Bad area...

[supertux]

Hi I'm new here, and I wanted to say something that's happening in my neighborhood. I'm 20 years old, have no friends near here I would like to associate with. Everyone my age here is very heavily connected to gangs, since my area tends to propagate crime overnight. And since most of them tend not to like me since they intimate you through gang initiations. I avoid them as much as possible, and become reclusive in my apartment.

I have neighbor above me who is in a gang, and tends to despise me very much. He had other gang members from other clicks; threaten him, and tried to do break in his apartment above. I don't know what to do, except get an education, and get the hell out of this area. However, I'm stuck in rut, and I set up surveillance cameras for his thugs not to rob my apartment. I know martial arts, However; I don't think that would help much if they have weapons. I don't know what to do, since cops here tend to come about hour later after an incident.

I was thinking about carrying a concealed weapon, but I like jogging, and I don't want it falling out on the road while running from thugs. Our area has so much problems, that assaults with weapons occur on weekly bases. Our security patrol is lazy, and sit in the laundry room watching a small television during working hours... What should I do for the meantime, I don't have any other options; considering moving. Which I know I can't...

 

[Corporal K]

Why can't you move?

 

[Pete409]

I suggest that you move out of the area ASAP. If that is not possible, then stay hidden in your apartment until you turn 21 years of age. Then apply for and obtain a legal permit to carry a handgun. Until then, good luck.

P.S. You don't think we are going to advise you to do something illegal do you?

P.P.S. How's the fishing?

 

[NASCAR_MAN]

Welcome to manhood.

Do what you must to protect your life.

Get it?

NASCAR

 

[CWL]

How do local gangs try to intimidate you? You're 20 so you're probably too old for them to be interested in trying to recruit. If you are a civvie, I thought that they'd generally leave you alone unless you try to "disrespect" them or their gang.

You said, "get an education", does this mean you are in college? If you are, why not try to get into their on-campus housing system. Possibly your situation would qualify you for emergency housing.

 

[buck00]

Everyone my age here is very heavily connected to gangs, since my area tends to propagate crime overnight

Someone else already pinpointed it- the location and atmosphere are poisoned. You need to move ASAFP.

Martial arts and CCW help somewhat- but do you really want to live in a negative and dangerous area.... where you might be harassed, challenged, jumped, or attacked? It is cool to watch Charles Bronson in movies, but not much fun to live like him.

Think about this- even if you use your "martial arts" or a CCW to fend off and hurt or kill an attacker- if the gang activity is as heavy as you claim, then you are guranteed to be retaliated against. There is no way they will let a random guy stick up for himself and then leave him alone.

There is no happy ending here.

I don't have any other options; considering moving. Which I know I can't

Drop the "woe is me" attitude. Yes, you do have options and a way out. 20 yrs old? Join the USMC or Army and let them pay for college.

Good luck.

 

[ridata]

Which state? The age for ccw is 21 in most states. It is possible you will be able to get a sheriff to say you are in danger and grant you one, however.

 

[Dismantler]

Well, I was going to suggest one of the less combat oriented services like the Coast Guard or Air Force. Sign up for military police and start a career in law enforcement...or choose another specialty like electronics or driving 18 wheelers.

 

[Dumptruck]

My neighborhood became a complete toilet after many of the older residents of the neighborhood moved. The tenants were replaced with HUD housing folks. The problem being that all of the 'down on their luck" folks were really just moochers living off the government and selling drugs. I would generally get bothered because they want to come up and blatantly ask you if you want to buy drugs or if they could "borrow a dollar".

The bright side is after a few range trips they got the hint that I am armed and thus not as easy of a target. I say this because just about every apartment building on our block has been broken into except ours. Also, the thugs across the street openly call me "crazy white guy". If this means that I have to clean my guns with a hockey mask on while staring out of my window, then so be it haha.

My lease is up in June so after that I am moving into a much nicer neighborhood. The thread starter should follow suit unless he too is locked down by a crappy lease. The same ownership of my building owns the place next door and threatened to sue people who left because they didn't think being held up at knife point was a good enough reason for the two girls to want to leave the residence.

I could add a huge rant about the spread of govt. housing but that is WAY too off topic.

 

[Blackbeard]

The same ownership of my building owns the place next door and threatened to sue people who left because they didn't think being held up at knife point was a good enough reason for the two girls to want to leave the residence.

So let him sue. The worst that happens is you have to pay rent for the remaining months. I'd say that's worth saving your life. Heck, you might even win the case.

 

[brighamr]

This is great. someone mentions their age and all of a sudden comments like "drop the woe as me attitude" and "welcome to manhood" are considered the high road....

OP - move. If you can't because of financial problems, move in with family/friend. I've been where you are now, I sold almost everything I owned and got out. At the time it sucked, I felt horrible etc. But looking back, it was worth it. One of my friends died about 9 months after I moved, he lived 2 blocks away. If you can't move because of a lease... break the lease. I've done this twice due to unforseen circumstances, both times the owner charged me one months rent (so they had time to find a new renter) which I accepted as fine. Afterall, 1 more day alive can't be purchased with cash...

you only live once, and staying there for any reason is not worth it.

 

[WayneConrad]

If you do move, don't "just move and let him sue." Keep your credit, and your good name, intact. That may include negotiating with the owner to find terms that let you break the lease in a way acceptable to you both.

There's usually a way in the middle.

 

[Dumptruck]

Yeah not everyone can afford to just pay the rent on one place they have to leave due to bad neighborhoods. If they are already renting, more than likely they don't have the disposable income to pay to live at two residences. That was my situation. My lease is up soon, hopefully it is also for this fellow.