and if they had touched you who knows if you'd been able to call the cops...i think, on the side of the cops, the depts are so thin, so short of funds they just don't have the manpower to do a simple run on safety anymore...

be sure the next time you're in the store to tell the manager..they may have more clout with the police and sure don't want to lose valued customers like yourself who can walk in...

(((be safe)))

Call the police again and ask to speak to someone in authority. I'm certain the police chief does not want punks roaming the streets, trying to shake people down. It is a police matter.

get a mother of a stick Jannie for the next time you go walking for anything..and if the little bas$%^&s start mouthing,at least you can defend yourself a little if you need to

from what I have been told "defensively",is that never to let any of the likes of those kids know that you are afraid

I agree with gardenspice. I'd be careful about carrying any kind of weapon...with one against three....they could take it away from you and use it on you.

I'll just be careful, instead of taking the short cut, I'll stay on main roads or I'll drive there from now on. I will speak with the store manager. I am pretty small (just over 5 feet tall) and not physically strong, so I don't think a cane would help me much.

That sounds like a good choice, Jannie, and one never knows how others will react. They may see a cane as a sign of weakness, making you an easy target.

I'm glad you are going to talk to the manager about this, but I agree with gardenspice. PLEASE call the police again and ask to speak to someone else if you get the same person you did yesterday. Even if you are told again that it is not a criminal matter, ask them to make a report anyway. Especially if you can remember what they looked like, and maybe what they were wearing. And keep an eye out for them in the future. If they keep hanging around, maybe the manager can have them arrested for loitering if nothing else.

Tami

Be careful and take care.

When they were to ask for money, part of me might just reply, if I had money I wouldn't be walking!

Since when is it legal to beg for money and curse at people? I'd guess since the Constitution was adopted?

Were the teens on store property? If so, the store can do something about it under loitering laws but if they're not, they don't have any say. If it wasn't then the store can't. If they're on your property you can as the cops to come and send them on their way but you don't have the right to control other peoples' property. The kids may have been intimidating to you, and I'd probably be uncomfortable with the situations too, but from what you said they did nothing illegal. If we try to pass laws that it's illegal to make someone uncomfortable, boy, everyone will be in jail!

What good is demanding a police report for the sake of demanding a police report? Yelling curses at you again may be intimidating but I'll bet there wasn't anything said that isn't said in a bunch of movies today so again, nothing illegal.

We're coming upon a time of year where a *lot* of people ask for money and the police can't be expected to stop it all. If it was illegal to ask for money, then the red buckets would be outlawed, and few can deny there's intimidation there too. The good thing if it were banned is a lot of phone calls would stop! There's still a free speech issue. They did not threaten you, yell "fire" in a crowded theater or anything similar. It's an unfortunate situation that happens.

I understand your feeling. When a group of kids are hanging together, especially after dark, I'm sometimes uncomfortable with it. But as long as they're doing nothing illegal we'd be infringing on their rights to try to stop them.

The idea that something "could" happen justifying police reports or calls something is shortsighted IMO. Someone cuts you off on the highway - do you demand a report then? "Someone could have been killed".

Again, I really understand your feeling. Not feeling safe in your own neighborhood is a sad situation but in fairness, maybe you need to do something to conquer your fears? You probably feel vulnerable, (as do I) because of age and physical condition. I don't want to get into a situation where I won't go out of my own house. Carry a cell phone, walk with a friend to regain some confidence, or maybe it takes getting to know some of the neighbors? If you see a group with whom you're uncomfortable, take a different route (walk around them).

A lot of kids have smart mouths but that alone doesn't make them gang members or criminals. Sometimes we all can be guilty of stereotyping which can be bad for all of us.

There is one guideline that is often suggested though. If you don't feel comfortable with the situation, leave it. "Follow your gut feeling" so to speak. If you are afraid of them, go around them, take a different route or if you simply can't walk without being afraid, then maybe you should drive.

Stay safe. I hope you'll soon feel more comfortable and feel secure to move around your neighborhood.

Hi jannie,

I'm sorry that you've had such a frightening experience.

But I'd not be enthused about carrying a stick ... unless you can claim to need a cane, even occasionally.

Mouthing off and using foul language is something ... but hitting someone, with one's body or a weapon, can get one into much trouble, and when it came to testifying as to who hit whom first ... they're three against one.

Plus, as said, they could well take it away from you and use it on you.

Good luck for safe walking.

ole joyful

Some cities have laws against pan-handling. Some cities have laws against public cursing (misdemeanor). Find out if it rises to the level of an assault - and there doesn't *always* have to be physical contact for that to happen. If the victim *fears* physical contact, that can sometimes be enough.

If I were you, I'd contact the chief of police and/or the second in command. A personal visit might do better than a letter.

Don't let this go. Those teenage hoodlums need to be stopped. Their behavior was outrageous. I'm glad you're safe and sound.

Rose

Jannie, I'm so sorry this kind of thing happens. I know I would be VERY frightened, and would no longer feel safe to go alone. Talking to an authority at the police dept sounds like a good idea to me. Also ask them what the best way is for handling this kind of situation.

In our city we have the officer who is in charge of keeping neighborhoods safe. They have encouraged organizing "Neighborhood Watch" groups. When I moved into this neighborhood, I volunteered to organize our neighborhood. By doing this I have had opportunity to get to know many many of the people. I enjoy knowing them and one of the most important things with keeping a neighborhood safe IS KNOWING the people who live there. When you are familiar with what is RIGHT and normal in your neighborhood, you can notice when something is wrong.

You never know someday one of those young people may be the ones helping you out with yard work! I know that can also be a far-fetched hope!

I hope the PD will help you out.
(((Jannie)))

How upsetting that was, and scary as well.

Do not take the shortcut again.
Go to the police station in person. Ask the police to patrol the shortcut area. What else can they do? They don't know who the kids are, but the kids don't belong behind the store.
Tell the store manager of your experience and that you have notified the police.
Carry a cell phone in case you need to call for help
Don't let this stop you from walking.

I'm sorry this happened to you.

It may be their right to stand around and cuss...but with the horrific things that some kids do now a days, I would be very unnerved by this. Not that they asked for money, but that they cussed you when you turned them down. That shows you right there that you are dealing with kids that have no respect for anyone. I wouldn't walk there again, and I would make a report, even if nothing comes of it. The store manager needs to know too.

The reason I suggested that a report be filed is so there would be a record of a previous problem, should there be any more trouble that might be more serious. At least the police would be aware of something going on in that area.

Tami

Depending on what they said to you (when they "cussed") it could be "threatening". Regardless, the police should have tried to find the teens and had a talk with them. Call (or stop by) and ask to speak to the shift supervisor (that is the person in charge who is supposed to supervise the patrol officers as well as deal with the public). Police are supposed to prevent crime, not just investigate it after it occurs.

I agree with Tami.

I am under five feet tall. I hardly ever carry a purse with me when I go shopping and just carry a few dollars with me at a time. It would be too easy to grab a purse from me and run. I agree with the others...no short cuts and stay in well lit areas.

I don't know where you live... but what they did could fall under "assault" or "disorderly conduct".

I'd call the police back and stress the fear you had and the imminent danger you felt --if that was the case with you. It's one thing to be annoyed by the homeless and another to be scared by them so much so that you have to change your shopping habits.

We have everything from junkies to teens panhandling around here. Some can get pretty aggressive about it.

You best defense is to walk with purpose and not present yourself as a target. I'm a senior who's 5'1". When I'm accosted by panhandlers or anyone asking for something I look them in the eye, give an easy grin and say sorry I don't or can't, whichever applies.

If you walk on what the punks consider to be their turf you have to walk the walk and talk the talk. Just how things are these days.

If you are going to walk alone at least educate yourself on some basic self defense maneuvers. Even if the only maneuver is how to exit or flee a situation safely. If you decide to carry a weapon know how to use it and be sure you are mentally prepared and able to use it. If not,then don't carry one for it will just be turned on you. That goes for things like pepper spray. You must be prepared to act without hesitation.

I wish people would understand that police don't do community policing these days. They take reports after the incident. Most sit in their cars and wait for a traffic violator that meets s certain profiles so they can go fishing for things to arrest people for. The days of the friendly policeman who will jump in to help you are long gone.

That's why I use the Walk away the Pounds walk tapes in my living room no walking around my block or any block alone.
and If I didn't have a ride to the store I'd call a cab.