Dumbo NYC

Notes from the DUMBO, Brooklyn NY neighborhood


Man Attacked in Dumbo In Daylight

February 19th, 2010

Manhattan Bridge arch

A man was attacked yesterday afternoon in The Archway. Below is the email from the victim’s wife. Please be vigilant.

My husband was just attacked this afternoon, around 1:45pm under the Manhattan Bridge Arch. Some guy came up from behind him and punched him.

There were some people who he thinks witnessed it but they didn’t stick around to ID him to the cops. If anyone knows anyone who saw anything, please encourage them to contact the police with information. As of now, this guy is roaming freely around our neighborhood. He was a huskier, young guy (probably late teens), african american, wearing a tan jacket. Unfortunately that was all my husband was able to see as the guy came up to him from behind and broke his glasses as he punched him. He didn’t demand money or anything, so don’t know if it was an attempted mugging or the guy was just mentally unstable.

This was a completely unprovoked attack. My husband noticed someone as he passed, but didn’t think anything of it.

We are especially concerned about this b/c we have a toddler and I frequently roam the streets with her during the day. With all the young families in the area – perhaps there’s a way to get a video camera installed in the archway?

Regardless, I just wanted to make all residents aware. And perhaps try sticking to the main streets, even during the day.

If you were a witness, or have any information related to this event, please contact the police or email us.

Filed in Dumbo Residents, The Archway at 8:31 am
View Comments
  • Krom
    I feel terrible about the attack but cameras are not the solution. They do not stop attacks but encroach on our privacy.
  • VH
    Cameras are a proven crime deterrent. How on earth do they encroach upon your privacy? They're all pointed at public spaces in our neighborhood, not into your apartment.
  • brooklynlove
    seriously? the vast majority of crime stops when perps think it likely they'll be caught and punished. if a perp knows he/she is being recorded, that perp's belief of being caught and convicted goes up significantly. putting a security patrol on every corner doesn't work when no one is willing to pay for it. what is your concern - do you think that the govt would sit around and track you? don't sweat it, they have less meaningful things on their minds, like stroking each other's egos and campaigning.
  • Chuck Bronson
    There are cams right outside of 50 Bridge (Bridge/Water) and my friend got jumped there by a couple of teen faux gangsta thugs. They don't give an ish about cameras, because for one they know they don't record good footage (if they are even running), for two they don't care about getting caught because they'll just get a slap on the wrists or end up with the street cred they so desire. A better option would be to keep a little more aware of your surroundings so that you can attempt to react to being jumped, then beat the ever living shit out of the little wanna-bes. Most of them are inexperienced little hood rats that throw wild, uncontrolled punches.
  • dan
    green desk has cameras around 155 water st.
  • origposter
    Thanks for the heads up on the cameras. I just spoke with the police department and apparently the process is that a detective will call us within 3 days and I'm hoping that he will think to check these cameras, if not, we'll mention it. (the cameras don't belong to the NYPD but the DOT, so I guess they can't check it right away).

    FWIW, the description seems to match one that a friend called into the cops a few weeks ago about a man appearing to be trying to break into a church in Brooklyn Heights @ 7:30pm. It may or may not be the same guy (but really, how many criminals are there that do their business before 8pm, wearing a tan jacket?)

    And yes, my husband is okay, thanks for the concern. He managed to get away right away so he just has a few scratches (and broken glasses). We're mainly just concerned b/c we don't want this guy roaming around with all the children in the neighborhood.
  • anon
    There's no cameras in there? Thought there was. There should be. BID?
    Hope your husband is ok. Can we get a description of the guy who attacked him?
  • There are cameras in the arch in the center area, and I'm fairly certain there are cameras on the surrounding buildings.
  • I thought there was a camera in the alcove but was just through the arch and didn't see any. There is a camera by the garage on Adams, not sure what direction it points in.
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