Renting a Car Next To Methadone Clinic

[surfcc]

Yesterday morning I took my car to the shop for brake work. The wife dropped me off at Hertz so I could rent a car for the day. Unbeknownst to me, it was next door to a Methadone clinic! I was filling out the paperwork and heard a commotion outside the door, in the paking lot. As I was walking out to my rental car, the commotion was two VERY large white males struggling with one another and shouting F-Bombs, along with their two large female significant others screaming FU to eachother.....and they were right behind my car. I asked that they please move along and to keep it down. That's when they looked at me with that look and one of the females approached me yelling that it wasn't her fault...I backed off and retreated to the foyer of the building to call 911 and she started to come toward me again and I ducked into the Hertz office. At this point, I didn't know what was going to happen...as it turns out she wanted me to call 911....which I was doing. While I was on the phone, telling the dispatcher where I was, he said, "Are you next to the meth clinic? I said, "I don't know, I'm just here renting a car." Local PD showed up a few minutes later and the Hertz agent went on to tell me about these incidents happenig all the time due to the meth clinic next door! She then showed me out the back door 30 cars in the parking lot along with close to 40 people smoking butts, waiting to get into the clinic for their fix.

It was comforting to know that I had my snubbie 340PD in my right front pocket. Luckily it never got to the point where I needed it. Just like the American Express commercial....Never leave home without it!

Stay Safe!

 

[HootmonSccy]

Sounds like you handled things well.. retreated when you could, and called the police when necessary..
Of course you had your back-up with you.. My question for you...

OK.. So there was two big guys fighting, and two women also fighting.. IF they had turned their anger toward you all at once.. hummm.. with your fine S&W 5 shot revolver.. Humm.. You better make every shot count, and hope nobody else jumps in..

I know revolvers are more reliable, you pull, they go bang... But my 10 shots would make me feel a little more comfortable that if I missed once or twice, with all the adrenaline pumping, I still have some bullets to make up for those missed shots..

 

[FN1910]

What do a dead hero and dead coward have in common? They are both dead and dead men don't cause any more problems unless your name is James Brown. :biggrin: I recently had knee surgery, need back surgery and have a titanium plate in my neck but I still trust my feet more than my gun to get me out of situations like this. :sarcastic: I think you did exactly the correct things and I know the feeling of having something to help if absolutely needed. Talking about the four BG's and only five shots I doubt that if you shot one the other three would be a problem even if they are strung out. Anytime confronted by a group shoot the leader and seldom will you have any trouble with the others. :wacko:

 

[Tucker's Mom]

What do a dead hero and dead coward have in common? They are both dead and dead men don't cause any more problems unless your name is James Brown. :biggrin: I recently had knee surgery, need back surgery and have a titanium plate in my neck but I still trust my feet more than my gun to get me out of situations like this. :sarcastic: I think you did exactly the correct things and I know the feeling of having something to help if absolutely needed. Talking about the four BG's and only five shots I doubt that if you shot one the other three would be a problem even if they are strung out. Anytime confronted by a group shoot the leader and seldom will you have any trouble with the others. :wacko:

+1 ...what he said.:sarcastic:

 

[HootmonSccy]

Anytime confronted by a group shoot the leader and seldom will you have any trouble with the others. :wacko:

I absolutely agree..

But then again.. You are talking about strung out methadone addicts in need of a fix, or just received their fix and they MAY not be thinking as rational as normal people..

 

[Ga9mm]

...and they MAY not be thinking as rational as normal people..

That's what I was thinking. I've been around people in that state - needing, just had it, willing to do anything for it, etc... - and that's probably more frightening than most anything I can imagine as far as scenarios go.

 

[oldvet53]

renting a car

What do a dead hero and dead coward have in common? They are both dead and dead men don't cause any more problems unless your name is James Brown. :biggrin: I recently had knee surgery, need back surgery and have a titanium plate in my neck but I still trust my feet more than my gun to get me out of situations like this. :sarcastic: I think you did exactly the correct things and I know the feeling of having something to help if absolutely needed. Talking about the four BG's and only five shots I doubt that if you shot one the other three would be a problem even if they are strung out. Anytime confronted by a group shoot the leader and seldom will you have any trouble with the others. :wacko:

#1 have to agree but with my bursa thunder9pro ultra compact 13+1 i'd have more confidence!:biggrin:

 

[DBWhite]

I just had to register and comment on this most interesting post. I am a veteran of the Viet Nam Conflict, to be exact a non-com in the 5th Special Forces, a veteran of the 1967 Tet Offensive.
I am going to let it suffice to say that for months I was in doubt about whether or not I was going to have a future or not and certainly both my M-16 and my sidearm were my constant companions and a source of confidence in those environs, however your post (and the responses given to this point) are undoubtedly some of the most dickless remarks I have ever heard.
Don't get me wrong, I know how absolutely terrifying it must have been to hear these females use the f-word, in anger no less. I know that were I confronted with that I would feel the need for a large bore, high velocity handgun and some serious body armor.
Boy, the temptation to open fire on these patients must have been overwhelming, had you been able to thin them out you could have followed up at the local mental hospital and possibly even worked your way down to eliminating some of those seniors down at the senior center. Talk about improving the community and making a statement to all of the degenerates who dare to occupy our space.
The one thing that scares me more than all of the thieves, petty and otherwise, degenerates, and defectives at these so-called recovery programs are losers like you and your buddies, carrying your artificial cocks around itching for a chance to not look as scared as you feel. It won't work - what you are missing cannot be replaced by an inanimate object, regardless of caliber and configuration. Please, just try not to hurt anyone with it.

Dan White, unarmed and unafraid in one of the 10 largest cities in the USA

He who makes himself an ass, should not take it ill when men ride him - Thomas Fuller

 

[HootmonSccy]

I just had to register and comment on this most interesting post. I am a veteran of the Viet Nam Conflict, to be exact a non-com in the 5th Special Forces, a veteran of the 1967 Tet Offensive.
I am going to let it suffice to say that for months I was in doubt about whether or not I was going to have a future or not and certainly both my M-16 and my sidearm were my constant companions and a source of confidence in those environs, however your post (and the responses given to this point) are undoubtedly some of the most dickless remarks I have ever heard.
Don't get me wrong, I know how absolutely terrifying it must have been to hear these females use the f-word, in anger no less. I know that were I confronted with that I would feel the need for a large bore, high velocity handgun and some serious body armor.
Boy, the temptation to open fire on these patients must have been overwhelming, had you been able to thin them out you could have followed up at the local mental hospital and possibly even worked your way down to eliminating some of those seniors down at the senior center. Talk about improving the community and making a statement to all of the degenerates who dare to occupy our space.
The one thing that scares me more than all of the thieves, petty and otherwise, degenerates, and defectives at these so-called recovery programs are losers like you and your buddies, carrying your artificial cocks around itching for a chance to not look as scared as you feel. It won't work - what you are missing cannot be replaced by an inanimate object, regardless of caliber and configuration. Please, just try not to hurt anyone with it.

Dan White, unarmed and unafraid in one of the 10 largest cities in the USA

Uhhh... Wella, Wella, Dan... Hummm, I guess a Welcome is in order.. So, Welcome to the forum...
Let me thank you for your service..
It would seem that you have an opinion and you're not shy about sharing it...
You never really say what you would have done in the situation, just that everyone that posted before you is a dickless wonder..
I don't believe that there is anyone here that stated that they wish they had the chance to use there weapon in this situation.. In fact quite to opposite..
Since we don't have the benefit of your great wisdom of how YOU would have handled things, I guess we will just continue fumbling in the dark, armed and scared..

Again.. Thanx for joining us..

 

[Rachkir]

I just had to register and comment on this most interesting post. I am a veteran of the Viet Nam Conflict, to be exact a non-com in the 5th Special Forces, a veteran of the 1967 Tet Offensive.
I am going to let it suffice to say that for months I was in doubt about whether or not I was going to have a future or not and certainly both my M-16 and my sidearm were my constant companions and a source of confidence in those environs, however your post (and the responses given to this point) are undoubtedly some of the most dickless remarks I have ever heard.
Don't get me wrong, I know how absolutely terrifying it must have been to hear these females use the f-word, in anger no less. I know that were I confronted with that I would feel the need for a large bore, high velocity handgun and some serious body armor.
Boy, the temptation to open fire on these patients must have been overwhelming, had you been able to thin them out you could have followed up at the local mental hospital and possibly even worked your way down to eliminating some of those seniors down at the senior center. Talk about improving the community and making a statement to all of the degenerates who dare to occupy our space.
The one thing that scares me more than all of the thieves, petty and otherwise, degenerates, and defectives at these so-called recovery programs are losers like you and your buddies, carrying your artificial cocks around itching for a chance to not look as scared as you feel. It won't work - what you are missing cannot be replaced by an inanimate object, regardless of caliber and configuration. Please, just try not to hurt anyone with it.

Dan White, unarmed and unafraid in one of the 10 largest cities in the USA

He who makes himself an ass, should not take it ill when men ride him - Thomas Fuller

Mr. White,

I know I speak for all of us when I say thank you for your service to our country.

However, I believe that the issue you mistake is that we, with our "artificial c#$%s," as you so eloquently put it, carry in order to not be a victim. I agree with the original poster's restraint in retreating and calling the cops. You might be unafraid, however, I have been robbed once (downtown New Orleans - pre-Katrina) in broad daylight with a cop 100+ feet away who just looked the other way. I refuse to ever be a victim again.

About two weeks ago, I was outside my work (I work in a federal building, as I am in the Coast Guard) taking a phone call in my car when someone approached my drivers side door (it was approximately 1830). The area around the federal building is a known drug and crime area (for some reason, this is common among many Coast Guard buildings/bases). His face was approximately 3 inches from my window, peering in, asking for money "for food." I had not reholstered my firearm (I have to keep it locked in my vehicle when I go into the office - it is a federal building after all - which leaves me exposed for the 100ft walk to and from my car) since getting into my vehicle. Either he saw my pistol, saw the look on my face and raised his hands and backed away saying "sorry dude." Reading the next days paper, there had been a robbery on the same street about an hour later.

Again, I believe you are mistaken for our reasons for carrying. You might be willing to submit to an armed robber or watch as someone assaults a friend or close family member, but my wife and I (both CCP holders), refuse to be a victim for each other's sake, and the sake of our child. As many people in other posts have said they carry to not be a victim. In situations like that, it is not that we do not want to "not look as scared as we feel," we do not want to end up having to be buried by our friends and relatives when there was a logical alternative. I was nearly pissing bricks at the incident that happend two weeks ago - I dont care that I was afraid, all I care about is coming home to my family - having my weapon gives me one more tool to end a dangerous situation (I say end, because my goal is not to shoot to kill - my goal is to end a confrontation if it reaches the necessity of drawing my weapon).

Feel free to go unarmed and unafraid. Us that carry will give criminals and drug addics (NO excuse for ever doing drugs) pause in those states that allow conceald carry. They wont know if they will be trying to rob someone "unarmed and unafraid" or someone "prepared." Fortunately for people who are "unarmed and unafraid," there are people like us (see gunfacts.info).

v/r
Rachkir

 

[surfcc]

I just had to register and comment on this most interesting post. I am a veteran of the Viet Nam Conflict, to be exact a non-com in the 5th Special Forces, a veteran of the 1967 Tet Offensive.
I am going to let it suffice to say that for months I was in doubt about whether or not I was going to have a future or not and certainly both my M-16 and my sidearm were my constant companions and a source of confidence in those environs, however your post (and the responses given to this point) are undoubtedly some of the most dickless remarks I have ever heard.
Don't get me wrong, I know how absolutely terrifying it must have been to hear these females use the f-word, in anger no less. I know that were I confronted with that I would feel the need for a large bore, high velocity handgun and some serious body armor.
Boy, the temptation to open fire on these patients must have been overwhelming, had you been able to thin them out you could have followed up at the local mental hospital and possibly even worked your way down to eliminating some of those seniors down at the senior center. Talk about improving the community and making a statement to all of the degenerates who dare to occupy our space.
The one thing that scares me more than all of the thieves, petty and otherwise, degenerates, and defectives at these so-called recovery programs are losers like you and your buddies, carrying your artificial cocks around itching for a chance to not look as scared as you feel. It won't work - what you are missing cannot be replaced by an inanimate object, regardless of caliber and configuration. Please, just try not to hurt anyone with it.




Dan White, unarmed and unafraid in one of the 10 largest cities in the USA

He who makes himself an ass, should not take it ill when men ride him - Thomas Fuller

Dear Dan-

Off the top, first and foremost, 1) Thank you for your service. People like you and my Dad, fought for this country to preserve freedom, and to uphold, protect and defend the Constitution. Said Constitution / Bill of Rights states that I have an inalienable right to defend myself. The 2nd Ammendment states that my right to bear arms, shall not be infringed. 2) I carry concealed, legally, to protect myself and my family. 3) I had no idea I was renting a car next to a methadone clinic. There are people on drugs and criminals who also carry concealed weapons (illegally). If the situation had gotten to the point where someone were to come at me with a knife or gun, then I would have certainly used all means to protect myself. With that said, if you read my post, you will notice that I never had the need to use or show that I was carrying a weapon. You will also note in my post that there were two very large males involved (both approx 6FT 4" and big). You will also note that I retreated away from the situation.....hardly the sign of a dickless guy bent on shooting people at mental hospitals or drug clinincs. 4) If you have such a problem with freedom loving people exercising their right to carry concealed and their right to free speach, then why Sir, do you even bother visiting this forum??? 5) I have taken the liberty to steal your quote from Thomas Fuller. It certainly applies.

He who makes himself an ass, should not take it ill when men ride him - Thomas Fuller

 

[Glockster20]

Dan,

WOW!! Starting with the name calling with the first post! Read the forum rules!!:no:

Most of us here are civil law abiding citizens who legally excersise their 2nd amendment right. Most of us also hope that we are never put into a situation that would require the use of deadly force. I try to avoid those types of situations.. i.e. avoiding bad areas of town, refraining from using hand gestures while driving, etc...etc... Avoid potentially volatile situations and you will most likely never be in a lethal force encounter. Most of us have been in a situation that made us realize that the world is full of head cases that can strike anywhere at anytime. Some of us have not been in these terrifying situations but realize there is danger out there. They want the assurance that they can even the odds should the need arise. The OP stated that he did not know he was next to a methadone clinic... these places do not have signs that advertise... The OP also stated that he retreated from a possible confrontation with the combatants... He did everything right! So my question is, what makes him a dickless loser????

 

[theicemanmpls]

I just had to register and comment on this most interesting post. I am a veteran of the Viet Nam Conflict, to be exact a non-com in the 5th Special Forces, a veteran of the 1967 Tet Offensive.
I am going to let it suffice to say that for months I was in doubt about whether or not I was going to have a future or not and certainly both my M-16 and my sidearm were my constant companions and a source of confidence in those environs, however your post (and the responses given to this point) are undoubtedly some of the most dickless remarks I have ever heard.
Don't get me wrong, I know how absolutely terrifying it must have been to hear these females use the f-word, in anger no less. I know that were I confronted with that I would feel the need for a large bore, high velocity handgun and some serious body armor.
Boy, the temptation to open fire on these patients must have been overwhelming, had you been able to thin them out you could have followed up at the local mental hospital and possibly even worked your way down to eliminating some of those seniors down at the senior center. Talk about improving the community and making a statement to all of the degenerates who dare to occupy our space.
The one thing that scares me more than all of the thieves, petty and otherwise, degenerates, and defectives at these so-called recovery programs are losers like you and your buddies, carrying your artificial cocks around itching for a chance to not look as scared as you feel. It won't work - what you are missing cannot be replaced by an inanimate object, regardless of caliber and configuration. Please, just try not to hurt anyone with it.

Dan White, unarmed and unafraid in one of the 10 largest cities in the USA

He who makes himself an ass, should not take it ill when men ride him - Thomas Fuller

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Tet Offensive was a military campaign during the Vietnam War that began on January 31, 1968. Forces of the National Liberation Front for South Vietnam, or Viet Cong, and the People's Army of Vietnam, or North Vietnamese army, fought against the forces of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), the United States, and their allies.

Dan, get your facts straight.

 

[PascalFleischman]

I think the troll crawled back under his bridge.

 

[Kerry Wolf]

Hi Folks

I hope you will allow me to register and comment briefly as I too noticed this post yesterday because I have a Google News Alert for articles, blogs, etc regarding methadone treatment. Usually it is mostly news articles that come through but for whatever reason the OP's post came through and I decided to read it and would like to comment if I may. I am not a concealed handgun owner though I respect the right to do so, so I won't be staying as a member.

I am a Certified Methadone Advocate as well as having graduated from chemical dependency counseling school and I have a college degree in professional nursing. I am 45, married, 3 children, own my home, work full time, pay my taxes, volunteer my time to help others, attend church, and live a pretty normal American life. I am also a methadone patient--have been for 5 years now. It has saved my life. And in return for that, I try to do what I can to educate folks about MMT, how it works, and what it can and cannot do to help people.

Now, I don't imagine you are too interested in a full course of methadone information, lol, as that is not the point of this forum so I won't bore you with all that. However I did want to respond to some of the remarks made--particularly the ones about all the people "waiting for their fix".

Clinics are often overcrowded. This is due to the fact that so many towns raise holy hell when a clinic tries to locate there, based on false assumptions that crime will increase (it goes down), property values will fall (studies done with real estate records show this is untrue) and that people from the clinic will be driving about in an intoxicated state (stable MMT patients do not feel any "high" or euphoria from methadone whatsoever, and all studies done show they are able to drive without impairment). Due to the overcrowding issues some clinics may have pts waiting outside to dose--and this is unfortunate both for the patients who would like a measure of privacy and for the neighboring businesses--but is not the fault of the patients.

The fact that some were smoking certainly strikes me as no different from the rest of the population--some smoke, some do not. I personally have never smoked. And the "waiting for their fix" comment is totally incorrect. WIthout going into detail which I am sure you are not looking for, not only do the pts feel no euphoric effects from the medication once stable (1-2 weeks into treatment), it also blocks any effects they would feel from any other opioid drugs, including heroin, oxycontin, morphine, etc--so it is not a "legal high" as many think. It simply controls withdrawal symptoms and enables the patient to feel normal by replacing the missing endorphins (the natural opiates the body manufactures) which are often no longer produced in long term opioid addicts even after years of being clean, with a synthetic version.

If anyone is truly interested in how this works I would be happy to speak with them but the point I wanted to get across is this--methadone pts come from all walks of life. We have attorneys, nurses, pharmacists, businessmen and women, soccer moms, college students, etc. Over 75% of those pts are now there for help with Rx drug addictions, not heroin addictions. Methadone is the most successful method of treating opioid addiction by far, and abstinence based rehabs have a success rate that is sadly quite abysmal--around 10%--for those with long term opioid addictions. Not all MMT pts require long term treatment but many do because of the permanent damage sometimes sustained by the brain's ability to produce endorphins. Science is discovering more and more that addiction is a brain disease and that medical intervention is often needed in addition to counseling, etc for optimal results.

Most towns welcome 12 step meetings with no problem (AA and NA) even though they often have new or relapsed members who are currently using (and possibly driving) and come from the exact same pt. population as MMT patients, with a much higher risk of relapse into illicit drug usage. The discrimination and assumptions MMT pts face on a daily basis is truly overwhelming, despite the fact that the White House ONDC declares it the most successful method of treating opioid addiction. I think most folks just do not understand so I do try to share what I have learned with them. Are there some "unsavory" types there? Sure--just as there are at just about anyplace you may go--but most of the patients are there trying to get better and live a normal life and are hurrying off to work or care for their families. You likely work with some of them, see them at your local stores, in church, at your kid's schools, living next door even--without being aware--and you might be quite surprised.

Anyhow I thank you all for listening to my diatribe and will now retreat. Best wishes to you all.

 

[Rachkir]

Who CCP People Really Are

First of all, as a fellow member of the military, I would like to thank Mr. Dan for his service to our country during Vietnam.

Most CCP people are first and foremost law abiding citizens (more law abiding than the average American, statistically speaking... if you doubt me, please click on the link in my signature).

CCP holders carry to be prepared "just in case." We do not want to be victims. Let me relate two quick stories.

While I was visiting New Orleans in 2004, I was robbed in broad daylight by 4 homeless people as I walked along the bank of the Mississippi with a NOLA Police Officer approximately 100 feet away. The cop simply looked my way, saw what was going on, and walked away (I am not bashing police, my uncle is an LAPD officer and many of my good friends are cops, but there are some who dont care or look the other way). I feared for my life and the life of my then gf. Back then, I was uneducated when it came to concealed carry laws, and I was actually somewhat anti-gun (a result of that ex's influence, no doubt - heck, I didn't even know that someone could CC legally). After that incident, when I realized that the only person I could actually depend upon to protect my safety and the safety of my family and friends was ME, I decided to become more educated on the matter. I resolved to never be a victim again.

In 2007, I recieved my first permits to carry concealed (a non-resident permit from the state of ME and NH) while I was stationed in Maine.

The weekend before Christmas in 2009, I had to go to work one evening (I am currently stationed in the bayous of Louisiana). It was approximately 1830 (6:30 pm for those of you who are civies:biggrin. I exited the building where I work (A federal building) and entered my car. Unfortunately, this particular federal building is in the middle of a very bad neighborhood - drugs, crime, prostitution - heck, I've been solicited to buy drugs in uniform at 3 in the afternoon!), and I cannot carry into work, so I leave my gun locked up in my car. This evening, as I sat in my car taking a phone call before I hit the road back home, a man approached the driver side door. He was about 3 inches from my window, peering in, checking out my vehicle's interior, and asking for some money "for food." At this time, my gun was in my lap as I had not reholstered it yet. He then put his hand on my car window, looked into my lap, looked my face, threw his hands in the air and said "sorry dude" and walked away. The next morning, the local paper said that two people were robbed at knifepoint on the same street just 30 minutes after I had left.

Yes I was scared. My bum was so tight you couldnt get a grain of sand between my cheeks... I carry a gun (and so does my wife) to protect each other and our infant child. I refuse to be a victim. I sincerely believe I prevented myself from being a victim that night, and my son and wife got to see me for Christmas.

And fortunately for you, Mr. Dan, you can be unarmed and unafraid in one of the 10 largest cities because of people like me, my wife, and many others who carry. BGs are more concerned about meeting an armed citizen than they are of meeting a police officer. We give them pause (see the link in my signature for statistics).

I will never be a victim again. I carry to end a threat, not take a life. I carry to protect my family, friends, and loved ones. I refuse to be a victim, plain and simple.

Have a good day, sir.

 

[Rachkir]

By the way, that was my first post since joining.

 

[HootmonSccy]

Kerry - thanx for posting, and supplying additional info...
I'm sorry I mis-charactorized these patience. Although, I will stay with that for the most part they probably a little on the shady side... I am glad they are trying to get their lives in order...

 

[HootmonSccy]

Welcome Rachkir from Tampa Bay Floriduh...

 

[Rachkir]

Thanks! By the way, I'm in the Coast Guard... we seem to have all the "winners" for where our bases/offices are located!