Posted by Daytimer on October 21, 2000 at 17:33:25:
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I know why many people do not post about being mugged. It is because of the way I feel. I feel stupid and don't want everyone to know it. I was aware of the risk of being mugged in the Zone and did not take all of the precautions possible. I got sloppy and paid the price. I was mugged on Friday night (10/20) at about 9:30pm on 1st Street near Constitucion. I was leaving the Zone by walking in the street as I always do. I was looking around and walking fast. I spotted two pairs of cops walking on both sides of the street. Traffic was approaching me so I thought I would be safe for a moment to go onto the sidewalk. Seconds later I was grabbed from behind and chocked. I saw several guys come out of a doorway. Within seconds I was out. I woke up laying on the sidewalk missing my wallet and car keys. Thank God I did not have anything but minor injuries caused by the neck hold and me falling on my face on the sidewalk. They could have beaten me up and I could have had serious injuries. Of course, worse yet they could have knifed me and killed me. I feel very fortunate. I am reporting the mugging so that everyone reading this will think carefully about their security measures. It happened so fast that I don't think even if I was with someone that would have made a difference. I suggest to do what has been said on these forums many times and take a cab into and out of the Zone. When in the Zone you should travel very little. I like walking around looking at street girls. I have my doubts now that is a safe thing to do. We Americans are targets. No Mexican or American will help you if you are attacked. Not one person offered to help me even after the attack and I was still lying on the sidewalk. The cops did not even want to help. When I told them about the attack they seemed very disinterested. They started to question me in a very negative way. I cut off the interview and told them I knew they could not do anything, but I thought they should know about it. I hope my experience helps to prevent others from the same fate. I wanted to save money by not taking the cabs. Let me tell you, it is not worth it. It is a war zone down there, so be very careful. Besides the big inconvenience of losing my license, losing my car keys was even bigger. I had no way to get home except the trolley, then a long walk. I suggest putting a spare in a magnetic box under your car. You will be glad if you lose your keys. I had a hard time bumming money for the fare on the trolley. I asked six people before someone offered to help. What a humbling experience that was!!! And now for the most stupid thing I did, I had a credit card on me. Within three hours of my mugging, attempts in San Diego were made to charge over $2,000. Luckily the card was cut off in time by the card company computer. I usually take no cards with me, but because of laziness I keep one in my wallet. I hope everyone will learn from my carelessness and take extreme cautions. Remember, no matter what you do, if several thugs want to take you down, they will.
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