Gangland Bristol

Andy Hamilton · Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:01 pm

I left my house the other day and started the walk into town. I live in a pretty much inner city area of Bristol known for having a bit of crime problem. In fact when I first moved there I soon realised that there had been a murder. You know the sort of place.

Anyway, I got to the bottom of my street and was confronted by a gang of about 20-30 young people all wearing bandana's, hoods and caps turned sideways. I started to walk a bit faster and looked behind me a couple of times. One of the kids was on a BMX and he did a skid behind me, I must have looked a little terrified. He caught up with me and put his face right next to mind, I held his gaze. You know what he then said, "DOn't be scarred mate, we're cool, we're cool". What a nice chap, really did restore my faith in humanity.

Post: # 94668Post **MKG** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:19 pm

Andy - got the T-shirt. I apologise for the human race that you had to go through that. But at least the dickhead eventually tried to tell you he was cool. One day soon - it'll all stop happening.

ina · Post: # 94692Post **ina** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 3:02 pm

That would have scared me, too. And I've known myself take a wide line around a group of folks like that... On the other hand, I've always walked wherever I wanted (or needed to); often because I couldn't afford taxis, and the last bus had gone! Never had any trouble. Never even saw any trouble; although I was told afterwards that I should never, ever walk there...

Stonehead · Post: # 94693Post **Stonehead** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 3:04 pm

The problem is that you can't tell the difference between the gangsters and the youngsters just hanging out.

When living in E17 I went to the park with the Big Lad, then only a year old or so. A group of youths turned up, fairly much as you describe, but this lot started off by comparing knives. One of them trumped the others by pulling out a semi-automatic pistol (looked like an old Russian Tokarev) and showing off with it.

I left unobtrusively and called the police, but they didn't arrive for 25 minutes (by which time the youths had left) as it wasn't safe for them to deploy without an armed response vehicle. Too bad for the rest of us.

old tree man · Tue Apr 08, 2008 4:02 pm

Glad you were ok but unfortunatly that is society today, it was nice of the young man to be cool they obviously saw that you were worried "many wouldn't have".
On another thread i still have people judge me because i have a long beard and tatoos !!!!!!!!!!

all the best
Russ

Andy Hamilton · Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:32 pm

I think the point was missed a little there, what I was trying to get at that it was me that was the idiot for being intimidated they were just kids hanging about really. Nothing wrong with that. He did not have to say we are cool, he noticed I was uncomfortable and came over to reassure me something that was probably very brave in front of all of his mates.

Ok so if weapons are involved thats a different story. The police are pretty slow a lot of the time.

Stonehead · Post: # 94725Post **Stonehead** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:34 pm

No, I didn't miss the point. I was just adding that in some ways your reaction was understandable as it can be hard to pick between youngsters having fun (even if it does not look that way to older, more wary eyes) and those who are out for mischief. And sometimes it's a very fine line between the two.

contadina · Post: # 94728Post **contadina** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:38 pm

Teenagers have been feared and demonised throughout history. As we get older we seem to forget the feeling when someone older crosses the street to avoid passing us. I take my hoodie

off to that young man!

Russian Doll · Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:00 pm

the kids round here or should i say some of them get judged harshly to...theres a lovely group who hang around the back alley of my flat who are very friendly always respectful to me and the kids...they dont swear if the kids wealk past etc...but they get called all sorts casue there hanging around

Post: # 94748Post **MKG** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:49 pm

Oh dear - it must be the mood I'm in tonight.

Does anyone going about their perfectly legal and respectable business need to show gratitude because some little hooded shit decides to say that it's all OK right in your face? I think not.

Sky · Post: # 94776Post **Sky** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:48 pm

I have three sons and the eldest likes to think he's a bit of a gangster, but he's so having himself on.
I've walked around shops with him and at times he's been stalked by staff and talked to in a really rude manner until they've realized I was with him and got all flustered and changed their manner.
And this is in NZ.

A group of youths can be intimidating but half the time they're just copying how their heros dress on tv. Makes me laugh that they all look identical but think they're being really different and rebellious.

eccentric_emma · Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:02 pm

Sky wrote:Makes me laugh that they all look identical but think they're being really different and rebellious.

thats very true. in my job i have to ID a lot of people (i work in an off license) and they get very offended when i ask especially if they are come in often. problem is they all look the same with their 'individual uniform'. i just find it too hard to remember!

ina · Post: # 94802Post **ina** » Tue Apr 08, 2008 8:28 pm

eccentric_emma wrote:
Sky wrote:Makes me laugh that they all look identical but think they're being really different and rebellious.
thats very true. in my job i have to ID a lot of people (i work in an off license) and they get very offended when i ask especially if they are come in often. problem is they all look the same with their 'individual uniform'. i just find it too hard to remember!

But I do remember we were the same! We had an exchange student from Australia staying with us for a while, and she thought that jeans and parka was our uniform...

Oops, no - we were just being different!

Masco&Bongo · Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:23 am

I wear a large black hoodie when I go out and walk my 2 large bull breed dogs. I often (at the moment) walk with my hood up, as it's so cold (my hat keeps getting blown off).

I get people walking the other way to avoid me, walking round me, crossing the road etc, as me and my dogs are obviously "trouble".... my OH saw me walking when he was coming home from work, and said I looked very intimidating.

Apparantly I was striding along (the dogs were dragging me) with my hood up (gale force winds) with 2 dogs who were foaming at the mouth (they'd been in the sea, which makes them froth a bit)

Paints quite a picture really.....

If anyone actually looked under the hood, they'd see a nearly-30, freckly, frizzy haired, dumpy, young lady; squinting through her glasses and muttering to the dogs.....

I suspect that the majority of "hoodies" aren't actually up to no good, and are just congregating as they have nothing else to do. Though why oyu'd voluntarily stand in a bus stop for 3 hours is beyond me.....

snapdragon · Wed Apr 09, 2008 8:52 pm

I've got used to people avoiding me when in bike gear, quite handy for getting through town quickly as yoofs dont tend to get in my way when walking with a purpose and a helmet in me hand.
But I recall seeing older people avoiding teenagers that were friends of my sons, and I knew they were good lads and wouldnt hurt anyone - they were just being happy and talking a bit loud.
I suppose I now treat them as if they were like those lads and all the same - but again always listen to your 'inner voice'