I got "interviewed" this evening.

[ZeSpectre]

I was the only person cleaning my car at the car wash just as it's getting dark. Two big males (19'ish) are riding 'round and round the parking lot on some BMX bikes. They aren't talking to each other or looking at each other, both of them were watching me like hawks. Finally one of them stops at the back of the wash bay and the other stops at the front.

Quick like the bunny I'm back in my vehicle and start the engine. I start pulling forward and that guy moves aside but slaps my hood as I'm pulling out.

I keep going.

I pull over about three blocks away and call the cops, when the "bike dudes" see me on the phone they bolt.

Cops come, I describe the event and give a good description of the subjects and their bikes. The cops thank me and I go home.

Just another reminder folks, keep yer antennas up, yer eyes open, and have an exit plan.

 

[george29]

Sounds to me like you passed their interview. I have a rule, I try not to go out or be out after dark, it's cheaper than the alternative.

 

[JustinJ]

"I try not to go out or be out after dark, it's cheaper than the alternative."

Takes the fun out of living in a free country. I'm all for being vigilant but i'd never let fear of crime dictate where i go or when i go there.

 

[AWorthyOpponent]

Good job being alert and quick to respond to a perceived threat. Hopefully, the police responded and were able to prevent anyone else from being victimized.

 

[AWorthyOpponent]

i'd never let fear of crime dictate where i go or when i go there

Some places you should be afraid to go at night. While you shouldn't have to be afraid, there is cause for you to be. This is one of the biggest reasons why we fight to keep the RTKBA, to reduce this fear and allow us to go about our lives, and protect ourselves if we are put in a bad situation.

 

[alrutzz]

it's cheaper than the alternative.

I reload .357 mag at around $0.20 a round. I'd be willing to hand over $1.20 or so

 

[joeq]

I'm all for being vigilant but i'd never let fear of crime dictate where i go or when i go there.

Heck man, there are places in East Austin I wouldn't go at night and Austin is generally pretty safe.

 

[Kleanbore]

How many people here comprehend the meaning of the subject line?

 

[MyGreenGuns]

Good for you

Good job with situational awareness! Its better to vacate the area than try and be Wyatt Earp.

No we should NOT fear the dark. But excercising caution in this day and age is always a must.

 

[Telekinesis]

How many people here comprehend the meaning of the subject line?

I did...



Glad to hear that nothing bad happened. Also good move on getting out of there quick and not trying to stick around to "prove" yourself. Honestly the more I read on gun forums (not just here), the more I start to think that most people would just pull a gun the moment they were surrounded and shoot the first one who advanced. I'm not sure if its internet posturing or what, but its definitely easier (and cheaper) to escape if you have the option.

 

[btg3]

Quote:
How many people here comprehend the meaning of the subject line?

I did...

Mebbe Kleanbore wants you to 'splain it to HIM.

 

[ccsniper]

Sounds to me like you passed their interview. I have a rule, I try not to go out or be out after dark, it's cheaper than the alternative.

wish I could, here in my town it is getting kinda crazy at night now. But I work third shift so staying in at night is impossible

 

[ZeSpectre]

I don't know why it didn't occur to me that people might not know what I meant by "interviewed" so here's the best summary I could find in a fast search.

5 Stages of Violent Crime

 

[Kleanbore]

I don't know why it didn't occur to me that people might not know what I meant by "interviewed" so here's the best summary I could find in a fast search.

5 Stages of Violent Crime

Thanks. That's it. Just thought that it may not be common knowledge.

 

[daorhgih]

It's been me.

((First of all, thanks for those 5 steps)) Stalked by two of those same-looking 'bangers, but it was inside Wally's store. I noticed their following me, but I finished shopping and was in the wide service-aisle heading to my car. The two were still paralleling me on the other side of the check-outs. I slowed and turned to go in the mens-room, but simply reversed course and headed to the other exit. The dudes knew they'd been made. But I reached my car, unlocked the doors by remote, tossed the goodies in, and withdrew my CCW shiny little pocket-carried .380, and when they saw it the crisis evaporated. I am pretty sure my dodge-antics would be on camera, and all of us would, also. If not -- I was aiming at their knees. This was at midnight, and I don't know how they determined to stalk me.

 

[pacerdude]

Thanks for the tip guys, I must admit I had not heard of the 5 stages of violent crime until this evening! I love the knowledge I get from this board!

 

[David E]

Aiming at the knees?

That's just foolish.

 

[Librarian]

withdrew my CCW shiny little pocket-carried .308

.308? I want one ...

Good awareness, OP. Glad that worked the way it did.

 

[MyGreenGuns]

I don't know why it didn't occur to me that people might not know what I meant by "interviewed" so here's the best summary I could find in a fast search.

5 Stages of Violent Crime

Thanks. That's it. Just thought that it may not be common knowledge.

Nope, Never read that before. Ya gotta learn something new everyday!

and

Aiming at the knees? If you actually had to fire, aim for center mass. Larger target = Better odds of hitting target. And I hate Wally world!

 

[critter]

I had a female friend who passed the same 'interview' at a car wash pretty much the same way just a few days ago. A few days after that, another friend (carwash owner) was robbed at gunpoint as he serviced the wash.

Young perp was caught the same day. "He was such a goooood boy" according to his mother (boy was home just a few weeks from reform school) and "it was not a REAL gun" according to mom.

He is now under $100,000 bond and charged as an adult. We'll see how it goes.

 

[thump_rrr]

This was at midnight, and I don't know how they determined to stalk me.

It could have been anything, from a piece of jewelery you were wearing, the phone that was clipped to your belt or the car you were driving.
It may have even been the way you were walking.

 

[knotquiteawake]

These types of stories make me more and more certain that getting my Texas CHL was the right thing to do. That an helped tune my situational radar some more as well.

 

[bratch]

One more reason to continue to use the drive through car washes.

Good job on being alert and making a decisive action.

 

[Mainsail]

OK, now imagine you had a 1911 carried openly on your belt. Do you think they would have even approached you? From experience, I would say no.

 

[Bmont2409]

About 15 years ago our plant had a number of foremen from another plant in Canada while we were undergoing some major renovations and while I was working with him we had numerous discussions about guns in America and our "obsession" with them as he put it. He explained that if you did not act like you were fearful and walked with your head up that criminals wouldn't bother you. He was working a night shift and stopped at a 24 hr grocery store in a nice area of Kansas City to pick up a few things when he noticed there were 4 rather large folks following him around the store and followed him to the checkout when they had nothing to pay for. Said he was starting to get nervous about that time as they followed him out of the store to his car when a police car just happened to cruise through the parking lot and they ran off in 4 different directions. He asked if I thought they may have hurt him and I said what do you think? Welcome to the real world.