[lorend]

Via Daily News:

McMaster Security Services and Hamilton Police are advising people in the Westdale area to be aware of two robberies which occurred in the area over the weekend.

Three men were pepper sprayed during two early morning robberies in Westdale that police believe were connected. One of the suspects is described as male, thin, 5'8" tall, dark-skinned with short dark hair in his early 20s and wearing a dark, long-sleeved shirt and dark pants.

A car involved in at least one incident was described as a large black and shiny four-door sedan.

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to call Hamilton police Detective Scott Moreton or Detective Andrea Richard at 905-546-3818.

Safety tips for walking home at night:

• Walk in groups
• Avoid dark and deserted areas
• Be aware of alternate routes and safe places
• Plan your route - avoid shortcuts through dark, untravelled areas and take the most direct, frequently travelled route
• Be alert and walk with confidence
• Never carry large amounts of money or show it in public
• If you think you are being followed, go to the nearest public place
• Let people know where you will be, and what time to expect you

Does anyone know where exactly in Westdale? It is closer to the school or farther down?

Westdale's not like a huge area though, it's like 10-15 blocks long maybe.

Funny. I live in the "sketchy" area south of main (where every other home looks like a crack house), and yet all the stories of robbery and crime come from the supposedly higher class Westdale.

I guess from a burglar's perspective, Westdale would be a treasure chest waiting to be discovered.

Originally Posted by J-Met

Funny. I live in the "sketchy" area south of main (where every other home looks like a crack house), and yet all the stories of robbery and crime come from the supposedly higher class Westdale.

A friend of mine was robbed at knife point at the nice part of Westdale a couple of years ago. She couldn't even call for help because nobody was home. The "sketchy" areas tend to busier and less things are likely to happen with so many witnesses around.

Originally Posted by feonateresa

Westdale's not like a huge area though, it's like 10-15 blocks long maybe.

It's still pretty big, big enough to be divided into North and South. It's 2Km from east to west and that's the shortest distance since it's on a 45 degree angle.

Just when you thought it was safe to go for cupcakes...

Ye, I was walking by the westdale apartments the other day and I thought: it would be extremely easy for someone to just climb into the "first floor" balconies and steal stuff since they are so low, almost on the ground. O well, I guess I know where I'm not living if I ever get another place.

Originally Posted by adrian

Ye, I was walking by the westdale apartments the other day and I thought: it would be extremely easy for someone to just climb into the "first floor" balconies and steal stuff since they are so low, almost on the ground. O well, I guess I know where I'm not living if I ever get another place.

Pah, not even that, one bedroom apartments go for like 800 bucks in westdale. It's ridiculous.

Originally Posted by jhan523

Does anyone know where exactly in Westdale? It is closer to the school or farther down?

According to The Spec articles, the robberies occured at King & Dalewood and Paisley & Arkell.

http://thespec.com/News/Local/article/810106

Originally Posted by Lij

A friend of mine was robbed at knife point at the nice part of Westdale a couple of years ago. She couldn't even call for help because nobody was home. The "sketchy" areas tend to busier and less things are likely to happen with so many witnesses around.

Say that after walking through gage park at night. (y)

I got jumped by people with knives last year on Emerson just by the school. My friends got his cell phone stolen and he had to spend the night in the hospital.

"A car involved in at least one incident was described as a large black and shiny four-door sedan."

Same car that the people who jumped me last year took off in. These guys need to be stopped