Beware parking near Packard.

**Django** · August-16-13, 03:08 PM

I was giving a tour to an Austrian TV crew a few days ago and of course wound up at the Packard. We parked where I often park on Grand in the lot of the abandoned grocery store. We were about to walk away from the car to explore the outer areas of the North side of the Packard when an older white dude on a bike rode up and told us this is a bad area to park and leave your car alone. There was a dude who regularly came around shaking down ppl for money and if you didnt pay you would often come back to your car with its window broken out and of course robbed of anything inside. He quickly pointed to all the piles of broken window glass on the ground, I counted 12 fresh piles.
Dude on the bike told me the name of the suspect doing this but I cannot remember what it was.
Im just giving a heads up to you all who explore there. I think the best place to park would be on the next block South about 25 yards South of Palmer in front of the last used part of the Packard where Alan lives. There is usually a church bus out front.
Be safe.

**stinkytofu** · August-16-13, 03:48 PM

Wait, it's not safe to park your car near the Packard? Shocking!

No seriously, thanks for the heads up...always appreciate street smart advice.

**313WX** · August-16-13, 04:59 PM

Originally Posted by stinkytofu

Wait, it's not safe to park your car near the Packard? Shocking!

No seriously, thanks for the heads up...always appreciate street smart advice.

Ditto.....

**Zacha341** · August-17-13, 12:18 AM

SHOCKING INDEED! OK. Not blaming the victim here but repeated piles of "detroit diamonds" [[bluish tinged piles of glass from broken car windows) is a sure sign.

Well known sites of turistification like the Packard are a guaranteed opportunity to acquire these karats.

**Django** · August-17-13, 05:50 AM

I never really looked down much to notice all the Detroit diamonds [[I like that term btw). You see it so much you dont think much of it. When dude on bike rolled up and told me what was goin on and he pointed out that there were so many piles of "diamonds" I learned something new when parking in an unfamiliar area, look for multiple piles of diamonds .
Just sayin the best place to park is on Bellevue just South of Palmer.

Seems like there's a constant stream of tourists in that local these days. I like it, Im always meeting new people with new ideas and projects. I know its mostly Ruin Porn as some call it but I could care less because Im not trying to hide the ugly of my city, I run with it as is. These ruins will not be around forever and documentation of any dying phenom is good with me.

I love this scene in Game of Thrones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ASZsMRzqhs Get schooled on how to deal with your ugly side.

**marshamusic** · August-17-13, 08:10 AM

There is actually an art installation of Detroit Diamonds, at the Kunstalle gallery on Grand River. One of the pieces is an expanse of the glass on top of a light large box. It is really quite beautiful, despite its connection with victimization.

**Honky Tonk** · August-17-13, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by marshamusic

There is actually an art installation of Detroit Diamonds, at the Kunstalle gallery on Grand River. One of the pieces is an expanse of the glass on top of a light large box. It is really quite beautiful, despite its connection with victimization.

How neat. Maybe some one could do a few pieces of blood-stained carpet, tile, concrete & asphalt from victims? I'm sure there are some interesting patterns & designs to be seen.

**Justin SOD** · August-17-13, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by Django

an older white dude on a bike rode up and told us this is a bad area to park and leave your car alone. There
Be safe.

This is a serious question - did this guy slightly resemble Santa Claus?

**Jimaz** · August-17-13, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by Justin SOD

This is a serious question - did this guy slightly resemble Santa Claus?

Sleighjacked

**mikefmich** · August-17-13, 01:33 PM

Can't remember....is there parking allowed on the Blvd. in front of the church or the adjoining houses, which many of those folks are connected to the church?

**Django** · August-18-13, 03:07 AM

Justin SOD, Did not look like Santa. Bald with no facial hair as I remember him.

mikefmich, What church is near the Packard?.

**sumas** · August-18-13, 03:33 AM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

How neat. Maybe some one could do a few pieces of blood-stained carpet, tile, concrete & asphalt from victims? I'm sure there are some interesting patterns & designs to be seen.

crap, I thought I was in a grump mode. Your comment was uncalled for and plain rude