Private security
Seems a gun is cheaper and always there:
The Lowrance family is far too familiar with Memphis crime.
“The neighborhood we were in previously, we were broken into five to six times,” says Collie Lowrance. “And yeah, it frustrates me.”
So Lowrance decided to pay $75 a month to hire private security to patrol past his home in the Belle Meade section of East Memphis.
“If there’s a problem,” he says, “the security gets here very quickly. Much quicker than police usually.”
September 1st, 2006 at 1:03 pm
When I go to Memphis, which is fairly frequently, my Glock 20 only leaves my side when I go to a restaurant which serves alcohol.
It is a very dangerous city.
There have been 2 murders on the street where my parents live (and where I grew up).
The thought of not carrying there doesn’t cross my mind.
If these folks feel better with a mall cop patrolling their neighborhood, more power to them.
As for me, I would go to Guns and Ammo (which has around 2,500 guns in stock) and do some business.
September 1st, 2006 at 2:49 pm
Uhh, how does having a gun help you prevent your house from being burgled? If you happen to be home at the time, I can see that helping, but most burglaries around here (I live in East Memphis myself, only a few miles from Belle Meade) happen when nobody’s home. Burglary is a pretty common crime here, and the burglars often “case” houses so that they know when nobody’s there. In fact, contrary to conventional Uncle wisdom, they tend to target the homes of gun owners, because guns are one of the bigger things they’re after.
And while Memphis has about double the national average violent crime rate, the vast majority of these crimes take place in areas of town that anyone with an ounce of sense knows to avoid. And you don’t have to live here or be from here to recognize these areas when you see them. Hint: Pawn shops and bars on windows are big red flags. My wife and I have gotten by without any trouble at all so far (knock on wood), just living by the “don’t be an idiot” rule.
September 1st, 2006 at 2:51 pm
If you’re not home, you can’t call the police/security either.
September 1st, 2006 at 5:50 pm
Let’s see, tgirsch.
East St. Louis isn’t dangerous, Memphis is safe, except for a few “special” areas, and you are really safer without a gun than with a gun.
You knock on wood, and I will stick with my Glock.
September 5th, 2006 at 12:49 pm
Chris:
I never said East St. Louis wasn’t dangerous, I just said it wasn’t f’n Beirut (it isn’t).
I also never said Memphis was “safe,” just that the vast majority of violent crimes are committed in certain bad areas of town (they are).
I also never said I wasn’t armed (I am).