Fear, stress and people on trigger alert. Salem traffic.

[Indy62]

So I have an intersection near my house that seems to be on the fritz. City of Salem engineers have been playing around with the traffic control box for the past couple of weeks. I've arrived there and been greeted by flashing red lights and saw the crews working the control box. I wasn't sure what the issue is. I've also noticed some unusual horn honking from my house in that area, also about two weeks.

The intersection transitions from one lane each direction with a center turn lane, to one lane each direction with a left turn lane that's about enough for five cars.

Yesterday I got to the intersection, turning left, and was four cars behind the lead car at the light. I waited..and waited..and waited. One full cycle of traffic, then another..then another. By the fourth cycle I knew something was wrong, but figured the lead car would use some common sense and go through the intersection safely. He didn't. Another cycle..then another. I waited six cycles. By this time the traffic behind me was backed up all the way to the next intersection. Someone had to do to something.

So I put my car in park..tight space between opposing traffic, and ran up to the lead car..a suburban. As I got to the car I realized the problem right away. The guy was about 8 feet behind the white line so the sensor wasn't tripping. His window was down. I was smiling as I approached, his window was down (mid 50's white guy like me)..and as I got to his door I guess I startled him. He went wide eyed at me, didn't say a word, and moved his right hand to his center console/seat area. I actually ignored that he was grabbing his gun and just said.."hey there..I think you need to pull forward about six feet...the sensor's on the blink." Then he went calm and said.."oh..ok". I ran back to my car. He moved forward..then the light went green.

Never been that close to being drawn on.

People are very tense out there. I wonder how many interactions escalate to gun use out of fear. Been thinking about it all night/day. I guess maybe that's why not one of the other 30 or so drivers affected got involved to fix the problem.

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[msgriff]

"Don't be sneakin' up on my gun side!"

 

[Nosferatu]

I would have covered my pistol when I saw you coming.

But most importantly, I would have seen you coming!

People's situational awareness in public is atrocious.

 

[PiratePast40]

People are on edge because of the increase in violent crimes the last couple of years. Here's the study from the city. Since the study was published, there have been multiple shootings including the one in front of Fred Meyer, the shootout at Riverfront Park with nearly 100 casings found on the ground, the Cartel boss takedown in Salem, the dead guy found in his car on Cordon Road, and idiots arguing about a battery in front of Auto Zone on South Lancaster and popping off six shots. I've been to most of the Community Violence Reduction Initiative meetings and there doesn't seem to be much in the way of short term solutions.

The guy you're talking about sounds like he was spaced out and didn't have a clue what was going on around him. That's probably why he was surprised and it looked like he was starting to reach for a weapon of some sort. It's critical for people to stay alert and actually comprehend what's going on around them at all times. Since that study came out last November, I've been working on what we can do as individuals to protect ourselves and our families. I took the instructor course, got certified, and am now teaching the Refuse To Be A Victim course from the NRA. If anyone is interested in taking the course or becoming an instructor, send me an IM and I'll talk to you about it.

At the very least, people should be paying closer attention to what's going on. The cops admit that they're a reactive force and can't do a thing until a crime has actually occurred. Like it or not, we need to up our alert level when out and about.

 

[Indy62]

I would have covered my pistol when I saw you coming.

But most importantly, I would have seen you coming!

People's situational awareness in public is atrocious.

He was probably so focused on why the light hadn't changed in six or so cycles that he wasn't paying attention to his left mirror. But when I startled him, his hand immediately went to his pistol. I'm kinda thinking he was either slightly stoned..or buzzed..the way he looked at me..strange eyes. And by the way..I wasn't carrying when I approached him. I used my judgement. Glad I did.

 

[Indy62]

People are on edge because of the increase in violent crimes the last couple of years. Here's the study from the city. Since the study was published, there have been multiple shootings including the one in front of Fred Meyer, the shootout at Riverfront Park with nearly 100 casings found on the ground, the Cartel boss takedown in Salem, the dead guy found in his car on Cordon Road, and idiots arguing about a battery in front of Auto Zone on South Lancaster and popping off six shots. I've been to most of the Community Violence Reduction Initiative meetings and there doesn't seem to be much in the way of short term solutions.

The guy you're talking about sounds like he was spaced out and didn't have a clue what was going on around him. That's probably why he was surprised and it looked like he was starting to reach for a weapon of some sort. It's critical for people to stay alert and actually comprehend what's going on around them at all times. Since that study came out last November, I've been working on what we can do as individuals to protect ourselves and our families. I took the instructor course, got certified, and am now teaching the Refuse To Be A Victim course from the NRA. If anyone is interested in taking the course or becoming an instructor, send me an IM and I'll talk to you about it.

At the very least, people should be paying closer attention to what's going on. The cops admit that they're a reactive force and can't do a thing until a crime has actually occurred. Like it or not, we need to up our alert level when out and about.

Yeah..my head's on a swivel every time I go out. But I tell you. It's exhausting. People are on edge...and I know myself. I have a pretty good sense of danger...and I trust my instincts. it's others I don't trust. I don't know how long we can all sustain this tension.

 

[64MercurysRule]

At a red light I have walked up on the car in front of me , drivers side , to inform them a brake light was out . Many times people are not aware of their surroundings and are startled . Some are happy to know & the others seem irritated that they were informed . Such is life .

 

[64MercurysRule]

The other crazy encounter places is grocery / retail parking lots where people move out of the store not even looking left or right and then seem irritated once they realize there are cars right there ....... on phones looking down , pushing carts also . Guess life value is not of a concern .

 

[Indy62]

The other crazy encounter places is grocery / retail parking lots where people move out of the store not even looking left or right and then seem irritated once they realize there are cars right there ....... on phones looking down , pushing carts also . Guess life value is not of a concern .

Oh man...don't get me started on that. Driving through the petco/trader joe's parking lot is like trying to avoid IED's. No one pays attention.

 

[PiratePast40]

FWIW, here's the map of shooting incidents in Salem from their study:

 

[64MercurysRule]

FWIW, here's the map of shooting incidents in Salem from their study:

View attachment 1957234

Yes and it seems to be a trend where NE city locations are the felony flats areas unfortunately........

 

[PiratePast40]

Yes and it seems to be a trend where NE city locations are the felony flats areas unfortunately........

That map only includes city of Salem. Marion County should have their study out soon so we can overlap. Will be no surprise that the most firearm violence is in the Haysville and Four Corners areas.

 

[Provincial]

FWIW, here's the map of shooting incidents in Salem from their study:

View attachment 1957234

Is that isolated red dot on the lower right side the Four Corners Gun Club?

 

[CamoDeafie]

FWIW, here's the map of shooting incidents in Salem from their study:

View attachment 1957234

15+ years ago, the area north of Chemeketa Community College got the local nickname of "Little Tijuana"... probably has a lot to do with that sector of population. Felony Flats was at the time, by the State Pen, off State Street near Costco

 

[Tlock]

I hate salem!

 

[Certaindeaf]

So I have an intersection near my house that seems to be on the fritz. City of Salem engineers have been playing around with the traffic control box for the past couple of weeks. I've arrived there and been greeted by flashing red lights and saw the crews working the control box. I wasn't sure what the issue is. I've also noticed some unusual horn honking from my house in that area, also about two weeks.

The intersection transitions from one lane each direction with a center turn lane, to one lane each direction with a left turn lane that's about enough for five cars.

Yesterday I got to the intersection, turning left, and was four cars behind the lead car at the light. I waited..and waited..and waited. One full cycle of traffic, then another..then another. By the fourth cycle I knew something was wrong, but figured the lead car would use some common sense and go through the intersection safely. He didn't. Another cycle..then another. I waited six cycles. By this time the traffic behind me was backed up all the way to the next intersection. Someone had to do to something.

So I put my car in park..tight space between opposing traffic, and ran up to the lead car..a suburban. As I got to the car I realized the problem right away. The guy was about 8 feet behind the white line so the sensor wasn't tripping. His window was down. I was smiling as I approached, his window was down (mid 50's white guy like me)..and as I got to his door I guess I startled him. He went wide eyed at me, didn't say a word, and moved his right hand to his center console/seat area. I actually ignored that he was grabbing his gun and just said.."hey there..I think you need to pull forward about six feet...the sensor's on the blink." Then he went calm and said.."oh..ok". I ran back to my car. He moved forward..then the light went green.

Never been that close to being drawn on.

People are very tense out there. I wonder how many interactions escalate to gun use out of fear. Been thinking about it all night/day. I guess maybe that's why not one of the other 30 or so drivers affected got involved to fix the problem.

Right now that guy is telling his near-death story to his fellow homies at bigbeltbuckle.com

 

[64MercurysRule]

Right now that guy is telling his near-death story to his fellow homies at bigbeltbuckle.com

 

[kmk1012]

People are on edge because of the increase in violent crimes the last couple of years. Here's the study from the city. Since the study was published, there have been multiple shootings including the one in front of Fred Meyer, the shootout at Riverfront Park with nearly 100 casings found on the ground, the Cartel boss takedown in Salem, the dead guy found in his car on Cordon Road, and idiots arguing about a battery in front of Auto Zone on South Lancaster and popping off six shots. I've been to most of the Community Violence Reduction Initiative meetings and there doesn't seem to be much in the way of short term solutions.

The guy you're talking about sounds like he was spaced out and didn't have a clue what was going on around him. That's probably why he was surprised and it looked like he was starting to reach for a weapon of some sort. It's critical for people to stay alert and actually comprehend what's going on around them at all times. Since that study came out last November, I've been working on what we can do as individuals to protect ourselves and our families. I took the instructor course, got certified, and am now teaching the Refuse To Be A Victim course from the NRA. If anyone is interested in taking the course or becoming an instructor, send me an IM and I'll talk to you about it.

At the very least, people should be paying closer attention to what's going on. The cops admit that they're a reactive force and can't do a thing until a crime has actually occurred. Like it or not, we need to up our alert level when out and about.

I remember that dude found dead in a car on Cordon Rd, happened before we got outta the ghetto. It was just a few blocks from my house. Then, shortly after we moved, one block away, a rollover accident (single car) with a dead dude driving. Was shot several blocks back and died while turning off of Herron Rd onto a side street. I grew up in that house and it used to be a nice place to live from 1984 to about 10 years ago. About five years back I received an inter that got my family the F outta there, don't miss it one bit.

 

[Tlock]

I remember that dude found dead in a car on Cordon Rd, happened before we got outta the ghetto. It was just a few blocks from my house. Then, shortly after we moved, one block away, a rollover accident (single car) with a dead dude driving. Was shot several blocks back and died while turning off of Herron Rd onto a side street. I grew up in that house and it used to be a nice place to live from 1984 to about 10 years ago. About five years back I received an inter that got my family the F outta there, don't miss it one bit.

I never lived in salem, but I did in stayton and that was bad enough for me. Got out and up on the mnt in 2007

 

[L84Cabo]

See...this is the type of thing that just flips the, "old man yelling at clouds" switch in me...

How in the hell do you make to 50 something and not realize how traffic lights work!? And why are you stopping 8 feet behind the freaking limit line in the first place!? To say nothing of, how in the hell do you sit through SIX freaking cycles of the light with your head so far up your bubblegum that you don't realize that YOU are the problem here!?

See...it's the warning labels. We started putting warning labels on EVERYTHING...and they work...and have saved the lives of all the stupid people...who would have otherwise self eliminated by now...and they go on to BREED...usually with other stupid people...and the herd slows down...WAY DOWN!

Also...GET OFF MY LAWN!

WOLVERINES!