I was quite alarmed when I was arriving home around 9 p.m. Tuesday night and there were police cars surrounding my house. I always think they’re coming for me…
ANYWAY, a resident in the 1600 block of Second Avenue SE called police around 8:15 p.m. in regards to a fight with weapons going on outside. When officers arrived, the street was full of people, some of whom walked away when police came (I came after things had broken up a bit and there were still 20-30 people standing around). Some of the involved had sticks and shovels. They were surrounding a fight in front of 1636 Second Ave. SE, owned by Tasha Stamps.
They found the small group fighting and tried to physically stop them but “to no avail,” according to police reports. Officers then sprayed pepper spray into the fighters and were able to subdue and handcuff one boy, later identified as Jahmal Ginger, 16, of 1636 Second Ave. SE. Ginger was charged with disorderly conduct. Police are still investigating why the fight occurred and who was involved.
Personally, this scares me. Why were so many people just standing around watching? What was going on? And if this is happening now, what is it going to be like this summer when MORE people are out and about? This is one thing you can bet I’ll follow up on.
Arrested Developments 
April 8, 2008 at 1:40 am
In reponse to your last paragraph-you must be new to the area, because that’s pretty much what we deal with all summer long. In fact, what you saw was a pretty minor example. Spend some time on 3rd Ave SE between 14th and 15th, or Bever between 3rd ave and 15th, or 5th ave between 15th and 16th…. and on and on and on. If a large group of kids suddenly surrounds you car, be very careful. Stop immediately and give them the right of way no matter how rude they are, if they are jaywalking, whatever. Just don’t react, or you could very well end up being assaulted. Remember, in our part of CR, large groups of kids own the streets, not residents in cars.
April 8, 2008 at 4:49 am
Yes, I just moved to Cedar Rapids in September. It’s really sad that things have come to that here. Hopefully, if I can bring attention to these things, they’ll stop.
I refuse to be intimidated in my own neighborhood.
April 8, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Welcome
Actually there are a lot of positives about the neighborhood. But you will notice certain properties that are always at the center of your crime reports. I will enjoy reading your crime blog, I always thought there should be some interesting reading in that area.
April 8, 2008 at 8:06 pm
I agree that there are many positives about the neighborhood — that’s why I wanted to live there. I fell in love with Wellington Heights when I came to town because of the homes and the people. So yay for us!