Georgia Tech Robberies (Atlanta, Dunwoody, Hampton: apartment complex, leasing, safe neighborhood)

[waronxmas]

Originally Posted by elvez

One has nothing to do with the other? I think statistics tell a different story. Where do you get your information?

That's untrue, but if you want to talk stats all you have to look at is the amount of poverty in a given area. That is a direct correlation of how much crime there will be. Poverty breeds violence, but isn't it's only cause.

[MovedfromFL]

Originally Posted by waronxmas

You make a good point here:



But ruin it with this little bit of extreme paranoia:



There are no roaming bands of thugs driving around in cars or walking the streets looking for their next innocent victim. The very idea is idiotic. Who would do that and for what reason? I think you mistaking gang members who roll around looking for a target in another gang. Occasionally innocent bystanders get caught in the middle and get hurt, including a friend of mine who was gunned down in University Homes on his way to visit his grandma 15 years ago.

I've lived in this city my whole life (with long stints in other, more insane cities like New York, Mumbai and Manila) and trust me when I say this is the safest it has been in my life. The current wave of crime we are seeing is directly linked to the economy. What do you think happens when people who are poor get even poorer? They get desperate and do stupid things. Smash and grabs were unheard of just a few years ago. Now they seem to happen every other week. Is it because they are mindless hoodlums who want to steal them to have the freshest fashion, or are they stealing them to sell on the street so they can eat? It's not right, nor do I defend them, but we have to be realistic about how and why crime occurs.

I disagree. You should take a trip down to Orlando and Sanford, FL. There have been cases where folks simply took a few steps out into their own backyards to smoke and ended up getting raped. Same story for people having a gathering on their own porch. Next thing you know, a group of criminal thugs comes right up and robs everyone. Same thing for the guy who was returning to his apartment with a take-out dinner. He was robbed and shot as he tried to open the door. His wife watched him die. Oh yeah, I almost moved into that apartment complex a few years ago (but it was too expensive!). I managed to get a nearby place where someone was robbed at gunpoint at the apartment mailbox. (I got out of their as fast as I could)
Believe me, thugs are out there scoping out victims. How else would it work? Kids as young as 13 are roaming around looking for trouble.
It's pure nuts out there and getting worse by the day.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by waronxmas

The current wave of crime we are seeing is directly linked to the economy. What do you think happens when people who are poor get even poorer? They get desperate and do stupid things.

I grew up in West Virginia. I KNOW what poor is. I know what it's like to eat potatoes 6 days a week and mac 'n cheese out of a box as your main dinner, when growing up. I know what poor people do when they get desperate - I've seen people do it first hand. They shoplift. They go into grocery stores and stuff food in their jackets. They will steal a lawnmower if someone leaves it in their yard to resell it and use the money to buy food. In extreme cases where large medical or housing loss possibilities are concerned, they may even attempt to rob a bank and fake them out with a note and no weapons.

They do NOT however, jump out of a car and rob students at gunpoint, several times shooting them even when they comply with their demands. So I'm sorry - I'm not going to clump truly desperate poor people with thugs who prey on others.

Originally Posted by waronxmas

Smash and grabs were unheard of just a few years ago. Now they seem to happen every other week. Is it because they are mindless hoodlums who want to steal

Yes

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

I grew up in West Virginia. I KNOW what poor is. I know what it's like to eat potatoes 6 days a week and mac 'n cheese out of a box as your main dinner, when growing up. I know what poor people do when they get desperate - I've seen people do it first hand. They shoplift. They go into grocery stores and stuff food in their jackets. They will steal a lawnmower if someone leaves it in their yard to resell it and use the money to buy food. In extreme cases where large medical or housing loss possibilities are concerned, they may even attempt to rob a bank and fake them out with a note and no weapons.

They do NOT however, jump out of a car and rob students at gunpoint, several times shooting them even when they comply with their demands. So I'm sorry - I'm not going to clump truly desperate poor people with thugs who prey on others.

Isn't that the truth! I am also a native of West Virginia and still travel most of Appalachia on a daily basis. I can tell you first hand that if you really want to see the "true" meaning of poverty go there. I can also tell you that you don't have to worry about being knocked over the head, stabbed, or held at gunpoint for your wallet, cell phone, and just about anything else.

Heck, I went to school with a coal fired stove and some of the kids actually wore the same clothes all week mainly because they had no other. But one thing they had were values in regard to respectiing others. I get so sick and tired of the elitist who's only real life experience of poor is watching Oprah talking to a 300 pound woman with 12 kids knawling on a Snickers bar and smoking a cigarette talking about poverty.

The suspects doing this are just plain thugs, pure and simple. All we need to do folks is look around. You have "thug life" being trumpted, you have Paris Hilton and all heck, who is the other drug addicted brat? Anyway, that life being trumpeted. What do we expect.

You know we have reached the low of the low when no matter where you are you see these idiots running around with their pants around their arse, playing with their junk, twitching around like they are in a epileptic seziure yelling mutha F this and mutha F that, calling women bitches and ho's, and worshiping this gansta rap crap that constantly blasts in their ears. That is one example.

To another, has everyone forgotten about the "Barbie Bandits" these so called Lilly white angels. Middle Class, going around living the Britney life? And what happened there, heck folks, we just about made them full time celebrities. Why? because so some sick twisted reason the modern media is fixed on society decay.

I could go onto many more thugs and slugs who all media idolizes. "The Blue Jean Bandits", The boyfriend thug who beat Rhianna, Thuglife that caused the deaths of young kids like Tu Pac, Biggie Smalls, etc. Heck, we are still idolizing thugs from days gone by like Dillinger's new movie with Johnny Depp. Im sure in modern day America Hollywood will have him as a hero instead of a thug.

Enough of the soapbox. has nothing to do with "P-O-V-E-R-T-Y" for all the tea toddeling liberal elitist trying once again to find a scapegoat to play their cards. It has to do with society, the decay in our value base, and the fact that we no longer enforce our laws on the books, etc.

Would not surprise me that when and if these thugs are caught that one of Atlanta's finest magistrates will throw the book at them by providing a obtainable bond until trial so they can go right back to terrorizing the streets again. If not, I'm sure they can find defense council in the Mayor's office who would gladly tout that it was due to the pressure of watching the "rich" go to a nice school and to work everyday.

I'm sure I will get my bashing now, but think about it this way. If you want to see true poverty join the peace corp travel outside your arm chair and go live it for a while, you might find yourself changing your blame it on someone in poverty mantra. Just a thought.

[AcidSnake]

Originally Posted by Georgia

Isn't that the truth! I am also a native of West Virginia and still travel most of Appalachia on a daily basis. I can tell you first hand that if you really want to see the "true" meaning of poverty go there. I can also tell you that you don't have to worry about being knocked over the head, stabbed, or held at gunpoint for your wallet, cell phone, and just about anything else.

Heck, I went to school with a coal fired stove and some of the kids actually wore the same clothes all week mainly because they had no other. But one thing they had were values in regard to respectiing others. I get so sick and tired of the elitist who's only real life experience of poor is watching Oprah talking to a 300 pound woman with 12 kids knawling on a Snickers bar and smoking a cigarette talking about poverty.

The suspects doing this are just plain thugs, pure and simple. All we need to do folks is look around. You have "thug life" being trumpted, you have Paris Hilton and all heck, who is the other drug addicted brat? Anyway, that life being trumpeted. What do we expect.

You know we have reached the low of the low when no matter where you are you see these idiots running around with their pants around their arse, playing with their junk, twitching around like they are in a epileptic seziure yelling mutha F this and mutha F that, calling women bitches and ho's, and worshiping this gansta rap crap that constantly blasts in their ears. That is one example.

To another, has everyone forgotten about the "Barbie Bandits" these so called Lilly white angels. Middle Class, going around living the Britney life? And what happened there, heck folks, we just about made them full time celebrities. Why? because so some sick twisted reason the modern media is fixed on society decay.

I could go onto many more thugs and slugs who all media idolizes. "The Blue Jean Bandits", The boyfriend thug who beat Rhianna, Thuglife that caused the deaths of young kids like Tu Pac, Biggie Smalls, etc. Heck, we are still idolizing thugs from days gone by like Dillinger's new movie with Johnny Depp. Im sure in modern day America Hollywood will have him as a hero instead of a thug.

Enough of the soapbox. has nothing to do with "P-O-V-E-R-T-Y" for all the tea toddeling liberal elitist trying once again to find a scapegoat to play their cards. It has to do with society, the decay in our value base, and the fact that we no longer enforce our laws on the books, etc.

Would not surprise me that when and if these thugs are caught that one of Atlanta's finest magistrates will throw the book at them by providing a obtainable bond until trial so they can go right back to terrorizing the streets again. If not, I'm sure they can find defense council in the Mayor's office who would gladly tout that it was due to the pressure of watching the "rich" go to a nice school and to work everyday.

I'm sure I will get my bashing now, but think about it this way. If you want to see true poverty join the peace corp travel outside your arm chair and go live it for a while, you might find yourself changing your blame it on someone in poverty mantra. Just a thought.

Actually, you'll get no argument from me. My mom has said the same thing. Society is decaying because the wrong cultural values are being enforced. There need to be a return to a strong Patriarchy-based household as outlined in the bible, I'd say. Spare the rod, spoil the child...

[waronxmas]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

I grew up in West Virginia. I KNOW what poor is. I know what it's like to eat potatoes 6 days a week and mac 'n cheese out of a box as your main dinner, when growing up. I know what poor people do when they get desperate - I've seen people do it first hand. They shoplift. They go into grocery stores and stuff food in their jackets. They will steal a lawnmower if someone leaves it in their yard to resell it and use the money to buy food. In extreme cases where large medical or housing loss possibilities are concerned, they may even attempt to rob a bank and fake them out with a note and no weapons.

They do NOT however, jump out of a car and rob students at gunpoint, several times shooting them even when they comply with their demands. So I'm sorry - I'm not going to clump truly desperate poor people with thugs who prey on others.

I don't think that's because they have different rules. It's probably because there aren't enough people around for it to be viable.

Given how meth is sweeping rural areas, based on my past experience with happened when crack was "big", I'd say it's only a matter of time before there are drive-bys out there.

[Merin]

The APDs big problem is actually keeping officers not hiring them. Crime was on the decline in New York before Giuliani got into office. Many great Universities are in bad neighborhoods. Many of us tea toddling liberal elitists are very active in our neighborhood associates and fight crime in many ways. Including paying out of pocket for off duty officers.

[waronxmas]

Originally Posted by MovedfromFL

I disagree. You should take a trip down to Orlando and Sanford, FL. There have been cases where folks simply took a few steps out into their own backyards to smoke and ended up getting raped. Same story for people having a gathering on their own porch. Next thing you know, a group of criminal thugs comes right up and robs everyone. Same thing for the guy who was returning to his apartment with a take-out dinner. He was robbed and shot as he tried to open the door. His wife watched him die. Oh yeah, I almost moved into that apartment complex a few years ago (but it was too expensive!). I managed to get a nearby place where someone was robbed at gunpoint at the apartment mailbox. (I got out of their as fast as I could)
Believe me, thugs are out there scoping out victims. How else would it work? Kids as young as 13 are roaming around looking for trouble.
It's pure nuts out there and getting worse by the day.

You see, that's the sort of thing that I'm talking about. I've never been to Sanford, FL and I've only been to the touristy places in Orlando, but I have a hard time believing that all someone has to do is walk outside and they get raped. Even if you go look at the stats that proves that notion false.

Let's take Sanford, there were 28 rapes reported last year. Now for a town that size it may seem like the world is falling apart in the grand scheme of things, but that number doesn't account for the term "just walk out side and get raped".

I'll again reiterate my point that the concept of the "mindless band of blood thirsty thugs roaming the streets looking for victims" has no basis in reality. I'm from the 'hood and have known PLENTY of "thugs". The only time thing they are usually out for is to get paid. That's all. What varies is the lengths they'll go to get what they want. Innocent people do get caught up in their path, but they're aren't people who go around simply looking to catch them for **** and giggles.

Don't get me wrong though. There are some truly nutso people out there on the streets. People who are mentally ill, strung out on drugs, and those famous crack babies everyone always here about. The thing is that incidence of them committing extremely violent crimes is fairly low.

Your average crack head is going to steal or rob just enough to get his next high. They have neither the mental facilities or resources to do much more than that.

[AcidSnake]

Originally Posted by waronxmas

You see, that's the sort of thing that I'm talking about. I've never been to Sanford, FL and I've only been to the touristy places in Orlando, but I have a hard time believing that all someone has to do is walk outside and they get raped. Even if you go look at the stats that proves that notion false.

Let's take Sanford, there were 28 rapes reported last year. Now for a town that size it may seem like the world is falling apart in the grand scheme of things, but that number doesn't account for the term "just walk out side and get raped".

I'll again reiterate my point that the concept of the "mindless band of blood thirsty thugs roaming the streets looking for victims" has no basis in reality. I'm from the 'hood and have known PLENTY of "thugs". The only time thing they are usually out for is to get paid. That's all. What varies is the lengths they'll go to get what they want. Innocent people do get caught up in their path, but they're aren't people who go around simply looking to catch them for **** and giggles.

I'd have to differ with you slightly on that one. There was case awhile about a guy who was an Iraq war veteran who was killed by some New Orleans gang members. Ryan Harmon was his name and he worked as a Private Security Officer at Fort McPherson. As an Iraq vet myself it really struck me hard to hear that a brotha who went overseas to deal with chaos found it instead in his own backyard. Here is a link that I was able find.

9 indicted in alleged 2-year robbery and killing spree | AccessNorthGa

[onemanarmy]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

I grew up in West Virginia. I KNOW what poor is. I know what it's like to eat potatoes 6 days a week and mac 'n cheese out of a box as your main dinner, when growing up. I know what poor people do when they get desperate - I've seen people do it first hand. They shoplift. They go into grocery stores and stuff food in their jackets. They will steal a lawnmower if someone leaves it in their yard to resell it and use the money to buy food. In extreme cases where large medical or housing loss possibilities are concerned, they may even attempt to rob a bank and fake them out with a note and no weapons.

They do NOT however, jump out of a car and rob students at gunpoint, several times shooting them even when they comply with their demands. So I'm sorry - I'm not going to clump truly desperate poor people with thugs who prey on others.




Yes

I think you argument is comparing apples to oranges. There is no diversity in wealth in the area you grew up. I grew up in rural area, and I have seen the same poverty first hand as well. There are NO easy targets of prey in WV, or Appalachia. There is no annonimity, easy access to transporation, etc... You can't compare rural poverty to urban poverty so easily.