I know you've recently been covering a string of thefts around the area. Not sure if this fits the MO but a friend was robbed in my building as he was leaving my apartment. I live on the ground floor and the perp ran down the stairs to hold up my friend for his backpack ... meaning the perp was let into the building somehow.
[P]eople should not let anyone in unless they are expecting someone. My apartment has been buzzed a lot recently by people we weren't expecting — likely trying to get in the building for a variety of reasons.
The robbery occurred last night at 7:30. The suspect said that he had a knife before pulling one out of his pocket. The reader's friend immediately called the police immediately after the suspect left.
9 comments:
I just can't help myself "and this used to be such a safe neighborhood".
Glad nobody was hurt, I've been robbed at knife point and with a "hidden gun" the thief was more nervous than me, give them what they want you can replace everything but your life.
Idea to prevent this shit I'm sure no one will make into reality (I can't cuz I don't have the know-how):
Instead of a buzzer your visitor inputs a three-digit code. You just moved into a new place with this system and give the code on a person by person basis. Your pal and his gal are coming over...okay...the code is 349. They punch that in, you know it's them or someone else you know. They forget the code? Okay, they can text you for it before they arrive at your door or when they arrive at it.
If an apartment building has only a dozen apartments it would be very difficult for a burgular or scumbag like this mugger to get in by buzzer since there'd be only a dozen codes out of a 1000 from 000 to 999 (I'd omit same digit codes like 000, 111, etc., successive number codes like 123, 234 etc., reverse successive codes like 987, 876 etc., and skipped number codes like 135, 246 etc.) Sure the scumbag could punch in an actual code but you can GASP! use the intercom to ask who it is if you're not expecting a visitor.
1:13 AM
Better yet, why can't these EV newbies act like adults and be considerate of their neighbors: have packages delivered to their work places or a business that accepts/stores packages, not buzz in strangers, make sure their front doors close and locked behind them and not allow anyone to follow them into the building?
Even after posting news accounts of the uptick in burglaries and muggings and these suggestions, my neighbors continue to buzz in strangers and leave the door open. I don't understand this lack of concern and disrespect the safety of their neighbors.
@1:13 am: So the code doesn't get you in the building, it just gives you access to the intercom? What about deliveries, inspectors, meter readers, long-lost relatives, etc.?
Don't buzz in unidentified persons. If someone says delivery, ask them for what apartment. Ask them for a name on the package if you are not expecting a delivery. Be aware when you are entering a building. Of course don't let anyone you don't know follow you in.
Codes don't work: we had it at your building. Some kids gave it out to everyone, moved out, and we had 20 kids partying on the roof for half the summer coming in at all hours of the night.
"This neighborhood used to be so safe" When? The other posts were exactly right. People need to wise up and stop buzzing just anyone into a building.
NYC is definitely safer but it will never be completely safe. What happened to common sense? Buzzing people in, leaving windows and door open; what do you expect?
I never buzz anyone in, especially not my neighbors.
@8:23pm, 1:13pm back here
The code is to buzz someone in but the tenant would the option to use an intercom. Someone punches in the code, you buzz them in.
Deliverypeople, inspectors, meter readers, long-lost relatives, whoever would have to be given the code to be buzzed in. Everyone would have to punch in the code to be buzzed in, even Mom. Again if someone doesn't have the code, he/she can always call or text the tenant to get it.
'Say a building has a dozen apartments issued the following codes: 046, 148, 237, 329, 462, 530, 627, 704, 893, 942, 268, 437. An intruder literally has a 1.2% chance of POSSIBLY entering a building by punching in a random code (12 out of 1000 possible combos from 000 to 999.) If he punches in 531, he doesn't get buzzed in. If he somehow punches in a working code, he may be asked to identify himself or draw an apartment with no one in it or answering. There could even be a shutdown of the system after four buzz-in attempts within two minutes where the system goes back on after two minutes (if someone you know and are expecting to visit punches in an invalid code then another one, chances are he will call or text you for it after the second failed attempt.) Most burgulars will give up after punching in four invalid codes and none of them will wait for the system to come on again to try new codes.
A code can work, 10:31pm, as long as the landlord changes it after someone moves out. Now if it's a current resident giving out codes, okay, I the landlord can just check the codelog and if I see 15 buzz-ins from Code 349 from 10:23pm Friday to 12:35am Saturday, that's Apartment 4B, and the cops had to come over to break up a rooftop party with property destroyed at 2:44am Saturday, it's a safe bet that 4B was the one who let in these people. If the cops tell me five of the 23 revelers told me they're friends of 4B, I will begin eviction proceedings against 4B who will lose x amount if not all of his damage deposit (all plus more money if the damages exceed the deposit) as well as the privilege of living in my building.
Codes are unnecessary. The reason the EV seemed safer before (if it did to some) is because tenants did not buzz strangers into their own buildings before. Delivery people, including the USPS, were never let into the building to leave packages inside the door. They left them up in the vestibule or redelivered later. Now Amazon, UPS, Blue Apron etc. all buzz our buzzers randomly until some dummy buzzes them in. Every day our hallway is full of new packages. That's also how burglars get in. They simply say they're delivery people and some rube buzzes them in. NEW PEOPLE: If someone buzzes you and says it's Amazon or some other delivery, ask who it's for. If it's not for you, say "Sorry, you've got the wrong apartment" and hang up. Let them buzz the person it's for and if they're not home,they will redeliver later when the person is home. No exceptions. You are putting everyone in danger by being timid and "nice."
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