This comes from the Center for Anti-Violence Education (where my wife teaches):

As you may know, there has been a recent string of dehumanizing attacks against women in South Brooklyn over the last few months. At this crucial time, The Center for Anti-Violence Education wants to share some basic self-defense tips that can help keep you and your community safer. Please share these with the people you know. These simple tools can help you to prevent, avoid, or minimize potentially dangerous situations. Click here for self-defense tips in Spanish and Chinese.

How to protect yourself

* Trust your instincts. They are usually correct. If you suspect that you are being followed, stay away from lonely quiet blocks. Do not lead a potential attacker to your home. Instead go to a store or another populated place.

* Plan your route along well-lit streets where there is a lot of foot traffic or establishments open at the time of your walk. If you are going to an area that you’re not familiar with and it is late at night, walk with others or consider taking a car service or taxi.

* Be alert and active. When walking home at night, keep your head up so you can be aware of your surroundings and people near you. Try to carry yourself in a confident manner - even if you are lost, scared, or upset. Attackers often seek out people who appear vulnerable. If you are approached, respond assertively or leave. Stay alert as you move away.

* Yell, make a scene. Attackers often expect us to be silent. Use a loud voice to draw attention & to let the attacker know you will not be an easy target.

How to help others safely
Too often people feel helpless when they witness harassment or assault because they fear escalation. Here are a few things you can do:

* During the act of harassment, ask the person who is being harassed "Is this person bothering you"? That question alone may deter a harasser who believes no one will intervene. If the person says yes and the harasser does not leave or persists harassing, tell the harasser to stop or call for assistance (from people nearby, a transit authority worker, or police).

* After the harassment, ask the person who was harassed if they are OK, and if there is anything you can do to help.

**More information can be found in a resource guide CAE recently created in partnership with the Public Advocate’s Office and other community groups.**

If a stranger or someone you know attacks you, remember: it is never your fault. Try to get help and support from friends, family, rape crisis programs, domestic violence programs, counselors, or other services. Call Safe Horizon 212-577-7777 or The Center for Anti-Violence Education 718-788-1775 for information about available services throughout the city. For over 37 years, CAE has been an integral part of the community, providing self-defense and violence prevention programs--for young people, women, and LGBTQ communities--which are sensitive to the needs of survivors. In solidarity and response to the community's recent demand for increased safety resources, CAE has spoken at rallies and provided free community self-defense classes, reaching over 900 people in the last two months.

This was sent to me by my wife...will post a bigger diary on the issue per se when I get the chance, but for now here is an important action item for tonight, Wed. Sept. 14th:

"Take Back Our Streets" rally on Wednesday, September 14th

We are organizing a "Take Back Our Streets" rally on Wednesday, September
14th. We want to come together as a community to speak out against recent
assaults and attempted assaults in South Slope/Park Slope/Windsor
Terrace/Greenwood Heights and surrounding areas.

Meet at 8:00 P.M. outside of the Prospect Avenue R Stop (4th Avenue and 17th
Street). We will march along 4th and 5th avenues and proceed to Detective
Joseph Mayrose Park (17th Street and 7th Avenue) by 9:00 P.M., where there
will be speakers, a self-defense class demonstration, and a vigil.

Bring candles, flashlights, and glowsticks. Signs are welcome, too.

Rain Date: Wednesday, September 21st

You can email us at: safeslope@gmail.com

Event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169865573091757

Been reading about what is a pretty nasty crime spree in Jamaica, Queens, with women being abducted and robbed. I think it should be obvious that the more you cut back on police funding, social services and education (as has been happening in NYC) and the worse the economy is (and the recovery may be picking up a bit, but jobs are still scarce), crime WILL increase. It has been shown over and over that jobs, education, more beat cops, and social services keep crime down better than typical revenge-oriented "get tough on crime" policies.

Here is City Councilman Jim Gennaro's statement on the recent crime wave in Queens:

Elected officials and community leaders today called on their neighbors to remain vigilant and safe after a string of recent robberies in the area.

Officers at the 107th Precinct are searching for several suspects who are abducting women and stealing their personal belongings and ATM cards around Jamaica Estates.  read more »

Reports are coming in from the Bronx of voter harassment, tampering and intimidation by Pedro Espada and his supporters. Some reports indicate that Espada himself may be breaking the law, though this is not confirmed. Reports of handing out campaign lit INSIDE a polling place, tires slashed, etc. Really sleazy shit even for Espada.

The Albany Project has posted a call for poll watchers who can help stop Espada's anti-democratic escapades:

Just received a request for Poll Watchers in the Bronx !!!!

There are reports of apparently Espada led voter intimidation and tampering.

We need people in the area to help out as poll watchers. You don't need to be an attorney.

Let's not let Espada steal this one.

Contact me @ brian at thealbanyproject dot com and I'll get you in touch with the proper folks.

Help if you can.

I knew Pedro Espada was scum...but this seems worse than usual.

Here's an update...it really sounds like Pedro Espada has no regard for democracy, decency or the law:  read more »

Update #2:
Binghamton Chief of Police will not confirm who the shooter was. Has asked for press not to circulate the name that's been going around. They haven't confirmed the identity of the killer, whether there were more shooters or the identity of all victims.

Update #1:
[deleted]

From Multiple deaths feared in hostage-taking - Crime & courts- msnbc.com:

NBC's Pete Williams cited city and state officials as saying that as many 13 people might have been killed. But Williams cautioned that the information was very preliminary and may change by because police were still searching the building.

At least 41 people were in the American Civic Association building at the time of the shooting, The Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin reported.  read more »