Summertime in the City (try not to get killed)

In Chicago we skipped right over Spring and here we are, suddenly in the grips of Summer. I just wanted to take this time to remind people from all over the country to be safe and mindful during these hot and sweaty months. Chicago has already seen a number of brutal and senseless murders and it's still June.
People! Achtung! You need to get some street smarts, quick!

I was recently at a Camera Store here in Chicago and the man in front of me was buying $5000.00 worth of photo equipment.
WOW, I exclaim. Is it your birthday?!
No, I am replacing my things that were stolen.
Oh, that sucks. How did it happen?
Well, I set it down and walked away for a minute.

WTF!? OK, that is lesson number one. If you had $5000.00 in a stack, would you set it down and walk away for a minute?
I'll be right back, that stack of money should be fine for a sec...

Recently, I got into my neighbors car and was greeted by a seat full of glass from his busted out window.
Damn, what happened?
Man, I was having lunch just now and a few beers and some jerk broke into my car, in broad daylight, on a busy street! Why would he break into this beater?
I dunno man, what'd he get?
My laptop, iPod, a new shirt that I just bought and my gym bag.

Were all these people born yesterday?
Lesson number two - he didn't target your beater! He targeted the car with the most good shit in plain sight! Both of the above are crimes of opportunity. Bums and crazies are literally climbing out of the woodwork in the summertime Chi. They are messed up on drugs and they want to steal from you. (see previous post)

Recently, I'm at a bar in Chicago. We're on the West Side, Chicago and Western. A pretty, young, new-to-the-city co-worker of my friend asks,
Do you think I'm close enough to walk home?
Not really, plus, it's not really safe.
Really? Why? Are there gangs around here?

Whaaaa? Gangs? In Chicago, on the West Side? Maybe you need to go home and do a little homework. The same girl tells me a story about her friend walking home alone and befriending a bum who was nice enough to hold her hand on their walk. Well, I've got a story too. My friend was walking home from the train (in a "good" neighborhood) and made eye contact with a bum. As soon as they passed each other he turned around and grabbed her. After taking her to the ATM to rob her he walked her to an alley by our house and raped and beat her. Then she walked home.
There are two lesson here: Firstly, know where you are and second, it doesn't matter where you are.
The city is a dangerous place! Lock your doors people! Hide your stuff! Don't walk around drunk at night. Don't yell at or talk to gangbangers (or their girlfriends!) Be careful and if you are wondering,
Are those fireworks?....assume the worst.
And then if you are thinking,
Should I duck, or keep driving?
the answer is BOTH!