High Crime area & exercise....I AM REALLY PI$$ED

Reasie26

Well, I'm a scaredy-cat. I spend my entire run looking over my shoulder and around bushes, playing scenarios out in my head of how I would beat the hell out of someone if they tried anything. I carry pepperspray/tear gas. All this and I live in a neighborhood where crime is super-low. I probably WOULD stay in my house all day if I lived where you do!!!! Yikes!!!

Best of luck! Be safe. I know you want to be healthy, but getting stabbed, raped, and/or murdered are NOT good for your health!!

nolakris

I used to live in Bywater when I lived in Nola. I loved my house, neighbors and neighborhood. I didn't like the criminal element that came around. As a result, I never ran in the neighborhood unless my husband was with me. Or my dogs. I have 2 big dogs, so just the site of them would cause the criminals to cross the street and stay away from me.
Is your livingroom big enough to workout with a DVD? That can be tough if you live in a shotgun, I could do it, but just barely. I can understand wanting to incorporate exercise into your commute, but reality is that if it's not totally safe, I'd skip it. Join a gym, get DVDs, take your children to the park after work and the weekends. It's not worth your safety.

scorpio516

In the morning, you shouldn't have a problem at all. Really, how often do you see drug deals and drive bys happen at 7 am

In the afternoon, you shouldn't either. #1 - you'll be moving faster than most people can run. A 4:00 mile is just 15 mph - on a cruiser or something like that, that takes a little work, on a road bike, it's hard to go that slow. And lets just say most people who would want to chase you aren't going to be 4 minute milers Now if you had Usain Bolt chasing you down, and other perfect circumstances, you might be in trouble - he can travel at 28 mph, for 100 hundred yards.
#2 - most random violence isn't random
#3 - most violent crimes (that aren't domestic) don't happen between 4 and 6 pm, when it's nice and sunny.

If you don't have a shower, wipes are a great suggestion. Probably the most often suggestion I've seen too .
I keep a week's worth of clothes in my desk (but I don't wear suits, and I don't have anything that needs to be pressed). If you've got an office door, hanging the "nice" clothes in a garment bag on the door mounted coat hook is a good idea too, theoretically out of the way all day.

rybo

What are the laws regarding concealed carry in your state? That could be an option.

sarahmaryfearnley

Hey Darlin' I used to live in NOLA and still love that sweet city. It sounds like you work in the CBD. Can you bike along the streetcar route? Also, depending on your work schedule you may be ok bc of the traffic in and out of the area at rush hour.

Do NOT deviate from "safe" streets however. NOLA is a real patchwork unlike most cities and 3 blocks can make a HUGE difference.

I wouldn't take your supervisor's comments to close to heart. I used to ride the bus down Tchoup to the Quarter and then up Elyssian Fields to UNO every day and then up Broad when I moved as a sweet, young, white girl and people thought I was CRAZY. People don't ride the bus in NOLA unless they have no alternative Nothing ever happend. A couple of times I felt concerned and I just sat up front and talked to the driver. Everything was fine.

Elixandra

I would strongly recommend against spraying your body with MACE. Pepper spray on skin burns - like a bad sunburn - and sweat makes it worse. If it's CS or CN it attracts itself to moisture - think about the areas on your body that sweat the most - and when it gets into mucus membranes and sensitive places it inflames them.

Im not saying on skin. On your cloths. Yea it will suck to touch later but its better then what could happen.

Jeff92se

Consder carrying a firearm?

CoralConnor

Hahahaha

seehawkmomma

I think its great that you boss is concerned about your well being.

tomomatic

Step 1. Get fit.
Step 2. Learn Kung Fu.
Step 3. Master fire arms
Step 4. Make a bullet proof costume.
Step 5. Become Bat Girl.

I'm on Step 1. I may skip some of these steps and go straight to becoming Iron Man.

RekindledRose

I highly recommend getting training and obtaining a concealed firearms permit, and then carry everywhere! You obviously care about your health and your life, since you are on this site. Protect yourself.

Be safe, and good luck!

Cberg9

You can always carry a stun gun, mace, pocket knife, and a big stick. Crackheads seem to like sticks around here. But really if things get crazy I was told you can spray your body with your mace and they wont want to touch you. Just watch the face ofcorse. Sorry you work in such a crappy area. Stay safe.

Ya....not such a good idea to spray it on yourself....lol It burns no matter where it is sprayed, feels like someone poured gasoline on you and lit you on fire! Sad to say that crackheads don't even feel that! Good lesson to be learned here kids, drugs are bad m'kay

Cberg9

I would strongly recommend against spraying your body with MACE. Pepper spray on skin burns - like a bad sunburn - and sweat makes it worse. If it's CS or CN it attracts itself to moisture - think about the areas on your body that sweat the most - and when it gets into mucus membranes and sensitive places it inflames them.

Im not saying on skin. On your cloths. Yea it will suck to touch later but its better then what could happen.

Oh and when you wash your clothes, don't wash them with any of your own clothes or anyone else in your family's....I only put my clothes through the wash once and I STILL felt it the next time I had to wear them. Shoulda burnt them...

Elixandra

I would strongly recommend against spraying your body with MACE. Pepper spray on skin burns - like a bad sunburn - and sweat makes it worse. If it's CS or CN it attracts itself to moisture - think about the areas on your body that sweat the most - and when it gets into mucus membranes and sensitive places it inflames them.

Im not saying on skin. On your cloths. Yea it will suck to touch later but its better then what could happen.

Oh and when you wash your clothes, don't wash them with any of your own clothes or anyone else in your family's....I only put my clothes through the wash once and I STILL felt it the next time I had to wear them. Shoulda burnt them...

Yea if that would ever happen I probably wouldn't keep them.

Babygirl082578

I work in Algiers and live on the Westbank. Its about 4 miles one way.
I am going to try it soon.
I love my bike. My parents got me a used road bike for my bday and between training for a half marathon, work and being a single mom trying to pass the 4th grade I never get to be on it. So I am considering saving on gas and getting some more training in by riding to work.


I love all the advise...even the sarcasm...i actually laughed out loud at a lot of it.

Thanks

sarahmaryfearnley

Hmmm, the BestBank makes my idea not do-able. What about riding along the levee? I'm not too sure what the level is like through that undesirable area under the bridge but isn't that where the ferry dock is?

Babygirl082578

Hmmm, the BestBank makes my idea not do-able. What about riding along the levee? I'm not too sure what the level is like through that undesirable area under the bridge but isn't that where the ferry dock is?

I do run up there a lot, only in day light though. Its a pretty ok area actually. I dont work close to there though. I am down Gen De Gaulle.
I actually just participated in a live chat on Nola.com and asked about some suggestions for safe places to run in the area. One suggestion for you ladies is not to where a pony tail. It makes it easy to be controled from behind.

JamesBurkes

I've found running from crack heads helps to increase my speed by a significant margin.

Gyms should hire them to stand behind treadmills & ellipticals. Forget about a personal trainer, these guys will get you in shape for sure!

Kinda reminds me of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yuFy_qjolU

(Written by the guy in the video before anyone thinks it's racist).

Babygirl082578

What are the laws regarding concealed carry in your state? That could be an option.

I could get a fire arm...I see your point but running or biking with one????? Is that safe????? I tend to not be the most coordinated person and if you add that I am overweight and trying to run or bike, this could spell major disaster.
How would you care a gun while running? I have dropped my IPOD more times than I can count....I would be really afraid I would drop the gun and shoot myself.

MattGetsMad

There are several holsters that are available to carry concealed. You'd have to find one that your were comfortable with and practice wearing it (gun included). Wear it around your house (unload gun until you are confident) and get used to how it feels. It's a pain in the *kitten* wearing a gun and most people shouldn't do it, but it may be the right option for you. Think about it.

Also, I believe a few people offered advice to carry a weapon other than a gun. I wouldn't do this and I'll tell you a couple of reasons why:

1. Any weapon you conceal is a concealed weapon and requires a permit. Some states allow pepper spray without concealed and others do not. Check and see where state lies and I think you'll find my original axiom to be true. If it's a weapon and you want to carry it, you probably need a license.
2. Any weapon that you carry that is not gun will lose to a gun!!! You're not carrying a weapon to feel safe. That's a misguided principle. You are carrying a weapon because you are not safe. No weapon makes an unsafe area safer. Weapons give you an advantage in terrible life or death situations. If you are going to carry a weapon at all, carry the best one available to consumers in America: the gun.

Good luck to you.