I bought a whistle. I bought two.

Because terrifying things are happening in my neighborhood recently. Muggings and car-jackings and even an attempted kidnapping. None are directly related to the ongoing civil unrest, but indirectly I suppose they all are. People are just stirred up, and some of those stirred up people are cruel and predatory. Right now Minneapolis feels like a disturbed hornets' nest. Homicides have doubled in the city this year, mostly gang violence involving guns. But that's not what is going on in my neighborhood (SW Minneapolis). 

There have been two attacks in the past few weeks within 2 blocks of my house. Both of those followed the MO that has become common (possibly gang initiations). A dark-colored vehicle with no license plates starts following someone (usually a woman walking alone or getting into a car). The vehicle stops a short distance from the target. 3 or 4 teenagers jump out and swarm the victim, roughing her up, and grabbing her purse or phone or jumping into her car and trying to steal it. In most cases the attackers are not armed, so there have been few serious injuries. In most of the cases I have heard about from neighbors the victim has screamed, neighbors have come running to help, and the perps leaped into the waiting car and escaped (with or without the purse or phone). There have been a few other totally different type cases that appear to be attempted sexual assaults. There was one guy who tried to grab a young woman walking on 42nd Street in broad daylight and force her into his car (she fought him off) and a creepy lurker who hangs out on the walking path along Minnehaha Creek and gropes or threatens passing women.  

This is a huge change from what I am used to in this part of town, and it is terrifying. The one bright spot is that when people yell for help, neighbors respond and the perps run. Thus the safety whistle. I ordered a pair and Richard has agreed to carry one when he goes on his nightly walks. Now I just have to figure out exactly when I need to wear mine. Walking at night, it seems like a no-brainer. But most of these attacks have been in broad daylight. I am not used to the idea that walking up to Lyndale in the middle of the day to mail a letter is a dangerous undertaking, but I guess it is now, so I will try to remember to wear my whistle when I go out. Is bike riding dangerous? I have not heard of anyone being attacked on a bike, but it is not impossible. I suppose I should wear the whistle for that too. How about just going out in the yard? I haven't heard of anyone being set up on in their yard - this particular crime wave seems to be car-centered. 

I don't like writing about this, but most of my meager following lives in Minneapolis and I consider this something of a PSA. When you go out, be alert for cars or people following you. Listen for screams or safety whistles and be prepared to run to help. The woman who was attacked yesterday screamed loud enough that the younger ears on my end of my block all heard her (Richard and I did not). She apparently did a great job of making noise, but did not specifically yell "Help!" or any other coherent message, so some of the people who heard it assumed it was just kids making noise. So if someone does attack you, remember to yell "Help! Leave me alone! Call the police!" or something that makes it clear what is going on. Be alert and stay in touch with your neighbors.