts.

These experiences are truly a result of cultural differences. It was a little surprising (especially when my face was grabbed).

[Esoterica]

In agreement here. I lived in Miami where REAL violent crime was all around me. I lived in N. Miami Beach which is NOT considered the bad area. My husband was robbed at gunpoint, our car hit in 2 drive by shootings, and we heard gun shots several times a week. It was hell. They didn't break in when you weren't home. People would break in when you were home, torture you, then take your stuff, then kill you. I bet you think I'm exaggerating. I'm not. Not at all.

Albuquerque- I live in Belen and had my car stolen last week. I still feel safe here. My husband works in Albuquerque.. there are break ins and a lot of car theft and for some weird reason they steal house pets. However, violent as in armed robbery, murder, etc isn't nearly as common as in other cities. Most of the crime is drug, gang, or domestic violence related.

I won't live in Albuquerque because I nearly have PTSD from living 9 years in Miami... however, using common sense goes a long way... don't leave stuff in your car in plain site. Have a car alarm AND club. If you have a high-end car even use GPS tracking device. As for a rental, rent away from UNM and Central Ave. I forget what the police say as my sense of direction is horrible but I think the rule of thumb is stay South of Central ave.

On the other hand, using commong sense. Locking windows, leaving a radio on when you are not home, having a good solid front and back door.. having good lighting around your place... all goes a long way.

There is crime everywhere. Violent crime, in my opinion, is not a huge problem in Albquerque as in Miami. Yeah, car theft, break-ins, can happen. In Belen, the small town where I live there is not a lot of crime and nearly no violent crime. But, car theft from the gangs that are filtering out here and druggies wanting to steal stuff to sell, and kids gone bad, well, that's everywhere. I still sleep w/ my bedroom open and walk to the corner store when i want a Coke even at night and feel pretty safe.

The cost of living is AMAZING here in New Mex, people friendly, food is great- plan to gain at least 10 pounds. Plus, we have Governor Bill Richardson and, well, I LOVE THAT MAN. He got State Coverage Health Insurance for New Mexicans and you don't have to be dirt poor to qualify.

Originally Posted by abqsunport

first, I think it is important to get somethings straight. Petty crimes such as car break ins, drug deals, etc. aren't violent. Yes, my golf clubs got stolen out of my trunk (that I left unlocked) and guess what, I never felt harmed. Most of Albuquerque's violent crimes are like someone said earlier, drug deals gone wrong. Solution: don't be involved with Gangs or Drug Deals and you won't feel unsafe.

Also, you are in an area that is relatively safe, but has high petty crimes. Yes, cars do get broken into (when you leave something in plain sight). This happened to me in Austin, Texas too. Guess what, iron bars on windows is actually a stylistic element common with older pueblo houses. Many people thought the iron rod looked great back in the 60's and 70's (what a horrible couple of decades)

Guess what, head to the far northeast heights, and I am sure this area will fit you. Some of my neighbors believe this is the only true safe part of town--I on the other hand have lived in Nob Hill, Downtown, the valley, and have settled in the Far Northeast Heights--but not because I felt unsafe elsewhere...because I got tired of the partying with people I realized were much younger than myself.

Catrinac, keep looking for the Shangri-la, but until that day happens, try to look more positvely on things.

[Esoterica]

Originally Posted by trailtramp

At this age I'll take any positive comments I can get, no matter who its from...hell its tough turning 50!

Hee hee, I'm with you.. female 45 and fat. However, I realized after moving here.. Mexican men like fat white chicks. You know there is a GOD in heaven : )

[violent cello]

Originally Posted by truckzter

When I was studying in the south of France a few years ago, I had more "attentions" from men (particularly those immigrated or on a Work Visa from North Africa): In one instance, a man grabbed my face to force me to look at him and listen to him. Also men from North Africa proposed to me (and other friends) off the street. It's true that to the North African men, blondes are a hot commodity, and I'm not exaggerating. They would tell us "come marry me, so I can take you back home."

French men just followed me and my friends in their cars and cat called us. I didn't know wearing knee-length shorts would cause that much of a commotion! But I learned that French women do not wear shorts in public -- just capris and skirts.

These experiences are truly a result of cultural differences. It was a little surprising (especially when my face was grabbed).

That sounds like fun. Nothing like having someone grab your face. I had similar experiences in Italy when I was there for a few months. Didn't matter what I wore - I had a dress that was essentially sort of a Hawaiian print moo moo (long story), and even when I wore that I got harassed. I was harassed by natives and immigrants alike. But it's true what you say about shorts! I always think of shorts in public as being sort of an American thing except for those short shorts that lots of young people wear right now. More in the UK...I haven't seen many people wearing them in France and Germany.