I think any reasonable person has some fear going into any neighborhood where there is a lot of crime and violence... Surely people aren't saying they won't go into these areas just ease they are full of black people???
And yeah, nope! I don't think that's been the gist of the comments, unless I've misread...?
I think there is some confusion here about g asking if there is fear of black people as opposed to a white person feeling fear when going into a non-white neighborhood. For example, I do not have a fear of non-whites but when visiting my cousin in Brooklyn back in the mid to late 80's we were taking the subway to go visit the Cloisters and cousin M. got us off at the wrong stop and we found ourselves in the not-yet gentrified Harlem district. Back then, that was just not a good place for a white guy to show his face so, yeah, I was a bit nervous. M. said, "Because I'm half Armenian and have darker skin and curly black hair I'm probably less of a target but as long as you just keep your cool and be aware of what is going on all around you but don't look like you're looking all around you you'll be fine. So I got to see a little of Harlem and it was cool.
Anyway, hopefully you get the poiint about the difference between the two subjects.
Your cousin's subway error impresses me.
I went to college in Harlem for like a year and a half 2012-2014. The school had shuttle buses to two of the train stations. Theoretically, if you were leaving late at night you could ask security for an escort to the subway. The park behind the school had a bunch of crackheads chillin during the day. The little park next to the subway station was pretty much a target - every couple weeks I'd get the alert that someone got robbed or assaulted there on their way home from the library. The few times I was there passed 10pm I had no problem, I did get yelled at by some crazy dude on 145th once, but it was like 2pm and honestly, who hasn't? I was running late tho so I didn't have time to care. I don't come from a bad neighborhood but I ended up spending a lot of time in "black" neighborhoods and "bad" areas and the pjs as a kid. Never had a problem. The only time some rando tried to force drugs down my throat was actually in a middle class white housing. Ironically enough. Point is I'm not uncomfortable in shitty neighborhoods or around people of color. I will say, that no matter what time of day it is or what neighborhood I'm walking through, if I'm walking by myself and theres a group (as in more than 2-3) of male humans walking towards me, my ass is crossing the street. It ain't cuz I'm afraid of males - it's cuz I'm a fan of self preservation. This basic fact does not change if they are white, black, yellow, or one eyed one horned giant purple people eaters. I mean now that I really think about it I'd probably just plow through a group of hipsters. Cuz fuck those guys.
When I was in Chicago... a coaching colleague and myself rented a car and drove to the United Center. We parked- I think- North West of the venue and walked (about a half mile).
There was a school with what seemed to be 20 foot chain link fences around it and a park that had signage saying 'Drug Offences Carry Twice the Penalty". There was also a y-shaped, red brick residence that featured boarded up windows as well as windows decorated with flower pots.
We experienced something in this area (south west of where we parked- away from the economic sector and large towers) that was scary. I don't wish to get into the details because the story is long and best told over beer, but suffice to say... it was out of my comfort zone and an experience I don't wish to repeat.
Can someone from the area tell me which area we found ourselves in based on my crude description?
I remember my good old rap days when listening to Public Enemy/NWA. I was in the LA area for a holiday at that time (Disney). I hopped on a bus and asked how to get to Compton. I arrived and walked around for an hour or so. Still to this day I never once thought that I was in a "Black" area.
I remember my good old rap days when listening to Public Enemy/NWA. I was in the LA area for a holiday at that time (Disney). I hopped on a bus and asked how to get to Compton. I arrived and walked around for an hour or so. Still to this day I never once thought that I was in a "Black" area.
This must have been during the day time. I've been there also during the day. Went to Crenshaw and South Central where Boyz n the hood was filmed. Bullet proof glass at the local taco shop, all the stores.
All quiet during the day. Try that same area at night. See the helicopters in the sky. We used to watch it a zip code away and could hear the gunshots.
It's always different at night.
You can walk around in Palmdale/Lancaster during the day too but at night it's different…
Far Rockaway/Queens the same thing.
Places are always different at night.
Places I've been or lived. A different world sometimes...
I think there is some confusion here about g asking if there is fear of black people as opposed to a white person feeling fear when going into a non-white neighborhood. For example, I do not have a fear of non-whites but when visiting my cousin in Brooklyn back in the mid to late 80's we were taking the subway to go visit the Cloisters and cousin M. got us off at the wrong stop and we found ourselves in the not-yet gentrified Harlem district. Back then, that was just not a good place for a white guy to show his face so, yeah, I was a bit nervous. M. said, "Because I'm half Armenian and have darker skin and curly black hair I'm probably less of a target but as long as you just keep your cool and be aware of what is going on all around you but don't look like you're looking all around you you'll be fine. So I got to see a little of Harlem and it was cool.
Anyway, hopefully you get the poiint about the difference between the two subjects.
Your cousin's subway error impresses me.
I went to college in Harlem for like a year and a half 2012-2014. The school had shuttle buses to two of the train stations. Theoretically, if you were leaving late at night you could ask security for an escort to the subway. The park behind the school had a bunch of crackheads chillin during the day. The little park next to the subway station was pretty much a target - every couple weeks I'd get the alert that someone got robbed or assaulted there on their way home from the library. The few times I was there passed 10pm I had no problem, I did get yelled at by some crazy dude on 145th once, but it was like 2pm and honestly, who hasn't? I was running late tho so I didn't have time to care. I don't come from a bad neighborhood but I ended up spending a lot of time in "black" neighborhoods and "bad" areas and the pjs as a kid. Never had a problem. The only time some rando tried to force drugs down my throat was actually in a middle class white housing. Ironically enough. Point is I'm not uncomfortable in shitty neighborhoods or around people of color. I will say, that no matter what time of day it is or what neighborhood I'm walking through, if I'm walking by myself and theres a group (as in more than 2-3) of male humans walking towards me, my ass is crossing the street. It ain't cuz I'm afraid of males - it's cuz I'm a fan of self preservation. This basic fact does not change if they are white, black, yellow, or one eyed one horned giant purple people eaters. I mean now that I really think about it I'd probably just plow through a group of hipsters. Cuz fuck those guys.
Great story! And re. bolded text, wize thinking, Inden! Stay safe!
Post edited by brianlux on
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Now I'm not suggesting just anybody should do this, but I think a lot can be gained by a certain kind of person exploring dangerous places or seemingly dangerous places. Here are a couple examples:
From my own experience, one that was a bit haphazard and unplanned. I was in Cabo San Lucas in 1989- my first ex footed the bill and so hey, why not? I had a few margaritas in an American Baja hipster bar (not my choice, the simple cantina or the thatched cerveceria would have been more my speed). Anyway, there must be something juju in that tequila down there because I just kind of floated out of that place on a bummer knowing that hanging with the ex was a really down idea. So I went for a walk and walked long and deep into the poor side of town and it was my only real experience in a real place with real people down there. It felt good to just walk around in that poor neighborhood. Simple, unpretentious, and very basic. The rest of Cabo was condos, white money bars, touristas and self-indulgent hipsters. My ex finally found me after driving around awhile looking for me and chewed me out big time telling me I could get hurt in that neighborhood! But no, it was cool. It was real. Fuck it.
Now someone who really does this shit for real is Henry Rollins. Some of his stories from his Dull Roar/Preferred Blur/Mad Dash/Grim Detail quartet tell of Mr. Rollins walking into some very, very poor neighborhoods in some very, very poor third world countries. What he offers in those stories are glimpses into another reality. He's building those first strands of a bridge and its good.
Being safe is smartest. Being open is good. Being afraid without real reason is a waste of time.
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Had the fortunate experience of being asked to manage retail store at MLK and Belfort in Houston. Many don't go to this area. Predominantly black with no whites. None. Worked this location for two years. Met the nicest hard working people. Realized there are good and bad people everywhere. sure as hell respect minorities and their plight and realize how chicken shit and insecure many whites are. But we are all herd animals and stick to our packs. Go Trump!
When I was in Chicago... a coaching colleague and myself rented a car and drove to the United Center. We parked- I think- North West of the venue and walked (about a half mile).
There was a school with what seemed to be 20 foot chain link fences around it and a park that had signage saying 'Drug Offences Carry Twice the Penalty". There was also a y-shaped, red brick residence that featured boarded up windows as well as windows decorated with flower pots.
We experienced something in this area (south west of where we parked- away from the economic sector and large towers) that was scary. I don't wish to get into the details because the story is long and best told over beer, but suffice to say... it was out of my comfort zone and an experience I don't wish to repeat.
Can someone from the area tell me which area we found ourselves in based on my crude description?
When I was in Chicago... a coaching colleague and myself rented a car and drove to the United Center. We parked- I think- North West of the venue and walked (about a half mile).
There was a school with what seemed to be 20 foot chain link fences around it and a park that had signage saying 'Drug Offences Carry Twice the Penalty". There was also a y-shaped, red brick residence that featured boarded up windows as well as windows decorated with flower pots.
We experienced something in this area (south west of where we parked- away from the economic sector and large towers) that was scary. I don't wish to get into the details because the story is long and best told over beer, but suffice to say... it was out of my comfort zone and an experience I don't wish to repeat.
Can someone from the area tell me which area we found ourselves in based on my crude description?
That would be Rockwell Gardens Thirty. It was torn down over 10 years ago. Now its town homes and condos. Used to chase shitheads all over those projects back it the day…Home of the Gangster Disicples…oh the good ole days when the job was fun
Musky seemed to be a little more certain with his response to my vague description, but regardless... trust me when I say our experience there was fraught with tension.
I think any reasonable person has some fear going into any neighborhood where there is a lot of crime and violence... Surely people aren't saying they won't go into these areas just ease they are full of black people???
And yeah, nope! I don't think that's been the gist of the comments, unless I've misread...?
Common sense, not color sense?
I don't know... the conversation turned to avoiding certain locations in this thread for a reason I thought...
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
The minority communities don't trust the police .................................
no, we don't. And why would we?
Not sure about the US, but I'm not sure that the majority population trusts the police up here.... Of course there is the acknowledgement that there are good cops. It's more a mistrust of the institution as a whole. I don't know too many people who have a good opinion of the RCMP as an organization, and i think a lot of people are very wary of cops these days. And then there is the Native community.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
The minority communities don't trust the police .................................
no, we don't. And why would we?
Not sure about the US, but I'm not sure that the majority population trusts the police up here.... Of course there is the acknowledgement that there are good cops. It's more a mistrust of the institution as a whole. I don't know too many people who have a good opinion of the RCMP as an organization, and i think a lot of people are very wary of cops these days. And then there is the Native community.
I don't know the circle of friends you are surrounded by but your broad brush stroke of how Canada perceives the Police/RCMP is way off. The majority of our population definitely does not have a problem with the institution of our police.
The minority communities don't trust the police .................................
no, we don't. And why would we?
Not sure about the US, but I'm not sure that the majority population trusts the police up here.... Of course there is the acknowledgement that there are good cops. It's more a mistrust of the institution as a whole. I don't know too many people who have a good opinion of the RCMP as an organization, and i think a lot of people are very wary of cops these days. And then there is the Native community.
I don't know the circle of friends you are surrounded by but your broad brush stroke of how Canada perceives the Police/RCMP is way off. The majority of our population definitely does not have a problem with the institution of our police.
How woud you know any better than I would?? Obviously you don't. Because you are so wrong. But I am just going from what I know from BC and from the news. I guess the prairies could feel differently.
Post edited by PJ_Soul on
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
The RCMP are very well respected where I'm from. Very well respected.
Not were I'm from.
I know where you are from. If you are referring to your circle of friends... I can't contest that, but I don't know anyone out of an extensive and diverse range of people from the same area that think the RCMP sucks. It's quite the opposite in fact.
The Vancouver police department receives a fair bit of criticism though.
The RCMP are very well respected where I'm from. Very well respected.
Not were I'm from.
I know where you are from. If you are referring to your circle of friends... I can't contest that, but I don't know anyone out of an extensive and diverse range of people from the same area that think the RCMP sucks. It's quite the opposite in fact.
The Vancouver police department receives a fair bit of criticism though.
I am not referring to my circle of friends. The feelings about the RCMP in my area are indeed negative. But to put it in further context, I don't mean to suggest that the feelings here about the RCMP even come close to the current feelings about cops in the US right now. But i do still think that there is little trust in the RCMP as an institution Again, i'm not talking about random cops on the street level (although have you even gone online and seen how many people are posting video of what they, at the very least, consider police misconduct on the streets of Canada?? There is a lot of material! Some crap, some very worrying). I'm talking about systemic problems - I feel like many people are concerned about this. I would also argue that anyone who isn't concerned about that is being naive.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
The RCMP are very well respected where I'm from. Very well respected.
Not were I'm from.
I know where you are from. If you are referring to your circle of friends... I can't contest that, but I don't know anyone out of an extensive and diverse range of people from the same area that think the RCMP sucks. It's quite the opposite in fact.
The Vancouver police department receives a fair bit of criticism though.
I am not referring to my circle of friends. The feelings about the RCMP in my area are indeed negative. But to put it in further context, I don't mean to suggest that the feelings here about the RCMP even come close to the current feelings about cops in the US right now. But i do still think that there is little trust in the RCMP as an institution Again, i'm not talking about random cops on the street level (although have you even gone online and seen how many people are posting video of what they, at the very least, consider police misconduct on the streets of Canada?? There is a lot of material! Some crap, some very worrying). I'm talking about systemic problems - I feel like many people are concerned about this. I would also argue that anyone who isn't concerned about that is being naive.
Systemic problems like every organization in Canada? Agreed. They are not without fault and always will be guilty of being imperfect... but they're pretty damn good at doing what we ask them to do.
I would contend that anyone in Canada overly concerned about police abuse in Canada read about US events and forget they're reading about US events.
The RCMP are very well respected where I'm from. Very well respected.
Not were I'm from.
I know where you are from. If you are referring to your circle of friends... I can't contest that, but I don't know anyone out of an extensive and diverse range of people from the same area that think the RCMP sucks. It's quite the opposite in fact.
The Vancouver police department receives a fair bit of criticism though.
I am not referring to my circle of friends. The feelings about the RCMP in my area are indeed negative. But to put it in further context, I don't mean to suggest that the feelings here about the RCMP even come close to the current feelings about cops in the US right now. But i do still think that there is little trust in the RCMP as an institution Again, i'm not talking about random cops on the street level (although have you even gone online and seen how many people are posting video of what they, at the very least, consider police misconduct on the streets of Canada?? There is a lot of material! Some crap, some very worrying). I'm talking about systemic problems - I feel like many people are concerned about this. I would also argue that anyone who isn't concerned about that is being naive.
Systemic problems like every organization in Canada? Agreed. They are not without fault and always will be guilty of being imperfect... but they're pretty damn good at doing what we ask them to do.
I would contend that anyone in Canada overly concerned about police abuse in Canada read about US events and forget they're reading about US events.
Well i don't know about that but it certainly doesn't apply to me. That sounds like a good theory if you're only talking about total morons.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
The RCMP are very well respected where I'm from. Very well respected.
Not were I'm from.
I know where you are from. If you are referring to your circle of friends... I can't contest that, but I don't know anyone out of an extensive and diverse range of people from the same area that think the RCMP sucks. It's quite the opposite in fact.
The Vancouver police department receives a fair bit of criticism though.
I am not referring to my circle of friends. The feelings about the RCMP in my area are indeed negative. But to put it in further context, I don't mean to suggest that the feelings here about the RCMP even come close to the current feelings about cops in the US right now. But i do still think that there is little trust in the RCMP as an institution Again, i'm not talking about random cops on the street level (although have you even gone online and seen how many people are posting video of what they, at the very least, consider police misconduct on the streets of Canada?? There is a lot of material! Some crap, some very worrying). I'm talking about systemic problems - I feel like many people are concerned about this. I would also argue that anyone who isn't concerned about that is being naive.
Systemic problems like every organization in Canada? Agreed. They are not without fault and always will be guilty of being imperfect... but they're pretty damn good at doing what we ask them to do.
I would contend that anyone in Canada overly concerned about police abuse in Canada read about US events and forget they're reading about US events.
Well i don't know about that but it certainly doesn't apply to me. That sounds like a good theory if you're only talking about total morons.
The RCMP are very well respected where I'm from. Very well respected.
Not were I'm from.
I know where you are from. If you are referring to your circle of friends... I can't contest that, but I don't know anyone out of an extensive and diverse range of people from the same area that think the RCMP sucks. It's quite the opposite in fact.
The Vancouver police department receives a fair bit of criticism though.
I am not referring to my circle of friends. The feelings about the RCMP in my area are indeed negative. But to put it in further context, I don't mean to suggest that the feelings here about the RCMP even come close to the current feelings about cops in the US right now. But i do still think that there is little trust in the RCMP as an institution Again, i'm not talking about random cops on the street level (although have you even gone online and seen how many people are posting video of what they, at the very least, consider police misconduct on the streets of Canada?? There is a lot of material! Some crap, some very worrying). I'm talking about systemic problems - I feel like many people are concerned about this. I would also argue that anyone who isn't concerned about that is being naive.
Systemic problems like every organization in Canada? Agreed. They are not without fault and always will be guilty of being imperfect... but they're pretty damn good at doing what we ask them to do.
I would contend that anyone in Canada overly concerned about police abuse in Canada read about US events and forget they're reading about US events.
Well i don't know about that but it certainly doesn't apply to me. That sounds like a good theory if you're only talking about total morons.
Morons.
Love that word.
Total morons... awesome!
As Tosh would say "nanny nanny boo boo stick your head in doo doo", lol.
The RCMP are very well respected where I'm from. Very well respected.
Not were I'm from.
I know where you are from. If you are referring to your circle of friends... I can't contest that, but I don't know anyone out of an extensive and diverse range of people from the same area that think the RCMP sucks. It's quite the opposite in fact.
The Vancouver police department receives a fair bit of criticism though.
I am not referring to my circle of friends. The feelings about the RCMP in my area are indeed negative. But to put it in further context, I don't mean to suggest that the feelings here about the RCMP even come close to the current feelings about cops in the US right now. But i do still think that there is little trust in the RCMP as an institution Again, i'm not talking about random cops on the street level (although have you even gone online and seen how many people are posting video of what they, at the very least, consider police misconduct on the streets of Canada?? There is a lot of material! Some crap, some very worrying). I'm talking about systemic problems - I feel like many people are concerned about this. I would also argue that anyone who isn't concerned about that is being naive.
Systemic problems like every organization in Canada? Agreed. They are not without fault and always will be guilty of being imperfect... but they're pretty damn good at doing what we ask them to do.
I would contend that anyone in Canada overly concerned about police abuse in Canada read about US events and forget they're reading about US events.
In my opinion the RCMP are still respected across the country but they have taken a hit in the past 10 years or so with multiple scandals. All my encounters with them have been professional.
Local police are a totally different animal. I'm sure it differs from town to town and PD to PD. My hometown PD had a terrible reputation, and still do. It's a systematic problem there. In the cities I've lived in since the local PD have pretty good reputations.
I agree with PJSoul that only a total moron would confuse US events with Canadian events. I don't know anyone who makes that mistake. There is plenty of shitty police abuse stories to go around, Canada is not immune to this. We all have our stories.
I think one of the biggest differences between Canadian and American policing is our cops aren't as afraid of getting shot in any given situation they might encounter. Probably makes them less trigger happy. We just don't shoot each other as much up here. Thankfully.
The RCMP are very well respected where I'm from. Very well respected.
Not were I'm from.
I know where you are from. If you are referring to your circle of friends... I can't contest that, but I don't know anyone out of an extensive and diverse range of people from the same area that think the RCMP sucks. It's quite the opposite in fact.
The Vancouver police department receives a fair bit of criticism though.
I am not referring to my circle of friends. The feelings about the RCMP in my area are indeed negative. But to put it in further context, I don't mean to suggest that the feelings here about the RCMP even come close to the current feelings about cops in the US right now. But i do still think that there is little trust in the RCMP as an institution Again, i'm not talking about random cops on the street level (although have you even gone online and seen how many people are posting video of what they, at the very least, consider police misconduct on the streets of Canada?? There is a lot of material! Some crap, some very worrying). I'm talking about systemic problems - I feel like many people are concerned about this. I would also argue that anyone who isn't concerned about that is being naive.
Systemic problems like every organization in Canada? Agreed. They are not without fault and always will be guilty of being imperfect... but they're pretty damn good at doing what we ask them to do.
I would contend that anyone in Canada overly concerned about police abuse in Canada read about US events and forget they're reading about US events.
In my opinion the RCMP are still respected across the country but they have taken a hit in the past 10 years or so with multiple scandals. All my encounters with them have been professional.
Local police are a totally different animal. I'm sure it differs from town to town and PD to PD. My hometown PD had a terrible reputation, and still do. It's a systematic problem there. In the cities I've lived in since the local PD have pretty good reputations.
I agree with PJSoul that only a total moron would confuse US events with Canadian events. I don't know anyone who makes that mistake. There is plenty of shitty police abuse stories to go around, Canada is not immune to this. We all have our stories.
I think one of the biggest differences between Canadian and American policing is our cops aren't as afraid of getting shot in any given situation they might encounter. Probably makes them less trigger happy. We just don't shoot each other as much up here. Thankfully.
I only made that 'US/Canada' comment to Soul as a retort to her 'anyone who thinks different is naive' comment (referring to her assertion that the RCMP are fraught with problems). Both comments are goofy.
The municipal police departments are typically comprised of those that couldn't get into the RCMP. Exceptions aside... there are always going to be poor performers in them tarnishing the department's image; however, let's remember that ultimately, if people didn't engage in crime so much... we wouldn't need cops in the first place.
The country isn't flush with the most desirable candidates for police work. Given the risk/reward ratio... many of those most suited for the job have steered clear of the profession. What do we do? Do we establish exceptional standards and regardless of need only accept those with the greatest aptitudes- leaving us shorthanded while criminals busy themselves with crime? Burning our best out in the process? Or do we take the best of what's around given the problems we face and accept the fact there are inherent problems with such a tactic?
I dont know about that. The cops I know never applied to the RCMP. They all wanted to be city cops. To suggest all or most city cops are RCMP rejects is unfair. And completely untrue.
I dont know about that. The cops I know never applied to the RCMP. They all wanted to be city cops. To suggest all or most city cops are RCMP rejects is unfair. And completely untrue.
I said 'typically' because its not absolute. There are certainly strong performers within municipal detachments that chose location over benefits. I never intended to come across as disrespectful.
The RCMP pays much higher than municipal departments do with better benefits as well. With that said, municipal departments do not send you for a term in some shithole- you get to work where you want.
All I know sought employment with the RCMP and failing that... settled on a municipal detachment. Of course, that was some time ago. From what I understand now... it is far easier to gain employment with the RCMP than it was a decade or two ago.
Comments
Common sense, not color sense?
I went to college in Harlem for like a year and a half 2012-2014. The school had shuttle buses to two of the train stations. Theoretically, if you were leaving late at night you could ask security for an escort to the subway. The park behind the school had a bunch of crackheads chillin during the day. The little park next to the subway station was pretty much a target - every couple weeks I'd get the alert that someone got robbed or assaulted there on their way home from the library. The few times I was there passed 10pm I had no problem, I did get yelled at by some crazy dude on 145th once, but it was like 2pm and honestly, who hasn't? I was running late tho so I didn't have time to care. I don't come from a bad neighborhood but I ended up spending a lot of time in "black" neighborhoods and "bad" areas and the pjs as a kid. Never had a problem. The only time some rando tried to force drugs down my throat was actually in a middle class white housing. Ironically enough. Point is I'm not uncomfortable in shitty neighborhoods or around people of color. I will say, that no matter what time of day it is or what neighborhood I'm walking through, if I'm walking by myself and theres a group (as in more than 2-3) of male humans walking towards me, my ass is crossing the street. It ain't cuz I'm afraid of males - it's cuz I'm a fan of self preservation. This basic fact does not change if they are white, black, yellow, or one eyed one horned giant purple people eaters. I mean now that I really think about it I'd probably just plow through a group of hipsters. Cuz fuck those guys.
LIVEFOOTSTEPS.ORG/USER/?USR=435
There was a school with what seemed to be 20 foot chain link fences around it and a park that had signage saying 'Drug Offences Carry Twice the Penalty". There was also a y-shaped, red brick residence that featured boarded up windows as well as windows decorated with flower pots.
We experienced something in this area (south west of where we parked- away from the economic sector and large towers) that was scary. I don't wish to get into the details because the story is long and best told over beer, but suffice to say... it was out of my comfort zone and an experience I don't wish to repeat.
Can someone from the area tell me which area we found ourselves in based on my crude description?
I was in the LA area for a holiday at that time (Disney).
I hopped on a bus and asked how to get to Compton.
I arrived and walked around for an hour or so.
Still to this day I never once thought that I was in a "Black" area.
All quiet during the day. Try that same area at night. See the helicopters in the sky. We used to watch it a zip code away and could hear the gunshots.
It's always different at night.
You can walk around in Palmdale/Lancaster during the day too but at night it's different…
Far Rockaway/Queens the same thing.
Places are always different at night.
Places I've been or lived. A different world sometimes...
From my own experience, one that was a bit haphazard and unplanned. I was in Cabo San Lucas in 1989- my first ex footed the bill and so hey, why not? I had a few margaritas in an American Baja hipster bar (not my choice, the simple cantina or the thatched cerveceria would have been more my speed). Anyway, there must be something juju in that tequila down there because I just kind of floated out of that place on a bummer knowing that hanging with the ex was a really down idea. So I went for a walk and walked long and deep into the poor side of town and it was my only real experience in a real place with real people down there. It felt good to just walk around in that poor neighborhood. Simple, unpretentious, and very basic. The rest of Cabo was condos, white money bars, touristas and self-indulgent hipsters. My ex finally found me after driving around awhile looking for me and chewed me out big time telling me I could get hurt in that neighborhood! But no, it was cool. It was real. Fuck it.
Now someone who really does this shit for real is Henry Rollins. Some of his stories from his Dull Roar/Preferred Blur/Mad Dash/Grim Detail quartet tell of Mr. Rollins walking into some very, very poor neighborhoods in some very, very poor third world countries. What he offers in those stories are glimpses into another reality. He's building those first strands of a bridge and its good.
Being safe is smartest. Being open is good. Being afraid without real reason is a waste of time.
Thanks.
Musky seemed to be a little more certain with his response to my vague description, but regardless... trust me when I say our experience there was fraught with tension.
The majority of our population definitely does not have a problem with the institution of our police.
The RCMP are very well respected where I'm from. Very well respected.
The Vancouver police department receives a fair bit of criticism though.
I would contend that anyone in Canada overly concerned about police abuse in Canada read about US events and forget they're reading about US events.
Love that word.
Total morons... awesome!
Do you think we have the same feeling up here?
Local police are a totally different animal. I'm sure it differs from town to town and PD to PD. My hometown PD had a terrible reputation, and still do. It's a systematic problem there. In the cities I've lived in since the local PD have pretty good reputations.
I agree with PJSoul that only a total moron would confuse US events with Canadian events. I don't know anyone who makes that mistake. There is plenty of shitty police abuse stories to go around, Canada is not immune to this. We all have our stories.
I think one of the biggest differences between Canadian and American policing is our cops aren't as afraid of getting shot in any given situation they might encounter. Probably makes them less trigger happy. We just don't shoot each other as much up here. Thankfully.
The municipal police departments are typically comprised of those that couldn't get into the RCMP. Exceptions aside... there are always going to be poor performers in them tarnishing the department's image; however, let's remember that ultimately, if people didn't engage in crime so much... we wouldn't need cops in the first place.
The country isn't flush with the most desirable candidates for police work. Given the risk/reward ratio... many of those most suited for the job have steered clear of the profession. What do we do? Do we establish exceptional standards and regardless of need only accept those with the greatest aptitudes- leaving us shorthanded while criminals busy themselves with crime? Burning our best out in the process? Or do we take the best of what's around given the problems we face and accept the fact there are inherent problems with such a tactic?
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The RCMP pays much higher than municipal departments do with better benefits as well. With that said, municipal departments do not send you for a term in some shithole- you get to work where you want.
All I know sought employment with the RCMP and failing that... settled on a municipal detachment. Of course, that was some time ago. From what I understand now... it is far easier to gain employment with the RCMP than it was a decade or two ago.