We were supposed to get together with our friends this weekend. I’m talking about the couple who moved from our old hometown to one mile away from us in Arizona. We were out for our walk when I got a phone call from them.
It turns out my friend was headed to UCSF — the same hospital where my DIL is receiving treatment for cancer. One of her daughters was mugged by a gang of teens to 20-year-olds during her lunch hour. They punched her so hard she has a torn esophagus. This was a gang from Oakland. She was mugged in San Francisco.
Less than two weeks ago, my DIL’s sister was mugged in Oakland. They stole her iPhone. Because it has tracking on it, the police were able to arrest the mob of teens to 20-year-olds and return her phone. She was punched in the face, but didn’t need hospitalization. The police told her that this is an ongoing problem and they were thankful for her help to catch the thugs.
I wonder if it’s the same gang that attacked my friend’s daughter and if they were released to mug more people within two weeks?
If I know two people mugged in a short amount of time, this must be happening frequently. My kids, my DIL and siblings and my friend’s kids are the only people I know who live in the Bay Area — besides a few bloggers I follow.
In my neck of the desert, there is an outbreak of burglaries. So far none in my neighborhood, but in the surrounding area. According to the Sheriff, it’s a crime ring from South America who hide in the washes behind houses and break in once the lights go out.
I have felt so safe here that we rarely lock our doors. I do now.
Do you feel safe where you live or have you noticed an increase in crime?
How odd do you think it is for me to know two people mugged in the same city within two weeks?
I’m thinking that if more of us turned our vision from fear to love, perhaps the crime rate would drop. We can only hope! 🙏
Unfortunately, there are not enough people like you in the world.
Sorry to hear about all the violence 😞
It is too scary to have too young women attacked within weeks.
Oh my….horrifying. I’m sorry these two instances hit so close to home for you. I wish I understood the why…and can’t help but feel what Julia shared…how do we repair…how do we take better care of ourselves, each other, the planet? Senseless. 💔
It is senseless. These are lost youth who are doing the crimes. How do they get help to change?
I wish I knew. Oh so much. ❤️
🙏
This little town still feels safe enough to me, but you know this area EA- and the proximity to bigger cities which are rampant with crime. What happened to those you know sadly doesn’t surprise me at all. I think many of us are lucky…until we aren’t… if that makes sense. I know many who say they refuse to change their habits even given the rise in crime. I’m not one of those. I have changed a lot of what I do and where I go because of things so out of control.
I think people need to be aware of their surroundings and what and who is around them. I’ve talked to my kids about safety, because they live in this area. They said they are never looking down on their phones while they walk. They often are talking on the phone so they let someone, like me, know where they are and what they are doing.
I agree that we have to be as responsible as we can and certainly not be lost inside our phones or wearing earbuds with the music on…we may even believe we are avoiding areas known to be higher in crime- yet there is really no way to plan. It could, and does, happen anywhere. People doing these crimes simply do not care and they will take advantage when they see any open opportunity.
I agree with everything you said. We need to be present in the moment. Every time I go outside, even to take out the trash, I’m looking for rattle snakes, bobcats and coyotes. I think it helps me practice being aware of my surroundings.
In these cases I support CCW’s and personal protection of your home and property. I am not a violent person and don’t advocate violence but enough is enough if the justice system will not protect us then who will. I was the victim of a violent assault and the person got a slap on the wrist. He was known for domestic violence and continues to be a offender, what do you do with these type of people when our politicians and court will not except that these violent people should not be allowed to keep repeating their violent ways in society with no real consequences. What it does is makes people scared to venture out into their communities.
I’m sorry to hear you were assaulted. I agree there doesn’t seem to be consequences today for many crimes. I worry about my kids living where they do. I had a Lyft driver take me home from the airport after visiting the kids. He was a former deputy sheriff and said that the biggest crime here is speeding, because of CCWs.
It is hard to like this post. There is so much bad, sad, mad news out there, and when it overlaps with our personal lives, it gets very real. I hope your friend’s daughter is ok. There are very different ideas in our country about how to deal with the violence, and those who commit crimes. Politics, activism, and personal decisions are part of the story. But I believe prayer is the answer. It not only changes things “out there” but it changes us. It gives us peace and strength and helps us see circumstances the way Jesus sees them. {{HUGS}} my friend!
Thank you. I pray every day and I know a lot of people who do. It is very scary when the violence hits your personal friends and family.
This is indeed worrying news. Locking doors and being careful is better. Stay safe my friend
I worry more for my kids in the Bay Area than for myself.
Worry never helps anyone. Ask them to be careful and avoid going out alone at night. That’s all parents can do. The rest is in their own hands. Hugs.
Our DIL’s sister was walking alone at 8 p.m. My friend’s daughter was on her lunch hour in the middle of the day.
Oh my, that’s not right to attack in broad daylight.
It makes it very scary and unsafe.
Very right. What are the police doing?
In my DIL sister’s case, they were able to track them down and arrest them. But I don’t know if they were let out or are serving time.
Oh I hope they stay behind bars a long time.
Unfortunately in a lot of cities, that isn’t the case.
I think it all tied up with the political situation in the US.
I agree.
Sometimes it’s very worrying to think where we all are going- it’s a phenomenon that happening in so many places.
I’ve read about crime in my area but never experienced it. I live in an apartment complex with younger & older singles, couples and families of all types. I don’t feel unsafe where I live. But tge neighborhood I grew up in looks derelict, I wouldn’t feel safe walking there today.
Isn’t that sad to have your old neighborhood look so unsafe?
Truly sad. I mean there are a lot of boarded up houses now wasn’t like that between 1970 and 2002, in 22 years it looks war torn
That is sad.
We’ve heard about the South America crime ring and had a few neighbors burglarized. The muggings sound terrifying! That’s so awful.
I think where we are, we are pretty safe. I think the South America crime ring is operating closer to freeways. We’re out a ways. The two muggings so close together to young women I know is so upsetting to me.
I would be upset too! Things could have turned out much worse, and those poor young ladies must be traumatized. It’s so sad.
My DIL’s sister rode with the police, identified and got the young men arrested. They had her iphone and she had tracking maybe through a sibling’s electronics? My friend’s daughter was released from the hospital today. Tracking of the iphone led them to the suspects in Oakland, who had priors. Same MO in both cases. My friend’s daughter has a blood clot in her neck and has to rest for eight weeks, take meds, and is dealing with the mental trauma, which I would believe my DIL’s sister is faced with, too.
Oh, that’s awful. I hope they’re able arrest everyone involved and put them away for a long time. I can’t believe this has happened to two people your know… it’s just tragic.
The problem in CA is they don’t put people away for a long time. Thank you for your concern though. I’m so glad we moved to AZ.
I’ve heard that, and it’s scary. You are awesome and welcome and I’m glad you’re here. Speaking generally, a lot of conservatives long-time Arizonans are concerned with how many people are moving away from CA’s problems, but voting to gradually foster the same issues here. Arizona has been shifting purple and I just hope that we can strike the right balance in our policies. I don’t want career criminals on the streets or deodorant locked up on the shelves.
I believe all the Californians I’ve met in AZ are moving away because of high prices and that CA no longer reflects their values. We have at least five neighbors who moved from CA during Covid who are conservative.
👍🏼👍🏼
We watch the Salty Cracker on rumble and he lives in California. He has been talking about this FOR AGES! Its not getting any better sadly but he is worth a watch if you don’t have sensitive ears – actually even if you do, as we learn a lot about whats going on in America which we don’t get to hear about in the UK.
I have never heard of him, but will give him a listen. My ears aren’t that sensitive. I was glad to leave CA for AZ because crime was increasing where we lived. But not it’s here, too.
Just to add, at least in America you can defend yourselves with guns, unlike here when they took that right away from us too.
Ugh. Yes, I took a woman’s course in shooting, but realized it’s a huge time commitment to be proficient. I’m afraid I’d cause more harm than good. But there are enough people around us who to have CCW permits, including several women in the neighborhood. It makes me feel safer.
So sad EA, sorry to hear about that news. Stay safe.
Thank you. I worry about my kids living where there is so much crime. I feel pretty safe where I am, but locking the doors seems like a good idea now.
Yea I get it completely. Always worry about that and then you hear stories like that, it just makes it worse.
Yes, definitely these last two incidents makes it worse.
I’m so sorry to hear this, for you, your friends, and our society in general. It makes me sad that it’s becoming so common and not dealt with as a serious crime. I don’t have any answers, I just keep reminding the people I love to pay attention to our personal safety, take care of each other, and pay attention to your surroundings. So Sorry Elizabeth, hope your friends daughter will be able to not only heal but recover from the trauma. Hugs, C
It is a shame that people believe they can hit and harm people for their “stuff.” What a sad statement on our society. My son’s first job out of college was at American Apparel in Chinatown SF (he worked for them throughout college in Santa Barbara.) He was robbed his first week at work. I do enjoy visiting my kids and I haven’t felt unsafe, but these two muggings have me worried. The friend’s daughter will heal physically and be fine according to her dad who is a doctor. I don’t know about the trauma though.
Sorry to hear about these attacks! Incidents like this are often life-changing for people and I hate that! Please keep your doors locked, even in the daytime. Our area was once considered very safe. Not anymore. We’ve noticed more and more crime enter our area. It’s incredibly sad! Mona
I now have my doors locked at all times. It’s sad, because for three years we only locked doors when we were on vacation!
What do you mean ‘hide in the washes?’ Sorry to hear of these attacks. I have not locked the door in Upstate but that was in 1980.
Since you’re not living in a desert but in Florida, a wash is like a dry river bed. Maybe you already know that. If you do, sorry for my explaining. It’s where the water rushes through in flash floods. We have one behind our house. Of course, houses are not built on washes but next to them, and you can’t always see what’s walking by in the wash. I’ve seen deer at times. So far no burglars!
No, I did not know that. Thanks for explaining. Stay well.
Thank you.
I feel safe here, in spite of the 2013 burglary that I think I shared with you before. What a shame about the muggings – I hope it was an odd coincidence and that at least the ones who were caught will be punished.
I hope so too. I don’t remember the 2013 burglary. Do you remind retelling it?
We hired a reputable guy to do some work on our property, but he hired some sketchy dudes. They scoped us out, told friends, and they burgled the house in midday. I came home when someone was still in the house – fortunately they ran out one door while I came in another. Some of them were eventually caught, but we lost some stuff, mostly jewelry and other valuables kept in the jewelry boxes. It was more than that, though, because one guy came back a month later. The police chided us for having unlocked doors. So we locked them and this big guy destroyed our side garage door to get in. That cost us another $600!!
That is a terrible story! I can’t believe one guy came back and also damaged your door!
You couldn’t pay me to live in SF or Oakland or most of the west coast cities! Sorry that happened to your friend’s daughter.
I’m so glad we left California. There are some parts that are beautiful and crime isn’t an issue, like where we go on vacation in the summer.
Yikes – that’s scary! And worrisome. Hope both of these women are doing okay.
My DIL’s sister is fine, but my friend’s daughter has eight weeks of healing to go.
My little Trailer Park is safe inside but the outside world is a different story.
That’s good that you are safe in your home!
Wow, I hope they are all ok. You can not trust anyone. I live in an area I consider safe – relatively speaking. I came from Balitmore and the “Smith & Wesson” signs I see my neighbors proudly display is an invitation to trouble. I have 2 dogs trained to make a ruckus if anyone is outside. My neighbors don’t like me but there as no street creds for dog bites. I cross the street just to avoid teens and 20-somethings – even with my dogs.
We used to have a 115-pound yellow lab and before that a rottie. I always felt safe in my home with dogs, so I understand how you feel with two dogs. The friend’s daughter ended up with a torn esophagus and a blood clot in her neck. She has to stay still for eight weeks and has meds to take care of the blood clot. Very scary stuff.
Very scary stuff. Simply cannot trust anyone and most of the time the problems are that age group. I avoid them all. I’m sure there are plenty of upstanding teens and 20-somethings but too often that groups is the problem and only I can ensure my safety.
I am one of the youngest in my neighborhood. I feel safe — except for the pitbull who attacked my husband. We did get the HOA to enact a muzzle rule for known biters. The dogs get one free bite and then the muzzle goes on in common areas. Yes, we have to take care of our own safety.
That is so awful, I’m so sorry. And the fact that they physically harmed the people they were mugging is just awful. The crime has gone up in my area too, muggings are happening frequently.
I’m sorry to hear muggings are happening in your area, too. I’ve heard of them among teens about 30 minutes away from us, like fast food places. But fortunately, not where I live.
I see, glad it’s not in the area you live in though.
Me too!