so i got mugged last night (Chicago: rent, home, neighborhoods)

[j33]

mdz - I agree. Most everyone I know who has been mugged (probably about the 10 or so people I know who have been mugged), has been mugged with a gun, it is rarely a good idea to argue with people who have guns.

[Krimo]

Ah yes, sorry about that, I tend to forget the muggers can have guns in the US :-S
Works relatively well here in France, you can defend yourself, but well, you never know if the guy in front of you has a knife or not.

Get well Dragoro.

[Huckleberry3911948]

a terrible experience. you will now take steps to see
this does not ever happen again no?
regarding urban renewal
pretty buildings & grounds not = safety?

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by Bunky39

a terrible experience. you will now take steps to see
this does not ever happen again no?
regarding urban renewal
pretty buildings & grounds not = safety?

It's a big city. You'd be a dumb crook to rob people in your own neighborhood. Most people in Lincoln Park have no need to mug anyone, but LP is near Cabrini-Green and a train or bus ride away from any neighborhood in the city. Crime can travel.

[SHANDOLL]

Sorry To Hear That.
Everyone Can't Be Wrong-make Sure You File A Report And Get Those Ribs Looked At.

[chopsky]

Wow, is crime generally bad in Chicago?
Worse than Manhattan?

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by chopsky

Wow, is crime generally bad in Chicago?
Worse than Manhattan?

Worse than Manhattan, yes.

There are areas of Chicago that have obnoxious crime, but then there are many areas that are very safe for the most part.

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by chopsky

Wow, is crime generally bad in Chicago?
Worse than Manhattan?

As much as I feel for Dragoro, I don't know that you can say "crime is bad in Chicago" based on this incident. I mean, it's a real problem in places, and often something that can't be avoided. Still, this post could have appeared on any forum on this site.

I KNOW that makes me sound like a Chicago apologist. I'm just trying to balance the discussion. There are other threads on this forum, though, that do a better job of discussing the ins and outs of Chicago crime.

So far, I've never been mugged, robbed, shot, stabbed, or had my car broken into. I've never been offered crack or beaten up. I've never seen a drive-by or a walk-by or a bike-by. Again, I only say that as counterpoint. I apologize to Dragoro for derailing, and I'm going to knock on EVERY PIECE OF WOOD IN MY APARTMENT in hopes that what I just said holds true for years (or hours!) to come.

[middle-aged mom]

There is often a connection to the number of watering holes in an area and the number of random crimes because patrons tend to be more vulnerable.

[Lookout Kid]

Dragoro, didn't you just move here? I've been here for years and haven't been mugged. I have a friend who was mugged in Lakeview, and several that were mugged in Wicker Park before it was gentrified. And a friend of mine grew up in Pilsen and was mugged a few times "back in the day". But it's really not as common as you might think. For instance, muggings aren't anywhere near what they were in New York in the 80s.

As far as Lincoln Park goes, it really doesn't have that high of a robbery rate. Things are definitely worse in the more poverty-stricken parts of the city. The crime stats are readily available, though they don't necessarily separate "muggings" from other robberies (like a store stick up).