Trip to NYC

[Marlboroprojects]

I don't wanna ruffle nobody's feathers since I'm new here, but since I have lived in the area all my life I guess I'm pretty quallified to post this.

Anyone who buys into the "Coney Island isn't safe" story is either completely misinformed or has been living under a rock for the past 15 years. I see a lot of posters are from other countries or states so I'll give them a pass, but the NYC guys should definitely know better.

Coney Island is probably, with the exception of the WTC site, the most heaviest police patrolled area in the city. On any given day, at any given time, their are no less then four police officers ON EVERY BLOCK. And those are just the uniforms. Their are also undercover plainclothes & boardwalk patrols on bikes & scooters everywhere.

Nathans is open 24/7 and is always crawling with cops. Ever since the Mets put a minor league team in Coney & built that stadium (which is beautiful by the way) the renovation of Coney Island has been incredible. The Stillwell Avenue Subway, as mentioned above has been completely remodelled. All the used furniture stores that littered mermaid avenue & gave it that run down look are gone. A major hotel/dining/shopping complex is being built. The city has invested BIG money into renewing Coney Island (similar to what was done with Times Square).

Now, after saying that, are there still "bad" areas. Of course, but you would have to travel well off the beaten path at hours deep into the morning when you'd have no business being there anyway. If you go looking for trouble , you can bet you'll find it, but Coney Island hasn't deserved that rep since at least the late 80's/early 90's.

[dc2610]

My mother grew up in Coney Island. I've lived in Coney Island for 11 years. Crime is at an all time low in Coney Island and everywhere else in NYC. I've never had any problem with crime the entire time I've lived here. I walk around Coney Island all times of the day and night by myself. I go to the rides at night all the time. That's the best time to go. Festive, party mood. The breakdancers come out and perform.

The Coney Island Museum had a film festival in October that went late into the night. There were people of all colors who went to the boardwalk at night after watching movies. Besides at night there are police everywhere, my favorite are the ones on horseback.

Visit my website: www.homepage.mac.com./ipettus

I have photos of the mural, Wonder Wheel, and of Coney Island in general.

I ride the rides every summer. I always go there at night, just me and my camera, cheap source of entertainment. I love to watch the people riding the rides and having a good time.

[dc2610]

Where is this "major hotel/dining/shopping complex"?

I live off Surf Ave. I've never seen this. Where is it being built?

The Surf Hotel has recently reopened. I wouldn't stay there though. I tried to get in to take a look at the rooms but they wouldn't let me in. The place looks shady.

The 2 things that drive me crazy about Coney: the fog horn that keeps me up on foggy nights and the roosters. The roosters start at 2:30am. Apparently, they're city roosters. The ducks quacking doesn't bother me if I get far enough away from them but those roosters you can hear for a mile, I swear. Does anyone know if you can eat roosters? THOSE ROOSTERS HAVE GOT TO GO!!!

[dc2610]

Harlem isn't very dangerous anymore especially since there have been tons of Caucasians moving there.

[GonzoNYC]

Nice Coney Island pics, dc2610.

[Marlboroprojects]

Where is this "major hotel/dining/shopping complex"?

It's scheduled to be built towards the end, near seagate. The city also has plans for the indoor sports arena that was put on hold in order to build the cyclones stadium.

After 9-11, many of these projects were put on hold

[Marlboroprojects]

Unfortunately for Coney, Mayor Boomberg is a little preoccupied right now getting approval for the Jets new stadium on the west side.


Coincidently, back when the Jets were playing at Shea, there was a lot of talk about building them a domed stadium in Coney. Then that fell through & they moved to Giant's stadium.

That would have been sweet!!!!!!!!

[The Fox]

Fantastic pictures. I'll be visiting in less than 10 weeks! Can't wait.

[snowball fury]

I've lived 15 mins away from Coney my whole life. I've been there a few times at night and there has been some trouble there. Daytime there is none but at night there some fighting going on.

[dc2610]

Well, I live in Coney Island. It isn't any less safe than anywhere else in NYC. I don't care what anyone says. I'm here 365 days a year. Racism has alot to do with peoples attitudes about minorities and their fear of us.

I've never had any problems with anybody or anything in Coney Island.

As far as fighting goes, this is NYC. There is sporadic crime everywhere, all over the city. A friend of mine lives near E 83rd St in Manhattan and she was attacked by a man and she was with her boyfriend at the time. I've seen so many fights break out on the subway in all 5 boroughs since I've lived here.

I'm safer walking around Coney at night than walking around Central Park at night.

[The Fox]

Crime is everyplace.

Your 100 times safer in New York then in cities like Mexico City, Cape Town etc.

If you worry too much you wouldn't leave the house. I live on an island with a population of 60,000 and see planty of fight in the main town when i go out for a few drinks.

I can't wait to be in the Big C.I cause i'm going to be having a good time!

I won't let the small possiblity of some idiot/s ruin my time at Nathans and on the Wonerwheel but, i may not do them that way round.

[Shakespeare]

I cant wait till i get soem cash and go on my world tour!!! the big C.I> is on the top of my list!