Nothing is changing, it's getting worse.

Afternoon,



I know it's been several months since my last post but I'm busy. Just plain and simple, I'm busy. Work is still going great. It is still looking like I'm going to BLET in August but I do not have any kind of confirmation at this point other than being told "don't worry about it".



Anyways, I thought I would again, let you know the happenings and what's going on in the big city of Winston-Salem. Not that you probably don't read the News Paper but some actually don't and this goes to people out of town.



Recently it appears that we are having an influx in Violent Crimes in Winston-Salem. Winston is making their mark on the map as with any other big city in the U.S. This being said, we have a problem and it is a growing problem to say the least.



People, take your blinders off and be aware of your surroundings. Gangs in the U.S. are rising every minute of the day and yes....even has I type this blog. Working in Law Enforcement on the "safe side" we still are seeing this. We realize what our fellow LEO are facing every day that they put on their uniform and head out the door and to help us, the law abiding citizens that shuffle from work to home, out to eat or maybe to just go shopping and have some alone time. Yet, we are faced with the hidden facts of the crimes that these scum buckets are commiting. Violent crimes are not happening in the shadow of the night at the wee hours of the morning when most are sound asleep in the security of their own homes. NO, that's not the deal now. People, these crimes are occuring in broad freaking daylight and everyone is watching in amuzement and turning their heads as if to see nothing just as long as THEY are not messed with.



Is it intimidation? Yes, of course it is. Intimidation is what has most of us running scared and in the opposite direction. Do I blame these people? No. When one sees something going on such as these horrific crimes and knows or suspects that it's gang related, there is a different kind of fear that overcomes our senses. We, like the common criminal, get into the Fight or Flight mode. Well, we just seen something bad happen to a innocent person so Fight is not an option unless we are approached by the same person or persons so, we FLIGHT. Not saying this is a bad thing but the criminal see this and they bost about it on their websites that they have. Which brings me to this.



If you have a MySpace account, you have ACCESS to see what I'm talking about. These people are proud of what they do and are not ashamed or embarrased to show it to those who want to look at it. Their pictures are posted holding a lot of money, a lot of backing by their peers and a LOT of Fire Power. They bost about what they have done or are going to do. You just need to know who to look for or what gang/street names to put in the search field of MySpace. It is AMAZING what these people will post for others to see.



Now, this is not totally a bad thing. It gives a little education into who these people are and what they stand for. It tells us where they are or at least what part of the city, who is in their groups and what young ages are joining their groups. You think that gangs are not in schools? Think again. They are there and they are keeping a low profile right now.



All you have to do is read the local paper just in the past...oh, week and a half. There was just a robbery of a person the other night. An adult was robbed by two teenagers, one 15 and one 17. Now I don't know about you but when a 15 year old is robbing me, a 37 year old man, and he has a gun, this is not a good combination for it turning out okay. You have a boy that is barely old enough to hold a gun let alone have control over it and he's demanding money from you. Chances are he is not old enough to know that you don't keep your finger on the trigger unless you are ready to pull it. Then, you suspect that his intentions are to just rob you and use the gun as a scare tactic and then in the menst of all of his excitement and moving around, he accidentally pulls the trigger. Your life has changed for the worst I don't care how you look at it even if by chance he misses you. God forbid that you are one of the many that are legally carrying concealed and knowing that this person just took a shot at you (not knowing if it's intentional or not) and then drawing your own weapon and shooting him, it's not a good day for either of you.



We have grown tired of the bullies and the trouble makers and we want to take what is ours and keep it ours and this means our communities, churches, schools and the such. It scared the hell out of me knowing that in just a few short years, my oldest will be starting school. It looks now that it's going to be public because right now, I cannot afford a private school. We also know to a certain extent what lies out there lurking in the darkness OR daylight hours waiting for us let our guard down but we do NOT want to admit it. Friends, let me tell you something, it's happening wheather we like it or not. It's going to happen and get worse every day that we walk this land that we once called ours. All I have to say is this. BE CAREFUL OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS, YOUR ACTIONS and WHERE YOU ARE AT. Always have a friend or co-worker with you if at all possible. I have a friend that goes with me every where I go and it's sad that I have to take him with me.

NOW, you may ask yourself.

Is John scared? Yes. I'm scared that it is going to get worse and people are going to get tired of it and take matters into their own hands. I am NOT saying that you should not protect yourself. What I mean by people taking this into their own hands is that people are going to go look for trouble and they will find it.

Is John intimidated? NO! I'm not intimidated by anyone. If I need to go from Point A to Point B and I have to go through a bad part of town, I may not intentionally go "around" to get where I'm going .

IS John aware of his surroundings? You bet ghostrider.

Stay safe and keep your eyes open.