Assault with a shovel

A Vineland woman walking on 2nd St was hit in the head with a shovel by a bicyclist.

A Vineland woman was whacked in the head with a shovel by a bicyclist at 2nd and Pine streets around midnight Sunday into Monday, police said.

The 25-year-old victim was treated at South Jersey Healthcare-Regional Medical Center, in Vineland, where a cut to her head was closed with glue, according to Ptl. Vern Babka's report.

Vineland police reported the assault to city police at about 4:20 a.m. Monday.

First of all, and crime is crime regardless of the victim, what was this woman doing walking 2nd and Pine, a known are for drugs and prostitution, doing walking alone at midnight? She was a few miles from home.

Second, did anybody see the male on the bike with a shovel, and if so, did they think it strange?

If this woman was visiting a friend, and merely walking from her vehicle to her friend's house, then this is a disturbing crime against an innocent victim. The moral? Always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. If you see a strange person approaching you, put distance and obstacles between you and them, and call 911 on your cell phone - it IS in your hand - if the person continues to try to approach you even after you make evasive moves. And most of all, don't be wandering in a known drug area after dark.