As "urban war" escalates, neighbors are on patrol (armed with cellphones, flashlights and Twitter)

[Heracles 417]

Hispanic gangs had seeped into the couple's quiet corner of the working-class town of Cudahy, Wis., just south of Milwaukee, stealing garage door openers and returning later to score the contents.

Hispanics are good, honest and hard working people who are only here for a living to feed their poor families in SA. Apparently the best way to get accepted and show respect of a new country is to commit crime.

I think this is a case for using the "Generalizing" and "race" card. Let's not forget the "against brown people" too card.

Edited February 2, 2009 by Aficionado

[slim 1,533]

Neighborhood watch is a great idea. But, it requires you to not only get to know your neighbors, but to also work together with them. Sadly, that often takes a crime or two to get the ball rolling.

As for some of the watchers "packing" while out there, I'm sure there are a few that do. Afterall, they are out confronting criminals. However, having three or four guys "watch" a garage burglar and make a phone call is a lot safer than individually confronting a criminal engaged in assault or another violent crime.

In the cases of home invasion, 9-1-1 is probably not very effective. Actually, I've never heard of a single case where someone called 9-1-1 and was saved from violent crime during a home invasion. Please provide evidence if you have. If you have good neighbors though, maybe they'd be able to call 9-1-1 for you. If you have outstanding neighbors, maybe they'd be able to "watch" the criminals down the barrel of their 12 ga. while you waited on the police to arrive.

[almaty 19]

i havea llot of fencing aroung..a doberman outdoors and a loud mouth Lab..also, a wife trained in the deadly arts...

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I've never heard of a single case where someone called 9-1-1 and was saved from violent crime during a home invasion. Please provide evidence if you have.

Vancouver, Canada

A violent home invasion in an upscale Vancouver neighbourhood ended swiftly Tuesday, when police arrived in time to confront four masked men as they were running out of the house.

The incident began when police responded to a 911 call from someone who had seen a suspicious vehicle in the area of Dogwood Street, and West 52nd Street in the south Granville area.

[Sister Fracas 5]

I've never heard of a single case where someone called 9-1-1 and was saved from violent crime during a home invasion. Please provide evidence if you have.

Vancouver, Canada

A violent home invasion in an upscale Vancouver neighbourhood ended swiftly Tuesday, when police arrived in time to confront four masked men as they were running out of the house.

The incident began when police responded to a 911 call from someone who had seen a suspicious vehicle in the area of Dogwood Street, and West 52nd Street in the south Granville area.

AJ, I puffy heart you!

[Peikko 1,575]

Good news is not as 'sexy' to the media as bad, preferably the media likes to report some nice gory details so, if home invaders don't get the chance to injure/kill the home occupants it's much less likely to be reported thus skewing the statistics.

As for neighbourhood watch schemes, anything that helps to create a solid sense of community is going to improve a neighbourhood. There are other ways to create better neighbourhoods too, like schemes where those with cars and good health help out those who struggle with sickness and mobility issues. Surprising what nice neighbours things like that create

[NickD 203]

Does seem a bit "culturalist" to use the word "Hispanic" when describing criminals, not a problem in central WI, just more concerned about the criminals running our government that are robbing us blind.

[Danno 1,228]

Does seem a bit "culturalist" to use the word "Hispanic" when describing criminals, not a problem in central WI, just more concerned about the criminals running our government that are robbing us blind.

I would say anytime you have a group which has some notable consistencies, Ethnic, religion, political... why would it not be part of the story?

Certainly if it were a group of Hispanic youths gathered for the purpose of "community good" it would be reported, why not if they are criminals too?

[Scott & Lai 12]

Does seem a bit "culturalist" to use the word "Hispanic" when describing criminals, not a problem in central WI, just more concerned about the criminals running our government that are robbing us blind.

I would say anytime you have a group which has some notable consistencies, Ethnic, religion, political... why would it not be part of the story?

Certainly if it were a group of Hispanic youths gathered for the purpose of "community good" it would be reported, why not if they are criminals too?

Probably the same reason that when crimes are reported on the news, the description of the suspect will include things like "he is about 5'7"", wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans," but will conspicuously leave out any mention of ethnicity or characteristics, such as skin color, that might suggest a particular ethnicity.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

... when crimes are reported on the news, the description of the suspect will include things like "he is about 5'7"", wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans," but will conspicuously leave out any mention of ethnicity or characteristics, such as skin color, that might suggest a particular ethnicity.

From the crime blotter in our local newspaper:

The alleged male attacker was described as a light-skinned Hispanic in his 30s who had black eyes and wore a green bubble jacket with the letters "JK'' on the side. He had an average build and was between 5-foot-8-inches and 5-foot-10-inches tall, police said.

[Scott & Lai 12]

... when crimes are reported on the news, the description of the suspect will include things like "he is about 5'7"", wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans," but will conspicuously leave out any mention of ethnicity or characteristics, such as skin color, that might suggest a particular ethnicity.

From the crime blotter in our local newspaper:

The alleged male attacker was described as a light-skinned Hispanic in his 30s who had black eyes and wore a green bubble jacket with the letters "JK'' on the side. He had an average build and was between 5-foot-8-inches and 5-foot-10-inches tall, police said.

Perhaps things are done differently in Joisy, or it may be a difference between newspapers and major tv stations. But what I described is typical of tv news here, at least in the past few years.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

tv news is for noobs scott

[Scott & Lai 12]

tv news is for noobs scott

Actually, I get most of my news from the radio and VJ

[slim 1,533]

I've never heard of a single case where someone called 9-1-1 and was saved from violent crime during a home invasion. Please provide evidence if you have.

Vancouver, Canada

A violent home invasion in an upscale Vancouver neighbourhood ended swiftly Tuesday, when police arrived in time to confront four masked men as they were running out of the house.

The incident began when police responded to a 911 call from someone who had seen a suspicious vehicle in the area of Dogwood Street, and West 52nd Street in the south Granville area.

Thanks for the evidence. That is seriously the very first time I have ever read about a home invasion being thwarted by someone calling 9-1-1.

But......

It was in Canada. Got any from the U.S.?

Also, I noticed that the invaders were already exiting the house by the time police arrived and it didn't say what happened inside, what was targeted, etc. Doesn't sound like the typical smash and grab home invasion that we're known for here in the U.S. However, it is nice to think that maybe someone called 9-1-1 and the cops came, sirens a blazin', and scared the criminals off before they could do anything. Good job, eh!

[Danno 1,228]

Does seem a bit "culturalist" to use the word "Hispanic" when describing criminals, not a problem in central WI, just more concerned about the criminals running our government that are robbing us blind.

I would say anytime you have a group which has some notable consistencies, Ethnic, religion, political... why would it not be part of the story?

Certainly if it were a group of Hispanic youths gathered for the purpose of "community good" it would be reported, why not if they are criminals too?

Probably the same reason that when crimes are reported on the news, the description of the suspect will include things like "he is about 5'7"", wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans," but will conspicuously leave out any mention of ethnicity or characteristics, such as skin color, that might suggest a particular ethnicity.

Remember back in the pre-60's era when SEX was taboo ??

Perhaps we are now in a new time era where "race" is the Taboo subject, at least in public.

IN the old days if you talked about sex... you must be a pervert.

NOw if you mention Race.. you mUst be a racist.

IN the old days, Talking about sex was thought to "encourage" more immoral activity.

Now, talking about Race, will Cause "more people to be hateful.

IN the Old days if you mentioned SEX in an unfamiliar crowd, everyone felt uneasy.

NOw, the mention of Race, in an unfamiliar crowd has the same effect.

Yeah, i'ts a weak comparison but something doesn't have to be EXACTLY the same to follow the same general pattern.

Race: the new Taboo