Things you learn living in a shady neighborhood

[turbo6]

At some point in many people's lives they live in a crappy area or two.

It happens and eventually you get away. But in the meantime you keep your guard up.

One thing I might add, never let anyone in the area know you have guns. I would never pull or imply I owned or carried unless it was a dire situation.

Also, if you happen to open your door to a knock, maybe you are expecting guests or something, if you happen to find a random weirdo on your step, never fully open the door and close it as quick as possible.

That was a common ruse here, knock on the door with some ridiculous story to follow, they eyeball your place and take note of your huge TV and a day later you experience a break in.

 

[haywood]

Smoke, thank you. Your post is a good guideline for us all. I may live in a better area but, I need to stil be aware. I for One am going to bookmark your post and read it from time to time. When I Travel or just go to unformilyour areas, there are points to remember at all times. I have met plenty of people that are stuck in locations that they would like to move from but, because of finances, job, or age it just wasn't able to happen.

 

[joeintexas]

I too found some good advice in the OP. I do live in a pretty safe area, very low crime, but that fact tends to make one even less aware of the surroundings. I do carry concealed but on many occasions I leave my front door go to the garage get in the car and drive off without ever looking around except where I was backing up. An Abilene police officer was murdered here last week, they caught the two low lives they are sure committed the crime. They live less than one mile from me and my safe neighborhood! Just goes to show ya...

 

[Old cop]

One thing 30 years in the street taught me about "bad areas" is that they are populated by mostly good people caught in bad circumstances. They want and expect the same things from life the rest of us do, but have to put up with the young disrespectful criminals who also live in the same area.

 

[hoc9sw]

In my area, a developer came in, bought three huge, but badly run-down complexes, and bulldozed it all. Some 3000+ units. Put up mid-rise apartments at 3x the rent.

They are full, and the crime rate is down over 70% in that area. The original complexes were high-end 30 years ago, but things change. It has really improved my trips to the grocery store.

Three years ago I considered moving because things were getting bad.

I did have to move my Mom. Her complex went from high-end in 1970 to vandalism and gun-fights in the parking lot outside her door in 2009. But we had to make some serious financial revisions. If I had a wife and kids to put through school, it would not have been possible.

 

[ClayCow]

In my area, a developer came in, bought three huge, but badly run-down complexes, and bulldozed it all. Some 3000+ units. Put up mid-rise apartments at 3x the rent.

They are full, and the crime rate is down over 70% in that area. The original complexes were high-end 30 years ago, but things change. It has really improved my trips to the grocery store.

Three years ago I considered moving because things were getting bad.

I did have to move my Mom. Her complex went from high-end in 1970 to vandalism and gun-fights in the parking lot outside her door in 2009. But we had to make some serious financial revisions. If I had a wife and kids to put through school, it would not have been possible.

Yup. I myself can live in a cave and eat dirt. If i had a family though, that exponentially magnifies issues.

 

[wingriderz]

I live in a shady apartment complex. Keeps you on your toes. Divorce and major health issues. Over a million and half in up paid. Medical. Bills. So yeah I never go. Out empty. I will move when i can

 

[wingriderz]

Oh yeah it can happen in blink of eye too. Work 30 years get. Sick loose your job and insurance. But still very blessed.

 

[wingriderz]

Not to jack the thread but , before it went south for me the very night we moved in to our new gated community my truck. Got broken into first. Night lol,

 

[RSanch111]

I'm from Detroit. After many years in the city, I've come to realize that no matter HOW poor you are, you can always move to a better neighborhood. Seems like half the people I hear talking about how bad their neighborhood is take some kind of perverse pride in still living there. My advice: MOVE! If someone wants to shoot you, you're going to get shot, no matter how "tactical" you are. GTF out.

 

[John R]

I think this summed it up well.

I have a hard time not getting complacent. This is a quiet little beach town, not much ever happens, and not too many shady people out in the open.

I don't even have a gun downstairs (I live in a 2-bedroom loft), let alone carry one around the house. When I'm out and about here in town, I rarely have one on me. At the beach, in the woods, or at night, however, always. But running errands, rarely.

But situational awareness has to be practiced 24/7. I have to remind myself of that daily. I go to both Portland and Seattle regularly, and it should go without saying I'd never dream of not carrying, although I know what parts of either city to avoid. I do find myself taking a better look around, though, and it should be the same where ever I am.

If we could only know when and where we might need a gun life would be great.
I live in a nice country setting, if I leave, I have a gun with me because you never know.
I also have one in the headboard of my bed just because sometimes things can go bump in the night.

 

[petepeterson]

None of that matters. Criminals are everywhere. People in "nice" neighborhoods are more susceptible because they think they are in a "nice' neighborhood. I got news for you, crime is everywhere. The only difference is those with a little more money fix their places up after they've been vandalized rather than just letting it go.

I see this alot in communities that are used to low crime. They have the "not in this town" mentality. My ladyfriend's town is like this, including her. There's a rats nest neighboring their little town, and they all kind of look down their noses at it. Meanwhile, the crime in their own town is multiplying faster than they can cope. They keep alot of it out of the news, but people know what's up.

This doesn't quite come down to "good vs. bad" people. Drugs (particularly heroin around here) are the great equalizer and wildcard in these situations. Quite a few "good" people do not-so-good things when they get desperate.

 

[Rick_A]

We lived in a crappy apartment complex in Kissimmee FL for a couple years. Not to out do the OP, but there were "working girls" a couple doors down, drug deals going down in the kids park almost daily, police chasing folks around, illegal street racing going in full force, and folks doing drugs daily in full view...not to mention a large concentration of the worst drivers I've ever seen. A group of folks tried to steal my motorcycle while we were out and my neighbor scared them off. Young gals would often make passes at me and men of all ages would make cat calls at my wife whenever we were out. There were still good people out and about and we had a couple good neighbors.

You're never "stuck" anywhere unless you've chosen to be.

That said a nice neighborhood is never complete insulation from bad people, they're just less apt to live next door.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Im confused. Did you wear body armor underneath your nice clothes and watch? Are muggers really that cognizant of someone wearing a watch on right or left hand? Why would you wear nice clothes and watch in a bad neighborhood? Did you walk around in nice clothes with an AK and body armor?

Yes, actually, I wore my armor under a tailored shirt. It disappeared easy. For non tailored shirts, move up one neck size. Armor has gotten thinner and better since.

Yes, people will try to grab you arm at times. Some thieves seem to be high functioning Aspbergers or some such and learn such idiosyncrasies. You have time to learn things in prison. Workman Guy did time for armed robbery for example and knew a few useful tidbits. A simple trick of robbery is to grab and pin the (presumed) dominant hand.

I liked my watch. It made a soothing ticking sound. I liked to dress nice.

The AK was a singular incident, a counterpoint to the theory of being wary of anyone knowing that you had a gun.

 

[GatorFarmer]

How were you able to determine your neighbors' thoughts?

Simple really, listen to your neighborhood gossip. It is fascinating at times. Also, when the police were taking away my upstairs neighbors in a raid, I had a conversation with the sergeant afterwards. Neighbors going away after a SWAT team visit happened three or four times during my time in the ghetto. I learned that when someone was really dangerous, that an ambulance would be parked out front, ready in case of need.

My then girlfriend had vivid memories of being in the kitchen making a cake when suddenly the nice man in a black helmet and tactical armor cake to the window and motioned her to get down on the floor.

The police were courteous like that in urging you to take cover.

 

[GatorFarmer]

I'm from Detroit. After many years in the city, I've come to realize that no matter HOW poor you are, you can always move to a better neighborhood. Seems like half the people I hear talking about how bad their neighborhood is take some kind of perverse pride in still living there. My advice: MOVE! If someone wants to shoot you, you're going to get shot, no matter how "tactical" you are. GTF out.

It was fun, pure and simple. There was always something going on and a variety of interesting people, albeit often in the negative sense. I was younger then and had no family, but I have fond memories of it all. I found it a much better education than college ever was.

There are also, for those willing to take the risk, excellent business opportunities to be had in less affluent areas. Legal business opportunities no less... property management and small retail come readily to mind. Me, I worked in property management.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Congratulations to the OP for actually living in Condition Yellow. Great examples of practical, every day things to do and to not do. Good advice.

Remember that these same principles (most likely without the CCW) can be of great assistance when or if you travel, for business or pleasure, to a place within this country or another country where you do not know "the lay of the land." Even a place that seems ok can surprise you.

Thank you. I appreciate the reminders. Good, solid information in the OP.

 

[K-framer]

Exactly why I believe that all drug dealers and some hard core addicts should be executed on principal, if nothing else as nuisances to society.

Very harsh attitude, I know....but enough is enough.

 

[ClayCow]

Yes, actually, I wore my armor under a tailored shirt. It disappeared easy. For non tailored shirts, move up one neck size. Armor has gotten thinner and better since.

Yes, people will try to grab you arm at times. Some thieves seem to be high functioning Aspbergers or some such and learn such idiosyncrasies. You have time to learn things in prison. Workman Guy did time for armed robbery for example and knew a few useful tidbits. A simple trick of robbery is to grab and pin the (presumed) dominant hand.

I liked my watch. It made a soothing ticking sound. I liked to dress nice.

The AK was a singular incident, a counterpoint to the theory of being wary of anyone knowing that you had a gun.

Interesting. Didnt you ever get hot in that body armor??

Ive got to wonder how many criminals have mental illnesses. Im guessing alot.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Interesting. Didnt you ever get hot in that body armor??

Ive got to wonder how many criminals have mental illnesses. Im guessing alot.

More often, they have personality disorders, which can't be treated with medication . . .