Death To Zombies

I live in the city unlike many other preppers.  As such, I deal with a different sort of threat than most preppers.  I bought a house for cash at the beginning of the house collapse but I also happened to buy a house next to some gang bangers.  The house was in great shape and it was a half acre so I took my chances.  Normally, I live and let live, but the kids next door broke into my car one weekend when their parents were away and stole a laptop.  I know, it’s my fault for leaving it in the car.

So I installed a fence and started letting the dog run the yard.  That seemed to stop any further bullshit on their behalf.

But then the local homicide department started stopping by the neighbors every day.  I’m a very assertive person so I introduced myself to the detectives and it turns out the neighbor’s kids were suspects for a couple of murders.

During this entire timeframe I had just gotten my concealed carry permit.  Which certainly allowed me to be less worried if the kids started some nonsense.  But there is a learning curve to carrying a pistol, especially a full sized pistol.  So I occasionally goofed up and dropped the damn thing out of my pants or coat.  First of all, as an ex military guy I feel like total crap for letting my weapon be abused by bouncing around on concrete.  I was also ecstatic that the damn thing didn’t go off by mistake.  But what I also wonder about at times is if the neighbors didn’t notice it a couple of times and realize that trying to screw with me would definitely not be an easy hit.

Eventually the cops ran the family out of town due to their illegal immigration status.

Then a year later I purchased a second house that I plan to use as a rental but it’s also in a hairy part of town.  I introduced myself in the neighborhood the same way that I did the first time.  I wore my NRA baseball cap religiously for a few months.  When I talked to neighbors I would drop hints about the fact that I had served in the military.  I told them stories about my run ins with the gangsters at the old house.  I conspicuously carried rifles into the house or rifle cases and then left with them later on.

I had an alarm system installed and when neighbors stopped by to say hello during the installation I invited them inside and had my alarm salesguy give them his business card.  I set the alarm off by mistake a few times so that they could hear that it works.

And just a week ago I was at an ATM close to the house when I was approached by someone waving at me.  I didn’t know who it was initially and I get very touchy when I’m at an ATM.  I showed them my pistol to get them to keep their distance.  This is technically assault but I was in fear for my life.  I later realized as I was driving off that it was a local guy I’d paid to do some work to my roof.  I later on contacted him and apologized for the threat and explained why I was disturbed.  I also showed him my call record on my phone showing him that I’d tried to call him afterwards to apologize.  He took it in good stride and we shook hands but what he also told me was that he was impressed by the fact that I didn’t just show him a pistol…”You carry a big old pistol, you don’t play around.”  Slightly illegal in some peoples eyes, but it was also the process of building a reputation in a new neighborhood.  Stories carry weight.

I understand that many prefer a method of quiet operations.  They don’t want any predators to know that they have any guns because it will make them a target.  They don’t want killers to know that an alarm system is installed.  I understand this logic in a normal American neighborhood.  But my belief is that if you live in a bad neighborhood you should leak some information to let the locals know that you are not a sheeple.  You let the neighbors know just enough that they know that you are not a man who will just be robbed without a fight.  And you also let the neighborhood know that you are not there to exploit anyone.

Plant some flowers.  Pay a local guy to do some simple repair work on your house.  Yes, it’s a bit of a bribe but you are getting two things in exchange.  You get someone who wants you in the neighborhood because you bring them some money.  You get someone who will watch out for your property a little bit.  Sure, they are not going to be harmed defending your property but they may just stop by and talk to the people hanging around your property.  Even that simple street conversation can save you much more money than the $20 you pay for someone else to mow while you do real work to improve your property.

This is ABSOLUTELY NOT an encouragement for you to break the law.  But if you mistakenly drop your pistol occasionally or if you happen to respond correctly to a threat but do not actually shoot anyone, it may increase your safety.  It is not legal, but I can tell you that anecdotally I know of more people who have responded to a threat by showing their pistols first and the entire situation de-escalated without a shooting.  Shootings are very expensive.  The average retainer needed to begin a defense is $40k and police officers who deal with these issues more often go with the best lawyers who require a $120k retainer to begin a defense case.

It is better for you to stay alive and live to pay the fines or deal with the courts than to be shot at an ATM or by gang bangers next door.  Your situation may vary but in my case I have found that by leaking some information I have increased my security.  The questionable guys in the neighborhood know that I don’t put up with shit without responding.  The good guys in the neighborhood tell me that they appreciate having a neighbor around who keeps his eyes open and reacts when things are questionable.  I don’t probe into their lives, I don’t screw with the weed smokers or the partiers.  But when I see things going down, I will act.