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Late evening 06/04/2013: At a local gas station that I (and my family) frequent.
I had just aired up by bicycle tire and was talking to a friend on my cellphone.
I looked towards the back area of the gas station and saw this guy lying on the ground by the coin operated car wash and dumpster.
He rose up a little and looked at me. Probably his sweet spot asking for change as people drive up to use the car wash.
It was obvious to me he wasn’t hurt but just laying around.
While I was on the phone he got up & walked over and propped his head on his arms on top of the air compressor box pretty close to where I was standing. I figured he was going to ask for money.
As I continued to talk he asked me for 50 cents - I waved him off - said I didn't have any cash & I kept talking to my friend.
Keeping an eye on him (didn't know anything about him at that time).
He then told me I needed to get my bike and leave or he'd beat my $#%^.
In my mind I was like – What? On no, he didn’t actually say that did he!
I wasn't sure I heard what I thought I'd heard, kinda shocked me.
I told my friend hold on a minute.
I stepped up closer so I could hear him better – still at a safe distance and asked “What’d you say?”
He gave an odd laugh and said the same thing again.
I’m 6’4” tall – 240 lbs, Combat MP vet and this guy was half my size – but – I don’t let that keep me from being cautious. I know there are small guys out there that can clean my clock – especially if they have a knife or something else on them.
It’s obvious to me he’s drunk (unless he’s acting).
I told my friend I’d have to call him back as I got off the phone.
He continued making threats. I called my local PD (I have their number saved in my cellphone) gave dispatch my name.
I told her where I was and that a guy had asked me for money and then was threatening to beat my [email protected][email protected] She said she’d send someone out.
Mean time He just stayed there calmly with his head on his propped arms and said “They’re not gonna show up – they aren’t gonna do you any good”& made some more threats.
Again – I didn’t really take him to be a viable threat but still reached in my front right pocket and had my hand on my 45 just in case (Taurus PT145). I had no idea if he had a knife, gun or whatever on him.
Even though I didn’t think he presented any real danger I was concerned for others too (mostly women) walking by going into the quick stop.
About 7 or 8 minutes later my local PD Officer walked up from around the corner (I know this officer, friend of mine) he said “Mr. (drunk’s name), what did you do now?” – Then looked at me and said “He’s the town drunk”.
I told my friend I might have just blown something like this off but my family stops here frequently – sometimes with me sometimes without and since he made threats I didn’t want to let this go.
As he was putting the cuffs on the drunk –the drunk asked if he was taking him home – Officer said “Not this time, you threatened and insulted this man, you crossed over the line, this time you’re going to jail.”
That’s how I met our “town drunk”.
I wondered if he’ll remember what happened at all when he sobers up..??
I look at my grandkids (under two years old) and think – years ago he was an innocent little kid much like they are now, how sad…
Well, this reinforces what I say – better to have it (gun) and not need it than to need it and not have it. Some friends who carry – don’t when on bikes, I still do.
I had just aired up by bicycle tire and was talking to a friend on my cellphone.
I looked towards the back area of the gas station and saw this guy lying on the ground by the coin operated car wash and dumpster.
He rose up a little and looked at me. Probably his sweet spot asking for change as people drive up to use the car wash.
It was obvious to me he wasn’t hurt but just laying around.
While I was on the phone he got up & walked over and propped his head on his arms on top of the air compressor box pretty close to where I was standing. I figured he was going to ask for money.
As I continued to talk he asked me for 50 cents - I waved him off - said I didn't have any cash & I kept talking to my friend.
Keeping an eye on him (didn't know anything about him at that time).
He then told me I needed to get my bike and leave or he'd beat my $#%^.
In my mind I was like – What? On no, he didn’t actually say that did he!
I wasn't sure I heard what I thought I'd heard, kinda shocked me.
I told my friend hold on a minute.
I stepped up closer so I could hear him better – still at a safe distance and asked “What’d you say?”
He gave an odd laugh and said the same thing again.
I’m 6’4” tall – 240 lbs, Combat MP vet and this guy was half my size – but – I don’t let that keep me from being cautious. I know there are small guys out there that can clean my clock – especially if they have a knife or something else on them.
It’s obvious to me he’s drunk (unless he’s acting).
I told my friend I’d have to call him back as I got off the phone.
He continued making threats. I called my local PD (I have their number saved in my cellphone) gave dispatch my name.
I told her where I was and that a guy had asked me for money and then was threatening to beat my [email protected][email protected] She said she’d send someone out.
Mean time He just stayed there calmly with his head on his propped arms and said “They’re not gonna show up – they aren’t gonna do you any good”& made some more threats.
Again – I didn’t really take him to be a viable threat but still reached in my front right pocket and had my hand on my 45 just in case (Taurus PT145). I had no idea if he had a knife, gun or whatever on him.
Even though I didn’t think he presented any real danger I was concerned for others too (mostly women) walking by going into the quick stop.
About 7 or 8 minutes later my local PD Officer walked up from around the corner (I know this officer, friend of mine) he said “Mr. (drunk’s name), what did you do now?” – Then looked at me and said “He’s the town drunk”.
I told my friend I might have just blown something like this off but my family stops here frequently – sometimes with me sometimes without and since he made threats I didn’t want to let this go.
As he was putting the cuffs on the drunk –the drunk asked if he was taking him home – Officer said “Not this time, you threatened and insulted this man, you crossed over the line, this time you’re going to jail.”
That’s how I met our “town drunk”.
I wondered if he’ll remember what happened at all when he sobers up..??
I look at my grandkids (under two years old) and think – years ago he was an innocent little kid much like they are now, how sad…
Well, this reinforces what I say – better to have it (gun) and not need it than to need it and not have it. Some friends who carry – don’t when on bikes, I still do.
