Baltimore City and you. | Page 1 | Tips/Advice | Guild Forums

Saskia Dyre

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Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 3:17 pm

So as the convention grows closer i feel the obligation as a resident of the greater baltimore area to not so gently inform con goers of the nitty gritty of the city. sweatdrop

Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 3:49 pm

So here some stats
Murders 85 and it's only may! mrgreen
So on that note the inner harbor is reletivley safe, but last year there were two shootings there about a month before otakon. So don't stray more than five blocks from the harbor just to be safe if you do take a cab both ways don't walk. This isn't like new york where we have a decent public trasportation system the light rail is the best we have and it still goes through some shady spots. Cherry Hill should be renamed Scary hill they don't even stop there after a certain time of night. So here's some friendly saftey tips.

1. Never ever ever ever EVER go anywhere alone.
2. Don't feed the hobo's or give them money no matter what thier sob story is.
3. Don't make fun of the hobos they don't take it well.
4. Wear Shoes we have a drug and alcohol problem in our city i would hate for your foot to be impaled on a dirty needle or broken bottle.
5. Don't do drugs kids and don't take pills from strangers. I've heard of a couple of cases where people took what they thought was a over the counter pain pill from someone inside or just outside the convention and ended up trippin for the next couple hours.
6. Pepper spray is your friend availble at walmart.
7. Don't carry large amounts of money on you and if you can conseal your purse or where a belt purse.
8. DON'T PULL THE FIRE ALARM AND CAUSE MASS EXEDOUS OF THE BCC. In the event of a fire alarm try to be one of the last people out if you are closterphobic i almost had a panic attack last year because i was caught in a sea of people.
9. The police presence in our city isn't as high as some of the other big cities Call 911 the minute you feel your in trouble.
10. HAVE FUN BUT BE SAFE just use your better judgement on things if the situation doesn't seem safe it probably isn't.

I'll add new things as they happen around the city.

Saskia Dyre

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BreathLessX

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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 5:39 pm

Those are some great tips for out-of-city people. I'm also a Baltimore City resident, and I'd like to add a few.

+Don't bang on the side of MTA buses. I saw a lot of con goers do this last year, and this is why baltimorians hate the people who attend the con.
+Remember your manners, we're human too. 'Specially when going out to eat and/or shopping in the local shops.
+Don't leave common sense home. If it smells like trouble, it most likely is.

Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 8:44 pm

Stay the hell away from Lexington Market, ESPECIALLY if you're in costume. People get robbed in broad daylight there.

Evennetta

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DarkBunnykins

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Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 7:22 am

BreathLessX

Those are some great tips for out-of-city people. I'm also a Baltimore City resident, and I'd like to add a few.

+Don't bang on the side of MTA buses. I saw a lot of con goers do this last year, and this is why baltimorians hate the people who attend the con.
+Remember your manners, we're human too. 'Specially when going out to eat and/or shopping in the local shops.
+Don't leave common sense home. If it smells like trouble, it most likely is.

Amen!
People in the city are weirded out by us costumed freaks.
Another thing, if a kid is staring at your costume just smile.
Last year some cosplayer tried to show a kid his fake blade and his mom nearly freaked out.
Just know if they aren't into anime, you seem weird dressed as a ninja in July.

Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:27 pm

sad but true last year on my way to otakon some dude was trying to get me to give him money for crack this is why you always wanna go with a buddy so people dont bug you as much sweatdrop

SorryImSteven

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Halo the Sinner

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Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 8:19 am

If you happen to find yourself alone down one of the many streets away from the con center, and you feel an eerie presence, or something doesn't feel right. Don't be afraid to just take off running. Its easier to mug, or rob someone if they are quietly walking, and not drawing attention to themselves. It really sucks that we have to be so cautious when we are just trying to have fun, but gotta remember we are coming into their environment when you stray from the "safe area". stare

Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 7:16 pm

Great tips are great. D8

mozfart

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Saskia Dyre

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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 7:41 pm

murder mapWhelp otaku bretharen it's been a quiet month in the Charm City most of the murders have taken place well away from the main areas and crime in general seems to be down....... gonk Now if only that statement were completely true the number of murders in 2011 is now 103 here a map of the area that Otakon is held in all those little red and green dots are murders. Again just wanna keep that in mind.

Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 8:58 am

One hundred three?
Just this year?
That's... ridiculous.

egoxromantic
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SorryImSteven

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Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 5:28 am

lol i expect nothing less but just remember simple rules if its late at night dont go out alone be with a friend or something and dont talk to sketchy people cause i really dont wanna hear about anyone getting hurt since the cons suppost to be a good time for all

Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 8:17 am

For the last few years, my hotel was the Sheraton that's attached to the convention center so we didn't really have any need to even touch the street. This year though, my hotel is three blocks away (The Radisson) so I'm a little nervous going back at night. I told my friends that I didn't want to go back alone so if they want to go back early (I'm one of those who like to stay till 12-1a) then I'm gonna have to leave with them ;-; I have a feeling they're not the type to want to stay late and have fun :<

ChibiHanyou

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BreathLessX

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Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 7:14 am

ChibiHanyou

For the last few years, my hotel was the Sheraton that's attached to the convention center so we didn't really have any need to even touch the street. This year though, my hotel is three blocks away (The Radisson) so I'm a little nervous going back at night. I told my friends that I didn't want to go back alone so if they want to go back early (I'm one of those who like to stay till 12-1a) then I'm gonna have to leave with them ;-; I have a feeling they're not the type to want to stay late and have fun :<

There's the skywalk you could use to avoid walking on the street. My group is staying there as well, and one of my friends really knows the Otakon hotels. THe sky walk goes from the gallery to harbor place and harbor place to the con. Dunno how late it stays open though....

And I'm embarass at all the stuff that went down during the fireworks. D: I think we'll be OK for the con (not as many gun carrying citizens go to an anime con.)

Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 8:59 am

BreathLessX

There's the skywalk you could use to avoid walking on the street. My group is staying there as well, and one of my friends really knows the Otakon hotels. THe sky walk goes from the gallery to harbor place and harbor place to the con. Dunno how late it stays open though....

And I'm embarass at all the stuff that went down during the fireworks. D: I think we'll be OK for the con (not as many gun carrying citizens go to an anime con.)

We always use the skywalk to get to Harborplace 3nodding There's just no way of getting to my hotel this year using it. I have to use the street. But yeah, I agree, there's way too many people walking around.

ChibiHanyou

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egoxromantic
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Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 11:07 am

I didn't have much of a problem walking to my hotel and back last year. I just had to walk across the inner harbor, which is pretty lit up and open and whatnot.

This year.... I don't even know how far away my hotel is.

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