Armed robber thwarted at Packard - "no crime committed" say police

**FlyOnTheWall** · July-31-14, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by ABetterDetroit

Quit blaming crime on the guys that are fighting it on the front lines with their lives.

You mean I can actually start blaming the actual criminal? WOW! As nothing but a fly on the wall, I like this.

**ABetterDetroit** · July-31-14, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by FlyOnTheWall

You mean I can actually start blaming the actual criminal? WOW! As nothing but a fly on the wall, I like this.

Yes, yes, yes, please do! Can you leave mothers and young children out of it though?

**FlyOnTheWall** · July-31-14, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by ABetterDetroit

Yes, yes, yes, please do! Can you leave mothers and young children out of it though?

I never blame young children, they are helpless, but then again the mothers..... That depends. It depends on what I see from the wall. Are the mothers druggies, welfare queens, or some one that is really trying to to raise a viable family?

I always support the ones that are trying such as Ben Carson's mother. I respect her. A LOT! It is the other ones....

**ABetterDetroit** · July-31-14, 10:13 PM

Gotcha, if the kid wins a Presidential medal of freedom than alls good. Did Walter win a Presidential medal of freedom into your heart?

**FlyOnTheWall** · July-31-14, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by ABetterDetroit

Gotcha, if the kid wins a Presidential medal of freedom than alls good. Did Walter win a Presidential medal of freedom into your heart?

The kids have to win nothing..... The mothers should at least try. The kids have no choice, the mothers do.... Can't you see that?

**Hastings** · July-31-14, 11:34 PM

Originally Posted by Django

Lets just get something straight, I will not carry a gun, I own long guns for hunting back when I was young but never a handgun. Even if I could get a permit I wouldn't carry. We did not enter any building. This all happened on Concord a block North of East Grand Blvd in front of the old DHS building.

Good place for a stick up.

**davewindsor** · August-01-14, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by ABetterDetroit

Quit blaming crime on the guys that are fighting it on the front lines with their lives.

Whoa, you're putting words in my mouth now. Reread my earlier posts. I'm not blaming the front lines. I respect them for job they do and they do their job. As I said earlier, those are commands coming from higher up not to pick up suspects to manipulate the crime rates to make them look lower than they actually are and the clearance rates higher than they actually are. Commands from people like the Police Chief, the Mayor and Kevin Orr.

**EASTSIDE CAT 67-83** · August-01-14, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by Django

Lets just get something straight, I will not carry a gun, I own long guns for hunting back when I was young but never a handgun. Even if I could get a permit I wouldn't carry. We did not enter any building. This all happened on Concord a block North of East Grand Blvd in front of the old DHS building.

I don't really think it matters in which part of Detroit this happened, inside a building or not, you represent a quick score to a professional thief [[carrying a gun makes him a professional) I would say if you are going to be shooting film in sketchy locations throughout the city then having a firearm to protect your life might be a "life extending" move...screw the equipment that can be replaced. But along with CCW are the psychological aspects of taking another life and all the training required to be able to successfully draw and fire a weapon in a one on one situation, but based on your post it seems like your just willing to live with the risk of losing your life...Its a choice but hey this coulda been a one time bad deal and won't happen again for another 5 or more years.

**mwilbert** · August-01-14, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by davewindsor

Are you kidding me?! They do it all the time in other parts of America. Not too long ago, my dad was visiting Jacksonville Florida and stayed at a national franchise motel. After midnight, a few masked men kicked the door in, armed with shotguns, robbed him and my step mom and took off. He called the police. The police rounded up suspects who matched the general description, he identified them, and they were charged. They do it all over the country. They just are not doing it here.

OK, I'll bite. How did he identify masked people in a lineup? Not that people are good at identifying people in lineups even if they see their faces.

**Jimaz** · August-01-14, 11:55 AM

I've always wanted a mask identical to my own face — just to mess with people's heads.

Would it be worthwhile for DPD to set up a sting operation in this area? Just asking.

**davewindsor** · August-01-14, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by mwilbert

OK, I'll bite. How did he identify masked people in a lineup? Not that people are good at identifying people in lineups even if they see their faces.

I already explained it. Are you telling me that if I wanted to shoot someone or rob a bank or a person, all I have to do is wear a mask while doing it and I'll never be convicted of a crime because the victims and witnesses never saw my face because of the mask?? Do you really want to go on record saying something so childish?

**Jimaz** · August-01-14, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by Jimaz

I've always wanted a mask identical to my own face — just to mess with people's heads....

OMG. You can do that.

ThatsMyFace.com

**Django** · August-02-14, 05:29 AM

Originally Posted by EASTSIDE CAT 67-83

I don't really think it matters in which part of Detroit this happened, inside a building or not, you represent a quick score to a professional thief [[carrying a gun makes him a professional) I would say if you are going to be shooting film in sketchy locations throughout the city then having a firearm to protect your life might be a "life extending" move...screw the equipment that can be replaced. But along with CCW are the psychological aspects of taking another life and all the training required to be able to successfully draw and fire a weapon in a one on one situation, but based on your post it seems like your just willing to live with the risk of losing your life...Its a choice but hey this coulda been a one time bad deal and won't happen again for another 5 or more years.

You are right East Side Cat, it doesnt matter where you are. These I can confidently say were not pros but just opportunistic kids with a gun. They will no doubt go to prison a few times in their life and learn how to become a professional criminal. Having a gun does not make you a pro and if they were pros they would have gotten the gear without a shot fired and I thank the Lord for not having a shot fired. They were big and shiny wearing Ding Dongs wearing hoodies in 90 degree weather.
No I do not think I could live a sane free life if I had taken a life with a gun. I do not feel buying a handgun will be the answer to violence. I truly laugh that people think that if everybody had a gun there would be less violence in the country. I will not carry a gun and I will take my chances. I have faith that people are generally good at heart and do not want to shoot a stranger. In this instance at the Packard I made a split second decision to get the fuck out of there and I decided to step on the gas and it goes through my mind ever since that I may have gotten Aussie shot or killed all in the name of a few thousand dollars in photo equipment. I just do not feel more guns is the answer.

**EASTSIDE CAT 67-83** · August-02-14, 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by Django

You are right East Side Cat, it doesnt matter where you are. These I can confidently say were not pros but just opportunistic kids with a gun. They will no doubt go to prison a few times in their life and learn how to become a professional criminal. Having a gun does not make you a pro and if they were pros they would have gotten the gear without a shot fired and I thank the Lord for not having a shot fired. They were big and shiny wearing Ding Dongs wearing hoodies in 90 degree weather.
No I do not think I could live a sane free life if I had taken a life with a gun. I do not feel buying a handgun will be the answer to violence. I truly laugh that people think that if everybody had a gun there would be less violence in the country. I will not carry a gun and I will take my chances. I have faith that people are generally good at heart and do not want to shoot a stranger. In this instance at the Packard I made a split second decision to get the fuck out of there and I decided to step on the gas and it goes through my mind ever since that I may have gotten Aussie shot or killed all in the name of a few thousand dollars in photo equipment. I just do not feel more guns is the answer.

Brother I agree with everything ya said and when I said "pros" I was pointing out that they had made a conscience decision to take their crime gig to the armed level [[which means more time in the pokey). Also speaking from experience it can turn ugly and violent in a Nano second. When I was carjacked back in '92 I was in familiar and "relatively" safe surroundings parallel parked in front of my house in GPP on Maryland and St Paul [[a few hundred feet from Detroit) I was blocked in kinda tight by other cars front and back. like I said in a earlier post I was a born and raised street smart Detroiter who initially thought I was just being pan handled but when faced with the words "check it in " I understood differently and chose to quickly remove myself from the situation and in doing so Brother man put a round in the back of my car...next morning the detective said he was aiming for my head...I owned a pistol at the time but was not a permitted CCW.... had I pulled a gun it likely would've had the same outcome, he had the drop on me. I chose to carry my weapon starting the next day as I also worked in some less than desirable parts of Detroit like Gratiot & 94 and city airport area not to mention getting shot at kinda shook me up, but I honestly never felt easy about having the protection of a gun knowing if it came down to it I'd then have to use it and knew I'd end up in a worse situation not having the carry permit. Good luck out there and keep yer head on a swivel.

**SyGolden48236** · August-02-14, 10:43 AM

A simple solution: stay the hell out of areas like the one around the Packard plant. There are plenty of websites one can visit to see pictures of the place. Does this chap from Australia think he is gong to take some award winning, never before seen, picture and become famous?

Everybody knows that neighborhoods like that are killing fields. It is best not to venture into them. Especially when you're carrying expensive equipment and you obviously look like you don't belong there.

**Dan Wesson** · August-02-14, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by SyGolden48236

A simple solution: stay the hell out of areas like the one around the Packard plant. There are plenty of websites one can visit to see pictures of the place. Does this chap from Australia think he is gong to take some award winning, never before seen, picture and become famous?

Everybody knows that neighborhoods like that are killing fields. It is best not to venture into them. Especially when you're carrying expensive equipment and you obviously look like you don't belong there.

Hell I'm wondering if the cops coulda run Django and Night timer
downtown for creating an attractive nuisance.

You know them kid's curiosity got the best of them seeing perishable and nonperishable low hanging fruit, so to say.

**SyGolden48236** · August-02-14, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by Dan Wesson

Hell I'm wondering if the cops coulda run Django and Night timer
downtown for creating an attractive nuisance.

Great idea in theory, but it has no basis in law.

**Dan Wesson** · August-02-14, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by SyGolden48236

Great idea in theory, but it has no basis in law.

You expect Cops to know the law?

They could really make you wish you hadn't did what you did.

Tell it to the judge.

**Django** · August-03-14, 05:40 AM

Originally Posted by SyGolden48236

A simple solution: stay the hell out of areas like the one around the Packard plant. There are plenty of websites one can visit to see pictures of the place. Does this chap from Australia think he is gong to take some award winning, never before seen, picture and become famous?

Everybody knows that neighborhoods like that are killing fields. It is best not to venture into them. Especially when you're carrying expensive equipment and you obviously look like you don't belong there.

Because that would be a cowards response. Night Timer is a complete pro dedicated to his job working for the Associated Press who takes small risks like photographing Detroit. There are a lot of other journalists taking much bigger risks in the Middle East and various other countries throughout time who made huge impacts on the worlds conscious with just a single picture. All you have to do is look at the covers of LIFE magazine or National Geographic over the years to see what a photojournalist is trying to convey and what a single image can do to the collective concious. Night Timer is a complete professional, the favorite of all the journalists Ive shown Detroit. I've worked for some wonderful journalists too, National Geographic, other AP Press photographers as well as the BBC. None has taken their job so seriously as Night Timer. He is willing to get in the dirt and I try my best to keep him clean. The city is constantly changing over the years and some are slow to notice that. I find it very important to document as much history as possible through the years even if it is just a crumbling building shot. Journalists chose there profession full well knowing what they are getting into and risks are taken. Some people rather work behind a desk filling out forms or whatever but for me I bow to the risk taker.

**Danny** · August-03-14, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by Django

Because that would be a cowards response. Night Timer is a complete pro dedicated to his job working for the Associated Press who takes small risks like photographing Detroit. There are a lot of other journalists taking much bigger risks in the Middle East and various other countries throughout time who made huge impacts on the worlds conscious with just a single picture. All you have to do is look at the covers of LIFE magazine or National Geographic over the years to see what a photojournalist is trying to convey and what a single image can do to the collective concious. Night Timer is a complete professional, the favorite of all the journalists Ive shown Detroit. I've worked for some wonderful journalists too, National Geographic, other AP Press photographers as well as the BBC. None has taken their job so seriously as Night Timer. He is willing to get in the dirt and I try my best to keep him clean. The city is constantly changing over the years and some are slow to notice that. I find it very important to document as much history as possible through the years even if it is just a crumbling building shot. Journalists chose there profession full well knowing what they are getting into and risks are taken. Some people rather work behind a desk filling out forms or whatever but for me I bow to the risk taker.

I do the same too, with my clients from my film company. But we carry protection by any means necessary. Next time you want to take your clients on the grand tour of the ghetto hoods in Detroit, carry your protection from security squads to having a piece. Ignorant folks wearing Trayvon Martins, don't give a _____ about you! They want to money, clothes and anything that you have. I have been those situation when I been robbed three times in the ghetto even at gun point. Give them what you want and by their judgement call the robber will decide to kill or spare you. This is way the of life in the poor ghetto hoods in Detroit and you know better.

Just like in the Bible. Jesus' disciples notice his robe was missing and thief took it while they sleeping in the Judean wilderness. One of the disciples said 'The thief took my robe.' Jesus said, 'Then you should go and find that thief and give him your cloak.'

**Honky Tonk** · August-03-14, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by Django

Because that would be a cowards response. Night Timer is a complete pro dedicated to his job working for the Associated Press who takes small risks like photographing Detroit. There are a lot of other journalists taking much bigger risks in the Middle East and various other countries throughout time who made huge impacts on the worlds conscious with just a single picture. All you have to do is look at the covers of LIFE magazine or National Geographic over the years to see what a photojournalist is trying to convey and what a single image can do to the collective concious. Night Timer is a complete professional, the favorite of all the journalists Ive shown Detroit. I've worked for some wonderful journalists too, National Geographic, other AP Press photographers as well as the BBC. None has taken their job so seriously as Night Timer. He is willing to get in the dirt and I try my best to keep him clean. The city is constantly changing over the years and some are slow to notice that. I find it very important to document as much history as possible through the years even if it is just a crumbling building shot. Journalists chose there profession full well knowing what they are getting into and risks are taken. Some people rather work behind a desk filling out forms or whatever but for me I bow to the risk taker.

Give me a break with this pseudo-heroic nonsense you keep posting already, will you? Now you're comparing shooting ruin-porn to the men and women in the trenches fighting overseas? You're making money plain and simple. Good for you. You're also putting yourself and every one with you @ risk by refusing to pony up for security. @ least the pro photogs overseas have a security detail assigned to them. They're not wandering around enemy territory aimlessly.

**SyGolden48236** · August-03-14, 09:39 AM

Even the television news reporters are accompanied by armed security when they do stories in the killing field areas of the city.

And the embedded reporters working in the war zones overseas are protected by the best security in the world- the U.S. Military. Reporters and photographers don't wander indiscriminately around Kandahar and other such places.

In a small way I feel that people who go exploring in the killing fields of the city are no different than the ice fishermen who go out on unsafe ice in the winter and endanger not only their own lives but the first responders' lives as well when the ice flow breaks way and they get set adrift.

**Dan Wesson** · August-03-14, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

Give me a break with this pseudo-heroic nonsense you keep posting already, will you? Now you're comparing shooting ruin-porn to the men and women in the trenches fighting overseas? You're making money plain and simple. Good for you. You're also putting yourself and every one with you @ risk by refusing to pony up for security. @ least the pro photogs overseas have a security detail assigned to them. They're not wandering around enemy territory aimlessly.

Not to take sides, but we would call them kind of excursions around the D when I was living there Manure Tours.

Usually we would be drinkin PBR of course and we must of knew what we were doing causing we never got busted for Trespissing or jacked by the cops or thugs.

**Honky Tonk** · August-03-14, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by Dan Wesson

Not to take sides, but we would call them kind of excursions around the D when I was living there Manure Tours.

Usually we would be drinkin PBR of course and we must of knew what we were doing causing we never got busted for Trespissing or jacked by the cops or thugs.

Those were different times. We all did stupid stuff. [[and if you didn't, it's high time you did) The worst that happened was a fist fight. It's a totally different mind-set these days. Interfaces are more permanent.
a

**Django** · August-03-14, 02:36 PM

Honky do you even read what I write before you respond. I spoke of Night Timer taking a small in comparison risk of taking pics in Detroit to as the likes of Magnum Photographers. I don't compare myself to anyone in the trenches of war. Speaking on being armed now we are getting into a new area in this convo of actually hiring a security guard who is armed. The discussion started out that some of you thought I should be armed which I clearly don't want. I can see the smarts in hiring a for real bodyguard and not just Django the dude from Dyes who gives tours. Im not any kind of martial arts expert or permit carrying gun owner Im just making a few bucks showing some people around the Detroit I know and am familiar with. My Aussie friend does not have the means to hire a security force as hes already paying me. I actually cringe at the thought of an overseas journalist asking me for help and me having to say "well you can hire me but you really should hire armed security for our protection" Im just not going to live that way. Night Timer knows of the dangers and we went over some simple rules when we go out and shoot.