TexasCHLforum.com

Yesterday I had my first 'iffy' experience and I'm pretty sure I did everything right, but I can see where scenarios come to mind b/c I keep thinking if there was something I could have done better.

So yesterday afternoon, I went to do laundry. My wife and I live in an apartment for the timebeing so I use the a laundromat up the street. For those familiar, it's over by DFW on Northgate, in the same plaza as the shell station...there's a Waffle House at the end of the plaza and a 7-11 across the street.

I got there and immediately removed my clothes to take them inside. Nothing special was going on, just a gent (landscaper) blowing around some fresh cut grass. His partner seemed to be on the other end of the lot by the truck. The change machine was empty so I had to zoom over to the 7-11 and ask for a roll of quarters.

Now, I get back and pull into the same spot. This time, the gentleman with the leaf blower is in front of the laundromat and there are two thugs harrassing him; I apparently came in the middle of something. The two thugs were in a turquoise type blue...not the dark blue Crip color, so I have no idea what 'set' they were from. But as I'm standing at my trunk to remove soap, you have the landscaper at my 11:00, thug #1 at my 10:00, and thug #2 at my 2:00. Thug #2 appeared to be a lap dog, the "yeah, boss...yeah, boss" kind. Thug #1 seemed to be the main instigator. Thug #1 was saying something to the landscaper and leaning into him as if to throw a punch or rush him. Thug #2 just kinda hung out # 2:00, surveying everything and throwing in on occasional "yeah". The landscaper was not making any aggressive moves and I guess after 45 seconds, a minute, another car arrived -- someone else using the laundry. I guess the number of witnesses spooked the thugs as they said one last thing. Thug #1 starts to retreat around and then behind me. As he was walking, I removed with my soap with my cold hand and shut my trunk, now placing him at my 3:00. Thug #2 continued his pathway towards the car. As Thug #1 went to the car, he locked eyes...I can only hope that he realized I just spent 4 hours setting up a nursery and was not in the mood. They both eventually got back to their car and went on.

At no point did it appear either of them was going to reach for a weapon, so I was happy about that. At some point, I said to myself that as long as it's a fair fight, I have no place to intervene. However, I was concerned if there could have been a knife involved in the situation or if Thug #2 was somehow going to intervene if a fight broke out. I had made up my mind that I was only going to draw if a weapon came out or if Thug #1 wanted to 'interview' me.

I tell ya...the whole scene probably lasted about 1.5 minutes but when I think about it, each second feels like a minute in itself. So any thoughts? I'm thinking I played it pretty well as a gunfight on a Sunday (or ANY day) is not my intention. I'm a big ole teddy bear...until provoked.

It sounds like you were aware of your surroundings and ready to take action if necessary. Your presence and posture may have prevented a mugging.

Do you have a cell phone?

- Jim

The way I look at it. Everyone alive and you can share the stories with us. That's a good thing. Good job for keeping the cool head.

As for the scenarios that posed itself. That would be a tough one. Cause that two you describe as being possible Gang members could have had more buddies closer than you think. While you could have cut those two down you might have had a hand full when it was all said and done. Not to mention the retaliation that would undoubtedly come.

Yes, I always keep a cellphone with me either for work or so my wife can reach me - she's preggers. That was actually my first thought, to call 911 but then I started thinking that A. no crime had been committed yet, and B. it might attract unwanted/negative attention or a confrontation. When the one kid/guy/future inmate started going back to his car and going around me, I was just thinking, "I don't want him behind me" and figured that was a good time to get my supplies and shut the trunk so I could reposition naturally and not look like I was taking any kind of defensive or offensive posture.

I have a theory (and it is only an unproven theory) that dialing a cell phone may cause some of these creeps to think twice (so to speak). They may not be doing anything that would get them arrested at the moment, but the police are probably familiar with them, and they may be on probation or parole.

- Jim

Big Calhoun wrote: ...I got there and immediately removed my clothes to take them inside...

Sounds like you did fine. But, I think maybe you should have kept your clothes on.

Welcome to Old Northwest Irving. The whole Northgate, Portland, Walnut hill area can that way. I'd also keep my eyes open around Victoria Park on Northgate.

seamusTX wrote:It sounds like you were aware of your surroundings and ready to take action if necessary. Your presence and posture may have prevented a mugging.

Do you have a cell phone?

- Jim

I agree, but I would figure that if the "thugs" noticed what you were doing, and took issue with it, and they directed their attention and potential threat to you...

Would that action of getting on your phone be considered instigating or inticing a confrontation???

I believe you had better be ready for the worse, considering what you just witnessed before you made a phone call...

I would be in condition "orange" ready to go "red", and let the 911 tape record everything after that...

It almost has to be that way, these days, unfortunately...

But thats just my opinion...

stevie_d_64 wrote:Would that action of getting on your phone be considered instigating or inticing a confrontation???

I can't see how any reasonable person would consider dialing a cell phone to be a provocation.

What you say could be a provocation, but there's no need for others to hear what you're saying, or read your lips for that matter.

If you think the fur is going to fly in the next few seconds, it doesn't hurt to call 911. If you turn out to be wrong, you could just say, "sorry, I called by accident." (It happens all the time.)

- Jim

llwatson wrote:

Big Calhoun wrote: ...I got there and immediately removed my clothes to take them inside...

Sounds like you did fine. But, I think maybe you should have kept your clothes on.

That jumped out at me as well...

It was kind of warm yesterday so I figured I'd make myself comfortable and do laundy 'au natural'.

RE: Cellphone...my line of thinking was my 'New York State of Mind' kicking in. When I lived on the East Coast, I had observed many a situations where someone in a crowd during a confrontation and with a cellphone would attract the attention of someone involved. I've even witnessed one guy who basically stopped pummeling on some poor sap, took the cellphone of a lady who was calling 911, and then continued on adminstering the pummeling and later taking off with the stolen phone. So I didn't want it to be one of those, "Hey, what are you looking at...mind your own business" type situations. Plus I have a Treo which seems to attract unwanted attention all on its own.

Re: NW Irving...I'm begining to see it's not as cool as I thought it was. Funny thing is, been here for a year and 4 months now. The first year, relatively peaceful, a few odd events. This year...I dunno, maybe I'm just paying more attention and noticing more.

I agree with your actions toatally because it could have been me or a loved one in this very same potential danger.

CHLers and home owners in so many jurisdictions have to worry about gun haters and headline hunting District Attorneys.

For example they could jam you up with"why didnt you flee and call the police, since you had a way of escape"? Especially if the thugs had attacked with a knife or gun and you had to shoot and a death was a result.

Now we with common since know that an innocent citizen can be mugged and dead in the time that it takes to call the police and for them to arrive on the scene.

But some jurisdictions, jurors, judges, and DAs would try and stick it to one of US especially in such an 'anti-gun' climate.

I do NOT beleive anything like the above could happend in Texas. But in NY State for example they would turn the heroe into a criminal and the criminal into the victim. Lets not even talk about the thugs crying mom taking you to civil court to take away your home and savings.

I am so greatful for common sense legislation in Texas. For example Govenor Rick Perry signed the "Castle Doctrine".

I would have done the same thing.

Nubee

SC1903A3 wrote:Welcome to Old Northwest Irving. The whole Northgate, Portland, Walnut hill area can that way. I'd also keep my eyes open around Victoria Park on Northgate.

I agree. That area has gone down hill fast. Due to the amount of apartments, or Katrina refugees. Don't really know why. Even though deep South Irving is an older area, we don't have as much trouble as they do in the Northgate area.

and they may be on probation or parole.

Probably had warrants. Those type don't seem to take care of their obligations very well. Plus, we try to leave warrants hanging on them anyway so when a situation like this does come up you can just haul them off to jail. Otherwise it would just be a "he said, she said" type thing. Plus, in most cases a LEO can't arrest for a misdemeanor that they didn't personally view. The manager of the apartment complex should Criminally Trespass these types and them have them arrested when they return.

I don't think getting on a phone is provocation. It's your phone, and you have a right to talk on it. (And if you want to talk to 911, it's none of their business.) You pay the bill, not Thugs #1 & 2.

Dh & I lived in apartments for several years while we were putting eachother through college. And we could never really afford the more posh locations either. In one of the last places we lived, we could actually smell marijuana coming through the air vents. We also saw cars driving into the parking lot, looking around, exchanging small items, and leaving. (Yeah, I felt really safe there. )

If I had it to do over again, I would call the police/911 a bit more often. They don't know what you don't tell them.