Could have been a bad night...

[jkroner659]

I was in town at a rite aid returning a broken fabreeze bottle:p. When I am walking out to my car(about 10:30 pm), I look as soon as I go out the door as normal, and I see a big black guy(No im not racist you loons, I'm just not politically correct) walking across the street towards rite aid. So I ignore it but keep it in the back of my mind. I get in my car and look and he is running, not jogging over to my car...

So I roll my window down and this big ole sweaty guy in almost a full sprint stops a foot away from my window(I'm acting cool but I was ready if anything should occur, although I'm at a major disadvantage seated in my car with a thumb break holster) and asks me for money so he can take the train home to philadelphia. He said "Man I need 5 bucks I lost my train pass, I work at staples can I have 5 bucks so I can get home." I said "Nope sorry...don't have any money on me." He keeps asking, So I finally said "Look buddy, are you done wasting my time I'm late so please get away from my car". He turns around and was cursing under his breath...

Now he could have been telling the truth about working at staples and losing his train pass but I'm not gonna pull my wallet out when the window is down and I am seated in my car. If this world was not full of scam artists and criminals I would have helped him out but if there is a risk, sorry buddy, call a friend. I always feel like an ass when I say no to people in need, but do not run up to my car after I am seated...that's a no no especially when it's an empty parking lot and it's just you and me. Would you guys do the same thing I did? I would not advise pulling your wallet out when you are seated in your car and it's a empty parking lot...If I was young and dumb...maybe, but sadly I lost a lot of faith in humanity as I grow older and I will not stick my neck out so it could possibly escalate to the point where I have to shoot you...just turn around and go on your way and leave me be...Did I handle it ok?

[max4073]

You did the right thing. As soon as you would have got your wallet out he probably would have grabbed it and ran. He was probably trying to get to the liquor store before it closed. Even if his story was true it's not your fault he couldn't hold onto his train pass. What a jackass.

[RiverFisher]

+1 You are not a victim!
Besides, who doesn't have an ATM card?

[Dash Riprock]

The only thing I can add is if was me I would have already had my gun out if I saw someone I didn't know running at my car. Maybe not visible to them, but I wouldn't be sitting there waiting to see what they were going to do first then have to fumble around trying to get my gun out of a holster.

In fact I don't even keep mine holstered in my car. I keep it very close by and easily accessible.

[jkroner659]

Ya you have the right idea. My Tucker HF-1 will be here in October I'm told and I ordered it without a thumb break. Having a thumb break is good if your standing or walking but sitting in a car is a bad spot to be in if shtf. Having it already out and ready will always be better than holstered.

The town I was in(Lansdale) has become worse than 10 years ago. All the people from philly are moving there and it used to be that 10-15 years ago the streets were almost empty after midnight. But now people just roam around walking slow looking like they have nothing better to do. I moved to the next town over and man is it peaceful...at night it is quiet as all hell, only crickets and nature sounds (and sometimes monkeys:limp:). I am not a fan of migration from the city to the suburbs...

[Sinatra877]

I haven't worked a town or city or heard from other Policemen that didn't hear of that scam. It is one of the oldest scams in the world.

"Hey man...I'm in a squeeze. Could I get five bucks to catch a bus too X? I swear that if you give me your address I'll mail you back the money."

Good for you JK. I would have called the Police on the way out with a description and a location too. He needed his five for his next pipe hit. "Train too X" my ass...

When I wear CCW and I sit in a car...especially with a seat belt on. I usually just take my piece out and sit on the receiver covering it but very close for easy access for whatever ails ya'.

Good for you Monkeyboy.

[Dash Riprock]

I don't fall for scams either... The ones that really piss me off are the ones that use their kids to soften you up. I really need $5 or whatever to buy some diapers or baby food... Then I'M the asshole for saying no.

[Sinatra877]

I don't fall for scams either... The ones that really piss me off are the ones that use their kids to soften you up. I really need $5 or whatever to buy some diapers or baby food... Then I'M the asshole for saying no.

I know I said that I'd like to assume that folks are generally "good" but you have to put 2 and 2 together and you'll come to a quick conclusion. I hate that soft approach with the kids too.

Last time I had someone approach me at the Wal Mart...I'd say about early '03. I think he was somewhat surprised that I was reaching for my wallet and then "Psyche!" I showed him my badge...told him to stay put by sitting down and keep his hands out of his pockets and called with my cellular to my department dispatcher. After the assigned zone Officer arrived and ran his name...It turned out to be a crackhead with warrants on him for Burglary. Bad day for him, another point for the good guys. I hate bums like that. I'll give you the shirt off my back if you really need it but folks like this? Fuck'em with a little sand on top.

[max4073]

I know I said that I'd like to assume that folks are generally "good" but you have to put 2 and 2 together and you'll come to a quick conclusion. I hate that soft approach with the kids too.

Last time I had someone approach me at the Wal Mart...I'd say about early '03. I think he was somewhat surprised that I was reaching for my wallet and then "Psyche!" I showed him my badge...told him to stay put by sitting down and keep his hands out of his pockets and called with my cellular to my department dispatcher. After the assigned zone Officer arrived and ran his name...It turned out to be a crackhead with warrants on him for Burglary. Bad day for him, another point for the good guys. I hate bums like that. I'll give you the shirt off my back if you really need it but folks like this? Fuck'em with a little sand on top.

Damn. :happy: ...with a little sand on top? :bows:

[Sinatra877]

Damn. :happy: ...with a little sand on top? :bows:

Give'm the "Friction Makes Heat" effect. I can't stand those folks.

[Toecutter1201]

I actually had one approach me and a friend leaving a redwings hockey game, when i opened the drivers side door of my truck he approached from the trucks 11:00 and said "hey man i kept an eye on your truck for you, how about giving me a dollar" and he actually reached his arm in between the windshield and my open door, "gimme a dollar man" was the last thing i heard before a blood curdling scream as i shut my truck door with his arm still between the door and windshield! i told him if he wanted to keep all his appendiges to step away from the truck. funny thing is he went to the passengerside of the truck where my buddy handed him $5.00. my friend steve said he will never go to another hockey game with me since it seems to bring out my violent side.

i have no clue about a violent side!:eek:

[sleepyweasel]

jk...what kinda vehicle do you drive? If you cant get it out of your holster while belted in, take it out when you get into your car. I put the muxxle of mine between the seat cusion and the center console,right where my seatbelt buckles in......since its a small all black gun with only the grip sticking out, i dont think anyone even notices when i go through a drive through for lunch that its there.

[CBnL]

I'm right there with ya JK.
Yea, its a sad state but you are right... generally those type of situations are scams.
If he really was in need of train fair / ride home, he should contact friends/family/law enforcement. I know here in town, if someone really has experienced a situation like that, officers will help them out. (often transport them home but we aren't a massive city that requires train/subway transportation)

[jkroner659]

jk...what kinda vehicle do you drive? If you cant get it out of your holster while belted in, take it out when you get into your car. I put the muxxle of mine between the seat cusion and the center console,right where my seatbelt buckles in......since its a small all black gun with only the grip sticking out, i dont think anyone even notices when i go through a drive through for lunch that its there.

I have 2 cars, a Honda Civic and a Jeep Cherokee. I drove the Honda to rite aid last night. It's such a low car and it's a bad spot to be in when someone is standing next to your window.

I do not wear seat belts around town, only on the highway. I usually just keep my gun in a belt holster when driving...only bad thing is it is a thumb break model...Tucker's HF-1 should be here at the end of this month or next month sometime, I got that without a thumb break. I am a thumb break belt holster guy, but I got to get out of my comfort zone since in some instances there will be no time to fool with a thumb break like last night(if he would have pulled a knife or what have you)...if I'm in my low civic, it's gotta be ready asap:AR15firing: