Errands after dark - am I the only one reconsidering

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is correct for people to be more cautious. It is up to each individual to take precautions appropriate to the level of risk they feel.

+1 And those who aren't afraid of the consequences will deal with whatever happens, one way or another.

[Anonymous]

I am the same way. We live on the Hill and I'm way more cautious than a few years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In college in the 90s we did "take back the night" marches and safe spaces and all that, but I was never duped that the world is actually safe..since Chandra Levy I haven't walked alone in a park and certainly wouldn't do errands after dark OR early morning. The current system/and changemakers don't "care" about crime victims. Not only are they not proactive, but not even reactive. Be wise and look out for Numero uno.

You’re insane.

Actually, that poster is using his/her smarts.

[Anonymous]

I’ve never gone anywhere alone at night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In college in the 90s we did "take back the night" marches and safe spaces and all that, but I was never duped that the world is actually safe..since Chandra Levy I haven't walked alone in a park and certainly wouldn't do errands after dark OR early morning. The current system/and changemakers don't "care" about crime victims. Not only are they not proactive, but not even reactive. Be wise and look out for Numero uno.

You’re insane.

It’s so insane that every university in the country has emergency phones all over campus and night time escort services?

If you don’t have access to an emergency phone or a night time escort, then avoiding walking alone at night time in areas where crime is a concern makes total sense.

What doesn’t make sense is to have so little regard for public safety.

[Anonymous]

Eh, not changing anything. I'm at work in the daylight hours. If I didn't go do stuff after dark, I wouldn't be able to run errands on weekdays for half the year.

[Anonymous]

Very pertinent topic for me. I just drove to a CVS with my teenager for “emergency” eyeliner (come on guys chuckle with me - we all remember those days) but I realized things felt different and a bit less safe than they might have a couple years ago.

[Anonymous]

Crimes happen in broad daylight too. Most burglaries happen in my (very nice) neighborhood on weekdays around 3pm. Armed robberies are happening midday in downtown Bethesda too. Take precautions but live your life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never gone anywhere alone at night.

Privilege at its finest

[Anonymous]

Police forces understaffed. Criminals read the news too.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/19/us/police-staffing-shortages-recruitment/index.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crimes happen in broad daylight too. Most burglaries happen in my (very nice) neighborhood on weekdays around 3pm. Armed robberies are happening midday in downtown Bethesda too. Take precautions but live your life.

I think the point is that everyone is going to have different risk tolerance and it’s fine for people to take precautions that are appropriate for their risk tolerance. For some reason, the idea is not controversial that the government should provide infrastructure to help cyclists feel safer to encourage more people to cycle. But somehow individuals who are feel unsafe due to crime and don’t go out as a result are “insane”, when you are at much higher risk of getting murdered or carjacked than dying in a cycling accident.

[Anonymous]

Just a reminder, most people on this board voted for this state of affairs and will do everything in their power to prevent anyone else from fixing the situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just a reminder, most people on this board voted for this state of affairs and will do everything in their power to prevent anyone else from fixing the situation.

I don’t understand the cognitive dissonance of DC residents. They almost universally vote for progressive candidates, but are shocked at the lawlessness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In college in the 90s we did "take back the night" marches and safe spaces and all that, but I was never duped that the world is actually safe..since Chandra Levy I haven't walked alone in a park and certainly wouldn't do errands after dark OR early morning. The current system/and changemakers don't "care" about crime victims. Not only are they not proactive, but not even reactive. Be wise and look out for Numero uno.

You’re insane.

It’s so insane that every university in the country has emergency phones all over campus and night time escort services?

If you don’t have access to an emergency phone or a night time escort, then avoiding walking alone at night time in areas where crime is a concern makes total sense.

What doesn’t make sense is to have so little regard for public safety.

Literally everyone has a cell phone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In college in the 90s we did "take back the night" marches and safe spaces and all that, but I was never duped that the world is actually safe..since Chandra Levy I haven't walked alone in a park and certainly wouldn't do errands after dark OR early morning. The current system/and changemakers don't "care" about crime victims. Not only are they not proactive, but not even reactive. Be wise and look out for Numero uno.

You’re insane.

It’s so insane that every university in the country has emergency phones all over campus and night time escort services?

If you don’t have access to an emergency phone or a night time escort, then avoiding walking alone at night time in areas where crime is a concern makes total sense.

What doesn’t make sense is to have so little regard for public safety.

Literally everyone has a cell phone.

When is the last time you have been near a university campus? They have emergency blue light kiosks everywhere that you just need to push a button and it sounds an alarm, the light flashes and it connects directly to the police department. A cell phone does none of those things. So it is not equivalent. It is also can be difficult to operate a cell phone when you are scared for your life.

I agree with the PP that there is a reason why university campuses have such extensive security systems, because they provide a level of safety that allows everyone on campus to feel safe at any time of day or night. Barring a similar commitment to public safety on our streets, it is perfectly rationale for individuals who don’t feel safe to alter behavior accordingly.

My view is that society should strive to make everyone feel safe and your view seems to be that as long as you feel safe, nothing else matters. I will leave it for others to judge whether your view is consistent with a social contract.