I'm Colin Nederkoorn, the head of product at ChallengePost in New York City.
I blog in longer form about User Experience (UX), Product Management and Startups.
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Turkish bath, sauna and pool at a bar in new york
Someone tried to rob me twice in two weeks!
I was away this weekend riding my bike to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis and some jackass tried to break in to my apartment again.
- First line of defense is something to prevent someone from opening the window. I used what was available to me... a mannequin leg. I jammed it right in there. IF someone seriously has a go at the window, my leg will prevent them from being able to lift it.
- Second line of defense is the stack of DVDs. They are all placed so that the lower sash (the bottom lip of the window, used to raise it) will lift the DVDs up and knock them over.
- Third line of defense is the pebbles placed on top of the DVDs. They will fall in to the pots waking me up with loud noise.
Crime in New York and tips for newbies
Last night at 5:30, I heard a loud bang. It took me a little rouse from sleep. It must have been a minute before I got out of bed. I walked out of my bedroom and saw my front door open, and a plant that I keep in the window on the floor. This is what I deduced happened:
- Criminal climbs up the fire escape to my window. It was open because of the breeze last night, but the shade was all the way down.
- Criminal tries to come through the window by pushing the shade.
- Shade knocks over the plant *SMASH*
- Criminal panics, runs through the apartment and out the front door, leaving it open.
I live in SoHo which is a nice, safe neighborhood, so it goes to show that crime can happen anywhere. After chatting with my neighbor about it, she gave me some other tips to stay safe in New York.
- Keep a plant or other things in your windows and around points of entry that an intruder will likely knock over. Keep your windows locked if possible too.
- Set your door to automatically lock when you leave.
- Never walk by construction areas when the streets are quiet. Attackers can use those to trap you. Walk along the street instead.
- If someone tries to stop you for directions, don't respond. If you do, keep your distance. If they reach into their pocket, or approach you, move away and start yelling.
New York is a wonderful city, but is not without it's criminals, and with a keen eye and some dumb luck (in my case), you'll stay safe and hold on to your things.
What are some tips you have to stay safe on the street and in your home?
Is hair matching clothes the next big thing?
This woman had light hair and had silver highlights in it that matched her silver dress. Is that the next big thing? If I see her again wearing a blue dress with blue hair, I'll definitely ask.
