[grania]

My experience is that if there are three or more youths together with no purpose in their actions, they might well be a threat. A lot of this stuff happens when they're showing off for their friends.

Unfortunately many people, especially the elderly, are not aware of their surroundings

I'm not sure it's not just the elderly who aren't aware. The problem is that thugs regard the elderly as easy targets.

One thing I'd like to add. When I'm walking on a city street, I tend to walk closer to the road than in the shadow of buildings. I know the rule is "walk on the right", but it's really not the safest place. Another thing I don't do is walk in places where there isn't a presence of "safe people"....workers on break, tourists, shoppers, etc

[miss marmelstein]

3 yutes and I’m either across the street or going in the opposite direction. Some here have expressed an opinion that “staring them down” works. It doesn’t. These are not normal people and they react like junk yard dogs when confronted.

I agree that walking close to buildings (especially after dark) is madness. You have to walk to the edge of the sidewalk if you’re feeling vulnerable. If you’re being followed, get in the street. They will not attack you in traffic, believe me.

But, of course, before the New York haters show up, this is a rare event. I walk in the middle of the sidewalk 99% of the time and rarely have trouble.