That's It, I'm Carrying a Gun from Now On (Arlington: apartment complex, foreclosure)

[dlumpen]

Originally Posted by normie

Of course I do. Found out a long time ago that the easiest way to squelch rumors was to go get some photo evidence. It will be my pleasure to show the scary scary Dulles Transit Center.

Yes, I'm aware someone got killed in Lansdowne last March, it was all over the news and we discussed it at length here on city-data. Despite the high profile that this particular crime received, the facts are that violent crime is down by 42% in Loudoun County. Crimes happen in every town in the country, I'm sad that someone was murdered last March but that's no reason to overreact. BTW, one violent killing 8 months ago doesn't make a town "the new inner city." Watch the nightly news and you'll see that in most major cities violent crimes happen every day. You don't have to look back to something that happened in March to try to scare people.

Yeah, actually, I'd like to go there too to take some photos. Honestly, not one's going to attack you. In fact, they'd probably be more social than my neighbors.

[springfieldva]

I've taken my kids to tons of parks around the Northern Virginia area for years and we've had very few bad experiences. The worst happened at a park in Old Town. A confused, drunk/high(?), homeless person was staggering around and got just a little too close to my kids for comfort. We left the park.

Another time at a park in Springfield, my two year old was climbing up some playground equipment towards a platform area, something made me stand on my tip toes and peek at the platform - and there was a big pile of fresh, steaming poop right in the middle of it! I'm not sure what that was all about but I grabbed my little boy right off of the ladder and we left that park ASAP.

I've also noticed the people who like to park and just wait in their vehicles at some of the more isolated parks. I'm pretty sure that the vast majority of those people are just on their lunch breaks or killing time between appointments. But it is a little uncomfortable if you're alone on the playground with your kids. I only go to those parks if I'm with my husband or another mom. And I always bring my cellphone.

On a side note, I've also taught my kids never to pick up trash and I'm always careful to look out for things like syringes, used condoms, drugs, etc. The parks in NoVa tend to be pretty clean but better safe than sorry.

At any rate, if you get out and about enough, you'll probably end up having some odd experiences - it happens everywhere, not just NoVa.

[dlumpen]

We (normie) are certainly in different universes. Before I moved in this area, but certainly not Sterling/Herndon, people noted immediately that they were less than desirable areas. You can certainly see the older nice houses, and then the newer apartments, and many, many illegal immigrants, etc. The difference in price per square foot in Herndon vs areas nearby, is unbelievable. (Yeah I got soaked, but love it!). I guess the low crime and affluence of nearby Great Falls is just a myth too. Good for you to defend your neighborhood. Maybe you live in a nice pocket. If you love unemployed illegals with nothing to lose, Herndon is certainly the place to be. (I'm probably making up the multiple articles about Day Labor Centers in Herndon and illegal immigration too.)

[normie]

Originally Posted by dlumpen

We are certainly in different universes. Before I moved in this area, but certainly not Sterling/Herndon, people noted immediately that they were less than desirable areas. You can certainly see the older nice houses, and then the newer apartments, and many, many illegal immigrants, etc. The difference in price per square foot in Herndon vs areas nearby, is unbelievable. (Yeah I got soaked, but love it!). I guess the low crime and affluence of nearby Great Falls is just a myth too. Good for you to defend your neighborhood. Maybe you live in a nice pocket. If you love unemployed illegals with nothing to lose, Herndon is certainly the place to be. (I'm probably making up the multiple articles about Day Labor Centers in Herndon and illegal immigration too.)

Hee hee hee... so I see you've run out of steam with the first argument, and you're trying to divert attention with the old Herndon-has-illegal-immigrants and illegal-immigrants-are-scary ploy. Oh booga booga--people have come here from other countries. How terrifying!

Scare yourself all you like, but it doesn't change the report that came out just this week that shows in both Fairfax and Loudoun counties crime is down a significant percentage. Gang activity is also on the decline. http://www.city-data.com/forum/north...y-decline.html

So no, I don't think Herndon is scary. But if you want to be scared, be my guest. If living in a racially diverse area makes you so terrified you feel you need to wear a gun "from now on", I'd seriously suggest moving away. Although I really don't know too many places that don't have immigants. Iceland, maybe?

[normie]

Originally Posted by dlumpen

I guess the low crime and affluence of nearby Great Falls is just a myth too.

....yup, that's how I'd describe Great Falls. Even though there have been violent murders there, too.
5 Killed In Va. Murder-Suicide - CBS News

Things happen, no matter where you live. But I wouldn't call Great Falls a high crime area... and obviously neither do you.

[dlumpen]

Originally Posted by springfieldva

I've taken my kids to tons of parks around the Northern Virginia area for years and we've had very few bad experiences. The worst happened at a park in Old Town. A confused, drunk/high(?), homeless person was staggering around and got just a little too close to my kids for comfort. We left the park.

Another time at a park in Springfield, my two year old was climbing up some playground equipment towards a platform area, something made me stand on my tip toes and peek at the platform - and there was a big pile of fresh, steaming poop right in the middle of it! I'm not sure what that was all about but I grabbed my little boy right off of the ladder and we left that park ASAP.

I've also noticed the people who like to park and just wait in their vehicles at some of the more isolated parks. I'm pretty sure that the vast majority of those people are just on their lunch breaks or killing time between appointments. But it is a little uncomfortable if you're alone on the playground with your kids. I only go to those parks if I'm with my husband or another mom. And I always bring my cellphone.

On a side note, I've also taught my kids never to pick up trash and I'm always careful to look out for things like syringes, used condoms, drugs, etc. The parks in NoVa tend to be pretty clean but better safe than sorry.

At any rate, if you get out and about enough, you'll probably end up having some odd experiences - it happens everywhere, not just NoVa.

Yes, your experiences and perspective are about the same as mine. Just take responsible measures. At least be somewhat aware of your surroundings. I can't say that I'm ever afraid, just tired of things.

For me though, I don't see why I should be completely helpless against three guys, or one with some kind of weapon. For all of the talk about rights, if someone wants to take anything from me, including my children, I can't do much about it in a secluded area. I'm just done with this.

I found that the suburbs where I used to live, there was not a concern like this as long as I didn't stray too far. Sterling/Herndon/Seven Corners (near Longbranch with the gang tags in the baby changing station) are different stories. I am determined to always be responsible and level headed, but I am through with being helpless.

[dlumpen]

Originally Posted by normie

Hee hee hee... so I see you've run out of steam with the first argument, and you're trying to divert attention with the old Herndon-has-illegal-immigrants and illegal-immigrants-are-scary ploy. Oh booga booga--people have come here from other countries. How terrifying!

Scare yourself all you like, but it doesn't change the report that came out just this week that shows in both Fairfax and Loudoun counties crime is down a significant percentage. Gang activity is also on the decline. http://www.city-data.com/forum/north...y-decline.html

So no, I don't think Herndon is scary. But if you want to be scared, be my guest. If living in a racially diverse area makes you so terrified you feel you need to wear a gun "from now on", I'd seriously suggest moving away. Although I really don't know too many places that don't have immigants. Iceland, maybe?

I don't know what first argument I'm supposed to be running away from (?). If I had a first argument that I'd like to press is the fact the people should respect others in how they choose to protect their children.

You may not have noticed but I tried very hard not to mention illegal immigrants which is the mother of all issues in Herndon, VA.

[novahousehunter]

How would you have handled the playground situations had you been armed?

[dlumpen]

Hey normie, do you have a fire extinguisher, wear a seat belt? Why? Are you scaaared? For me, I keep working on better fire evacuation plans. I don't ever want to be left in an emergency situation with my jaw hanging down. I saw a death one time, and that's what most people do. What you plan in your mind is what you do in an emergency, including no planning. Police and fireman work out scenarios and equipment in advance, and they are heroes not cowards.

[dlumpen]

Originally Posted by novahousehunter

How would you have handled the playground situations had you been armed?

Nothing different. No one threatened a life. In general, if you have a gun and want to stay out of prison, you should be even more reluctant to be in undesirable situations. Since you are mentioning playgrounds, you really have to think about where a shot would go (as in not shooting at all). It's a very constrained means of defense to be sure.