On being a woman and on the look out
Yesterday, I went by Swirl to see the girls and hang outside on a semi sunny afternoon. They were making dinner plans with friends and D told B&K to pick her up so that she wouldn’t have to go home alone. In her area, down by Gentilly, a woman was badly beaten – pistol whipped almost – all for her wallet.
The day before, another girlfriend confessed to me that she was held at gunpoint and raped many years ago in the Marigny and that is why she is obsessed with safety and protection.
Earlier that morning, I told TL that I wouldn’t ride my bike along the lakefront from Bucktown headed towards Kenner because at times there are not a lot of people around and it doesn’t feel safe. It was the second time I had told him I wouldn’t ride my bike somewhere – the first was deep within the bowels of City Park – where I don’t feel safe because there aren’t a lot of people. He chided me – saying that a moving person is not a target – I disagree – women (moving or standing still) – are always targets. It’s something a 6’2″ man can’t understand.
It’s not being robbed that scares me – it’s being beaten or raped – and that is where the great gender divide exists. I’m a 5’8″ female – and as strong as I am, men are stronger, even shorter men are stronger. Trust me, I know this.
Here is the recent email chain that is going around my neighborhood right now – one bad apple is causing a lot of consternation and distress:
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Please warn all the ladies in the Mid-City Area.
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This guy hit 2 more times since I sent this out today Uptown, …please be on the look out!!!
Car was described as a old Black Mitsubishi has body damage no plate but something in the back window like a temp plate.
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—– Original Message —–
From: Val Cupit
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 3:08 PM
Subject: ***CRIME ALERT BULLETIN***
The following is the description of our newest “Most Wanted.”
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Wanted for a string of Armed Robbery and Purse snatchings along the Carrollton Ave. area.
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Has not hit in Lakeview YET.
He is targeting as of yesterday the Mid-City Carrollton area around Orleans Ave.
Primarily day light hours. Ladies have been his victims thus far.
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Wanted subject:
Blk male, medium complexion, 5’9″ to 5’11” tall,
175 to 200 lbs., 20 to 30 YOA, No hair – Bald.
Vehicle used for several incidents uptown was a black older car, early 1990’s, mid-sized, possible some body damage.
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If you see a vehicle matching this description with the above mentioned, please call 911 immediately.
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