Be careful when bumming out cigarettes to random strangers!  The SFAppeal Crime Blotter recounts a startling story that could happen to any of us:

10:40 PM: A man was at 21st and Capp when another man reportedly asked him for a cigarette — but that request was, seemingly, a diversion, as another man came up from behind the requestee and knocked him to the ground. The two men allegedly robbed the grounded guy of his cell phone, then fled on foot. The victim’s injuries weren’t serious, and no one’s been arrested.

The only solution seems to be outright scroogery regarding all street tobacco requests, or at the very least only buying hand-rolled from now on.  Wait, are people even bumming cigarettes out to strangers on the streets anymore?  Don’t they cost like 50 cents each or something?

Anyway, I’m excited about SFAppeal Crime Blotter’s new Google Maps mashup.  Very helpful for pinpointing exactly how close violent crime is happening next to you.  Let them know if you like it or think it’s obtrusively unnecessary.

[image courtesy of MissionLoc@l]

Update: Now with more Ackbar!

Me and a coupla pals were on our way home from my bachelor party on Sunday night at about 1 or 1:30am. I of course was lit up like a Christmas tree so the details are a little fuzzy. Long story short – we got robbed at gunpoint at 20th just before Folsom.

My two pals entrusted with my care were pretty sober. At first I thought they were just messing with us so, but then one of the fellas made a tug at my purse and it finally dawned on me what he wanted. Since he hadn’t shown me a gun yet (and I was drunk) I just said, “Man, don’t do that. I’m getting married in a week. Don’t do that.” Mind you this was all slurred and I was standing there covered in BBQ sauce and feathers. I was also holding too much stuff and my bag was slung across my body and not very easy to get at. I was obviously wasting their time.

So they made a grab for my friend’s purse, pulled out a loaded gun, pointed it at me, waved it at the others and then made a run for their car.

It was two dudes, fairly young maybe 19 or 20. One of them was a light skinned Latino. Didn’t get a look at the other. Black late model four door sedan with no plates. Didn’t really look like thugs to me. It was strange.

Thanks for sending in your account, Linda.  Hope you are well and congrats on the wedding!