How would you guys deal with living in a rough area ?

[heart42]

I know that some of you may have done this but I lived in several bad
areas of Chicago & I wasn't real happy about it. I wonder what your opinion on this is .

 

[bawksy]

Carry a concealed firearm.

Oh wait, you're from Illinois. One of two states in the entire country which doesn't allow it. In that case, just prepare to die defenseless.

 

[Comrade_1917]

I don't think anyone likes living in the slums but those are the breaks sometimes. I grew up in Milwaukee near Center street. It was a high crime area, many gangs. I guess because I grew up in the area I never was scared because it seemed normal. Then I moved to a small rural town. The people were so different. Less edgy and less aware of their surroundings.

My advice for hood survival is [1] pay attention- keep your head up [2] know your surroundings- don't get lost [3] Get to know some people- not everyone is scary. If you can build relationships with some cool people you will feel much more secure than if you are isolated.

Living in the hood is intense. I now live over a mile away from anyone and am much more laid back.

stay safe

 

[PixelKitten]

My advice for hood survival is [1] pay attention- keep your head up [2] know your surroundings- don't get lost [3] Get to know some people- not everyone is scary. If you can build relationships with some cool people you will feel much more secure than if you are isolated.

:text-goodpost:

I worked in the ghetto in Houston for a while, and here are a few things I learnt there.

1. If you are out alone at night, for the love of god, don't go wandering about with your ipod or mp3 player in. A) You can be mugged for it and B) it decreases your awareness of your surroundings. 2. Carrying a knife is something I have been told to do, but unless you know how to use it well, all you are doing is giving your (potential) attacker another weapon to use against you. Plus, never bring a knife to a gunfight. 3. Acting afraid marks you as a victim, but being too cocky or aggressive can also bring you unwanted attention. Walk with confidence, and don't be afraid to smile or say hi to people! 4. Don't be stupid. If the neighbourhood looks rougher than you think is safe, don't go there! Take a different route, get a cab or take the bus instead of walking, or go back in the day. 5. Sometimes, the gated communities have the razor wire on top of the walls to keep the residents in, rather than other people out.

Good luck, and stay safe!

Ginger

 

[NaughtyAmberX]

I don't really live in "the hood" but I live in a pretty bad area of my city.
We have a lot of burglaries and shit.
I just don't go outside alone. Point blank. lol

 

[Trusty]

 

[XxXIndiXxX]

Carry a concealed firearm.

Oh wait, you're from Illinois. One of two states in the entire country which doesn't allow it. In that case, just prepare to die defenseless.

Are you serious? Do people in the US really walk around carrying guns?

I live in a small-ish town in Australia with about 25,000 people and I live right on the edge of the "bad side". The rule here is don't fuck with them and they wont fuck with you.

I used to live right in the middle of the bad area and my neighbours house and car got broken into at least once a week. On the other hand, I left my car out on the street, my windows open and back door was usually unlocked and never had any trouble. Because unlike my neighbour I wasn't standing out the front of my house yelling at the "fucking abbo cunts" :?

You should all move to Australia :lol:

 

[AlexLady]

I rarely ever go outside. I've had nightmares and all sorts of junk from this town, and it's not even that bad in this part.

Basically, I follow most of the rules above (no gun though.) I usually go out from 2-4am when there's no one out around here, with my roommate. I've gone on walks a few times, but eh, I guess I'm crazy.


Mainly, if the place was much worse, I'd stay at home all day every day except when necessary XD

 

[luvsyou]

GingerKitten is right.

I used to repo cars years ago. I've been shot at, stared down the barrel of a shotgun (many time) and confidence is key. Don't be cocky, but don't be a cream puff.

Personally, the best way to deal with it is to move. I live in a small town outside of a fairly big city. Almost no crime.

 

[bawksy]

Are you serious? Do people in the US really walk around carrying guns?

Yes. Although firearms laws vary widely state to state, there are very few places in the US where private citizens can't pack heat.

 

[XxXIndiXxX]

That's fucked up! I can't imagine living in a country where *almost* anyone could have a gun with them. I've never touched a gun, the first time I ever even SAW one close up was about a year ago and I felt sick just being near it.

But I guess things are just very different over here and I don't know any different.

 

[Bocefish]

It's interesting to see views from other countries. Contrary to some beliefs, guns are not evil. It's not like the wild west, unless your in serious gangland territory. However, so far this year, there have been the same amount or more homicides in Chicago than U.S. fatalities in Iraq/Afghanistan last few times I checked. Some government officials in Chicago were even ridiculously considering martial law. :whistle:

Interested people can track Chicago homicides here: http://homicides.redeyechicago.com/

 

[luvsyou]

A gun is just an object.

I've been around guns most of my life. Currently, I don't own one.

It's idiots that are the problem.

 

[XxXIndiXxX]

Just thought I'd add that it wasn't always like this here. There was a massacre in 1996 and after that all semi-automatic rifles and all shotguns had to be surrendered.

You now need a "Genuine Reason" to apply for a gun (pest control, hunting, target shooting or collecting)
And even then there is a minimum 28 day wait for your application for a permit to be processed.
The type of gun you can get is also VERY restricted.

Of course people here still get killed with guns, but it's a lot less of a problem since those new laws came in.

A gun is just an object.

I've been around guns most of my life. Currently, I don't own one.

It's idiots that are the problem.

Exactly

 

[Keithy]

Get jelly to deal with the peanut butter.

 

[Cheeser1]

2. Carrying a knife is something I have been told to do, but unless you know how to use it well, all you are doing is giving your (potential) attacker another weapon to use against you.

Good point.

 

[SatanJonez]

Carry a concealed firearm.

Oh wait, you're from Illinois. One of two states in the entire country which doesn't allow it. In that case, just prepare to die defenseless.

Are you serious? Do people in the US really walk around carrying guns?

Yes. I come from a family of paranoid, gun toting fuckers. I grew up in a decent neighborhood & have lived in not so decent parts of my state since I moved out. Great example: on Super Bowl Sunday this year I ordered pizza. The first order was stolen out of the back of the delivery girls truck a block away from our house. She was delivering another pizza, left her back door open & saw a small woman scuttle away with not only the pizza box, but the warmer thing too. Didn't touch her cellphone, purse, or money bag...o_o I live in a not-so-bright ghetto. Following the basic/common sense suggestions are pretty good ideas.

 

[Keithy]

2. Carrying a knife is something I have been told to do, but unless you know how to use it well, all you are doing is giving your (potential) attacker another weapon to use against you.

Good point.

But, if you can use a knife, a person with a knife is likely to beat a gunman within like 10 feet or something like that.

 

[bawksy]

I can't imagine living in a country where *almost* anyone could have a gun with them.

Sure. Imagine further that you're a mugger, or someone who's about to do a home invasion. You're going to think twice about whether or not your victim has a gun, aren't you?

The US gets its fair share of massacres from time to time. The funny thing is, they usually take place in areas which are gun-free zones like schools or shopping malls (including the 2009 shooting at Fort Hood... base regulations prohibited concealed carry of personal firearms despite Texas law allowing it). It makes sense that someone going for maximum damage would want to make sure as many victims as possible were disarmed.

Laws banning guns passed after traumatic events like the one you described in Australia only disarm people who plan on following the law anyways, and end up creating easier targets for would-be mass-murderers. Do you think someone who is planning a mass shooting really cares about violating local firearms laws?

Luckily in the USA we have it written into our country's founding document that lawmakers can't do that (not that they don't try from time to time).


"When it becomes criminal to have a gun, only criminals will have guns."

 

[Freq]

Growing up in the ghettoest of ghettoes I cans speak from experience so here are some tips
Always be aware of your surroundings. Don't park between 2 big ass vans, has that red impala been folowing you for 14 blocks?, etc...
Be suspicious of EVERYONE you do not know. Not to the level of paranoia, but if someone is going to try something drop um' before they get the weapon out of their pocket.
Don't flash large amounts of cash. It's like painting a bullseye on your chest.
Dont talk shit! I don't care if you ARE the baddest mo'fo on the block. Todays thugs WILL take that title away from you and your life along with it! (I have been shot AT for something as petty as dunking on a guy on a basketball court! To these guys thier ego is all they have and they'll be damned if you knock that down a notch)

One thing about carrying weapons yourself.... DO NOT DO THIS UNLESS YOU KNOW HOW AND INTEND TO USE THEM SHOULD THE NEED ARISE! Using one as a deterrant doesn't prevent a damn thing because consequences for thier actions is the last thing on these thugs minds. BTW I am militarily trained in knife fighting and have the skills and strength to subdue or kill in a quick second! Why DON'T I carry one? Because I don't want the responsibility and legal bullshit that goes along with using a weapon with deadly force. I WILL however, knock a muffukka out!

Lastly, GTFO! Especially if you have a wife and kids' safety to worry about too. I love my hometown, but I loved leaving it even more. I may be back, but I am on the better side of town where I don't have to worry about random act of violence anymore.