After one week of living in Oakland someone tried to mug me (Santa Clara: college, store)

[chellisart]

I just moved to Oakland this past week so(yes I'm another one of those white middle class "hipsters") I'm sure the news of another mugging is no surprise to anyone. This past Sunday I was on my way to meet nice young lady in downtown Oakland. I was walking along international blvd around 7.pm. Just keeping my head down minding my own business. Now I've lived in other cities such as NYC and Philadelphia and have even been to third world countries so I like to think I have a little bit of street smarts. Anyways, I'm just walking down the street minding my own business when I'm approached by two hispanic males. They keep walking beside me saying "what's up n**ger, you think your tough give me your phone!" As he's saying this he grabs me and tries to reach in my jacket pocket. I squat his hand away saying "get the **** away from me!"
At this point they start throwing punches. I know I'm at a disadvantage trying to fight two guys at once so I head towards a corner store across the street. I manage to get inside and avoid most of their punches. The main instigator manages to land a punch on my nose at which point I grabbed one of those upright metal stand that hold small bags of chips and start swinging it at them. The store is in chaos while I'm trying to fend off these idiots. I keep saying "what the f*ck is your problem, I don't even know you" Finally a security guard comes in and manages to get the guys out. The store owner ask me if I'm alright while informing me that he has called the cops. He gives me a bottle of water and says not to worry about the damage.
Eventually the cops show up they could care less. I'm kind of in awe about how bad the police are here. Yes, I know they're under funded and short on man power but I like to think attempted robbery is a big deal. They didn't even bother to look at the security footage or talk to the security guard who witness the whole thing. It was pretty much "well sucks for you man". Despite this I love the Bay Area so far. Everyone here seems extremely nice and friendly it just sucks you can't even walk down the street without having to look over your shoulder.

[ccm123]

Glad you are OK. You could potentially avoid/minimize such incidents by being careful about the area you frequent. International Blvd. is not known as being particularly safe.

[zombocom]

You're in Oakland, the cops there exist at this point simply to (try) and keep outright mayhem from breaking out.

Come on down to Santa Clara County, if you want safe.

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by chellisart

Eventually the cops show up they could care less.

Oakland PD is composed in great part of guys who don't live in or near Oakland. They are often found to exhibit little concern for all but the most egregious goings-on there. Those thugs on International know that.

[zombocom]

Originally Posted by bigdumbgod

Oakland PD is composed in great part of guys who don't live in or near Oakland. They are often found to exhibit little concern for all but the most egregious goings-on there. Those thugs on International know that.

One problem with the federal court monitoring stuff is that it generally has a chilling effect on pro-active policing.

Most cops don't live where they work... unless it's in a nice small town - but if I was an OPD cop, I wouldn't even want to live in the same county, I'd probably commute in from Morgan Hill or Walnut Creek.

[04kL4nD]

Originally Posted by chellisart

I just moved to Oakland this past week so(yes I'm another one of those white middle class "hipsters") I'm sure the news of another mugging is no surprise to anyone. This past Sunday I was on my way to meet nice young lady in downtown Oakland. I was walking along international blvd around 7.pm. Just keeping my head down minding my own business. Now I've lived in other cities such as NYC and Philadelphia and have even been to third world countries so I like to think I have a little bit of street smarts. Anyways, I'm just walking down the street minding my own business when I'm approached by two hispanic males. They keep walking beside me saying "what's up n**ger, you think your tough give me your phone!" As he's saying this he grabs me and tries to reach in my jacket pocket. I squat his hand away saying "get the **** away from me!"
At this point they start throwing punches. I know I'm at a disadvantage trying to fight two guys at once so I head towards a corner store across the street. I manage to get inside and avoid most of their punches. The main instigator manages to land a punch on my nose at which point I grabbed one of those upright metal stand that hold small bags of chips and start swinging it at them. The store is in chaos while I'm trying to fend off these idiots. I keep saying "what the f*ck is your problem, I don't even know you" Finally a security guard comes in and manages to get the guys out. The store owner ask me if I'm alright while informing me that he has called the cops. He gives me a bottle of water and says not to worry about the damage.
Eventually the cops show up they could care less. I'm kind of in awe about how bad the police are here. Yes, I know they're under funded and short on man power but I like to think attempted robbery is a big deal. They didn't even bother to look at the security footage or talk to the security guard who witness the whole thing. It was pretty much "well sucks for you man". Despite this I love the Bay Area so far. Everyone here seems extremely nice and friendly it just sucks you can't even walk down the street without having to look over your shoulder.

they had a gun??

[mr bolo]

I think they call it strong arm robbery without a gun, using physical assault to get your valuables

[chellisart]

They didn't have a gun(thankgod). They were still demanding my possessions and were using force to try and get them.

[chellisart]

Plus the cop said it was attempted robbery so I'm going by what he said.

[CirclingLogan]

I'd spend more of my walking time on Piedmont Ave, Grand Ave, Broadway, Telegraph, College Ave and Lakeshore Ave instead of International Blvd and I doubt you'll get mugged again.