Page 2 of 2
Re: When legal to draw?
Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 1:40 pm
by WildBill
philip964 wrote:I-45 and the Sam Houston Tollway on Houston North side West of the airport is called Greenspoint named after Greens road and the Mall of the same name.
In the early 70's 80's it was a very popular growth area for real estate. Many tall buildings were constructed there. Many for Exxon. It gave quick access to the airport, Houston as well as the Woodlands and Kingwood. One would call the location ideal. A large number of garden type apartments were also constructed. In 1986 Houston went into a severe recession. Many of the garden apartments fell on hard times and may have lowered rent to attract tenants.
In the early '90's I remember feeling uncomfortable photographing outside in that area. I remember working on a number of security projects for Exxon to prevent cars from being stolen from their parking lots. Then I remember an off duty armed female Sheriff's deputy being abducted from Greenspoint Mall by persons unknown. She was later found murdered. RIP. I stopped going to the area altogether after that. Around then the Mall was unofficially renamed Gunspoint Mall, the area then being called Gunspoint.
Exxon will totally abandon the area in about a year. Without their stability and security, who knows how bad the area will sink to.
If a stranger approaches you at night in Greenspoint, you are going to be robbed, abducted or killed. They are not needing a smoke, a handout, directions, or help with a lost dog, there is however a small chance they have just been shot and need medical attention.
It's really a shame, that this area has gone downhill so badly. Many of the apartment buildings are very nice and would ideal to live, if they were located in a better area. They are very convenient to many of the O&G companies in the area. I was told by a co-worker that they were going to tear down many of the apartment buildings because of low occupancy rates, but they are now Federally subsidized.
Speaking of the mall, it almost looks abandoned. One lunch hour I drove over to Macy's and thought it was closed. There were probably a total of twenty cars in the parking lot. There are a couple of posts on this forum about robberies at the Waffle House and Jimmy G's as well as other places of business. I feel okay eating lunch during the daylight hours, but I won't go there after dark.
Re: When legal to draw?
Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 1:55 pm
by JP171
KBR used to rent about half the mall for training during the OIF/OEF/OND phases of Iraq and Afghanistan not sure if the still do. its a bad area had a friend that was riding his bike on the feeder from 45 to BW8 got hit with a brick in his helmet to try and get his bike, the person got a little extra ventilation of the thoracic cavity
Re: When legal to draw?
Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 2:09 pm
by Abraham
JP171,
"its a bad area had a friend that was riding his bike on the feeder from 45 to BW8 got hit with a brick in his helmet to try and get his bike, the person got a little extra ventilation of the thoracic cavity"
I think I understand what you're saying, but would you mind clarifying?
Thanks!
Re: When legal to draw?
Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 11:42 pm
by drjoker
You're asking the wrong question. NEVER wait until it is too late and you have to draw your gun. ALWAYS pay attention to your surroundings and act proactively.
For example, I drove a female friend of mine to have a prescription filled at Walgreens at 10PM. I saw in the rear view mirror someone WALKING towards my car. I drew my FLASHLIGHT and shined it in his eyes, "I am not interested. Do not approach my car and keep your hands where I can see them."
The guy then turns around and walks away.
Always keep your distance from suspicious people.
P.S. I think I posted this in the past and my memory's fuzzy so the details may be off but you get the gist of it.
philip964 wrote:http://www.click2houston.com/news/man-s ... index.html
So the 17000 block of Imperial Valley in Houston is where this happened. Man just getting out of his car after parking. Man walks up and asks for cigarette. Then pulls a gun.
Would you be justified in drawing your weapon as the man walks up? Or do you have to wait for him to draw first? This method seems to put you at a decided disadvantage.
For those of you not from Houston 17000 block of Imperial Valley is just across I 45 from from "Gunspoint Mall".
Re: When legal to draw?
Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 12:59 am
by rotor
Jumping Frog wrote:Description 2: I was in a isolated parking lot with no other cars nearby. I saw the man start walking towards me. I altered course and noted he also altered his course to intercept me. I held up my left hand out in a "STOP" gesture and told him to "STOP, LEAVE ME ALONE", but he kept approaching. I noticeably placed my strong hand on the grip of my handgun while repeating the "Stop" gesture with my other hand and now telling him, "STOP RIGHT THERE, DO NOT APPROACH ME" in a command voice. He continued coming, now at a brisker pace. I drew my handgun at low ready, and told him "I AM WARNING YOU TO STOP APPROACHING ME OR I WILL SHOOT". He started running towards me. I could not see his hands. I concluded if he was still willing to continue what appears to be an attack in that manner even though he knew I was armed, he must have the means to be deadly himself and had bad intentions. I believed the entire approach to be an imminent robbery. Means, motive, opportunity. I stopped the threat.
I think perhaps I will memorize Description 2.
Re: When legal to draw?
Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 12:53 pm
by OldCurlyWolf
philip964 wrote:http://www.click2houston.com/news/man-s ... index.html
So the 17000 block of Imperial Valley in Houston is where this happened. Man just getting out of his car after parking. Man walks up and asks for cigarette. Then pulls a gun.
Would you be justified in drawing your weapon as the man walks up? Or do you have to wait for him to draw first? This method seems to put you at a decided disadvantage.
For those of you not from Houston 17000 block of Imperial Valley is just across I 45 from from "Gunspoint Mall".
I am in that area regularly and am usually running on orange there.
Re: When legal to draw?
Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 1:57 pm
by Carzan
philip964 wrote:
If a stranger approaches you at night in Greenspoint, you are going to be robbed, abducted or killed. They are not needing a smoke, a handout, directions, or help with a lost dog, there is however a small chance they have just been shot and need medical attention.
Part of what makes this a dangerous area is the fact that to an out of towner, it doesn't
"look" like a really bad part of town! Someone who doesn't know about the area could easily be fooled into thinking they were in a decent part of Houston and let their guard down just enough to really get themselves in a pickle!
I realize some of you may say there is no "decent" part of Houston, but to me Houston is very typical of any major metropolitan area. That is a discussion for another topic anyway I guess.
I try to avoid all of the large cities but my work continuously brings me to major metros including the great city of Houston!
Re: When legal to draw?
Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2014 2:03 pm
by OldCurlyWolf
Oldgringo wrote:Dark britches are also recommended.
For some they are absolutely mandatory.