General safety advice for Rogers Park? (Chicago, Lincoln: low crime, statistics, train station)

[chicagostudent]

Originally Posted by jwuk45

I highly recommend this book

Meditations on Violence: A Comparison of Martial Arts Training & Real World Violence: Rory Miller: 9781594391187: Amazon.com: Books

It will do a lot to help you avoid, de-escalate, or escape a violent confrontation. You could also look at self defense classes.

Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely check out the book.

Originally Posted by Ann in RP

I'm sorry you're experiencing this - that's scary when you're new to Chicago. But I do think you'll grow more comfortable and come to love it here. Few suggestions:

- Do make eye contact - show them you're strong and confident- just don't smile
- Dont wear headphones, as someone else suggested - you need to be able to hear what's happening around you
- Carry your keys so you have one or more keys between each finger - so you can use as a weapon in the unlikely case something does happen
- Take a cab home when late at night, and give the driver an extra buck or two to make sure you get into your place before he/she pulls away
- Take a self defense class - Thousand Waves on Belmont is great. Strongly encourage you to look into it. Many years ago, I took an eight or ten hour class over several days - very supportive and empowering environment.
- Are you going downtown? If so, consider the Metra.

I was attacked in Lakeview six weeks after moving to Chicago. It happens all over the city, not just in areas where there are pockets of gang activity. I live in Rogers Park now too, not far from you. Try not to feel defeated by your first couple of weeks here. You're doing the right things. You could try talking to your landlord about getting out of your lease because you're feeling unsafe - they might be willing to listen. I did so after my attack and my landlord said I could break my lease or get a dog (even though a non-dog building). As a former landlord myself, I never would have held my tenants to their lease if they felt unsafe in the hood.

Thank you so much for your input and tips. You are one of the few that has given a serious answer. I appreciate it

Originally Posted by jwuk45

This app might be useful to you

Campanion app surging in popularity - Business Insider



But as the person above said, they're just catcallers. They're generally not the people you need to be most afraid of being attacked by.

Thanks for the link, i'll check it out!

Originally Posted by usamathman

Someone is finally reading through the lines.

She is being hit on by guys that she is not comfortable being around.

Most likely black or Hispanic.

My suggestion. Follow the advice given on the thread or move to an area

where there are guys that you would feel comfortable getting hit on by.

Why are you turning this into a matter of race? That was a very ignorant comment for you to make, to be completely honest. I'm a white Hispanic and my significant other is black. I have been bothered by a variety of men. What people look like is not the problem, it's their actions that can cause me discomfort. There's a difference between being "hit on" versus having disgusting things said to me, being constantly approached, and being followed when all I'm trying to do is walk home. To me, this is a serious issue. If you are not going to give serious advice, I would appreciate you not adding further input to this thread. Thank you

Originally Posted by Lusy2

I am sorry you are experiencing this. You are doing nothing wrong and have every right to walk home without being harassed. Walk confidently and with purpose. Do not stop when a male asks you to. Walk along the street side of parked cars or in the street itself (luckily Ashland is fairly well-lighted). Vary the time you walk home if possible (and notice if it is the same man/men bothering you). Maybe consider getting a cheap bike to park at the Jarvis station and ride home - it is a short ride but you are faster and have more options on a bike. Consider filing a police or CTA complaint about being harassed. Consider taking a self-defense class for tips on dealing with street harassment.

I hope you do not move - there are lots of good people in the area you describe (and a few bad people anywhere you might live).

Thank you for your input! That is great advice. I will definitely look into getting a bike and filing a complaint if it pursues. Thanks again

[Larry Siegel]

Originally Posted by Jepa

I live near Ashland/Jarvis. If the OP is working late - or night classes - and is getting home in the later evenings - I'd suggest having a friend meet you at the el and escort you home. I know this isn't always possible - but use safety in numbers idea whenever possible.

I would never live in a place where someone had to escort me home.

[NealIRC]

Originally Posted by chicagostudent

I'm a white Hispanic and my significant other is black.

Well, this explains precisely why you're hit on.

[SubconsciousMe]

Originally Posted by Larry Siegel

I would never live in a place where someone had to escort me home.

This. This. This.

I live in RP, not far from you. For the longest time, I could look the other way. Heck, I've lived in worse -- Detroit, Harlem, Bronx, Queens, and all the slums inbetween -- but the other day I was walking home. No headphones, head up, keys in hand... and 6 shots rang out about 1/2 block from me. While that is not a male/female issue, it illustrates the desire to want to be safe. No self-defense class could teach it. No common sense could help. It's an innate desire to be safe. And every person -- North side or South side or West side -- for catcalling, for harassment, for theft, for gangs, for gunshots ....deserves it.

[Lorielicious]

Originally Posted by Larry Siegel

What I have heard some young black men on the street say to women (of any race) only belongs in a porn flick. That is never OK. Maybe rap music gives them the idea that it's OK but it's not.

White and Hispanic men, and middle class blacks, seem to have a different approach.

Mmm, yes, the "blacks."

Anyway, whoever said that street harassment was okay? All women everywhere hate it, most men hate it (even the ones who listen to rap!), and there are a handful of jerks who ruin it for everyone by somehow thinking asserting their machismo everywhere is kosher. But the reality is guys being gross on the street isn't dangerous, even if it (rightly!) pisses you off. Perhaps if you are frightened, to the extent of needing to carry mace, by someone being lewd, you should move back to Itasca where you belong.

No offense to anyone from Itasca.

[Larry Siegel]

Originally Posted by Lorielicious

Mmm, yes, the "blacks."

Anyway, whoever said that street harassment was okay? All women everywhere hate it, most men hate it (even the ones who listen to rap!), and there are a handful of jerks who ruin it for everyone by somehow thinking asserting their machismo everywhere is kosher. But the reality is guys being gross on the street isn't dangerous, even if it (rightly!) pisses you off. Perhaps if you are frightened, to the extent of needing to carry mace, by someone being lewd, you should move back to Itasca where you belong.

No offense to anyone from Itasca.

Lorie, I know you're black. No personal offense intended. I think you're aware of the crime statistics for the various racial and ethnic groups in our fair city.

[usamathman]

Originally Posted by Larry Siegel

Lorie, I know you're black. No personal offense intended. I think you're aware of the crime statistics for the various racial and ethnic groups in our fair city.

Here we go...

How many times have you been held at gunpoint or shot at??

[usamathman]

Originally Posted by chicagostudent

Why are you turning this into a matter of race? That was a very ignorant comment for you to make, to be completely honest. I'm a white Hispanic and my significant other is black. I have been bothered by a variety of men. What people look like is not the problem, it's their actions that can cause me discomfort. There's a difference between being "hit on" versus having disgusting things said to me, being constantly approached, and being followed when all I'm trying to do is walk home. To me, this is a serious issue. If you are not going to give serious advice, I would appreciate you not adding further input to this thread. Thank you

Why would you even consider living in a neighborhood you don't feel comfortable walking in??


Get your boyfriend to walk you to school from now on.

[Larry Siegel]

Originally Posted by usamathman

Here we go...

How many times have you been held at gunpoint or shot at??

Once.

[Lorielicious]

Originally Posted by Larry Siegel

Lorie, I know you're black. No personal offense intended. I think you're aware of the crime statistics for the various racial and ethnic groups in our fair city.

Are YOU aware of crime statistics? The odds of being in any physical danger while walking to the train station in Rogers Park are essentially nil. I know you're afraid of "the blacks" because of "statistics," but if you actually gave a crap about statistical probability, you'd know feeling the need to mace catcallers (even if they are black!) is baseless fear. There's another name for it that's on the tip of my tongue, but it evades me. We'll just call it purposeful delusion.