Police Vow to Keep Up Extra Patrols Until Pond Muggers Caught

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Police Capt. Alfredo Andres, left, addresses a crowd of concerned residents during an emergency community meeting on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014.

Chris Helms

Police Capt. Alfredo Andres, left, addresses a crowd of concerned residents during an emergency community meeting on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014.

Police Capt. Alfredo Andres, left, addresses a crowd of concerned residents during an emergency community meeting on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014.

Chris Helms

Police Capt. Alfredo Andres, left, addresses a crowd of concerned residents during an emergency community meeting on Friday, Oct. 3, 2014.

Police brass tried to reassure a crowd of more than 50 concerned residents who gathered at the Pond Friday that they're doing everything possible to find two young men suspected in at least two armed robberies.

But although police said they increased patrols immediately after one armed robbery came to their attention, and though armed robberies are down 33 percent in JP's District E-13, some residents came away unconvinced.

"We did feel safe here," said resident Carmen Watkins. "I feel like there's an escalation now."

Indeed, the morning after the community meeting, scanner traffic indicated another incident about 12:15 p.m. Saturday. This one was near Perkins and Jamaicaway and also involved two young men, according to Universal Hub.