Gang Attacks at California Fuel Stations

[pfch1977]

About 6 months ago, I started noticing a trend of innocent beggars at the local fueling stations. They would come up to you on an individual basis and ask for some coins. When I politely declined, they would then go away without question or bother.

As time has progressed, I have noticed that the activity by such fuel station bandits has become more and more aggressive. One time a man approached me with what appeared to be plans and paperwork asking for my help. I quickly scurried to my car and locked the door not even fueling my vehicle because the situation was so weird. The man quickly came to my door yelling at me that "you dont know my situation".

In another instance, a man came at me yelling that he was in a car accident on the freeway and again I quickly went to my car. He came after, pulled the handle and it was a good thing I was quick on the lock.

Yet in another instance I was run after by two youths and again I did not exit my vehicle fearing what might happen next.

In my area, gas prices have risen so fast and so quickly that most criminals, bandits and transients believe that the most cash can be had by innocent motorists at the local gas pump. Therefore, they hang around the pumps trolling and preying on any motorist that pulls up.

Of course, the local police seem more interested in giving me a ticket for speeding then protecting me at the pumps. I have complained to the local police department to no avail. It seems the same hooligans hang out at the local pumps night after night and I find increasingly that I have to go there early in the morning to avoid confrontations.

So what is an innocent tax paying citizen like myself to do with police that dont really care about the hooligans who troll the streets and having to fight my way to get a few gallons of gas for my car hoping that I wont be the next one on the nightly news?

While some feel it is wrongful to carry a weapon about their person and in some localities it is illegal without a permit, this fuel station hooliganism is an excellent demonstration why righteous citizens carry weapons especially when the local police refuses to perform their job functions of protecting. I also feel much better knowing that I have several loaded firearms in my household as some of these fuel stations are but blocks away from my residence.

[Yellowfin]

What to do? Vote for sheriffs that approve carry permits and oust those who don't...or if between elections for them make non issuing sheriffs public enemy #1. The antis in law enforcement need to be treated like child molesters instead of people like you and me who want to defend ourselves. If you've got a good one in your area apply for your CCW permit. Considering that less only 1/10th of 1% of Californians carry it's no wonder scum can troll gas stations or anywhere else without any fear. That's 9 times more prison inmates and parolees in CA than citizens who can defend themselves. That's your problem.

[blackhawk45]

Elect another Governor, preferably one born in the U.S.A.

[Double Naught Spy]

You might as well suggest they elect a gov who a less muscle bound next time as such electing one born in this country. Location of birth seems to have nothing to do with California's less than gun friendly gun status. CA had crappy laws long before the current gov. took office.

[J.Smith]

We need to rethink that statement. I believe that should read less than 1% legally carry. The bad guys are the ones packing. The regular joe smoe citizen needs to get with the times and arm himself, rough times are coming buy more bullets. As far as the hooligans at the gas pump, I have them come up to me and ask me for change on a regular basis and have even had a few try to car jack me. Being that I'm 10 months from my CCW I typically carry my kershaw folding knife, and it typically would get the job done. The best thing to do wen they approach you is to cut them off and ask them for a dollar.

[Spade Cooley]

You can't be flashing a gun because some pan handler is asking for money. As they approach tell them to stay away or you will hit the car alarm button and freak everyone out. Let the gas station owner that he needs to coordinate with the police to keep them away. If he doesn't, gas up smoewhere safer. Carry pepper spray and be ready to use it. You can hold the can while gassing up. And last of all, use a gun if they try to carjack you.

[DavidZ]

+1 on the pepper spray.

Or do you need a permit to have that in California?

[Doyle]

In my county they solved much of that by passing a new county ordinance - no panhandling within 15 yds of any public road. 1st offense results in a written warning, 2nd offense results in jail time. It completely stopped most of the panhandling problem with about a month after it went into effect.

[Wyldman]

Well, your first problem is that you live in California (no offense intended). Second, I used to be an OTR truck driver and we used to run into that same situation at various truck stops around the nation, usually around L.A., Memphis, Baltimore, Jersy, etc. and the best thing to do is not lose your nerve or show fear. The second you show fear you are telling the perp that you are a target. Stand your ground, SHOW THEM that you aren't afraid of them and just ignore them ... they'll go away. It is very unlikely that these bums will attack you as long as you show absolutely no fear. They realize when you aren't afraid of them that they are likely wasting their time with you. They DEPEND on intimidation to achieve their goal which is, to get you to give them money to leave you alone. But just to be on the safe side, as someone else mentioned here, carry a taser or a can of pepper spray with you and if one of them does begin to threaten, use it on him!

[Slopemeno]

Well said. If you look like food, you are, and you play into their little mind game. You can't live in fear.

[GPossenti]

+1 don't live in California

Here in Louisiana, you could just wear your favorite sidearm on your hip and nobody would mess with you.

[CowTowner]

As a born and raised Californian now living in Texas, I sympathize with your problem. I'm also a former OTR driver and can confirm this is not only a California issue. I saw the same tactics in Atlanta, the Carolinas and lots of other places.
With all that said, +1 for the pepper spray. Always defend yourself in the most aggressive manner that is LEGALLY available to you within the current situation. +1 for paying attention to local sheriff's elections and voting for a candidate that is pro CHL. I'm always for notifying the local fuel station owner, the local police and the local councilperson and mayor of the problem.


I remember being able to walk through my neighborhood with a shotgun, a rifle and a sidearm and having one of the 5 LEO's in the area ask me one question, "Are they unloaded?". The answer was always "Yes, but you may check if you like." They never checked. I'd never try to do that in my old neighborhood now.
Thank goodness I had the smarts to move to Texas.

[Dismantler]

The pepper spray is a good idea, as it comes in handy for all kinds of non-lethal confrontations. I worked at a gas/convenience store, and it was my first bline of defense.

I am a scrap recycler on a very small scale. The inside of my car generally has tools and pieces of scrap that can be used as bludgeons while not being classified as weapons. Of course, if you drive an immaculate car, this will not work.

[cschwanz]

that is a big trend around my area as well. It hasnt gotten to that level yet, but i fear it will. they will come up to you asking for a couple dollars b/c they ran out of gas or some crap. Family friend of ours had a purse stolen from her shopping cart (the gas stations these have been happening at are next to a grocery) as she loaded her car. My parents have been asked for money repeatedly but no harm has happened yet. My dad always has a loaded 1911 with him, but my mom doesnt carry. I have been bugged a couple times, and i politely told them to F*** off. the police around here don't seem to care either.

[Doyle]

If approached by one of these "I'm broke" guys, you could always reach for your cell phone and tell them "Let me call the police for you. I'm sure they will be glad to help". That would probably make them scatter quickly.

[Wyldman]

If approached by one of these "I'm broke" guys, you could always reach for your cell phone and tell them "Let me call the police for you. I'm sure they will be glad to help". That would probably make them scatter quickly.

Unfortunately, I doubt that will work. IMHO, 1) the guy probably wouldn't care 2) The cops probably won't even show-up 3)He will then know that you fear him and will become more aggressive.

Best thing is to stand-up to them and just ignore them. They don't want to fight ... they just want an easy hand-out.

I had one acost me here in El Paso out in front of best-buy one night. He was extremely aggressive and was borderline violent. He approached me after intimidating a woman in a car into giving him money and I told him to "F***-off". He became more aggressive and continued to hound me. I said, "I am only going to tell you one more time ... "F***-off"! He continued to hound me saying that he wanted to talk to me and I became enraged and said, "FINE! You want to talk to me?" I charged him and said, "Then come here you [expletive]!" LMAO, he couldn't get away from me fast enough after that!

[bds32]

So what is an innocent tax paying citizen like myself to do with police that dont really care about the hooligans who troll the streets

Step number one: Lose the victim mentality and stop blaming the police in general. Police officers enforce existing laws. You failed to cite a single instance of any offense other than you were frightened by someone's approach. If it is not against the law for a man to approach you and ask for money, what do you expect them to do? Do you expect them to pull security at your choice of gas station so you won't be harassed? If it is against the law and officers are not doing anything, have you contacted the Internal Affairs or Chief of Police personally about the problem or is this something you just complain about to the front desk officer?

Step number two: Contact your city council, your city manager or mayor and make a complaint about aggressive panhandlers. If you don't have an ordinance, request that one be enacted that will make panhandling a violation. That is what we've done in our city and the bums have moved on for the most part.

Personal security is an individual responsibility. If you can't go lawfully armed, then move somewhere you can.

Whining about the police will not solve your problem.

[Wyldman]

Step number one: Lose the victim mentality and stop blaming the police in general. Police officers enforce existing laws.

Amen! Not only that, but let's be realistic about this: Cops cannot be everywhere at once. If we had enough cops that they could respond to any call within a matter of a couple of minutes (which would still be too late in some instances) our taxes would be astronomical! This is why The 2nd Amendment and self-defense laws are so very important to us and why we need to protect them!!! We cannot rely solely on others to protect us!

[Alex45ACP]

Tell the owner of the gas station that if he does not do something about these people you will stop spending money there. Get everyone you know to do this as well. They will do something if their bottom line is threatened. Even if it's just getting the cops to drive thru every once in a while, it's better than nothing.

[pfch1977]

There are things that the local police can do.

Drive up to these persons who are hanging around the station and ask them kindly what they are doing there. Then ask the station attendant if that person is allowed to be on the property. If the attendant says no, then the officer can kindly ask that person to leave. They are in fact trespassing on private property (its not owned by the city) so trespassing might apply.

The police can detain persons for short periods of time for suspicious activity to check identity. I would say that hanging around a gas station at night without a vehicle or doing business with the station and approaching random persons driving in counts as suspicious.

There is more they can do then "nothing".

[sw_florida]

What I do in such situations is to think, "I don't have to like this. I don't have to like this." That mindset shows, and the scum bags try to locate another weaker person.

You can also think, "I'm not going to get hurt and I'm going to make sure I'm not going to get hurt." That mindset sets you up to act appropriately earlier on.

Don't fear your right to defend yourself. It's not your fault that they misbehave. You have to protect your interests.

[scorpiusdeus]

Damn! What part of California do you live in? I work in one of the crappiest areas of L.A. I see junkies and winos begging for money, but they are just an annoyance. If you keep going to the same place time and time again and keep telling them no, they'll eventually leave you alone.

Why are you so scared? As others have told you, if you look like a victim, you'll be a victim. I'm not the biggest guy, but I'm big enough. I look them in the eye and tell them NO! before they even finish the sentence. If I see them accosting older folks or women, I tell them to get lost and I take the heat for these poor people. If I do it often enough, they go elsewhere or clear out when I'm around.

My dad uses a routine that I love. They ask Do you have any any spare change? He reaches into his pocket and jingles the coins, and says yep. the he just smiles at them.

Seriously, what station do you go to. I need a new crew of bums to piss off.

[45Marlin carbine]

+1 on pepper spray. I'm 6'4", 275 and trained in hand-to-hand and I carry it. also have a 15" Crescent wrench (real skull-buster there)hanging by cord from the radio knob in my pick-up.
I carry a .32acp Beretta or 9mm Mak on my M/C.

[blitzer0101]

Time to involve a large newspaper in a nearby town! Raise some stick! :mad: :D

[deputy tom]

I read somewhere that if you carry a bic lighter in your pocket and are filling your tank with gasoline and somebody attempts to strong arm you,all that you need to do is squirt about 10 cents worth of gas on the perp and offer to light it for them,they will go away very fast.I cannot say it will work but that is what I read.YMMV.tom.:confused:

I must add that I in no way suggest that you use this tactic.It is for refference only.tom.

[sw_florida]

The gasoline and lighter sounds effective. I don't smoke though. When I read your post I couldn't help but think, how about you squirt the scum bag with gasoline, then pull out your handgun and say, "Shall I light you up?"

[Hardtarget]

My son uses a good response when he's asked for change. He says "I don't have any money for you". If they keep on he says" I don't have any money for YOU" They seem to get the point.

I have not had a problem with this...yet.

Mark.

[JohnKSa]

For any who are in doubt...

This subforum is the "Tactics & Training" subforum.

It is NOT the "Whine Because the Police Won't Do What I Want Them To Do" subforum.

[DMacLeod]

Find another gas station if these panhandlers are bothering you. Is it worth the hassle to save 5 cents a gallon? Either that or start chewing tobacco. They get too close just spit on em. Tobacco juice in the eye has the same effect as pepper spray. Don't ask how I know this...

[pfch1977]

Im not trying to whine about the police, but simply pointing out the cold hard facts. This forum is about tactics and Im simply stating what the police could do better in their tactics.

It appears to me that the police around here involve themselves more with enforcing traffic offenses then helping to prevent real crimes. Why target the hardworking taxpaying voting homeowners with giving tickets out for unsafe lane changes and a no turn on red? Why not target the persons in the community who are more likely to commit actual violent crimes and are presently a nuisance to the community?

In this situation, the police are using the tactic of doing nothing at my local gas stations and not involving themselves until something really goes down.

This tactic is foolish. Eventually, the homeless guy or a motorist will become frustated and violence might occur. The homeless guy might become more desperate as his tactic of asking for money fails time and time again. So before anything violent happens, why cant the police take a few simple steps?

The police could simply drive up to the homeless guy to ask him what is going on and what is he doing at the station. They could go inside and alert the station attendant and ask if this person is allowed on the property. These few simple steps might send a message to these individuals. Even if it doesnt send a message, doing something is a lot better tactic then doing nothing and pulling over innocent motorists for driving offenses.

[Slopemeno]

So it sounds like the title of this thread should have been: "Panhandlers at gas stations".

[cschwanz]

Why target the hardworking taxpaying voting homeowners with giving tickets out for unsafe lane changes and a no turn on red?

they do that to prevent you from turning when you arent supposed to and hitting and killing a lil kid like what happened in my town last week. making an unsafe lane change can cause a mom driving her 3 kids to soccer practice to swerve, lose control and hit a pole killing everyone inside. Do i like cops watching traffic violations more than crime areas? No. can they watch every single gas station? No. like others have said, we can't rely soley on police support to defend ourselves in a situation like this.

/end rant


as for the topic, i have avoided going to the gas stations where i have seen or heard of these type of problems. I always get gas during the day instead of at night now as well

[Broadside]

I was going to recommend the lighter trick. You don't need to smoke to carry a small Bic lighter in your pocket. To the best of my knowledge, it isn't illegal to carry a Bic lighter concealed (yet).

I also don't think anyone has ever been arrested for brandishing a gas pump nozzle. Just displaying the nozzle and the lighter should take care of any problems.

[JohnKSa]

This forum is about tactics and Im simply stating what the police could do better in their tactics.As I said, this is not a forum for you to whine about how the police don't operate the way you want them to.

If you would like to start another thread discussing tactics to help forum members deal with panhandlers or asking forum members how you or they can deal with panhandlers you're welcome to do so.