Why The Ghettos?

[+rbennitt]

I know that I have only logged two finds; however, I know this area well. There are a few caches placed in high-crime areas that noone should go to unless they are the police. I carry concealed everywhere I go and you will not catch me trying to find such caches. What draws people into placing them in bad areas of town?

[caledonia]

Perhaps they live there?

[bogleman]

Just to see if anyone will look for it . Some will - some wont - some like to hide caches in uncomfortable locations - some like the challenge of finding caches in uncomfortable locations.

 

Just pretend that the cache is not there, delete the waypoint from your GPS, delete the file from the PDA, click on the ignore button.

 

What I think is a cool area may not meet your ideas of a cool area, same goes for everyone else.

[+Torry]

The term "ghetto" is entirely subjective. I've visited caches in the middle of the worst part of the city, crunching the vials and scattering the baggies only to discover a hidden oasis of birds and flowers.

 

Often times the "ghetto" is the older part of the city and will have many historical places of interest: old graveyards, Civil War-era bridges, the first city park, etc.

 

Act confident, try not to look like you're lost. Give the appearance that you are doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing and you'll be probably not be bothered. Carry a clipboard and try to look like a meter reader or surveyor. If anyone asks, tell them you're with the parks department and doing a study to revitalize the area.

 

Secure your vehicle, keep expensive trinkets out of sight ... and lose the "better than you" attitude... You'll enjoy people a lot more.

[+Vinny & Sue Team]

The term "ghetto" is entirely subjective. I've visited caches in the middle of the worst part of the city, crunching the vials and scattering the baggies only to discover a hidden oasis of birds and flowers.

 

Often times the "ghetto" is the older part of the city and will have many historical places of interest: old graveyards, Civil War-era bridges, the first city park, etc.

 

Act confident, try not to look like you're lost. Give the appearance that you are doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing and you'll be probably not be bothered. Carry a clipboard and try to look like a meter reader or surveyor. If anyone asks, tell them you're with the parks department and doing a study to revitalize the area.

 

Secure your vehicle, keep expensive trinkets out of sight ... and lose the "better than you" attitude... You'll enjoy people a lot more.

Torry, this is a beautiful answer -- thank you! And, I would like to add the following:

First, the hider may have placed a cache in a "ghetto" because they live there, or near there.

Next, they may have placed it there because they felt there were things of interest there for geocachers to see, whether old buildings, a park, or a great ethnic grocery store.

Lastly, it is also pissible that the hider placed the cache there because they like to place caches in slightly dangerous areas, knowing that some geocachers (not all) like to seek caches in such places, same as some geocachers enjoy seeking caches placed in caves, or on cliffs where climbing gear is needed, or on the structure of abandoned railroad bridges high over a river gorge.

 

For me, if I were placing such a cache, I would want to be sure that the Terrain rating was high enough (at least a 4) to fully reflect the dangers and challenges that such a spot might offer, and that the cache listing page displayed the appropriate ""DANGEROUS AREA" icon. And, I would also want to be sure that my cache listing page fully disclosed the potential hazards or dangers of the area, along with a few suggestions about precautions that a seeker might wish to take, much as Torry has mentioned in his post above.

 

For an example of how this is sometimes handled for a real-life cache located in a setting which offers somewhat similar hazards (but also immense historical and architectural attractions), you may wish to take a look at the cache listing page for our Psycho Urban Cache #10 - Derelict Grunge Acropolis, located in a very active real-life urban park, resplendent (??? ) with all of the phenomena which have been found in busy urban parks since time immemorial. . And, for contrast, to see a the listing page for a cache located in the same park, but without the courtesy warnings and with neither the appropriate Terrain rating nor attribute icons, you may wish to see the cache listing page for GPS Check, a virtual cache located just 500 feet from our cache listed above.

I feel that for caches located in such settings, adhering to the listing suggestions which I have listed above is a courtesy to future cache seekers, and also a far more honest and accurate portrayal of the cache location site.

[+briansnat]

Act confident, try not to look like you're lost. Give the appearance that you are doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing and you'll be probably not be bothered.

 

Kind of tough when you're geocaching. If anybody walks around with a "were am I going, what am I doing here look" its geocachers.

 

Anyway, inner cities do have many fascinating spots. This cache of mine is in what might be called "bad area" or a "high crime area", but its a worthwhile stop.

[+Team Cotati]

I know that I have only logged two finds; however, I know this area well. There are a few caches placed in high-crime areas that noone should go to unless they are the police. I carry concealed everywhere I go and you will not catch me trying to find such caches. What draws people into placing them in bad areas of town?

 

In all likelyhood, they are self-impressed, unthinking and irresponsible cachers. However since they are probably having fun and have described the undesirability/danger of the location in their listing, it is ok. Otherwise this might be interpreted as a bad thing. When you encounter caches such as this, a friendly email to the cache owner will usually cause him to correct any deficiencies. In the mean time you might want t include in the log entry of your visit, appropriate warnings for your fellow cachers

Edited July 2, 2006 by Team Cotati

[ParentsofSAM]

I do not think that Torry has visited a really bad ghetto. We have lived in one. There were often drive by shootings of the drug house across the street from our apartment. (My husband was armed security at the aprtments we lived in, if that tells you how bad the neighborhood was)

 

If and when strangers came into the neigborhood the residents would come out assuming they needed some services or products. They would be hassled. Not something I want while I am geocaching. I would hope that on the cache page they would include information about the area being unsafe. Travellers from out of town would not know that the 1/1 urban micro was in a bad part of town and may be caught off guard.

Edited July 2, 2006 by ParentsofSAM

[+geognerd]

One cache I found in Chicago had this in the description:

NOTE: One's comfort level in a given environment is always relative to one's life experiences. Some might consider this a "rough" part of town.

[+Davispak]

Many areas of a town get the reputation as a "bad" part of town because it is the older area not as well taken care of and older people live there and don't maintain the properties like they used to. I think we are sometimes to quick to label an area as bad.

Now, I will admit that as a former police officer there are parts of town that I would not go into unless I was armed and wearing a bullet vest. Most of these area are very concentrated into a small block or two of a street or a certain apartment complex.

My suggestion is to leave a comment in your log about it being an older part of town and that it is best done during the day.

 

On another note, I carry pepper spray, not for people, but dogs and other "animals" that you can run into. Reason, I had a guy tell me after I sprayed him(remember, was police officer) that he had been shot once and that he wish I had shot him instead of sprayed him with the pepper spray.

[+Team JSAM]

Perhaps they live there?

Not everybodys got money.

[+Team Tecmage]

I know that I have only logged two finds; however, I know this area well. There are a few caches placed in high-crime areas that noone should go to unless they are the police. I carry concealed everywhere I go and you will not catch me trying to find such caches. What draws people into placing them in bad areas of town?

 

I grew up in the "inner city", what some would consider a ghetto (predominantly minority, city neighborhood), and Tracy and I have cached through some questionable areas. If Geocaching never takes you someplace that you don't discover something unexpeted, then you aren't really caching.

 

The most uncomfortable place we cached was a county park outside a small Missouri town. The parking lot was full of spent shotgun casings, beer bottles and broken glass. We found the cache- someone used it for target practice. A week later, we found out that this particular county was notorious for Meth labs and drug use.

 

The earlier suggestion of igmoring caches in areas you don't feel safe in is a good suggestion. Why do you carry everywhere? Do you not feel safe anywhere?

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

Always use your senses. If you are uncomfortable, leave the area.

 

There are dangerous areas, and places where certain of us don't 'belong'.

 

You might be surprised, however, as to where those places are.

 

As a case worker for our Department of Youth Services, working with kids just released from lock-up school, kids ranging from 11 to 17, all with several prior felony arrests, it was my job to go into their 'ghetto' homes (run-down Federally-funded Section-8 apartments called "the brickyard", and make sure they were ok, had a support system, were observing curfew, attending school, that their parents weren't selling them for sex or had them out peddling drugs.

 

To do that I had to go into the 'worst' neighborhoods in Birmingham, Alabama...heartbreaking 'scary' places where I was the only white man for miles, a very high crime area, where the cops only enter in pairs or more, where almost no one has a job of any consequence and just about everyone there is addicted to something - yet I never had a problem or felt unsafe.

 

You know where I had problems? Hoover, Alabama - a predominantly white middle-to-upper-class neighborhood just south of Birmingham - the place where the 'white-flight' from Birmingham went. Most anyone with the werewithal left Birmingham and headed south. The white teens in that neighborhood had money, cars, guns, dope, ran in gangs and would cut you or steal your car in a heartbeat. Yet it is considered one of the nicer suburban neighborhoods!

 

Go figure! A ghetto isn't always what it appears to be, nor is a nice suburb.

 

Admittedly this was years ago, before the advent of crack and crystal meth, and I would not go in those places today, especially at night and never on a weekend - in either area!

 

Geocaching will take you to many places, but your senses will protect you - whether the cache is on a cliff's edge or a ghetto, your feeling of ease and comfort is what should dictate your actions.

 

As to carrying firearms, I am licensed to do so, and do on occassion, but if I feel like I 'need' to carry a pistol to go somewhere, I don't go there!

Edited July 2, 2006 by TheAlabamaRambler

[+Team Cotati]

Perhaps they live there?

 

I do not get it.

[+2trax]

Why?? Wht not?? It can make for an exciting adventure , and you get a chance to meet some very interesting people . In all my caching adventures i have met some real cool and interesting people and have come to the conclusion that 99.9% of the people out there no matter where they live are good people . After all its just another form of jungle .

[+Woodbutcher68]

Crime can happen anywhere. My ex-wife's grandson was robbed and beaten at gunpoint and his car was stolen in his girlfriend's parents driveway. This happened in an upper class town, where the police try not to publish the crimes. The town hall, police dept. and two caches are within .5 mile of the crime scene. The homes there are in the $200,000 and up range.

I've been reading in the paper about the heroin problem in the county where Team Tecmage lives. Don't get me wrong, they live in a beautiful city in a beautiful county. It's somewhat of a "bedroom community" with alot of residents working in Chicago, making the daily commute. They moved there to get away from the problems and crime of city life, but those same problems have followed them there. A lot of the residents there are in disbelief (and denial) about the problem, but the fact is it's happening all across the country. Kids with too much money and time on their hands. You could buy alot of GPSrs and ammo cans with what some of them spend in a day on drugs.

There was a time when you might be concerned about stumbling across somebody's "Pot Plantation" or still (in the south). but now you've got the meth labs popping up and dealers using the parks and preserves in the rural areas (usually less police patrols in the area).

The best thing is to use caution and don't cache alone in suspect areas.

That's my .02!

[+sbell111]

When I noticed this thread, my first thought was 'Wow, Godwin's Law in the thread title.'

 

Anyway, every caching adventure is exactly the same. Just like real life, you have to continually evaluate your circumstances. If you find yourself somewhere that you are not comfortable, follow the timeless advice of Ray Charles:

Hit the Road Jack and don'tcha come back

No more no more no more no more,

Hit the Road Jack and don'tcha come back

No more

 

A search will find similar threads on this subject. There was a funny one where someone in an area of New York State with fairly low crime complained that bullets were flying '24/7' in areas of his town. My point is that one person's impression of an area of town does not necessarily make that area unsafe for this activity at all times. If it did, what would it say about civilization?

[+Lemon Fresh Dog]

I appreciate cache listings that forewarn me of specific known dangers -- such as drug dealing/use, higher crime rates, etc. -- especially when I am not familiar with an area.

 

Normally, when travelling, I will ask a police office, hotel clerk, etc where the more dangerous parts of town are -- then avoid them. Historical interest aside

 

The truth is - I ALWAYS get a "don't go there" answer. Or....more commonly "Don't go there after 5pm".

 

When placing a cache, I always assume that it will be visited by a tourist with children. It isn't always the case, but it serves as my little "test" of whether I want to place a cache in an area or not.

[ParentsofSAM]

My point is that one person's impression of an area of town does not necessarily make that area unsafe for this activity at all times. If it did, what would it say about civilization?

 

Some parts of civilization are that bad. They would not be appropriate for geocaching at any time of day.

 

I once worked for Lifetouch in So California. We traveled all over we did one school in So Central LA (Compton)....it was so dangerous we were escorted from the freeway to the school by police. Then when we got to the school am armed guard escoted us through the school building. He along with 2 other armed guards always were posted at the school. This is an elementary school. It was a really rough neighborhood. You could even say that bullets flew nearly 24/7. We heard lots of shots for the few hours we were there. The school is only 3 blocks from where Reginald Denny was beaten and the LA riots took place all around the area.

 

I looked it up and there are no geocaches close to the school....the closest one is 1.3 miles away and is a virt but still in a rough part. But if there were geocaches around I would not go there. But right on the other side of the freeway there is a really nice upper class neighborhood....so if I was visiting this area, I would hope someone would tell me to be careful while hunting geocaches in that area. Because if I was a tourist I would not know of the dangers that lie across the freeway.

[PCFrog]

If and when strangers came into the neigborhood the residents would come out assuming they needed some services or products. They would be hassled. Not something I want while I am geocaching. I would hope that on the cache page they would include information about the area being unsafe. Travellers from out of town would not know that the 1/1 urban micro was in a bad part of town and may be caught off guard.

 

While I myself been in some tough places, when I'm traveling I don't know what each area is like. I would not be to please if I showed up in such places with walking stick and geocaching gear. Talk about sticking out like a sore thumb.

 

Yes caches should and can be in such areas but some note should possible be posted. This unfortunately leads down another path that can be taken too far and perceived by others as some sort as label on people. It’s no win win situation.

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

Yes caches should and can be in such areas but some note should possible be posted. This unfortunately leads down another path that can be taken too far and perceived by others as some sort as label on people. It’s no win win situation.

 

Labeling a neighborhood as 'bad', high-crime or dangerous does not label the people, it simply acknowledges the fact of local conditions.

 

Less than a mile from my almost crime-free neighborhood is Gate City, a high-crime area where no outsider has any business, especially after dark.

 

To not warn visitors to the area that they are in great danger in that neighborhood is irresponsible, not a racist or social commentary on any given resident, just statistacally provable fact that you are in far more danger there than in other areas.

 

As far as I recall there are no caches there, and all of the caches placed in surrounding areas warn seekers that this is not a family-friendly neighborhood and should not be hunted at night. That type of note is entirely appropriate.

 

I think it is a win-win when the owner is free to place a cache there and the seeker is notified on the cache page that the area may be dangerous.

[+sbell111]

Some parts of civilization are that bad. They would not be appropriate for geocaching at any time of day.

 

I once worked for Lifetouch in So California. We traveled all over we did one school in So Central LA (Compton)....it was so dangerous we were escorted from the freeway to the school by police. Then when we got to the school am armed guard escoted us through the school building. He along with 2 other armed guards always were posted at the school. This is an elementary school. It was a really rough neighborhood. You could even say that bullets flew nearly 24/7. We heard lots of shots for the few hours we were there. The school is only 3 blocks from where Reginald Denny was beaten and the LA riots took place all around the area.

 

I looked it up and there are no geocaches close to the school....the closest one is 1.3 miles away and is a virt but still in a rough part. But if there were geocaches around I would not go there. But right on the other side of the freeway there is a really nice upper class neighborhood....so if I was visiting this area, I would hope someone would tell me to be careful while hunting geocaches in that area. Because if I was a tourist I would not know of the dangers that lie across the freeway.

How long ago were you there?

 

A while back, I was in LA for several weeks on business. While I was there, I found myself walking in Compton. Granted, it was morning on a Saturday and I didn't explore more than a few blocks, but I never felt like I shouldn't be there.

 

Here's Compton's website. It sounds like a good place for some caches.

 

Related to the 'warnings on the cache page' issue, I generally agree that if someone owns a cache in a sketchy area, he/she should let people know. I had one for a while in a little park right next to a 'bad' area. I explained on the cache page that it should be considered 'daytime only' for this reason. That being said, any cacher that believes that an area is perfectly safe just because there is no explicit warning on a cache page kind of gets what they deserve. We all have to be responsible for keeping ourselves safe. This includes evaluating every cache location.

[+Team Cotati]

IMHO, anyone who thinks that Compton, CA. is a 'nice' place for caching or any other purpose for people who have a choice, simply has no grasp of reality, period. If it would help, I could list off about 15 other locations that meet that same criteria. Starting with East St. Louis, IL. This is truly astounding.

Edited July 3, 2006 by Team Cotati

[+sbell111]

IMHO, anyone who thinks that Compton, CA. is a 'nice' place for caching or any other purpose for people who have a choice, simply has no grasp of reality, period.

Hmmm. You know, if you keep retreating from everything that makes you uncomfortable, you will eventually have no place to go.

 

From what I've read, many are trying to revitalize Compton. Walking away from areas like Compton and writing them off as 'too dangerous' only tends to make the problem worse. When people re-enter these areas and make an effort to make them livable, things get better.

 

Is geocaching a solution to places like Compton? Not all on its own, obviously, but every little bit helps.

 

Take another look at the website I linked above. I think you'll be surprised at what's being done.

[+Team Cotati]

IMHO, anyone who thinks that Compton, CA. is a 'nice' place for caching or any other purpose for people who have a choice, simply has no grasp of reality, period.

Hmmm. You know, if you keep retreating from everything that makes you uncomfortable, you will eventually have no place to go.

 

From what I've read, many are trying to revitalize Compton. Walking away from areas like Compton and writing them off as 'too dangerous' only tends to make the problem worse. When people re-enter these areas and make an effort to make them livable, things get better.

 

Is geocaching a solution to places like Compton? Not all on its own, obviously, but every little bit helps.

 

Take another look at the website I linked above. I think you'll be surprised at what's being done.

 

I take that you haven't actually seen good ole Compton first hand, is that correct? How about Hawthorne? Tell me when you want to see my list, ok? One thing that I'll grant you, when areas are on the verge of calling for the bulldozer and gas can brigade, things can only get better. Unfortunately 'better' is a very subjective and relative term.

Edited July 3, 2006 by Team Cotati

[+sbell111]

This thread reminds me of one of JoeGPS' virts that I logged a number of years ago. It was at the old Marathon Motor Works building in Nashville. At the time, the area was very sketchy.

 

Around the same time, a developer bought the decrepit factory building. It has now been converted to apartments, offices, and home to Yazoo brewery (Yum!).

 

The surrounding area is slowly but surely coming around.

[+sbell111]

Tell me when you want to the my list, ok?

This reads like a bad babelfish translation. I'm not sure what you are trying to say.

[+KKTH3]

Some parts of civilization are that bad. They would not be appropriate for geocaching at any time of day.

 

I once worked for Lifetouch in So California. We traveled all over we did one school in So Central LA (Compton)....it was so dangerous we were escorted from the freeway to the school by police. Then when we got to the school am armed guard escoted us through the school building. He along with 2 other armed guards always were posted at the school. This is an elementary school. It was a really rough neighborhood. You could even say that bullets flew nearly 24/7. We heard lots of shots for the few hours we were there. The school is only 3 blocks from where Reginald Denny was beaten and the LA riots took place all around the area.

 

I looked it up and there are no geocaches close to the school....the closest one is 1.3 miles away and is a virt but still in a rough part. But if there were geocaches around I would not go there. But right on the other side of the freeway there is a really nice upper class neighborhood....so if I was visiting this area, I would hope someone would tell me to be careful while hunting geocaches in that area. Because if I was a tourist I would not know of the dangers that lie across the freeway.

How long ago were you there?

 

A while back, I was in LA for several weeks on business. While I was there, I found myself walking in Compton. Granted, it was morning on a Saturday and I didn't explore more than a few blocks, but I never felt like I shouldn't be there.

 

Here's Compton's website. It sounds like a good place for some caches.

 

Related to the 'warnings on the cache page' issue, I generally agree that if someone owns a cache in a sketchy area, he/she should let people know. I had one for a while in a little park right next to a 'bad' area. I explained on the cache page that it should be considered 'daytime only' for this reason. That being said, any cacher that believes that an area is perfectly safe just because there is no explicit warning on a cache page kind of gets what they deserve. We all have to be responsible for keeping ourselves safe. This includes evaluating every cache location.

 

So. central LA is actually a pretty interesting place - and in keeping with a post earlier in the thread its not that the whole area is blanketed as a bad area, but rather the only real dangerous areas are concentrated to a block or an apartment complex or such. Keep in mind that USC is smack dab in the middle of this area and you can really see the night and day effect between property upkeep of school property and adjacent property. Greek Row is a place college kids will be out playing volleyball alongside the street at 2AM without worry - and at the very end of the road is a corner store where the kids can get cigarettes at any hour. The same store also services the "common folk" of the neighborhood. It is a different lifestyle, but I was not convinced it was certain death to be out there at night. Granted, I was with a large group of friends and I really wouldnt be exploring the dark corners of the area on my own, but when talking about the area with the students that lived there - they all pretty much agreed that only the people that try to make an issue about the area being unsafe will find it to be unsafe. I'm not sure if that is the easiest thing to explain, but I certainly was able to enjoy myself there rather than worry about the fact I was spending a night in So. Central LA.

[+Team Cotati]

Chicago..........Northside.

[+Team Cotati]

"...I could list off about 15 other locations..." Reading for comprehension, first semester.

Edited July 3, 2006 by Team Cotati

[+sbell111]

I take that you haven't actually seen good ole Compton first hand, is that correct?

Please reread my previous posts.

 

Thanks.

[+Team Cotati]

I take that you haven't actually seen good ole Compton first hand, is that correct?

Please reread my previous posts.

 

Thanks.

 

Already did that. Point being? It seems that for reasons known only to you, that you desire to extol the virtues of the ghetto regions of America's inner cities, LA in particular and that is certainly your right to do so. However, honorable effort though this may be, it does not alter relaity in the slightest.

Edited July 3, 2006 by Team Cotati

[+Cracker in the Hat]

My brother in law grew up in Manhattan and lived his entire life in the 'concrete jungle'...When he started dating my sister, he spent some quality time with my family due west of Philadelphia. We slept at night with open windows (no bars) unlocked doors and open cars. We slept very peacefully while he lay awake in his bed uncomfortable from the sounds of nature (Owls fox etc...) He couldn't wait to get back to the city sounds to lul him to sleep. It is important to remember that what one finds comforting, another may find unnerving. People live in the 'bad' part of town, just the same as they do in your part of town. The zip code doesn't denote peace vs. danger, the residents do, that's why your neighborhood has police too...

Let's all get off of our soapboxes and be kind to our neighbors. RBENNITT, cache a little more, and see if you want a 'challenge' if not, walk away.

 

-Cracker in the hat

[+Team Cotati]

My brother in law grew up in Manhattan and lived his entire life in the 'concrete jungle'...When he started dating my sister, he spent some quality time with my family due west of Philadelphia. We slept at night with open windows (no bars) unlocked doors and open cars. We slept very peacefully while he lay awake in his bed uncomfortable from the sounds of nature (Owls fox etc...) He couldn't wait to get back to the city sounds to lul him to sleep. It is important to remember that what one finds comforting, another may find unnerving. People live in the 'bad' part of town, just the same as they do in your part of town. The zip code doesn't denote peace vs. danger, the residents do, that's why your neighborhood has police too...

Let's all get off of our soapboxes and be kind to our neighbors. RBENNITT, cache a little more, and see if you want a 'challenge' if not, walk away.

 

-Cracker in the hat

 

Unfortunately, the lullabyes of the countryside are significantly less likely to induce 'permanent' sleep of the kind found in the inner cities of this country.

[+sbell111]

Already did that. Point being? It seems that for reasons known only to you, that you desire to extol the virtues of the ghetto regions of America's inner cities, LA in particular and that is certainly your right to do so. However, honorable effort though this may be, it does not alter relaity in the slightest.

Actually, you are tweaking my meaning somewhat.

 

My feeling is that this issue is no different than the threads about caches in 'cruising' parks or those that are being encroached on by the homeless. If everyone simply gives up on these areas, they will only get worse. If people take action and enjoy them appropriately, they can turn around.

 

BTW, it was not my intention to single out Compton. I mentioned my experiences there becuase someone else brought it up. However, I feel similarly about sketchy areas in other cities that I am familiar with such as New York, Boston, Buffalo, DC, Orlando, et al.

 

I think its sad when people hide from the problem of urban blight.

[+sbell111]

Unfortunately, the lullabyes of the countryside are significantly less likely to induce 'permanent' sleep of the kind found in the inner cities of this country.

From reading your posts in this thread, I can only assume that you know not of which you write. I've been much more concerned for my safety while hiking in the woods than I have within a city. There is nothing so disconcerting than to wander up on a pot field or an active still (or God forbid, a meth factory) while walking in the woods at dusk.

Edited July 3, 2006 by sbell111

[+Team Cotati]

Unfortunately, the lullabyes of the countryside are significantly less likely to induce 'permanent' sleep of the kind found in the inner cities of this country.

From reading your posts in this thread, I can only assume that you know not of which you write. I've been much more concerned for my safety while hiking in the woods than I have within a city. There is nothing so disconcerting than to wander up on a pot field or an active still (or God forbid, a meth factory) while walking in the woods at dusk.

 

Let's put it this way then pardner. I am of the opinion that one ought not to fear for one's life when walking down to the corner grocery to pick up a loaf of bread or to feel safe and comfortable when sitting on one's own front porch. It appears as though that some, view that as a natural and even somewhat exciting and pleasurefilled existance. You want to 'introduce' your caching pals to this wonder filled life style, be my guest. To each his own I suppose.

Edited July 3, 2006 by Team Cotati

[+Team Tecmage]

<snip>

I've been reading in the paper about the heroin problem in the county where Team Tecmage lives. Don't get me wrong, they live in a beautiful city in a beautiful county. It's somewhat of a "bedroom community" with alot of residents working in Chicago, making the daily commute. They moved there to get away from the problems and crime of city life, but those same problems have followed them there. A lot of the residents there are in disbelief (and denial) about the problem, but the fact is it's happening all across the country. Kids with too much money and time on their hands. You could buy alot of GPSrs and ammo cans with what some of them spend in a day on drugs.

There was a time when you might be concerned about stumbling across somebody's "Pot Plantation" or still (in the south). but now you've got the meth labs popping up and dealers using the parks and preserves in the rural areas (usually less police patrols in the area).

The best thing is to use caution and don't cache alone in suspect areas.

That's my .02!

 

Woodbutcher68 hit it on the head! Porter County, Indiana is affluent AND one of the top three counties in the U.S. when it comes to Heorin use, yet people here want to pretend there's no problem. We have rapes, robberies and murders in Valparaiso just like other places. How much crime is directly related to high drug use hasn't been released, but it doesn't stop us from caching or taking the kids out to a park to play.

 

BTW, in Joliet, Illinois, the police arrested seven Catholic high school students AT SCHOOL for running the largest Heorin, Coke and X ring in town!

 

Has anyone noticed that the OP hasn't posted again? The OP also claimed in another post to carry at least one gun at all times, so I go back to a question I asked of the OP- do you feel safe anywhere?

[+Team Cotati]

"Has anyone noticed that the OP hasn't posted again?" Typical.

[ParentsofSAM]

How long ago were you there?

 

A while back, I was in LA for several weeks on business. While I was there, I found myself walking in Compton. Granted, it was morning on a Saturday and I didn't explore more than a few blocks, but I never felt like I shouldn't be there.

 

Here's Compton's website. It sounds like a good place for some caches.

 

Related to the 'warnings on the cache page' issue, I generally agree that if someone owns a cache in a sketchy area, he/she should let people know. I had one for a while in a little park right next to a 'bad' area. I explained on the cache page that it should be considered 'daytime only' for this reason. That being said, any cacher that believes that an area is perfectly safe just because there is no explicit warning on a cache page kind of gets what they deserve. We all have to be responsible for keeping ourselves safe. This includes evaluating every cache location.

 

It was in 1996 - 1998 that I worked out there. Not too long after the riots. So the area was not anywhere near revitalization. It may be now that they are trying to clean up. I am still not sure I want to be a family of tourists in the area finding a cache.

 

Even if they are not in Compton....they are somewhere. The drug dealers and gang members and prostitutes will always have work and always be somewhere.

[+Team Cotati]

How long ago were you there?

 

A while back, I was in LA for several weeks on business. While I was there, I found myself walking in Compton. Granted, it was morning on a Saturday and I didn't explore more than a few blocks, but I never felt like I shouldn't be there.

 

Here's Compton's website. It sounds like a good place for some caches.

 

Related to the 'warnings on the cache page' issue, I generally agree that if someone owns a cache in a sketchy area, he/she should let people know. I had one for a while in a little park right next to a 'bad' area. I explained on the cache page that it should be considered 'daytime only' for this reason. That being said, any cacher that believes that an area is perfectly safe just because there is no explicit warning on a cache page kind of gets what they deserve. We all have to be responsible for keeping ourselves safe. This includes evaluating every cache location.

 

It was in 1996 - 1998 that I worked out there. Not too long after the riots. So the area was not anywhere near revitalization. It may be now that they are trying to clean up. I am still not sure I want to be a family of tourists in the area finding a cache.

 

Even if they are not in Compton....they are somewhere. The drug dealers and gang members and prostitutes will always have work and always be somewhere.

 

The area has not changed very much from those days. The druggies and gangbangers still run the place after 7PM. Revitalization is a happy happy joy joy feel good catch phrase used by politicians 6 months before and 6 minutes after every election.

Edited July 3, 2006 by Team Cotati

[+Davispak]

"Has anyone noticed that the OP hasn't posted again?" Typical.

 

he came in and threw his topic bomb and then fled the scene:)

[+Torry]

TOP TEN SIGNS THAT YOU MAY BE CACHING IN A "BAD" NEIGHBORHOOD -

 

10. There's a family of seven living in the ammo box.

 

9. The last log entry reads, "Call 911. Hurry."

 

8. The cache page requests that all swag be "25% pure or better or someone's getting popped."

 

7. Mapquest shows the area in red highlights with the notice, "Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter."

 

6. Street corners are known as Checkpoints.

 

5. You realize that - with just a little lowering of your standards - your wife's services could pay for the entire trip.

 

4. Even the satellites are afraid to fly overhead.

 

3. You realize too late that you misread the warning about muggles.

 

2. You realize it's not fireworks at some local ethnic festival that you've been listening to.

 

1. "Y'all ain't from around here. Are ya?"

[+sbell111]

It was in 1996 - 1998 that I worked out there. Not too long after the riots. So the area was not anywhere near revitalization. It may be now that they are trying to clean up. I am still not sure I want to be a family of tourists in the area finding a cache.

From your initial post, I assumed that this was the case. Unlike what some paranoid members of the forum community are preaching, this area is pretty much just like any urban environment; fairly safe at daytime, somewhat to quite unsafe at night. Either way, the secret is using your head.

Even if they are not in Compton....they are somewhere. The drug dealers and gang members and prostitutes will always have work and always be somewhere.

You are absolutely correct. That is why we must always be cautious, no matter where we are. I'm going to rely on my sense of caution to keep myself safe, rather than just hiding from anyplace that may include undesirables.

[+thedeadpirate]

6. Street corners are known as Checkpoints.

 

[uperdooper]

TOP TEN SIGNS THAT YOU MAY BE CACHING IN A "BAD" NEIGHBORHOOD -

 

10. There's a family of seven living in the ammo box.

 

9. The last log entry reads, "Call 911. Hurry."

 

8. The cache page requests that all swag be "25% pure or better or someone's getting popped."

 

7. Mapquest shows the area in red highlights with the notice, "Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter."

 

6. Street corners are known as Checkpoints.

 

5. You realize that - with just a little lowering of your standards - your wife's services could pay for the entire trip.

 

4. Even the satellites are afraid to fly overhead.

 

3. You realize too late that you misread the warning about muggles.

 

2. You realize it's not fireworks at some local ethnic festival that you've been listening to.

 

1. "Y'all ain't from around here. Are ya?"

 

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

 

i won't accept food from him, but the pig is funny!!!!!!

[+Yellow ants]

Revitalization is a happy happy joy joy feel good catch phrase used by politicians 6 months before and 6 minutes after every election.

 

You know, it would be much easier to take you seriously if you didn't include those three smilies after each post, right?

[+Team Cotati]

Revitalization is a happy happy joy joy feel good catch phrase used by politicians 6 months before and 6 minutes after every election.

 

You know, it would be much easier to take you seriously if you didn't include those three smilies after each post, right?

 

I'm crushed.........totally dude!!

[+Runaround]

For several years I volunteered with a program that took inner city kids into the woods. They even did a couple of camp-outs. It's amazing how a street wise 15 year old kid who brags about his time in juvie lock-up can be converted to a wimpering mass by some ghost stories around the campfire and the normal night sounds outside the tent. He swore bears or monsters were coming to eat us.

 

Many of the kids admitted to being scared and uncomfortable as the sounds of the natural world were very alien to them.

 

As part of the program, the volunteers spend a night staying at the kids house with their family. Where I stayed the kids watched the Nightmare on Elm Street like it was a sitcom before going to bed. They immediately fell asleep. I spent half the night awake listening for the sounds of a drive-by shooting or a break-in.

 

I admit to being scared and uncomfortable. To the kids, it was home.

 

We each have our comfort levels. If you don't like the area, go find another cache.

[+RichardMoore]

Revitalization is a happy happy joy joy feel good catch phrase used by politicians 6 months before and 6 minutes after every election.

 

You know, it would be much easier to take you seriously if you didn't include those three smilies after each post, right?

Seriously? Who takes him seriously?