06.16.06
Quickie: Safest City in US Goes Gangsta
I spend a lot of my time in Newton, Massachusetts, which was named the safest city in the entire United States last winter. After a particularly grueling bar exam class today, some friends and I went to Newton Center for well-loved Thursday half-price (veggie) burgers. Because I had gotten frustrated trying to find parking, I had just grabbed my wallet out of my bag and realized halfway through lunch that I had left my computer bag in plain view on my front seat. My friend replied that we were in the safest city in the US - no one was going to break into my car and take my laptop. And no one did, of course. But earlier this very evening, the mayor of Newton held an emergency town meeting to discuss the presence of…the Crips gang? Yes, apparently the infamously violent LA street gang is threatening to take over the boutiques and multi-million dollar homes of the safest city in the country. Their first mark was the elementary school…perhaps Coldstone or Bloomingdale’s will be next.
legionnaire said,
June 16, 2006 at 1:59 pm
Sounds like a case of wealthy suburbanites imitating street life as some form of rebellion. I guess that’s what kids are doing now - when we were growing up it was enough to just say “fuck” to people in authority and occasionally dye your hair or wear spikes. Oh well. I wouldn’t be too worried - though I’m sure the school board and local police will take every opportunity to scare people about the “Newton gang menace.”
Administrator said,
June 16, 2006 at 3:06 pm
Oh, I am not at all worried that Newton is suddenly going the way of South Central circa 1989. I think it’s hilarious, in fact. Newton freaks out about everything and this is a perfect example of overreaction. It’s a bunch of wannabe kids rebelling, just like in every sheltered suburb across the country. I just find it hilarious that anyone would take a Newton Crips thread seriously. This is the land of upscale malls, “tasteful” McMansions, and perfect SAT scores.
mat8drb said,
June 17, 2006 at 4:12 am
I don’t leave my $35 sunglasses on display in the car. Because with driving a nine year old Peugeot, it isn’t the car people are after. I live in one of the “nicest” touristy, medieval towns in the UK, yet I’ve had my wallet stolen while playing badminton and my motorcycle from my house.
I suppose the problem with it being named the safest for the second year means that you’re pretty much advertising a vacancy for an organised crime outfit…
erica said,
June 19, 2006 at 5:36 pm
My friend’s co-worker was shot dead in the parking lot of his workplace in Newton a few months ago. By a hitman, no less. It sort of soured my view of the fair city.
ZPO said,
June 22, 2006 at 3:54 pm
Is there any other latent gang activity in the area? The crips don’t usually have a habit of being the first to push a franchise in the area. If they’re talking about the crips you’ve probably got some home-grown local activity and at least one other imported franchise operating.