I'm sorry for making a new thread about this, and if Tokio wants to delete it, I'll understand.

Since no one really answered my concern about safety in the area of Sonar and BCC, I thought this thread could serve as a 'place' for making groups who are staying in the same hotels and such.

I read some posts at the Otakon forums about groups of teens(?) beating up random people at almost any time of day near the Inner Harbor and Mt. Vernon(?). They apparently don't even take money or whatever..just go up to people and beat them I'm not sure if this problem has gotten better or worse since the articles via Baltimore Sun were written last month.. Here's the link to the Otakon thread regarding this:

http://board.otakon.com/index.php?showtopic=17179

Now I'm sure there are people who actually live in MD who probably know more about this, or people who've attended Otakon numerous times, but..after reading the articles, I'm officially freaking out Apparently there are even groups of teen girls who do it too..so anyone can be targeted easily by these kids

Obviously the best thing to do is to travel in groups and not take shady roads and such, but for someone like me (going to Sonar alone), it's kind of hard to do If no one else is staying at the same hotel as me (Days Inn), then the only option I have is to take a taxi to and back. Of course, even if you aren't, I'd be more than happy to share a ride with anyone that needs it. Because I was looking at google maps trying to find a decent walking route to Sonar, and there was one path that goes through strip clubs (Hustlers & a Club Pussycat?). The articles also said that these gangs or whatever hang around there, so..yeah, that really drove the nail into my paranoia

I'm so sorry for rambling on this long, but think it'd be neat if we could make groups or something. But again, if I'm just making a huge deal out of nothing, please delete. Thank you.

And people think NYC is unsafe... I feel so much safer in NYC at 3am then I do in Baltimore at 10pm - last years Otakon proved that to me. >>;

But wow. That's... kinda scary. o_o; I mean, as long as people stay in groups, I think everyone should be okay... just use common sense, that's always good. :/

I'm going to be coming from Silver Spring with my small group, we aren't staying in a hotel before Thursday night... (Otakon weekend I'll be at Tremont Plaza) so I can't really offer any help there. ^^;; Once people get in line though I think it should be all right, there will be more then one person, so...

(06-25-2009, 11:23 AM)missykitty Wrote: And people think NYC is unsafe... I feel so much safer in NYC at 3am then I do in Baltimore at 10pm - last years Otakon proved that to me. >>;

What happened at last year's Otakon?

And yeah, I'm really paranoid about this sort of thing...I'll be there with my husband, but it's just the two of us, and we're staying in a hotel in Jessup (near the Columbia show), so I'm probably not going to be near any of y'all's hotels. Perhaps we can try to meet up at a certain time?

(06-25-2009, 11:23 AM)missykitty Wrote: And people think NYC is unsafe... I feel so much safer in NYC at 3am then I do in Baltimore at 10pm - last years Otakon proved that to me. >>;

Seriously..I've been to NYC numerous times, and never really felt threatened or whatever. And I actually lived in a suburb near Baltimore when I was little, so yeah..my parents still wonder what the heck made them move us there

And ugh..after that Otakon post, I read stuff about the homeless being a huge problem too Especially near the Harbor water fountains(?)..I know it's mean, but if you need to go there or something, just ignore them. And don't ever give them anything. They'll probably just start pestering you more

So..I guess if no one else is really staying at Days Inn..if you're staying at the Hilton, Holiday Inn, or the Marriott, please reply or send a PM. Or..maybe since there's about twelve hotels between Sonar and BCC, we could form a huge group and drop each other off after the show? Since the details about picking up badges isn't out yet, that's all I could think of Do you think Otakon will let us pick up badges before or after the live? As soon as we know that, then maybe we can discuss this more thoroughly.. hopefully

(06-25-2009, 07:52 PM)Noctilca Wrote:

(06-25-2009, 11:23 AM)missykitty Wrote: And people think NYC is unsafe... I feel so much safer in NYC at 3am then I do in Baltimore at 10pm - last years Otakon proved that to me. >>;

What happened at last year's Otakon?

Oh, nothing bad happened at Otakon, I didn't mean it that way, sorry, lol, it was just creepy walking back from the con center to my hotel a few blocks away at night, because the streets were dead quiet except for a few people, who we just avoided... it didn't help that the hotel I was in was right next to the baseball stadium, and the Baltimore Oriels were in town that weekend, not the mention the bars right next door. x_x;;

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(06-26-2009, 04:24 AM)marigold Wrote: Or..maybe since there's about twelve hotels between Sonar and BCC, we could form a huge group and drop each other off after the show? Since the details about picking up badges isn't out yet, that's all I could think of Do you think Otakon will let us pick up badges before or after the live? As soon as we know that, then maybe we can discuss this more thoroughly.. hopefully

The way things were said on the website, I really feel like there will be something done so those of us seeing VAMPS will also be able to pick up our badges early... I'm not sure, but I feel like they will do something, so we have to wait and see. :/

But all of us going with each other back to the hotels wouldn't be a bad idea either. I mean, from what I checked I think the Tremont (where I'm staying) is only like 2 blocks away, but what you're saying is still a good idea.

There are only a small handful showing concern for safety after the Sonar Show, however it is still an important concern. Also, some may not be concerned until the actual night of the concert... and then what?
The fact is... this is not a typical everyday concert. The majority of the fans will be out-of-towners. If we all had our way... VAMPS would be doing concerts in our own towns... but... we are descending upon Baltimore..."The city of Charm", and apparently "a city with a higher than normal crime rate." And many of us got hotels closer to the BCC than Sonar. Therefore...

Marigold came up with the idea to go back to hotels in groups. The only problem with that, is that not everyone on the forum is staying at the same hotels. We would need more fans to participate for it to work well.

That's were this added idea comes in. I can spread the word to fans not in this forum. I will be walking down the fan line getting the T.Y. card signed. I can tell each fan as they're signing about our plan for groups walking back to hotels for safety, and if they wish to particpate to stick around a few minutes after the concert to form the groups. U know~ we'll all need a few minutes to get concert T's and stuff. Also, Haidoist will be at the front of the line with the banner. I'll be sending fans up to see her. If Marigold stays with Haidoist, she can remind fans as well. All we have to say to ppl is "there will be groups forming after the concert to walk back to hotels together, so if you would like to participate, stick around a little bit after the show. Some of the hotels the groups are forming for are: Days Inn, Tremont..?,?,?"

Any fans going to Sonar wanting to participate are welcome too. If you want a few fans to walk back with you, let me know what hotel you are staying at, I'll try really hard to find some ppl in line staying at your hotel. I think walking back with any VAMP fan would be safer than walking it alone! Like anywhere, i'm pretty sure it's the city locals we may have to worry about. That or vampires(hehe). I'll stick around after the concert if anyone needs help finding other ppl. Maybe we could use hand held hotel signs or something. Or just kinda shout it out..."anyone going to the Tremont? Anyone going back to Days Inn?" If you want to participate let me know~tell me your hotel you are staying at and we will try really hard to form a group for it.

I know... my kids call me "mother hen"
but mother hen is concerned for you youngins!
Besides... it would show great unity amongst the VAMPS Street Team,
and the fans, like a big VAMP family.

Is everyone leaving right after the concert, or are some of you planning to hang out, go eat, or whatever?

I'm staying in DC and our hotel is about 45 mins away from the venue. My dad is going to pick me up but he said he'll come get me anytime I'm ready to leave. I don't want to leave right away (too pumped up to go sleep), but I also don't want to be left standing by myself in the dark waiting for my ride. x.X

If everyone is leaving afterward then i could maybe walk with some people back to their nearby hotel and wait there to be picked up.

Although my plans aren't solid yet. I'm sort of a figure-things-out-as-I-go person.

From what I remember, Tremont Plaza is closer to Sonar then to BBC actually... it's like, 2 blocks from Sonar... :P Just saying. xD;;

But yeah, that's a good idea "mother hen"~~ :)

(06-27-2009, 06:33 PM)Tokio Wrote: Although my plans aren't solid yet. I'm sort of a figure-things-out-as-I-go person.

I'm pretty much like that too. ^^;
I'll probably hang around for a few minutes but that'll be inside, hanging out, then I'll probably just go back to my hotel... no use in hanging around. And I'm betting by the time the show is over, most places to eat will be closed, so I'm not even thinking about that. :P

(06-28-2009, 12:03 AM)missykitty Wrote: From what I remember, Tremont Plaza is closer to Sonar then to BBC actually... it's like, 2 blocks from Sonar... :P Just saying. xD;;

But yeah, that's a good idea "mother hen"~~ :)

(06-27-2009, 06:33 PM)Tokio Wrote: Although my plans aren't solid yet. I'm sort of a figure-things-out-as-I-go person.

I'm pretty much like that too. ^^;
I'll probably hang around for a few minutes but that'll be inside, hanging out, then I'll probably just go back to my hotel... no use in hanging around. And I'm betting by the time the show is over, most places to eat will be closed, so I'm not even thinking about that. :P

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Lane and i are staying at the Tremont Plaza as well. since we can't stay for Otakon and i have numerous health issues, we went for close to the venue. would be most happy to share a walk back or ride if exhaustion has set in. also, i'm sure neither of us would be averse to a little hang out after as well. but as you say, probably most eateries will be closed and strip joints are not my thing. XD

so anyone going in that direction, please just give a yell. i'm gonna try to keep closer watch now that the time is so fast approaching.

Im staying at Mt Vernon in Baltimore, if anyone else is staying there (or near there) give me a msg and we can organise a group going back that way. I think its a good idea for people to go in groups particularly if they have to walk a bit back to their hotel, with everything ive been hearing about Baltimore and safety.