New neighbor a felon

[Will Learn]

So we have some new neighbors(renters) moving in across the street, I noticed them moving stuff in earlier today. I must admit I was a little concerned to see these baggy clothed kids(20's) moving their stuff into the house but that was only the beginning.

So I go about my day and I get a call from one of my friends who says he found a rifle case at his house and asked if I wanted it. He proceeded to bring it over and we visited on my patio for a few minutes. When he leaves I hear him talking with my new neighbor(they went to high school together), so I went to introduce myself.

We get through the formalities and he asks "so your into guns?" I guess he saw my friend bring the gun case in from his car. I replied that I enjoy shooting, but withheld my inner gunfreak. I asked him if he did any shooting and he replied that he didn't, because he was a FELON. He then goes on to tell me that he shot a big black(he used a racial slur) guy, so he said I could call him a shooter and then giggled.

Needless to say I am not happy about this and plan on contacting the owner. I am still processing this at the moment and am still heated. I call my friend after he leaves to get some background on this POS and he told me that when he went to high school w/ him he was a G'd up pot dealer. I'm not as worried about the whole pot thing as much as him being a felon and racist. I plan on keeping my eyes on these folks and keeping my distance as well. My neighborhood is turning into crap and I'm mad as hell about it .

Oh I found his felony conviction on public access - 1 ct AGGRAVATED BATTERY - INTENTIONAL, BODILY HARM-F 07 on 07/27/06 I'm not trying to start a war with these scum bags but would like to get them out of here. I guess I'll give them a chance but document anything they do that disrupts the "hood."

 

[Mainsail]

I hope your guns are stored in a safe.

 

[vis-à-vis]

That's effed up.

 

[RustyHammer]

What's the old saying -- Hold your friends close and your enemies even closer?!?!

Guess you have a new "best friend"

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Become a pain in the butt to the local police about everything they do that is not kosher. Have the neighbors do the same. We had to run a bunch of trash out of our neighborhood last year. If you stick together, it works.

Give him a chance first, though. You might find he's a quiet sort now.

 

[CDignition]

Its not illegal for him to live there... Just mind your own business, and remember..Situational awareness is a good thing to do.

 

[Prince Yamato]

The fact that he told you he was a felon, probably means that he isn't out to get your stuff. A savvy criminal wouldn't mention that to you. He's battery charge was probably getting into a fight with another drug dealer or something.

As the short story says, "Good Fences, make good neighbors."

 

[Dave Workman]

Will:

Did your new neighbor say WHY he shot this guy? Any possibility that the guy had it coming, and your guy just happened to be in a county with the wrong prosecutor who Nifonged him?

I'm not too keen about the pot, but there are always two sides to a shooting. Sometimes three or four.

I'm not attempting to defend some twerp, but it would not be the first time some schmuck got wrongfully prosecuted for a crime that may not have been a crime. Perhaps you should find out a bit more, but that's just me talking.

I did a piece a while back about this illegal alien doper who shot and killed a guy. The guy had burst in on this fellow in what may have been a drug ripoff and cut loose, so our illegal alien returned fire and killed the guy.

It may have helped that the dead guy was a local scumbag with a long history and the cops and prosecutor weren't all that sorry to say good-bye. Anyway, the prosecutor declined to prosecute for murder, calling the shooting self-defense under our state law.

And now the rest of the story: The illegal is in jail anyway for multiple violations, including drugs, possession of the gun, being here illegally...he's not going anywhere.

 

[Kali Endgame]

A few years ago my parents had a child molester move in two houses up. Sex with a girl under 14. My little sister was 10 at the time. That really didn't go over well.

I feel for you, man, but it could be worse.

 

[CWL]

If I may point out that he's out so this means that he's served his time already. Starting off and calling him a "POS" and "scum bag" isn't right neighborly of you, you're probably sending vibes that the other guy can pick-up on.

It's probably best to simply stay clear of him/them, make sure you're armed and that your house/property is locked-up. I assume you own a safe?

 

[kungfuhippie]

Living next to a racist/felon...
I bet quite a few of us live next to one or both.
I'll get flamed for this...
My uncle is a Felon, for drug posession with intent to sell, that was a long time ago and he's not in any way a scumbag. He's worked hard at living a clean life. Has a job, a home, etc. He has no RKBA and still lives with his past every time he tries to get a job or some new neighbor hears some gossip.
Keep an eye on them, keep your valuables safe, just like you should anyway.
But driving them off etc. is what makes people like your new neighbor not reform but instead revert. He's paid his debt to society. Did you point out your dislike for him using racist words around you? I've done that, it works. Most people will watch what they say if you call them on it. Become the Alpha Neighbor it will help a lot.

 

[Thain]

Okay, so from the racial slur he sound's like he's probably a bit of an twerp... that said, he's a convicted felon with only one offense. Further, he served his sentence and "paid his debt to soceity."

I'm not saying I'd invite him over for Sunday dinner, mind you, but it seems that going out of your way to run him out of the neighborhood is just a bit a-hole-ish...

Leave him alone.

 

[sammy]

The good news is these scumbag types usually cant keep up with rent and wind-up moving alot. Just keep the landlord on speed dial with problems that come up.
In a few weeks I would make small talk with him about how you are going through hard times and needed to sell your guns. If he is looking for guns, at least he will look some where else.
Good luck to you, Sammy

 

[Im283]

baggy clothed kids(20's)...on this POS ....these scum bags....

baggy clothed sounds like most any college kid i see around UT.

As for the other comments, real High Road there. He may not be the brightest bulb in the fixture but you really do not know much about him.
Somewhere in a book it says something about judge not, lest you be judged.

Don't get me wrong, your new neighbor might be bad news but baggy clothes and a past that you really do not know the details about??
Maybe give him a chance, he might have learned his lesson.

As for the racist comments I agree with kungfuhippie, if he uses terms that bother you let him know.

 

[Standing Wolf]

One of my neighbors, noticing I carry openly, asked whether I knew anything about the Colorado concealed carry permit. I told him I sure do: I teach several courses that qualify people. Turns out he "got into a little trouble with some drugs a few years ago." He wasn't sure whether it was a misdemeanor or felony, but mentioned in passing he'd done several years in prison. Except for his motorcycle, which is in dire need of a muffler, he's a more or less okay guy. His kids are... Perhaps the less said, the better.

I didn't encourage him to apply for the permit.

 

[Sistema1927]

I wonder how many of your other neighbors are criminals?

While you are keeping the eagle eye on this guy there might be others sneaking in through your back door.

 

[floridaboy]

+1 on the mind your own business. If he's a convicted felon, he paid for his crime. I don't think our founders meant for people with a record to be punished in perpetuity. As long as he behaves, he should be free to live where he pleases.

 

[Will Learn]

Thanks for your comments I appreciate the input. As far as calling him a scum bag and the like I was just venting due to the eroding nature of my surroundings. The fact that he willingly offered up that fact that he "shot a big ******" and giggled about it surprised me. I was taken aback by the comment and therefore didn't comment on it during our brief(and first) conversation. These are my thoughts and I'm bringing them here for help to sort them out, so bear with me if I sound a little irrational.

I do own a very heavy RSC and am now thinking of bolting it to the foundation. I was respectful during the conversation and I'm am giving him/them a chance, but that doesn't mean I won't make observations about new people moving into my neighborhood. Now whether my comments where politically correct or not could be disputed but where theres smoke theres fire and where theres people that dress like gangsters theres usually the mindset of gangsters. I am a "college kid" and I don't dress like I'm having an Identity crisis but that could be argued too I suppose . I try not to generalize but I don't want to look at situations with blinders on and thats where I'm torn.

I went a few rounds with the heavy bag and am trying to look at the situation from a rational standpoint. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Kentak]

I think if you go looking for trouble with this guy you'll find it. What counts is what he does now that he's across the street, not what he did before. As in any neighborhood, some people will have similar interests, lifestyles, and click and become best buds. Others will barely know their neighbors' names. Chances are you'll be in the later group with this guy.

There would be nothing wrong with acknowledging your new neighbors with a passing wave or greeting. If he invites you over to have a beer on the porch, I would go. You'll quickly find out where he's coming from. Obviously, you shouldn't discount what you know about this guy, but don't assume he hasn't changed his ways. The openly racist remark is disconcerting. Usually, someone isn't that blatant about his racism unless he thinks it's socially acceptable or something to be "in your face" about.

Anyway, keep a cautious eye out and play it by ear. Time will tell.

K

 

[Nomad101bc]

Served his time LMAO most criminals serve a fraction of thier sentance. Its been getting worse and worse thus we have higher crime rates. The only way he could serve a debt to society is to jion the military otherwise getting free meals with our tax dollars and an air conditioned cell does'nt cut as served a debt...Remain vigilant and trust him with nothing!

 

[doubleg]

This effects you how? If he isn't looking for problems don't give him any. Treat people how you wanna be treated.

 

[Will Learn]

I plan on "minding my own business" as I always do but I will also be aware of my situation as CDignition put it.

Floridaboy- Where those the same founders that branded criminal's right hands with their crime for ID purposes? I wonder why they had that in mind? I'm not very comfortable with our prison system's rehabilitation rate but with that being said I do understand people make mistakes(like me rushing to judgement) and should get a second chance(depending on what they did).

Thanks again for your opinions.

 

[Dorryn]

One crime does not predict another. Not all rapists are drug dealers, and vice versa. Aggravated assault does not mean he's going to be after your guns. Keep the vigilance to a maximum and the bias to a minimum, and youll be ok.

 

[22_Shooter]

+1 on some of the things mentioned: He's served his time & these things are in the past it would seem. I wouldn't think someone who is still looking to make trouble would tell his new neighbor he's a convicted felon for shooting someone. Sure, I'd say keep an eye out. But people do stupid stuff, but I don't think it should be held over their head for the rest of their life. People make mistakes, but can also change. You don't have to be friends with the guy if you don't want, just mind your business, and hope he minds his. If he doesn't, THEN make the necessary actions police wise...................and keep the shotty loaded and next to the bed.

 

[Thain]

Served his time LMAO most criminals serve a fraction of thier sentance. Its been getting worse and worse thus we have higher crime rates. The only way he could serve a debt to society is to jion the military otherwise getting free meals with our tax dollars and an air conditioned cell does'nt cut as served a debt...Remain vigilant and trust him with nothing!

Yep, someone has been reading his Starship Troopers... Only way to serve soceity is to join the military? Uh-huh.

He commited his crime, he was arrested, a jury of his peers convicted him, and he served his time.

According to this report, (Table 1.3) the average sentence length for Aggravated Assault is 37 months (3 years). "Other violent felonies" get an average of 33 months... This guy's conviction was for "Aggrivated Battery" which probably falls into the second category.

He has one conviction, so it was likly his first offense, and it was one year ago. (07/27/06).

So, he got into a fight and shot a guy... but the guy he shot apparently was no saint, so he only got charged with "Aggrivated Battery." He spent a year under lock and key, and is probably gogin to spend a few more years on probation.

That's the system, if you have a problem with it, run for office.