“Knockout” Moves Closer To Ditmas Park

We’ve been hearing a fair bit about knockout, which news outlets are calling a game being played predominantly by teenagers, in the papers recently. “Game” is a debatable term for the attacks, and considering people have not been arrested for several of the incidents, it’s difficult to know for sure how old suspects are–but either way, it seems like the crime has been creeping closer towards our area.

At Wednesday night’s 70th Precinct Community Council meeting, Captain Anthony San Severino addressed the issue, saying our local authorities had placed resources strategically in response to reported attacks in the adjoining 71st and 66th precincts.

Unfortunately, however, another such incident took place at about 2:45am this morning on 18th Avenue, just past the border of the 70th Precinct into the 66th, according to the New York Post. A 24-year-old man walking home from work says he overheard a group of men coming towards him discussing the game before being punched in the face. Thankfully, the victim was not seriously injured, and was quickly able to flag down cops in the area. The Post says cops have arrested four men, ages 28-38, for the assault.

Just one punch has already proven deadly in at least one instance, but there are a few points that sources discussing knockout don’t seem to be able to agree upon–including whether these attacks should be investigated as hate crimes (a few in Crown Heights involved Orthodox Jewish victims, and the most recent victim was wearing a yarmulke), and whether in fact knockout is a new and increasing trend, or has just been receiving more coverage as of late.

So, what are your thoughts on the matter? Is the frequency of “knockout” incidents being overhyped? Is a flurry of press coverage worsening the situation? Is there always an accepted danger living in New York, whether someone is interested in your property or simply in playing a “game”? Are you more worried about the old fashioned assault with a weapon? And if you are concerned, how is knockout changing your routine, and what do you think is the best way to protect yourself?

Precinct map via nyc.gov