Thank You, Neighbors!

Hello Ditmas Park Bloggers,

I just needed to send out a giant thank you and love letter to the wonderful neighbors of Ditmas Park.  I have been living here (on Westminster between Cortelyou and Dorchester) for almost 4 years now. On this beautiful sunny Monday morning, as I was walking back from John's, coffee, wallet and cell phone in hand, I was mugged not 25 feet from my house.

The man came up from behind me, snatched my wallet straight from my hands, and ran away, while I stood in amazement and yelled to try to bring attention.  Not one, not two, but at least 4 or 5 of my fellow neighbors tried to pursue the man on foot while another man who was driving past as it happened followed him by car.  He was pursued all the way to the gas station on the corner of Coney Island Avenue and Ditmas, and I as well as others, had already called 911.

Without the amazing help of neighbors who are willing to stop what they are doing to help a fellow citizen, I would have been out half my rent for the month (a big deal as I am a former non-profiter who was hit by a lay-off) and spend countless hours going through the bureaucratic mess that results in having to replace IDs/credit cards etc.  Instead, although a scary experience, I am left even more in love with the people of this neighborhood, and more confident in the amazing officers of the 70th precinct, who start to finish, have also been truly wonderful.

Truly Heartwarmed,
Katie