Awareness While Shopping

[The_Shootist]

Recent Galveston Robbery w/Assault Rifle

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4521468.html

Even in the "Wild West" that Houston-Galveston has become, this is sure making the news. When I went out this morning at 4am to a local drug store, I left the Mak behind and saddled up with the G19 AND 2 standard cap mags.

These small, convenience store crimes have been rising lately, although mainly in West/NorthWest Houston - now it seems like they are spreading south to the Galveston/Texas City area. They brough the heavy artillery as well

When I approach a small store/convenience store - hell, even a Wal-Mart or Kroeger late at night or early in the morning, I have to say my awareness level has gone up recently, checking out people in the parking lot or cars, entering the establishment slowly and always conscious of how quickly I could clear leather if need be.

But if I saw a couple of AK toting guys rushing out of store, I think I might hide behind my truck and they would have to be the first ones to start shooting.

What other situational awareness is prudent to exercise?

 

[Kali Endgame]

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070202/NEWS10/702020424/1002/NEWS

Man is arrested in shooting death
STAFF REPORT

Posted: 2/2/2007
STORY CHAT(read or post comments)



A 41-year-old man has been arrested on charges that he fatally shot a 32-year-old man in a Sparks Kmart parking lot, police said Thursday.

Enrique Banuleos, who also goes by Juan Carranza, was taken into custody early Tuesday on an immigration charge, hours after Miguel Diaz, 32, was found dead Monday afternoon in the discount store's parking lot in the 2100 block of Oddie Boulevard, Sparks Cmdr. Steve Asher said.

Banuleos, of Reno, was booked Thursday additionally on suspicion of murder related to Diaz's death. Police said the two men were acquaintances. Detectives are still trying to piece together what prompted the shooting and are continuing to investigate.

Asher said more arrests could follow if other witnesses come forward.

"We are asking that no one assume we know what they know and to please contact detectives if they have information," Asher said.

Just before 4 p.m. Monday, police responded to the Kmart on a report of a shooting. A black Dodge Durango had been seen leaving the parking lot at a high rate of speed.

Detectives soon found the vehicle in a driveway in the 2300 block of Jessie Way.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 353-2225, Sparks dispatch at 353-2231 or Secret Witness at 322-4900.

In CA I can only be aware of myself being a victim. I try not to go out after dark.

 

[bogie]

Since 9/11, I've got to admit that I consciously avoid shopping malls or large groups of people, unless I get really pressured into it. Too many people wandering blissfully unaware, with sharks circling... The largest mall in the area has a bit of a crime problem, but a lot of it never makes the news...

 

[BenjaminR]

Since 9/11, I've got to admit that I consciously avoid shopping malls or large groups of people, unless I get really pressured into it.

No offense, but you can't let the events of 9/11 keep you from perfectly normal social activities. If you do, the terrorists have won. Be aware, pack heat if you want, but you have to live your life normally. I never flew on an airliner before 9/11, but I've flown countless times since. The odds of something bad actually happening to you are in your favor. If you have your situational awareness and are prepared with a plan, you're doing good.

-Benjamin

 

[tnieto2004]

Galveston has been a little on the heavy crime side for a while ..


I hope those idiots get caught

 

[shotgunkevin]

you can't let the events of 9/11 keep you from perfectly normal social activities. If you do, the terrorists have won.

This is a fallacy. It stems from American's desire to remain blissfully ignorant
and our national consumerism. The terrorists don't care if you got a PSP for Christmas.

The terrorists will win when America is a smoking ruin and Israel is gone.
They win when we die.

 

[bogie]

Hey, didn't really like huge herds of people to start with. Our country moves along in condition bright white, and I don't really feel like being part of the mass...

I mean, when I exit something like that, I look around the parking lot for potential problems. Most of the folks just wander on out to their cars. I've returned inside to report suspicious activity at a police substation before - A carload of male teens drove in, went past several open spaces, turned, went past more, turned back down another parking aisle... I turned around and walked the 50 yards or so back to the MiniCopshop. Maybe someone's car didn't get stolen that night.

 

[BenjaminR]

The terrorists will win when America is a smoking ruin and Israel is gone.

In the literal sense, yes. But they are called "terrorists" because they like to put terror into the hearts of The People. Do what you want, I really don't care.

Sure, I'm cautious...I try to stay in condition yellow but I'm not going to let the threat of a possible terrorist attack stop me from doing whatever it is I feel I need to do. I'm more concerned about getting jumped by our local "friendly" illegal aliens and their occasionally unruly decendants or perhaps running into an armed guard protecting his crop of marijuana out in the middle of the national forest.

-Benjamin

 

[BenjaminR]

Hey, didn't really like huge herds of people to start with.

That's fine, I have a friend like that but it has nothing to do with 9/11.

 

[03Shadowbob]

For me it doesn't matter what time of day or night it is, I am 100% aware. This is probably due to my LEO experience and being in numerous shootings. YMMV.

 

[TallPine]

Hey, didn't really like huge herds of people to start with.

Same here - I don't like more than 1 or 2 around at the same time, and sometimes not even that many

<------------- Guess that's why I live where I do.

Heck, shopping is overated - you just end up spending money on junk you didn't need anyway.

 

[karz10]

It's crazy out there, which is one reason why I'm here... researching guns and what not...

Here's a story from my neck of the woods, these are common place here now:


Employee kills would-be robber in McDonald's
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/16558610.htm

Regardless of how you feel about the employee at a McD's (that has a criminal record BTW according to the story) having a gun at work, or the fact that he opened fire on the would be robber, the point is that we innocent civilians could get caught up in this kind of stuff at anytime, like The_Shootist was saying, we have to be alert.

To put in perspective, this McD's thing was on the 'bad' part of town by some people's standards, but it's McDonald's for crying out loud, and it was a shootout between a counter worker and a would be robber. Damn right I'm buying a gun, geez.

Karz