Question Of The Week: Do You Feel Safe?

ChadK August 16, 2012 at 12:17 pm

I'm stunned that the teacher who created this sign misspelled "a lot". At least I assume a teacher was behind it based on the message.
But the idea is great! I like it alot... I mean a lot! :)

Oommma August 16, 2012 at 12:57 pm

I started to put a similar sign on my front door, but I opted to tell the thief to his face. The sad thing is the police know full well who is breaking into houses in my neighborhood. The thieves work the system as juveniles and train their younger cousins and brothers to take over when they max out their juvenile limit or age into adults. I've been in Dekalb County Juvenile Court and heard the judge explain there was nothing he could do but let the criminal go with time served until he was caught three times or got caught as an adult.

"E Pluribus Unum" August 16, 2012 at 01:30 pm

Pastor BillyBob JoMama, not sure what you meant by the "homo in church" comment. It may confuse you but someone whose sexual orientation is homosexual can also be religious...within any branch of religion or denomination. Conversely, I am also sure there are "a lot" of heterosexual members sitting in those same pews who probably shouldn't feel "safe" because of their individual behavior. I guess you might call them hypocrites. I bet there are "alot" of them hanging out in church too. Agree?

Diane Loupe August 16, 2012 at 01:30 pm

I honestly hope you are not a real religious leader, because using an offensive epithet is not very Christian. People of all sexual orientations would be welcomed and feel safe at any Unitarian Universalist congregation, BTW.

"E Pluribus Unum" August 16, 2012 at 01:48 pm

Thank you Diane....I couldn't agree with you more.

Michael Langford August 16, 2012 at 03:14 pm

Real, dangerous crime, is largely a overstatement in this media driven age. So little crime happens to so few people. Yes, there are a rash of stickups by GT right now, but most of the above stories linked are quite far from midtown, where we live.

A Decatur Mom August 16, 2012 at 03:29 pm

In City of Decatur in residential areas: Always feel safe, warranted or not. Maybe because it's a rare street where me or my family don't know someone. At night in deserted commercial area of City: not so much. It bothers me when my children walk home from extracurricular activity after dark.

Cheryl Miller August 16, 2012 at 03:35 pm

I'm more scared about the fact that a band of thugs can extort money right out of our paychecks and then force us to watch as they steal hopes and dreams away from our children. And no one will do anything to stop them.

Lucas Roberts August 16, 2012 at 03:44 pm

I moved from Stone Mountain to the area a few months ago.
This area is safe. Could it be safer. Sure.

BAR August 16, 2012 at 04:12 pm

if you someone with gold teeth and pants on the ground call the cops!

BAR August 16, 2012 at 04:12 pm

if you see someone with gold teeth and pants on the ground call the cops!

JamesMichael August 16, 2012 at 06:54 pm

Point well made, Roger That.
Nice going.

Kirkwood Resident August 17, 2012 at 12:08 am

You have a higher probability of getting injured in a car accident when driving to your home in the suburbs than you are of getting hurt, robbed, or killed in the city. To answer the question, I feel safer at home than on the road.

Keith August 17, 2012 at 12:22 am

Being in the immediate AE residential neighborhood, I feel safe. But the run down area of belvedere park and the kensington marta bring a fair amount of undesired aspects. Its not uncommon to hear gunshots in the distance. I would love to see those areas get more attention. With the government buildings right there it shouldnt be hard to allocate resources.

Jamie Mneimneh August 17, 2012 at 12:37 pm

Obviously not an oatmeal reader. http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/04/alot-is-better-than-you-at-everything.html

athensga1234@hotmail.com August 17, 2012 at 02:28 pm

get a gun..concealed carry saves lives

"E Pluribus Unum" August 17, 2012 at 02:55 pm

Roger That...why am I not surprised. PS Does this statement in anyway contradict your earlier one to the homophobic alledged pastor? BTW, we both were on the same side regarding his bigotry.

Timmy Karmasyde, Inc. August 17, 2012 at 11:54 pm

I doubt Billy Bob is an actual preacher. I think his name and commentary are intended to poke fun at Christianity in the South.
Based on prior Chick-fil-a discussions, I give him the benefit of the doubt on the gay slur. But like Diane Loupe said, there are many worship centers (Christian or otherwise) that allow gay people to be themselves without adding fine print.

Timmy Karmasyde, Inc. August 17, 2012 at 11:57 pm

Roger That suggested that he once fired a gun from his own house. I don't consider that a contradiction with his previous comment about delusional people who might wield "large firearms" in a supermarket.
I only hope RogerThat was experienced enough to discharge his weapon in a way that didn't endanger any of his neighbors. I differentiate exercising 2nd Amendment rights from stockpiling artillery in anticipation of Obamageddon Infowars. That said, it's on my bucket list to learn how to shoot, just so's I can buy me an a_sa_lt r_fle on Craigslist. What can I say, I'm a hoarder.

Timmy Karmasyde, Inc. August 17, 2012 at 11:58 pm

I doubt Billy Bob is a pastor. He's poking fun at Christian zealots. I give him the benefit of the doubt on that gay slur. As Diane said, there are churches that welcome gay people.
"I wouldn't presume 'safety' anywhere... I've installed several precautionary devices... and many precautionary habits... when out of the house." I think Billy Bob meant that he has a MODEST home security system with a REASONABLE level of motion detection, door sensors, and video. I assumed that he was encouraging people to act smart and be aware of their surroundings when they leave the "safety" of home. It's amazing how much context can be lost on the Internet. Sometimes (ahem, large firearms) it's discarded intentionally.

Timmy Karmasyde, Inc. August 17, 2012 at 11:59 pm

I just took an inventory of Roger That's comments on Patch. He's a Democrat, but also has diverse stances on various issues. That means he's a free thinker, right?
@EPluribusUnum: we can't always be on the same side 100%. No need to mourn that. Despite your alias, I hope we're all individuals here. Redirect your irritation to AthensGa1234. He ONLY comments on stories involving guns or articles that don't have a racist comment yet!

Timmy Karmasyde, Inc. August 18, 2012 at 12:09 am

I should've left the office 3 hours ago, but I had to work on the above essay (pending approval). Hopefully MARTA will get me home in time to do a multitude of preparations for Onyxcon tomorrow!
Everybody come on out... if you feel safe in Cascade, that is! :P

Timmy Karmasyde, Inc. August 18, 2012 at 12:26 am

I assumed he was attempting to show sympathy/solidarity with his gay brethren and sistren AMEN?

"E Pluribus Unum" August 18, 2012 at 02:55 pm

Timothy, I enjoyed your string of responses. So without the broader context and history that you have on different posters, it was difficult for me to read between the lines and catch the point made by Pastor BB JM. As far as Roger That....exactly why I asked the question. Having lived in neighborhoods where gunshots were routinely heard, my experience has been folks firing weapons to quiet other gunshots were somewhat delusional themselves to think that would make a difference. And as far as safety, how does one discharge a weapon in a residential neighborhood safely? S**t happens all the time with "friendly fire." So if you have an insight I don't about Roger That, I'll take your word on it. Finally, the only reason I ventured into The Patch was to voice concern over the Brookhaven city hood issue. So trying to interpret my wider life perspectives from that very emotional, difficult discussion (of which I have added dysfunction to the conversation) might be misleading. If it doesn't challenge dietary requirements, we can meet at the Beautiful Restaurant one day to compare notes. I am very comfortable being in Cascade. I have many, many friends who live and work there. Good luck with the Onyxcon event. Hopefully the turnout will be strong. I know the art will be.

Bernard August 19, 2012 at 02:59 pm

Just a suggestion for all of you homeowners out there that are experiencing crime in your neighborhood. Get together with your association (HOA) and hire Law Enforcement Brokers. I am on the HOA and we hired them in my neighborhood. The crime went down tremendously as well as the teenager/troublemakers don't even hangout on the streets anymore. They are all local off-duty cops that patrol our neighborhood. We use them every summer and for the winter holidays. I found them on thumbtack.com. Best money we ever spent!

"E Pluribus Unum" August 19, 2012 at 03:53 pm

Bernard, great suggestion. Our HOA has discussed doing this in the past. Regarding cost, are you able to give a general estimate? Thank you.

Anna August 22, 2012 at 02:44 pm

To answer the question, No i do not feel safe.

Reginald Wheeler August 22, 2012 at 07:12 pm

I feel safe... This is no matter where I am. I pay attention to my surroundings and I don't put myself or my family in harms way by being careless. I do own several guns and I do open carry when I'm in an area that is known to have a high crime rate. I live in a gated community and I always alert management when I catch tailgaters following someone into the complex. Having said that I don't depend on the Police in Sandy Springs to keep my family and I safe(no offense to them they are a great bunch of officers). If you're looking for a way to help fight crime all you have to do is "Pay Attention"(Know who your neighbors are, report suspicious behavior, and fight back). Criminals hate people who fight back.

Harry Carey August 24, 2012 at 08:57 pm

"roger that "did not say how he made the sound of gunfire, perhaps with blanks, or , some other way. you might look up the "defenders creed"

"E Pluribus Unum" August 25, 2012 at 02:28 am

HC...what is the point being made?