[SuperiorHIP]

Did a school painting job in the projects almost 10 years ago. One friday we were the last people out, did the usual routine of pull the truck out, get out and lock the gate and go home. My employee got out to lock the gate I stretched and took my eyes off my surroundings for 2 seconds and there was a guy in the truck with a gun poking me in the ribs. I looked in the rear view and a guy with a gun was on my employee. I had a .357 magnum tucked in by the seat belt, all that crossed my mind was kill him, and watch a potential bloodbath unfold as the two white guys in the middle of the projects get gunned down by the rest of the animals. I didnt even notice until we sped off in a hurry being scared *****less and we had to go through the grass but the animals had blocked off the road with some cars and there were people on the balconies everywhere watching. I will never work like that again, I would rather go get a job at HD. Moral of the story is that once your targeted its over, they got away with my check book and $10 in cash and I didnt die nor did my actions cause the death of my employee/friend.

 

[boman47k]

I had a .357 magnum tucked in by the seat belt,

gunned down by the rest of the animals

:thumbsup:

 

[Tinstaafl]

Exactly where was that neighborhood, and why did you even bid it if it scared the bejeesus out of you?

It's been my experience that if you carry yourself appropriately according to the environment, odds are very slim that anything out of the way will happen. I've enjoyed some quite friendly interactions in the baddest parts of town with that attitude--even with bullets flying in the next block.

Not to say that my neck hairs were lying flat...

 

[Jimmy Cabinet]

Exactly where was that neighborhood, and why did you even bid it if it scared the bejeesus out of you?

It's been my experience that if you carry yourself appropriately according to the environment, odds are very slim that anything out of the way will happen. I've enjoyed some quite friendly interactions in the baddest parts of town with that attitude--even with bullets flying in the next block.

Not to say that my neck hairs were lying flat...

It's in Houston's worst neighborhoods. I didn't win by competitive bid. That leasing company calls me when they need me. First time I ever had to go to anyplace like that though.

 

[CharlesD]

I worked on four different government rehabs in the projects in the mid to late 80's. We had to deal with all the propositions, ( I even had men try to sell me sex with their wives) stealing, and dope.
Never a day passed when someone didn't want to sell someone on the crew dope. Not a day passed when some crack head didn't try to sell me something they'd stolen. I had a man try to sell me his baby's formula his wife or girlfriend had just brought home.
The kids would hassle us a lot too.
But, I never felt unsafe. I even had a bunch of them go together and BBQ ribs for us one Friday at one project. I bought the ribs.
I can only imagine what they are like now, 20-25 years later.
Also, I was in small towns on the delta in Arkansas, not in big cities.

 

[ESSaustin]

I even had men try to sell me sex with their wives
Also, I was in small towns on the delta in Arkansas, not in big cities.

Well that just sounds like southern hospitality to me...

 

[tinner666]

I get those projects sometimes. Bidding one now. I just go prepared as I always do. :thumbsup: And knowing I have to lock and unlock everything, every time I blink, cough, or scratch, which causes the job to last 3-4 times longer, I charge accordingly. And I add in setup-breakdown times too. I can't even leave scaffolding up overnight.
I even park on the lawn so my truck is under me at all times. If that access isn't available, I just add the cost of 2 more trucks into the job.
For some reason though, my close rate there is 1 in 12, and close rates elsewhere are 8 in 10. Go figure.

 

[CookeCarpentry]

Yea, I've worked in some bad places.

Just last week, I was finishing up an entry door install and some neighbor pulled up in a 3-series BMW....I mean seriously....a 3-series? That neighborhood is going down hill....

 

[nailkiller1]

If I had to work there
I would work 6am to 11am
Be gone before they get out of bed

 

[boman47k]

It's in Houston's worst neighborhoods. I didn't win by competitive bid. That leasing company calls me when they need me. First time I ever had to go to anyplace like that though.

When we were in Houston in the late 80's, we were told to not walk around like we were lost or sightseeing. No gawking at the tall buildings, etc. Move like you have a purpose and know where you are at.

My sister was robbed at gunpoint on the street near the hotel. This was not a seedy part of town. We were out there with our dad at the MD Anderson clinic.

I said we. Actually, I was not with them on that particular trip.

 

[nailit69]

Used to work downtown Seattle (Pike & Belltown areas) at night and there were some SKETCHY poeple out at night down there. My partner always had his .45 shouldered and anytime we needed something from the van, we both went. I tell you, I loved the money but hated the hours,wasn't too fond of having to be escorted everywhere either, i'm happy I don't do those jobs anymore.

 

[Jimmy Cabinet]

When we were in Houston in the late 80's, we were told to not walk around like we were lost or sightseeing. No gawking at the tall buildings, etc. Move like you have a purpose and know where you are at.

My sister was robbed at gunpoint on the street near the hotel. This was not a seedy part of town. We were out there with our dad at the MD Anderson clinic.

I said we. Actually, I was not with them on that particular trip.

This is very true. I grew up on the other side of the river from New York City. We used to go to Shea and Yankee Stadium very often and took the subway to 42nd St after the game for the action. We were warned by those in the know NOT to act like a tourist. If you are looking up at tall buildings and pointing at pretty architecture then you might as well hang a big red flag over your head that says "TARGET".

 

[glassman]

bad neighborhood

Back in 1989, I had the displeasure of installing over 900 single hung windows in the Quarle's St. aquatic gardens section of south east D.C. They don't nickname D.C. dark country for nothing.
The constant wrath of street rats, crack heads, whores, etc. made me question everyday "why am I doing this?'
I had to hire two temp staff laborers to break down crates and load up the roll off dumpsters.
On their first day around 6:30pm they both come up to me and ask how much longer we gonna work?
I reply we still have daylight out don't we?
The oldest laborer looks at me and says 'Look man, when the sun sets here even us [email protected]@ers leave this place." He meant it.
We adjusted our schedule to be out of Dodge with the sun still shinning.:laughing:

 

[CJKarl]

I had on many times to stop working on a siding Job Tower ave Hartford Ct .....Bullets were flying......I kept hearing pop...pop I thought I was the Target on the Roof..... I can Laugh about it now But Dam ............I will not work in that part of town - No mater How much!

:laughing: I know that area, right down the road from the prison. Makes sense doesn't it.

 

[deckman22]

Sounds like you were in the 5th ward, not a good place to be. I was there once & to be sure that will be the last time I go there.

I was a young white boy in the army at Ft. Hood back in the 70's & a buddy who was black asked me to give him a ride to Houston. I said sure no problem. I was the only white boy within miles I think, even his brother looked like he wanted to mug me.

No way I'd work in a neighborhood like that, whatever you could make off a job like that is not worth the stress.

 

[Irishslave]

I live in St. Louis Mo, once designated "the most dangerous city in America" I don't know about that but it is certainly one of the most segregated. There are neighborhoods I will not go into for any reason. They burn buildings down so they can steal the bricks and sell them down south. I have had guns pulled on me by kids no older than 16 when on a job. Years ago they never bothered workers much, but now days you best have a roscoe with you while up on the ladder

 

[Steve Richards]

I was painting in the 'hood one time....

Couple dudes came up and ask me for some money.

I told 'em to F-off.

One pulled a knife on me, but I judo chopped it out of his hand.

Just then, the other (huge) guy pulled a machine pistol thing out of his low slung pants.

I round-housed him to the face, he and the gun fell (harmlessly) to the ground.

Just then, their buddies showed up..all carrying pistols, and yelling gang slogans.

Not knowing what else to do, I started spinning (like a top) with my fists out...there were black people flying everywhere.

Anyhow...when it was done, I was pretty tired, so I went home early.

 

[blackbear]

a couple of years back things were a little slow so I picked up a night time gig inspecting and testing NYC schools for asbestos. The hours were from 5pm-2am. Being the new guy in town I usually got the shaft and they sent me into the worst neighborhoods in the 5 boroughs.
One of the sketchiest neighborhoods was Brownsville in Brooklyn. The parking was horrible and had to walk about 4-6 blocks from the school to my truck. I found the key was to blend in with the surroundings. Dark shades, a hoodie pulled tight over your head, ass stomping boots, a pissed off look, and a bad ass walk.

If that doesnt work and they try and engage you just act crazy and say stuff that doesnt make sense, like ooooooooooooogggggggggaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa blaaaaaaaaaaaa raaaaaawwwwwwwwrrrrrrr. They wont mess with a "crazy white boy"

 

[SubwayGuy]

a couple of years back things were a little slow so I picked up a night time gig inspecting and testing NYC schools for asbestos. The hours were from 5pm-2am. Being the new guy in town I usually got the shaft and they sent me into the worst neighborhoods in the 5 boroughs.
One of the sketchiest neighborhoods was Brownsville in Brooklyn. The parking was horrible and had to walk about 4-6 blocks from the school to my truck. I found the key was to blend in with the surroundings. Dark shades, a hoodie pulled tight over your head, ass stomping boots, a pissed off look, and a bad ass walk.

If that doesnt work and they try and engage you just act crazy and say stuff that doesnt make sense, like ooooooooooooogggggggggaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa blaaaaaaaaaaaa raaaaaawwwwwwwwrrrrrrr. They wont mess with a "crazy white boy"

Grew up in the city and that's a bad area...we used to call it "Zoo Lots" because a lot of the crime was around New Lots Avenue

 

[Scottish Neil]

Im reading these posts and it sounds crazy, the only bad time I have had is in Glasgow, Scotland is a tiny country and Glasgow being one of the 2 main cities, it has its pretty bad parts but your not allowed guns here and even the craziest of person doesnt really carry guns, its more the knife crime here. I was working in the East end of Glasgow and we were lifting drywall out of the van, once it was out the van was locked, we thought we could lift the drywall in the building and the sheets would be ok! We come back out and some junkie (heroin addict), as there called here was carrying away a sheet of drywall doen the street! What would he need it for!! If he was looking for money he could have helped us in and Id have gave hime a fiver!!
Thats as bad as it gets here!