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Around Town
Crime novelist Laura Caldwell, 41, was attacked last week while jogging in Lincoln Park, at 5:30 p.m. near the intersection of Seminary and Altgeld. Two men came up from behind, smashing Caldwell's face into the pavement and knocking out her front teeth, then grabbing her iPod and running off. On her website, Caldwell said, "You might see some media reports about me being mugged while out for a run in my Chicago neighborhood. Yep, kind of got my butt kicked. Lost some teeth, but got some new ones. The swelling is way down, the ego is still a little bruised. I'll be back to writing on Monday."
This incident follows an armed robbery at the same intersection on November 6th, just after 11 p.m. and a stabbing in late October at the corner of Halsted and Armitage. According to police records, within the past month, two assaults and a purse-snatching have also occurred within three blocks of Caldwell's mugging. The Sun-Times story makes mention of another attack that happened November 5th in Lincoln Park; a situation so scary and traumatic for the victim that she took it upon herself to write an email about what happened, asking that her story be passed on and pleading for women to be freshly conscious of their safety:
I wanted to tell everyone what happened to me because I would never want this same thing to happen to anyone else. I think I just got a little too comfortable with my surroundings and gained this false sense of security that "It won't happen to me," "It won't happen in this neighborhood," etc. etc. etc.What I think attracted the guys to us is that Erin was carrying a large purse. I don't even know if they saw my purse because it was a small, black hand clutch, but Erin had a large light colored shoulder bag. This may have made us easy targets. Girls please think about then when going out at night. For girls and guys both you never know. Crazy people do crazy things, and especially as this economy is so bad right now....people are getting desperate and will do terrible, cowardly things to get money or whatever it is they need. Protect yourself and your friends.
NEVER WALK ALONE. Never walk at night - I'm telling you...the $7 cab ride is worth it.
Please pass this message along to everyone you know.
Image of Laura Caldwell taken from her website
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Lincoln Park's a great target for muggers. Fairly affluent people with a sense of security makes it pretty easy.
Is it really necessary to knock someone's teeth out to get their ipod?
For crying out loud. Two guys. One girl. Just take the ipod, I don't think she's going to put up a fight.
This just sickens me. It's bad enough that these jerks take things that don't belong to them, but the senseless, needless violence is beyond the pale.
Scum like these guys need stiff, stiff penalties.
Caldwell's face into the pavement and knocking out her front teeth, then grabbing her iPod and running off.
Thieving's as old as time but what is that makes these wastes of space feel that they have to be so egregiously violent? Two guys can't overpower a woman without bashing her face into the pavement? Ungh.
I just started working at a bar in Lincoln Park. I told my boyfriend that I didn't feel all that safe getting home after my shift ends because I heard about the attack in October.
I broke my ankle earlier this year so, I'm not as fast on my feet as I used to be, so I feel extra vulnerable. At least in Wicker Park (where I'd worked for years) I knew so many of the other industry folks. We'd all keep an eye on each other.
The pepper spray I carry does make me feel a bit better, but knowing that the most recent attackers were so violent towards that woman is really frightening.
Mugging someone to steal their iPod? What is this, 2003?
Way to go retro, thugs!
She should have known better than to jog with earphones.
What a great way to completely make yourself a target.
the original article mentions that the attackers first demanded money. obviously since caldwell was going for a run at the time she had no money, hence the taking of the ipod.
anyways, please be careful out there, ladies
:(
Several weeks ago, a man was mugged for his ipod at around 2 in the AFTERNOON in Wicker Park - they were beating him pretty violently, but fortunately a number of neighbors saw it and called it in and the attackers scattered when they heard the sirens. This type of stuff is happening all over the city, and at all times of the day. Everyone, please be careful.
Rogers Parks seems safer and safer with each passing day.
jesus crackers ... this place is going bananas. mugging a woman for her ipod is one thing, but smashing her face to get it is another. it may be time to start carrying a razor sharp hunting knife in my satchel ... i've had one ipod stolen already and will not stand for another!
During this same period over 300 people were assaulted in Chicago, including three shootings. Why is it that when rich white people are assaulted everyone looses it, but we ignore all the others? Probably because most chicagoist readers are rich white people.
lkitt -- i'm a broke white dude who lives on the west side. don't tell me about losing it. i lose it every fucking night.
10 people commenting = "everyone looses [sic] it." Good to know.
lkitt,
Why the tap-dancing?
Why don't you just come out and say what you really wanted to say? Just say, "Society values rich white women more than it does poor black folk, and it makes me angry." Just say it.
Its a tired simple minded media accusation, but coming out with it now will save us at least 7 back and forth posts.
Have some balls, if your gonna bitch on the internet...well, bitch.
Its a tired simple minded media accusation, but coming out with it now will save us at least 7 back and forth posts.
Whether or not this is the place for the argument or not is one thing but do you honestly believe that your sarcastic complaint isn't true?
Who the fuck is Laura Caldwell?
It can't be an accusation if it's true!
What Navin? That the stories the media chooses to cover are all the result of racist bias, thats it end of story, there is nothing more to it? Sure buddy.
I think all lkitt wanted was a big I-look-out-for-the-little-guy high five, or a "look at me, im the only one that notices social injustice." Wrong forum.
Oh by the way, thats such a cute avatar, you're the jerk! Did you get a balloon at the protest on sat.?
huh?
Thank god Gator Hater is here to save us from ourselves.
Listen chuckles, the media over-covers white affluent people because that's who buys their advertisers products. Selling panic about street crime (which has trended downward for decades) is like depressing teenagers. Easy and Fun!
Being scared of random events is slow-thinking. You're quite safe in Lincoln Park and this author rambling on about the economy driving people to desperate acts is just nonsense.
Stop being scared.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/may/20/rare.events
Albany,
Sensationalism draws attention and sells products. Duh. Sometimes its the rich white woman, sometimes its the poor black kid. There are so many variables that make a story sensational, its a bit reductionist to think that Amy missed the 300 or so other assaults in Chicago b/c she simply doesnt care about black people. Perhaps she could chime in.
I agree with you regarding the economy comment, that is complete rubish. These thugs were probably looking to help fund some spinning rims on layaway.
On the other hand, quite safe maybe a stretch...the author did mention an armed robbery, a stabbing, and two other assaults in the past month, in close proximity. Not quite Beruit, but I'd say we have a pattern here.
How bout a detailed description from detectives? a scetch? Are they related?
And if everyone is so safe in LP, why dont you bitch at the posters above that are falling over themselves about how this woman could be so stupid as to assume that she could listen to her ipod at 5:30pm without the expectation of a curbjob.
Gator,
Ignore my question, put words in my mouth and knock Steve Martin to boot. So it goes...
Navin,
I believe that sarcastic complaint to be true 100%, but I dont believe that that was the motivation behind Amy not covering a large number of other assaults in the city over the same time as the crimes mentioned above.
It was wrong and petty of me to knock Steve Martin in order to get to you. Im sorry.
Y'know Gator there are a lot of non-caffeinated varieties on the market that are just as tasty as the original.
Yes. Affluent people have more things to steal. If I was a thief or mugger I'd go to affluent areas to do my stealing. Assaults and property crime were bound to go up as police are swamped with the record number of murders. Bodies get priority, simple as that.
Day man, fighter of the night man, champion of the sun. you’re a master of karate and friendship for everyone.
Albany,
So are you now saying you prior post was bullshit? If this is not so much fear-mongering, but a question of police coverage...maybe the slow thinking is yours? Some caffeine might help.
Just to step in here - given the numbers on our staff, it'd be impossible for us to cover every act of violence they way things are shakin' lately in this city.
@Von Erich - +1 for making the second It's Always Sunny reference on our site in three days...
I'm really confused as to how one news article and a related blog is "sensationalizing."
So if you're the Sun-Times, Chicagoist or some other news outlet and a crime happens in Lincoln Park y are just supposed to ignore it in order to make things what? More equal?
There are reports CONSTANTLY about crime in other neighborhoods.
To the writer, Amy, thanks for covering this. I live a few blocks from where this occurred and it's helpful to read these things.
To Gator Hater, you do realize that your precious Seminoles have gotten their asses handed to them the last four years in a row, with an absolute blowout set to occur on 11/29, right? :p (While I realize posting about college football rivalries in a back-and-forth about whether this blog caters to privileged yuppies is somewhat ironic, I had to take a second to defend my alma mater.)
Marcus,
Where's the first?
Why is it that when rich white people are assaulted everyone looses it, but we ignore all the others? Probably because most chicagoist readers are rich white people.
Listen chuckles, the media over-covers white affluent people because that's who buys their advertisers products. Selling panic about street crime (which has trended downward for decades) is like depressing teenagers. Easy and Fun!
Sort of, but I think there is something else as work: What "news" is.
As bad as it is, news is not another robbery in a crappy part of town where robberies are relatively common. News is crime spreading to more affluent areas of town perceived as relatively safe. Advertising concerns are a distant second, if even that high. If you don't believe me, feel free to contact some of the professional news editors around town (I am not speaking for Chicagoist, only the local media in general). They all have email. I am not saying this way of reporting is best, only offering some calm observation to go with the conspiracy and class-war theories.
All-
I don't disagree with accusations of sensationalism in the media. Look at the original Sun-Times headline: "Crime novelist attacked while jogging, in scene similar to book." That's a bit bullshitty and, in my opinion, has nothing to do anything.
My purpose in covering this story was to remind women - and in this case, women in lincoln park or in other neighborhoods perceived as "safe" - to be careful and alert.
If y'all really want to judge me on who and what I care about, please start by taking a look at my posting history. I stand behind the things that I cover.
Thanks for your opinions, though. Keep 'em coming!
Amy
I believe that sarcastic complaint to be true 100%, but I dont believe that that was the motivation behind Amy not covering a large number of other assaults in the city over the same time as the crimes mentioned above.
Well then we're in agreement. I certainly don't think there was any wrong motivation in covering this, and never said as much. Obvs. there are aspects of this story that make it more unique than others, given the neighborhood etc.
Steve Martin = Off limits!
@Gator Hater:
I'm getting the feeling of a glue huffer off you, relax there sport. Deep, tidal breaths.
You're safe in LP and crime has gone up. Not mutually exclusive ideas. If you have very little crime to begin with and then have a, rather slight, increase, you're not any less safe. At least not in any measurable metric.
Say there is one assault in a week, then the next week there are two. Why, that means crime has doubled ! DOUBLED!
Reasonable precaution and situational awareness will keep you safe in most situations.
Let's get back to the real issue here, we need Frank Castle.
Sniffing glue? thats it?
You're going to have to come up with better material if you want a reach-around this time.
Good to see that you've come around though...we've gone from fear-mongering charge, to a generic recomendation of reasonable precaution and situational awareness. Wow, good thing everyone in LP knows what to do now.
Obviously girls need to be aware, but they are also attacking men.. I was attacked and beaten in a parking garage while they tried to rob me. they broke both of my cheek bones, fractured my eye socket and sinus bone, I had a concussion, and 8 stitches on my chin... everyone needs to be aware and travel in groups