Written by lainie at 08:19 PM on April 21, 2008 in Rants.

[ This is the 2nd blog entry for today. The first is here: Malaysian Queer blog coming up soon / The KL Word (L Word music) party tomorrow / the nuisance I live with.]

Just heard a pretty blood-curdling scream, and went out to check what happened. Saw two motorcyclists going by my house, from where the scream came.

My neighbour was just robbed by two snatchthieves. A few other neighbours were already walking towards her to see what happened. I went in again to call my housemates, caution them about coming home tonight.

After that, I went to the victim, standing in front of her house - right next to a busy road. A few men had gathered around, but nothing could be done except for my neighbour to make a police report. It's so suburban here.

Some women standing in their gardens, looking out from behind their gates, talking with people who went by. The victim wasn't injured (no blood, at any rate). There's a sense of community here, a lot of residents seem to know each other.

As the men and I walked off, could hear them exchanging comments like "First house, new tenants", and "snatch thief again".

I also talked with a woman walking her (very beautiful) golden retriever. She said that particular row of houses had seen four consecutive robberies recently. The police said it was some Chinese robbers who marked down houses that they know are empty in the daytime, and burglarise the place.

She said it was the same wherever someone lives, and I told her that wasn't true. I felt a hell lot safer when I used to stay in Bangsar, where I at least saw the occasional patrol car at night. I'm not saying it was fantastic, but at least there were some of them around.

Her dog dragged her on, I couldn't ask more. I don't feel safe here at all. I've noticed that my neighbours are desensitised to being robbed. It comes with staying in Damansara Jaya.

And no, I've not noticed more (or for that matter, any) police presence patrolling this area since I was robbed.