I wasn’t even going to mention this here, because I didn’t want to have any kind of pity party about it. I got mugged on Tuesday evening. It happened just 3 or 4 houses down from my own. The fellow was walking towards me, and I said, “Hey.” He replied, “Hey, gimme your purse.”
The thing about it that Dave got stuck on is that the first thing I said, before I started to scream for help and sort of lose it a little, was, “…really??”
I raised quite the ruckus, and every neighbor on my street came running out to see what the hubbub was about. My across the street neighbor, Jules, chased the kid down until he dropped my bag! Can you believe it? The woman chased after him, her kids’ toy and a Netflix in her hand, until he gave up and dropped my stuff. Unbelievable! This woman is a hero.
It feels like there are two things you can take from this little incident. The first, of course, is the power of people and community. I’m incredibly lucky to live on the street that I do. My neighbors were wonderful. Everyone came to check if I was alright, and a kind woman even called 911 for me. Cherry, my next door neighbor, stood on her porch while I talked to a police officer on my own. It was comforting to have someone I knew right there.
The second thing is about independence. The whole thing isn’t about my purse. It would have totally sucked if he’d gotten away with it, but it wouldn’t have been the end of the world. The real thing he took was my confidence, and I kind of think that’s what that “…really?” was all about. If this was really happening, it was changing the game. I haven’t walked to the train since it happened, and I don’t plan to today, either. Maybe on Monday I’ll feel brave enough, if I don’t carry a purse. I guess the question I have is: how do you get that back? Relying on Dave and my friends for rides is fine for the moment…folks understand that I’m a little spooked. Over time, though, something like that would just make me feel like a complete mooch. Living car free up until now has been no problem. My feet can get me pretty much anywhere I need to be.
I never thought I’d lose that feeling. How do you get it back?
Incidentally, the fellow who tried to snatch my purse was of pretty much average height with dreads about the length of my hand. He had on a Rock Star Energy Drink shirt and apparently hangs around Edgewood lately. Some neighbors said they had seen him around. If you see him, you might cross the street or call 911. The cop who works our neighborhood is named Mac, and he’s chased this kid on foot before.
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Well that is overall a great story – because you weren’t hurt, you got your purse back and you have awesome neighbors. Glad the story turned out positively! xoxo
Yikes girl, I am so sorry… I’m glad you are ok and got your things back. I was attacked in college so I know how weird it is – “really??” is the exact kind of response I had. Your confidence will come back one day, it will just take time. It will probably forever be tinged with awareness, but that’s not such a bad thing always ;).
I’m glad you have such great people supporting you. Just give yourself plenty of time to get over this. Sorry honey!
Thanks guys! I think you’re totally right…in the end, it really was a positive experience. I could not live on a more awesome street.
Oh, wow! What a story – good for you, Becky!
I’m actually surprised that nothing like that has happened to me, yet – especially when I was living alone in the Highlands.
My neighborhood has a really vigilant neighborhood watch program and they put “security alert” letters in our mailboxes when break ins happen. The scary thing is that the break ins have now advanced to muggings at gunpoint!
Yikes! Molly, be so careful!!!
Becky, I’m so glad that you’re okay and that you’re able to get something pretty awesome (a reminder of how great your neighbors are) out of something so scary. I know you’ll get back a sense of independence again (because I was mugged at gunpoint when I was 19 near River St. in Sav’h, and I was eventually comfortable enough to walk around in NYC by myself!), though I agree with Annie that the extra awareness is not a bad tint to have. Would you feel safer on your bike and/or is it not a good idea to leave your bike locked at the MARTA station all day?
Aw, thanks, Marilyn! Yikes…that must have been horrible! I’m glad you’re OK, too. I might ride bikes or scoot to the train for a bit, yeah. I’ve got a giganto chain for the scoot and a good lock for the bike, so they’d probably be alright at the station. At least, they’d be as safe as anywhere else I’d leave them. Haha.
I know I’m late. But wow. That’s both terrible and awesome.