Problems with gangs and gang members

[Birdmang]

Can you walk in your front yard/driveway wielding an AR15 with magazines everywhere and pistols on your hip?

^Not practical/smart or a good idea at all, I am just wondering the legality of carrying on your property be it suburban or rural and if it extends into people's/neighbors' fields of view?

Thanks

 

[mljdeckard]

I'm absolutely with The Dark Knight here. Whenever you go thinking that you are Charles Bronson, remember a couple of things. If they are who you think they are, they are looking for targets of opportunity. Don't give them one. Keep it tight and discrete. Note everything and make the police do their job.

DO NOT give them a reason to give you a closer look. Do you want complications in your life? I don't. Valor, pride, measuring genitalia, whatever. They don't LOOK for violence with non-members. Don't give them a reason to GET violent. If there is no opportunity where you are, they will go away. DON'T GIVE THEM A REASON TO RECONSIDER.

You will NOT look as tough as Clint Eastwood when you have a "Get off my lawn!!" moment.

 

[Skillet]

well considering legality, i live outside the city limits of Nampa, Idaho, the second largest city in the state. even a kid here could carry concealed outside city limits under the right conditions. but i'm not entirely worried about that. we have had a recent rash of break ins at our neighborhood and that is what i am mostly worried about. i did inform on them parking by an empty house for sale, but i have found that somebody just recently bought the house and is looking to move in, and i have seen them and i can tell that the happy new owners are jsut a regular family. i did ask about undercover, and they said being the car described, it is not an undercover. plus, in Idaho, undercover is hardly undercover. you can tell by the liscense plate.

the gangs in this city are not particularily huge, but a few are a force to be reckoned with, but with northside being blue and southside being red, and the car being red, and me living on the south edge of town, maybe they are looking to extend their boundaries and want to extend to a neighborhood(s) that won't give them much grief.
that's just my idea.

 

[sidheshooter]

Some good advice here. As well, I think you did good. I'd just add that the only time they should be aware that you have a gun is if it is time for them to *really * know. If seedy people know that there are firearms in your house, it's only a matter of time before someone waits until you leave and breaks in.

Guys with jobs are at a real disadvantage to guys without jobs when it comes to keeping an eye on stuff.

Again, watch your back and keep on keeping on.

 

[sidheshooter]

BTW, Nampa is in a nice part of the country. I've been there on business back in the day.

 

[Skillet]

i dont mind nampa, it's a preyy good city, and some friendly people. but there are always the bad seeds. i do not let that discourage me and how i think about my hometown. i love it here, and i will continue to live here for some time to come.

(and besides Nampa has 1/2 the crime rate caldwell, our neighbor city, has)

 

[si vis pacem]

Lot of good advice here. My neck of the woods is in a gang zone. While not nearly as bad as the areas adjacent to mine, we have a gang and vagrant presence. Keep your head low. Learn the cars and faces. Stay calm and confident. Do not seek confrontation, but have the means of a forceful response should confrontation arise. As for the vagrants, if you look just past them when walking down the street, they tend not to pay you much attention.

 

[MarineOne]

I live outside the city limits of Nampa, Idaho......

I live in one of the newer subdivisions in Kuna, and yeah, at least you're not in Caldwell.


Kris

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Most true gang members tend to try and keep a low profile. They generally don't involve the public in their business, as long as you mind yours.

Having said that, it sounds like maybe you have a carload of kids looking for somewhere to smoke some weed or something.

Read up on the gangs that are in your area. Learn to recognize their "colors" and social cues. That way you can not only tell the cops that you had a car full of undesirables in your neighborhood, but also you can tell them if they were affiliated with anyone.

Believe it or not, most gang members get that you would want to protect your home turf and want to know who is going through your neighborhood. You don't roll through theirs without someone noticing you.

 

[Guns and more]

I'd call the police and report "suspicious activity". Maybe they were going to break into the house for sale, and knew you were watching.
A police car cruising the neighborhood is a good thing.

 

[Mr. Ed]

Keep a security camera under the eves facing the street. Calling the police with the description of the car and the license plate is a good idea. If you have the money, put a recorder on the camera. The police will often times notice your security camera and will ask if your recorder was on during calls for suspicious or criminal activity. Had it happen a number of times at my place. Another good idea is to not keep you garage door open when flakes drive by. Sometimes they are shopping, and you are giving them a real good preview of their next acquisition. Close the door, turn out the lights, and don't look away if they look at you while driving by. It lets them know that you aren't afraid to live in your own neighborhood. Gang bangers are typical bullies. If your afraid, they will pick up on it, and if their was any doubt before, they will not have any if you meek out. Some don't think it's wise to "stare back", but when strangers are cruising your neighborhood, where your family and friends live, and looking at you, give them a good look back, and they'll know that you know that they know.........................

 

[bobby68]

Mr. Ed finally said it, good chance they are after what was in your garage. Tools and car parts seem to be a desired commodity among the local drug culture.

another point is that, especially with the drugs and alcohol they often consume, criminals don't often make wise or rotational decisions.

 

[slabuda]

well considering legality, i live outside the city limits of Nampa, Idaho

Nampa isnt bad but it has the potential to turn into Caldwell. That is if people let it. Do as you do and keep an eye out and call the police when needed. Nampa police supposedly are pretty tough on the gangs from what I read in the Statesman.

Oh and make sure yo lock your stuff up. Lock the drawers and if you can secure the tools to the wall with a cable lock. They would have to make an awfull noise getting them out then. More than enough time to wake up and call the police.

 

[chuckusaret]

Most true gang members tend to try and keep a low profile. They generally don't involve the public in their business, as long as you mind yours.

Not true here in Florida, the gang bangers wear and flaunt their colors and mark their territories. Palm Beach County has a gang task force that makes gang related arrests every day of the week. Seldom do you see a lone gang member, they run in packs.

 

[chevyforlife21]

if they were gang members i think you might want something more then a 9mm vs 4 men with 9mm. i cant blame you id be scared for my safety to if i seen thugs in my neighborhood.

 

[BornAgainBullseye]

may not be the best advise, but back in my younger days I had a girlfriend in the Daytona Beach area.... well more like Holly Hill...... or as Volusia County calls it Holy Hell. She had gang types drive really slow by her house and would sometimes park across the street from her driveway. I made it a habit to carry my Romanian AK in to the house when I visited. long story short is one time they were parked almost in the drive one time when I was leaving. AK in hand..... She never saw the car again. She moved when her lease was up.

 

[wilkersk]

I had a punk come to my door and try to intimidate me into not filing an insurance claim for an accident his GF was responsible for. My car was totaled, and I had to be extracted and spent a day in the hospital getting checked out.

In WA state, all party's in a carr accident are listed on the accident report with address and phone numbers. Everyone gets a copy.

I asked him to leave. But, he cruised by a few times after that. Once, I'm pretty sure he saw me with my trap gun in hand ( a really nice looking Rem 1100 with a 28" barrel). Haven't seen him since.

The LEO who took the report and came to see me in the hospital stopped by a few weeks later to see how I was doing. He told me that the GF missed her court date and had likely fled the state. This was her 2nd time getting caught driving on a suspended license and her 3rd DUI.

 

[DFW1911]

I had a similar situation earlier this year, but was able to resolve the issue on their first series of passes through the neighborhood: I lit them up...with a Fenix flashlight. I was CCW and when I do I normally carry a Fenix or Surefire light.

They were crawling along so the light hit them from the rear, kind of like a police spotlight but with much less candle power. That Fenix, though, sure puts out some lumens (or whatever they're called).

I wanted to let them know I saw them and since I was behind them I "had the drop" on them as well.

They left and I've never seen them again.

A word of caution: this little stunt could have backfired on me, without a doubt. I had good cover and decent concealment if it came to that sort of stuff.

Sidenote: the first and only thing the two front passengers reached for were the shoulder portion of the seat belt. Yep, they weren't wearing them. In TX it's law.

 

[Big Bill]

but what i want to know, is what would you do in this situation?

Get your camera out and start taking pictures of them; and, get their licence plate number. Not much else you can do unless they make the first move.

 

[Shadow 7D]

This reminds me of the ranger/gang shoot out thread I saw yesterday http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=477261&highlight=ranger+gang

Kinda the thing you wouldn't want to happen.

Personally I would use some security cameras or perimeter alarms, unless they decide to take notice of me, then I would be out in the front yard BBQing with the neighbors strapped with video cameras on tripods having the little old lady up the street (she's nosey anyways) run out and take good pics of the license plate and occupants.....

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

I just want to remind the OP again to please ignore all these tough guy comments. I don't care what AR or little 922r compliant semi-auto AK you own, you do NOT want problems with young, reckless individuals that are in a gang. Not wise. Keep a low profile.

 

[Skillet]

well there is a problem with the nampa police and me being able to call them and what not.
i live OUTSIDE the city limits of Nampa. that means that the only police available to this area are the canyon county police and some state police. now, it takes them some time longer to respond to any accident that may occur. i have not seen them for quite some time, though, and i don't expect to also. i live in a neighborhood that has an elementary school right by it, a lds church down the road, and about three policemen living in the neighborhood as well. so i do not think that there will be much of a problem any more. thanks though!

 

[MarineOne]

Nampa isnt bad but it has the potential to turn into Caldwell. That is if people let it. Do as you do and keep an eye out and call the police when needed. Nampa police supposedly are pretty tough on the gangs from what I read in the Statesman.

It's not that the police are tough ....... it's that they HAD to GET tough. The gang problem has gotten worse not because it's been ignored, per se, but it hasn't been addressed like it should have. If they had acted when the problems first arose they wouldn't be in the situation they're in now.

well there is a problem with the nampa police and me being able to call them and what not.
i live OUTSIDE the city limits of Nampa. that means that the only police available to this area are the canyon county police and some state police. now, it takes them some time longer to respond to any accident that may occur. i have not seen them for quite some time, though, and i don't expect to also. i live in a neighborhood that has an elementary school right by it, a lds church down the road, and about three policemen living in the neighborhood as well. so i do not think that there will be much of a problem any more. thanks though!

We have it worse in Kuna. The city laid off all but 3 police officers and have had Ada County Sheriffs pick up the slack so anytime we need a police response it comes from Boise, which is 25 minutes away. The nice part is we're outside city limits, so if I want to open carry I can legally do so. But then why should I let everyone know that?



Kris

 

[trigun87]

WOW, Ive read all of this thread and all I can see is assumptions. Driving a customized car down a street you dont live on isnt' a crime, nor is being a minority in an older car a crime either.

I feel this way because just last friday I went to buy a small vending machine from a guy off craigslist, I went to his neighborhood and was unable to find the house. So I pulled over on the side of the road to check the address on my phone. Some crazy starts yelling at me that they are calling the cops. am I tresspassing on a public street, or am I just being profiled for being a minority and driving a gang affiliated green toyota corolla ..

 

[BP Hunter]

I live in a highend neighborhood. I live on a street where most if not all the cars have to drive by my house to enter the subdivision, so faces and color are all familiar to me. Last halloween, I saw an old SUV with 2 dark faces wearing black mustaches and semi shaved off heads in the early 20's cruising around the area. They definitely were not from our neighborhood. They were really driving slow and were looking around. I doubt if these young ones were looking to buy a house. At first I didn't pay much attention to it until it drove around our block 3 times. My mistake was that I just let it go.

That night when we arrived trick or treating with our friends at their home, I discovered that many homes including ours had the pumpkins smashed. No, I am not saying those visitors were responsible for it but....

The next time I get a bad gut feeling I'll call the police. I will be watching for unfamiliar suspicious looking characters this Halloween. I will not confront then but will take license numbers, descriptions and maybe even a pciture.