Without overstepping my constraints, I only bump this thread when I have reason to believe it should be bumped.
Maureen
That being the case it needs to be constantly in the rotation.
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS 101
- Thread starter MaureenO
- Start date
That being the case it needs to be constantly in the rotation.
MaureenO
Another Infidel
Correct.
Although this may not fall exactly into "SITUATION AWARENESS", it does at least give a little food for thought when presented with a bad situation.
I am long winded so bare with me. If you get bored skip to the GREEN words part way down for the conclusion to this first situation.
First let me say I am an electrical contractor. about a year ago my main builder went belly up and had to walk away from a job in progress. It had been framed but no other work was done. I had faith in that he said he was going to do everything in his power to get back to working so I left my temporary electrical pole on the job site. It cost me about $250 to build.
Well he did not get to finish that job and another contractor bought and finished it. My pole was still setting there so the new contractor asked the original contractor if he could barrow my pole since it was setting there.
I was asked by my former contracting friend if I would mind letting the new contractor use it since it was already set up on his site. I agreed to let him but made sure to say I wanted it back when they were done and was assured they would give it back.
A few days later the city inspector who has become some what of a good friend called me to inform me that the new contractor tried to use my previous "electrical permit". Needless to say I was not a happy camper knowing this guy was trying to do work under my name leaving me in a bad spot should any problems occur with the work done on that job. I let it go because the inspector made them get a new permit. But it did set off a red flag when I started thinking about my pole and whether or not I was going to get it back.
I only live a few miles away from the job site so I went by every day watching for the meter base to be set so I could get my pole back.
I talked with the girl in the office at the city offices to see what she new about this guy. She said he hangs out in bars at night and gets in pointless fights(most times starting them) on a regular basis. That was not good news. But it did not detour me from deciding that I would get my pole back one way or another.
I saw what looked like an electricians truck there at the job one day and decided to check things out. He was fairly friendly with me but when I brought up the fact that my pole was being used for the job and I was planning on getting it back he got very short and instantly said something like " now I am not getting in the middle of any problems between the builder and you, you are going to have to work it out with him! He did buy this lot on a foreclosure so wouldn't that make it his?" It became very obvious that this builder had every intention of taking my pole when the job was complete.
I had planned on talking with him personally but at this point I felt my best chances of retrieving my pole was to be there the day it was disconnected and just take it. His crew looked like a bunch of drunken rednecks as did he, but my thoughts were that my desire to Take what was mine was going to be greater than their desire to steal what was not theirs.
Well this morning I drove down the street behind where they were working and sure enough the pole had been disconnected and was being put in the back of the builders truck. I had to drive around the corner to get to where they were at.
I hate a thief and my blood began to boil for a moment but then I decided my best bet was go in there grab what was mine and leave before anyone had a chance to do anything. Surprisingly I became very calm with my "plan" in mind : Basically catch him off guard and get out before he had time to think. The bad thing was he already had it in the back of his truck which makes it a little more personal to him as I would have to now enter "his" space.
As I pulled into the dead end street with the house being at the end right of the road, I saw that he was heading for his truck and the others were over about thirty yards away at the house.
I drove a bit fast right up to within ten feet or so of the front of his truck which gave me view of any others who may decide to approach whatever situation may arise, jumped out of my truck like I was on a serious mission, and headed straight towards him as he was between me and the pole location. He turned to look at me as I approached him, eyes growing as big as silver dollars as I closed in on him and he said in a baffled state of mined " can I help you". About that time I was right on him and did not slow up a bit, and responded to him with a very stern " No thanks, I am just here to get my pole" . He at that point realized I was the owner of the pole and I guess his first thoughts were that of guilt so he instantly started saying " ahh...., well...., um....., I..... , a...., well.. they...unhooked it, And..., I ahh.. I was worried,......... someone was going to take it so ahh..., i was just going to ahh... put it up and try and call you later about it". I just looked him straight in the face as I walked by and dropped it into my truck.
My point here is that Although I really had no clue what I was going to do if he tried to stop me, My quick entry to the situation gave him no time to prepare to confront me. He had no idea why I was coming at him until I grabbed my pole that was in back of his truck. He may have thought I had another bone to pick with him since he was the type who gets in a lot of trouble from what I have heard. By the time he had a good grasp on the situation I was already pulling out of there. I did take note that his buddies were all a good ways off and kept glancing their way just in case. Although I had their full attention when I started getting my pole out of his truck, no one came our way so all I really had to deal with was him.
Hope this was not to far off topic. I think that quick decisions and acting quickly before a person can decide what the heck is going on can get you through a lot of situations.
Once back in high school I was confronted by a fool with a Rambo type knife and of course he had his buddies along for the ride( two or three, 30 years is a long time to remember all those details). It was after a ball game in a small town and these guys would go around and intimidate people from the opposing team and make them cower in front of everyone for no good reason other than to bully you I guess. Well I was setting with the home coming queen of whom I was very fond of I might add. Cowering was not an option for me that night. So when they walked past me the leader jerk said all smart like to me " what did you say ?!!!" I at first ignored him as it was obvious he was a jerk. So he got as directly in front of me as he could and again said something to the effect of " what the hell did you just say to me ?!!!!!" this time with the big Rambo type knife at hand. Like the fool that I am I stood up and looked him right straight in the face at point blank range and yelled " I didn't say a dam thing to you, and if you are thinking about using that knife you better get it right the first dam time!!! cause I am fixing to shove it up your ......!!!" Well I guess I should mention that this was all happening in a fully packed McDonald's and by this time everyone in the place was staring at us so I guess I felt confident in calling out their bluff. It went from very noisy to total silence. They just stood there for the longest time with this dumbfounded look one their faces, and then ran out the door. The manager instantly asked me to stick around and tell the cops what had happened as these guys were apparently doing this around town for some time. Then one of my buddies hollers from across the restaurant " hey Miller they are out there at your car and it looks like hes getting ready to cut your tire." I jumped up and immediately ran out the door and they ran like heck for their car and hightailed it out of there. The entire crowd was roaring with laughter by now at these fools as they ran away from one little old me. I am no fighter and not to intimidating of a person so again I say I through them off from their routine and they did not know how to react to my (foolish) odd behavior is all I can figure. I do not plan these things they just happen. It has always been my instinct to react like I am some kind of tough guy when in a bad situation, but sooner or later it may be my demise.
Guess what I am trying to say here is that If you can at all possible take control of a situation even for the shortest of time it may be all you need to get you through it safe.
I am long winded so bare with me. If you get bored skip to the GREEN words part way down for the conclusion to this first situation.
First let me say I am an electrical contractor. about a year ago my main builder went belly up and had to walk away from a job in progress. It had been framed but no other work was done. I had faith in that he said he was going to do everything in his power to get back to working so I left my temporary electrical pole on the job site. It cost me about $250 to build.
Well he did not get to finish that job and another contractor bought and finished it. My pole was still setting there so the new contractor asked the original contractor if he could barrow my pole since it was setting there.
I was asked by my former contracting friend if I would mind letting the new contractor use it since it was already set up on his site. I agreed to let him but made sure to say I wanted it back when they were done and was assured they would give it back.
A few days later the city inspector who has become some what of a good friend called me to inform me that the new contractor tried to use my previous "electrical permit". Needless to say I was not a happy camper knowing this guy was trying to do work under my name leaving me in a bad spot should any problems occur with the work done on that job. I let it go because the inspector made them get a new permit. But it did set off a red flag when I started thinking about my pole and whether or not I was going to get it back.
I only live a few miles away from the job site so I went by every day watching for the meter base to be set so I could get my pole back.
I talked with the girl in the office at the city offices to see what she new about this guy. She said he hangs out in bars at night and gets in pointless fights(most times starting them) on a regular basis. That was not good news. But it did not detour me from deciding that I would get my pole back one way or another.
I saw what looked like an electricians truck there at the job one day and decided to check things out. He was fairly friendly with me but when I brought up the fact that my pole was being used for the job and I was planning on getting it back he got very short and instantly said something like " now I am not getting in the middle of any problems between the builder and you, you are going to have to work it out with him! He did buy this lot on a foreclosure so wouldn't that make it his?" It became very obvious that this builder had every intention of taking my pole when the job was complete.
I had planned on talking with him personally but at this point I felt my best chances of retrieving my pole was to be there the day it was disconnected and just take it. His crew looked like a bunch of drunken rednecks as did he, but my thoughts were that my desire to Take what was mine was going to be greater than their desire to steal what was not theirs.
Well this morning I drove down the street behind where they were working and sure enough the pole had been disconnected and was being put in the back of the builders truck. I had to drive around the corner to get to where they were at.
I hate a thief and my blood began to boil for a moment but then I decided my best bet was go in there grab what was mine and leave before anyone had a chance to do anything. Surprisingly I became very calm with my "plan" in mind : Basically catch him off guard and get out before he had time to think. The bad thing was he already had it in the back of his truck which makes it a little more personal to him as I would have to now enter "his" space.
As I pulled into the dead end street with the house being at the end right of the road, I saw that he was heading for his truck and the others were over about thirty yards away at the house.
I drove a bit fast right up to within ten feet or so of the front of his truck which gave me view of any others who may decide to approach whatever situation may arise, jumped out of my truck like I was on a serious mission, and headed straight towards him as he was between me and the pole location. He turned to look at me as I approached him, eyes growing as big as silver dollars as I closed in on him and he said in a baffled state of mined " can I help you". About that time I was right on him and did not slow up a bit, and responded to him with a very stern " No thanks, I am just here to get my pole" . He at that point realized I was the owner of the pole and I guess his first thoughts were that of guilt so he instantly started saying " ahh...., well...., um....., I..... , a...., well.. they...unhooked it, And..., I ahh.. I was worried,......... someone was going to take it so ahh..., i was just going to ahh... put it up and try and call you later about it". I just looked him straight in the face as I walked by and dropped it into my truck.
My point here is that Although I really had no clue what I was going to do if he tried to stop me, My quick entry to the situation gave him no time to prepare to confront me. He had no idea why I was coming at him until I grabbed my pole that was in back of his truck. He may have thought I had another bone to pick with him since he was the type who gets in a lot of trouble from what I have heard. By the time he had a good grasp on the situation I was already pulling out of there. I did take note that his buddies were all a good ways off and kept glancing their way just in case. Although I had their full attention when I started getting my pole out of his truck, no one came our way so all I really had to deal with was him.
Hope this was not to far off topic. I think that quick decisions and acting quickly before a person can decide what the heck is going on can get you through a lot of situations.
Once back in high school I was confronted by a fool with a Rambo type knife and of course he had his buddies along for the ride( two or three, 30 years is a long time to remember all those details). It was after a ball game in a small town and these guys would go around and intimidate people from the opposing team and make them cower in front of everyone for no good reason other than to bully you I guess. Well I was setting with the home coming queen of whom I was very fond of I might add. Cowering was not an option for me that night. So when they walked past me the leader jerk said all smart like to me " what did you say ?!!!" I at first ignored him as it was obvious he was a jerk. So he got as directly in front of me as he could and again said something to the effect of " what the hell did you just say to me ?!!!!!" this time with the big Rambo type knife at hand. Like the fool that I am I stood up and looked him right straight in the face at point blank range and yelled " I didn't say a dam thing to you, and if you are thinking about using that knife you better get it right the first dam time!!! cause I am fixing to shove it up your ......!!!" Well I guess I should mention that this was all happening in a fully packed McDonald's and by this time everyone in the place was staring at us so I guess I felt confident in calling out their bluff. It went from very noisy to total silence. They just stood there for the longest time with this dumbfounded look one their faces, and then ran out the door. The manager instantly asked me to stick around and tell the cops what had happened as these guys were apparently doing this around town for some time. Then one of my buddies hollers from across the restaurant " hey Miller they are out there at your car and it looks like hes getting ready to cut your tire." I jumped up and immediately ran out the door and they ran like heck for their car and hightailed it out of there. The entire crowd was roaring with laughter by now at these fools as they ran away from one little old me. I am no fighter and not to intimidating of a person so again I say I through them off from their routine and they did not know how to react to my (foolish) odd behavior is all I can figure. I do not plan these things they just happen. It has always been my instinct to react like I am some kind of tough guy when in a bad situation, but sooner or later it may be my demise.
Guess what I am trying to say here is that If you can at all possible take control of a situation even for the shortest of time it may be all you need to get you through it safe.
vulcan
Inactive
One little bit of info that I can add to this thread is that people notice the fact that you are looking around a lot more when you are wearing a baseball cap. I was walking through the store and did the usualy look at everyone you pass and almost all of them looked back (because they realized I was looking at them due to my hat movement). I noticed this because I don't normally wear a hat.
Rescuedog
Inactive
Mo, I have question for ya!
My kids (ages 7,8,11,13) all go to the same school. It's a city school with multiple buildings, the kids move from building to building for specials. I have spoken to them about safety but have some concerns about the recent news, especially Adam Gadahn's newest tape.
Do you have any suggestions of what to tell them to do in case of someone with a gun on campus. I am not worried about sugar coating things, they get what's going on in the world, and I'd rather have them safe and a little scared.
What "tools" can I give them to keep them safe?
Thanks a bunch!
RD
My kids (ages 7,8,11,13) all go to the same school. It's a city school with multiple buildings, the kids move from building to building for specials. I have spoken to them about safety but have some concerns about the recent news, especially Adam Gadahn's newest tape.
Do you have any suggestions of what to tell them to do in case of someone with a gun on campus. I am not worried about sugar coating things, they get what's going on in the world, and I'd rather have them safe and a little scared.
What "tools" can I give them to keep them safe?
Thanks a bunch!
RD
MaureenO
Another Infidel
Hi RD! How I handle this with my own kids is to calmly, but seriously advise them of a few things while we sit around the fireplace with hot cocoa, or some other comfortable place.
I start off by rounding them up and telling them we need to have a serious talk and it won't take too long, but it's very important.
When everyone's assembled, I jump in feet first and hold no punches.
I advise them there are "bad guys" around but it is very unlikely they will create trouble at their school/library/market, park, etc. But here's what to do if they DO cause trouble.
The first thing to do is just be a kid and try not to worry, but when you enter a room, shop, etc. look for the nearest exit and observe who's around you.
At school, (mine went to Catholic School until I started to homeschool them) I went into their classrooms with them and scoped out the layout for cover and concealment; outside escape; room locks; types of doors (glass, wood, hollow core), windows and how close they are to the ground outside; the ceilings for exit panels where kids could hide; what classroom-school office comms are in place.
I actually went to the school beforehand to speak with the Principal and I was in uniform and advised him what I planned to do (whether he liked it or not) and he was welcome to join me.
I got a sneer and don't worry, we have everything under control and I told him they did not. The kids weren't even advised to bring a shelter-in-place bag on the first day of the new school year. They do now.
The Principal came with me to each classroom and observed me checking the window glass quality (how easily broken it could be for escape purposes), I grabbed a broom and poked the ceiling if it was a drop down panel ceiling checking for which square would be safest to push in and then stacked some desks to reach a panel, knocked it out of place and checked for the stability of the crawl space.
I recommended the Principal place a ladder in each classroom that would be kicked over after the last person entered the crawl space and replace the ceiling square.
It was MY responsibility to teach my kids how to save themselves and how to escape if the need arose.
I approached the Principal and my kids in a no-nonsense but not frightening manner and reiterated the need for these provisions is very slim, but necessary to know.
Then I gave the kids Q and A time.
An incident did occur shortly after that where a student's parent entered the school armed with a knife in search of the student's mother who was a teacher. The school went on lockdown and the suspect escaped after not locating his ex-wife and led police on a pursuit until he was stopped and taken into custody.
YOU--personally--have to inspect your childrens' classrooms; the security fencing and locks and your teachers' and Principal's plans for such a scenario.
ASAP.
Maureen
Rescuedog
Inactive
Thanks for your time Mo! I have to go to each of their classrooms with them and go over these things. We've talked about running into the woods and trying to get to nearby housing.
Right now the school has 2 security guards, one patrols the campus perimeter and one walks through campus. They were hired after a fifth grade girl found a man in the girls room who exposed himself to her. Nice huh? I worry because of the city and also because my oldest came home and told me how they heard gunshots during her math class and the whole class went to the window to see what was going on. You bet the teacher got an email from me that night!
Once again, thanks!
RD
Right now the school has 2 security guards, one patrols the campus perimeter and one walks through campus. They were hired after a fifth grade girl found a man in the girls room who exposed himself to her. Nice huh? I worry because of the city and also because my oldest came home and told me how they heard gunshots during her math class and the whole class went to the window to see what was going on. You bet the teacher got an email from me that night!
Once again, thanks!
RD
MaureenO
Another Infidel
Hi RD, You have not only the right, but the DUTY to DEMAND your kids' school administrators accompany you to each of your children's class rooms, gym, cafeteria--anywhere on campus and take a clip board with you to keep your questions and observations on.
When they get snippy with, get damned snippy back and tell them you will go to the school board and the town council before you contact the press.
Put the ball in their court.
Maureen
BigFootsCousin
Molon Labe!
Death stalks us, each and everyone of us. When we're young, we don't think about it much. As we get older, we come to terms with it and have conversations with death often on a daily basis.
Now,as the world hastens towards armageddon or some other catastrophe, we smugly go about our days as per our usual, knowing full well that death is stalking this Nation, because we can smell it's stench and feel its presence.
We're not going to escape it. It will find us and lay claim to every one of us. Are you 'ready'? Really? Can you give up your body (such as it is) and sacrifice it for Jesus or for your fellow man?
I was almost dead about a month ago and I had prepared myself for the inevitable. Now, my health is returning and I'm not so sure that I'm ready to give up on this world.
Everything to me is now excuisitely beautiful and inspiring. If death comes at me again, I know that I'll be ready, will you? Really?
BFC
MaureenO
Another Infidel
I am, BFC. I found that out last August when I was shot. But this thread isn't about that, it's about being aware of your surroundings so you can protect yourself and those you love.
Maureen
BigFootsCousin
Molon Labe!
My apologies to MaureenO and all of the readers for my post above. I was in a melancholy mood and thinking about going back to work today for the first time in over two months after getting very ill on the job in the middle of February, being hospitalized twice and having a surgery that had 'complications'.
MaureenO, will you please delete my above post? It does not belong in your thread and I'm sorry for putting it there as it is entirely inappropriate.
BFC
Laurane
Canadian Loonie
"Everything to me is now excuisitely beautiful and inspiring. If death comes at me again, I know that I'll be ready, will you? Really?"
Most of us have not had the near death experience of BFC and Maureen, but I imagine all of us will fight to our best extent. And that also includes being aware, but knowing we did what we could to fight to the last whether it is medical or another's threat to us.
And that means taking advantage of every negative situation we meet - as I get older I notice more about people, wherever I go. When we were younger we didn't have time or inclination to watch others - we were too involved in our own lives. Now we slow down (physically and mentally) and enjoy our surroundings more. And we can also see what harmful things might be out there. A little knowledge about how to take care of ourselves and prevent preventable things happening will extend our lives and maybe help others.
And a Will to live and enjoy this exquisite life is what might just be the impeller which saves us - knowing that we don't want to give it up - and being in charge of our surroundings and events as much as possible.
All the best BFC - your "melancholy" added to this thread just fine. An incentive to do better and be more prepared.
Most of us have not had the near death experience of BFC and Maureen, but I imagine all of us will fight to our best extent. And that also includes being aware, but knowing we did what we could to fight to the last whether it is medical or another's threat to us.
And that means taking advantage of every negative situation we meet - as I get older I notice more about people, wherever I go. When we were younger we didn't have time or inclination to watch others - we were too involved in our own lives. Now we slow down (physically and mentally) and enjoy our surroundings more. And we can also see what harmful things might be out there. A little knowledge about how to take care of ourselves and prevent preventable things happening will extend our lives and maybe help others.
And a Will to live and enjoy this exquisite life is what might just be the impeller which saves us - knowing that we don't want to give it up - and being in charge of our surroundings and events as much as possible.
All the best BFC - your "melancholy" added to this thread just fine. An incentive to do better and be more prepared.
MaureenO
Another Infidel
Shooting Star
Veteran Member
Last week, I was sitting in the parking lot of the grocery store (eating a hamburger before I went in because I was starving and I knew I would buy the store out if I went in hungry) - It was drizzling rain and a man walked past my truck - I kept my eye on him and thought he was well past me - the odd thing was there was no other vehicle parked near me and I thought it odd that he would be walking past my truck. The next thing I know, after he walked past my truck, he doubled back and had his face up next to my window - I automatically locked my doors - this scared the sh*t out of me - he just kept standing there - I yelled "what do you want" and he just stood there for a minute and finally asked me to take him somewhere (about 30 miles away) - I told him "no" and to get away - he finally left.
I came home, told dh about it - I am going this week for a pistol permit and he has put me a 9mm on lay-a-way. I believe it shook him up too. Thanks for this thread Mo - I at least had sense enough to lock my doors - I should of kept my eyes on him better though.
I came home, told dh about it - I am going this week for a pistol permit and he has put me a 9mm on lay-a-way. I believe it shook him up too. Thanks for this thread Mo - I at least had sense enough to lock my doors - I should of kept my eyes on him better though.
Jamestown Girl
Veteran Member
Good idea!
MaureenO
Another Infidel
Yeah. And it's a good thing someone was situationally aware in Times Square tonight...
Z28Camaro6D9
Veteran Member
Was enjoying my first ride on a new downtown Seattle trolley yesterday. The route is fairly short and not especially interesting to tourists or even Seattle residents for that matter, so I'm not sure why so much was invested in this frill. An Asian girl and myself were the only passengers for the first half of the route. Trolley was slow but brand new and very clean so the ride was pleasant enough.
As the trolley begins to pull away from a stop, I begin to hear loud screaming and ghetto banter. I look back toward the middle of the trolley and notice a young Black couple had just boarded........"Man, YEA.....YEA......I'm gonna F'up someone....Yea, that's right.......Anyone got a problem wit dis ****** ? Huh, Yea, dat's right, that's what I thought.....What the Fk.......Who dey talkin.....What ?......."
Obviously the early 20's male half was agitated and likely high on crack, but not directing his invective at me or the Asian girl in particular. More like just spouting off and beating his chest. The female companion made no effort to settle him down. Of course he looked like he had just fallen off a box of Wheaties, and even his muscles had muscles !
I discretely place my hand in my coat pocket and grasp my .357 S&W snub-nose for the rest of the trip. Hand still in pocket, I glare at him for several seconds upon exiting trolley but he does not return my stare. Asian girl exits the same time and I ask her if this is a regular occurrence. She states nothing like that has ever happened and she has taken the trolley every day since it went into service.
Well, I have taken public transportation only 3 times in the last 30 years, and each time there has been an incident. No more. That was my last ride ever.
As the trolley begins to pull away from a stop, I begin to hear loud screaming and ghetto banter. I look back toward the middle of the trolley and notice a young Black couple had just boarded........"Man, YEA.....YEA......I'm gonna F'up someone....Yea, that's right.......Anyone got a problem wit dis ****** ? Huh, Yea, dat's right, that's what I thought.....What the Fk.......Who dey talkin.....What ?......."
Obviously the early 20's male half was agitated and likely high on crack, but not directing his invective at me or the Asian girl in particular. More like just spouting off and beating his chest. The female companion made no effort to settle him down. Of course he looked like he had just fallen off a box of Wheaties, and even his muscles had muscles !
I discretely place my hand in my coat pocket and grasp my .357 S&W snub-nose for the rest of the trip. Hand still in pocket, I glare at him for several seconds upon exiting trolley but he does not return my stare. Asian girl exits the same time and I ask her if this is a regular occurrence. She states nothing like that has ever happened and she has taken the trolley every day since it went into service.
Well, I have taken public transportation only 3 times in the last 30 years, and each time there has been an incident. No more. That was my last ride ever.
bw
Fringe Ranger
Suggest not making angry eye contact when it serves no purpose. Depending on just what his issues were, that might have been enough to set him off. Sure you're armed and all, but it's prudent to not go looking for trouble.
Z28Camaro6D9
Veteran Member
You're probably right bw.
I did not want to cower and appear frightened however, as sometimes going out of your way to ignore them will will just as easily cause an unprovoked attack.
I did not want to cower and appear frightened however, as sometimes going out of your way to ignore them will will just as easily cause an unprovoked attack.
bw
Fringe Ranger
I had a somewhat equivalent situation where I took a somewhat equivalent stance. As the cops dealt with the situation one of them turned to me and said "you know that was stupid, right?" and I laughed sheepishly and told him I sure did. Hope I do better next time.
Another point, probably been made somewhere in the hundreds of previous posts, is to talk to our neighbors.
I had heard that our road is sometimes used by drug dealers delivering their wares. I mentioned it to one of our neighbors and she said we have a drug house just down the road. Not an old house with counter-culture types living there, but a new up-scale house in a recently built subdivision. Who wouldda thought?
Now, I have agreed to help start a neighborhood watch group in our area. I'm wondering how to be sure I don't enlist someone who is already one of the people we should be watching for. We don't want to tip off the bad guys, and we don't want to exclude anyone who might be helped by being involved.
Maureen, got any ideas here? I think the sheriff has to be very careful about what he says regarding suspicions because of the laws.
regards,
Garryowen
I had heard that our road is sometimes used by drug dealers delivering their wares. I mentioned it to one of our neighbors and she said we have a drug house just down the road. Not an old house with counter-culture types living there, but a new up-scale house in a recently built subdivision. Who wouldda thought?
Now, I have agreed to help start a neighborhood watch group in our area. I'm wondering how to be sure I don't enlist someone who is already one of the people we should be watching for. We don't want to tip off the bad guys, and we don't want to exclude anyone who might be helped by being involved.
Maureen, got any ideas here? I think the sheriff has to be very careful about what he says regarding suspicions because of the laws.
regards,
Garryowen
MaureenO
Another Infidel
Garry, I'm afraid you're not gonna know for certain, but starting a Neighbourhood Watch for your area is an excellent idea.
It does tip off the bad guys that the neighbours are looking--that's very important and has been a deterrent to crime.
Contact your jurisdictional police and request they attend a meeting with you and the neighbours who want to sign on to NW. That officer will bring brochures and will advise you how to manage your committee activities. Often times they also have the Neighbourhood Watch signs or stickers they will give you.
Maureen
happyretiree
Veteran Member
BTTT to stay on page 1.
If possible, cellphone-cam the vehicle. The license plate in particular, naturally. Since most folks have cellphones nowadays and I've not seen one not come with a camera in the last several years this should be an automatic response to anything strongly out-of-the-ordinary.
Oo, you know, I wouldn't have thought of that. I haven't used the camera feature but a couple of times. Thanks for the reminder. Now I have to figure out how to use it quickly.
regards,
Garryowen
lectrickitty
Great Great Grandma!
This is a great thread.
I find myself not paying attention due to the simple reason that I'm used to being so far out in the middle of nowhere that I forget what it's like in the civilized world. I haven't been to a mall for 20 years or longer. I don't go into cities if there's anywhere else I can get what I need. I'm basically a hermit who ventures out a few times a year to stock up on the few things I can't provide for myself. I lose my awareness due to lack of use... the old "use it or lose it" syndrome has landed on me in this area of awareness. A reminder to set up and take notice is much needed and I've taken it to heart.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this awareness.
I find myself not paying attention due to the simple reason that I'm used to being so far out in the middle of nowhere that I forget what it's like in the civilized world. I haven't been to a mall for 20 years or longer. I don't go into cities if there's anywhere else I can get what I need. I'm basically a hermit who ventures out a few times a year to stock up on the few things I can't provide for myself. I lose my awareness due to lack of use... the old "use it or lose it" syndrome has landed on me in this area of awareness. A reminder to set up and take notice is much needed and I've taken it to heart.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this awareness.