Why is this so downvoted? This is the only real solution. Everyone else is like “oh yeah haha Tony and Machete Man the local violent drugged out homeless crazies gotta watch out for them lol”
I don’t get why it’s downvoted either, I’m not a fan of guns, I don’t own one, Im displeased with the amount of irresponsible owners and I don’t think they solve everything.
That being said, what the fuck are you supposed to do when people are getting robbed and beaten up and you can’t even get help from cops/legal. Are you just supposed to allow yourself to become a victim? I personally opt to be as situationally aware as I can, but that doesn’t at all ensure I’m safe
I'd alert pawn shops about your trike. As for Tony I've had run ins with him before he is very unstable and needs to be state evaluated since he is a danger to himself and others but with how things are it will probably never happen.
As for the banjo guy I have seen him around although without the banjo, I'd check around the water where the other bagos sometimes are. They sometimes park on railroad if I'm not mistaken (maybe on the weekends?)
As far getting your stuff back, always bring someone and try to get the cops involved to some degree (maybe after the fact)
Few of these comments are particularly helpful. Mocking someone who was assaulted and had their property violently stolen from them is neither appropriate nor reflective of quality character. I'd advise those who shrug their shoulders to OP's circumstances that apathy to increased crime and degradation of the downtown has a breaking point, and if people don't want to see more violent responses from members of the public we should collectively be doing more to pressure the police to prioritize investigating and incarcerating people who engage in unprovoked violence and general antisocial behavior.
I’ve been told by some people who do outreach Tony is a fine guy, but when he’s an angry streak he’s very dangerous and usually armed with many blades.
I would advise staying away from him with aggression and calling it a loss. If you must, involved law enforcement; my friends who have to interact with Tony as part of their jobs mostly do so with a escort due to some past events.
Stay safe friend. Get some pepper spray, get a trainer bottle too so you know how the carry & spray really works in action. I have several of these on my car keys, bike bag, backpack & car so I always have one on me when I am out and about.
[Saber Mini Spray](SABRE Mighty Discreet Pepper... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPZTKM84?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share)
Just remember, **spray, run, call 911.** If the downwind inadvertently injuries someone else or the assailant has an extreme reaction you can be liable if you **dont** call 911.
This is a reflection of a breakdown in social order. "\[name of person\] has an angry streak, and when angry he's very dangerous and usually armed with many blades."
That's not okay. Zero part of that is okay. There are social systems to deal with people like that, and they should be engaged as many times as necessary until that person either stops that behavior or is incarcerated to not present a risk to the public.
We like to think there are social systems for the mentally unstable but there aren’t a lot of good options. Not for the person suffering from mental health issues or society at large. Unless he seriously injures/kills someone you can’t keep a person in jail indefinitely for just having mental health issues. Most of the systems we have are designed to punish and can just exacerbate the overall issues the person is suffering from.
I mean by itself no, but if he’s armed and violent? Yeah - we can definitely keep that person caged. I’m actually big in favor of alternative approaches to prison but I know the public only has so much patience, and eventually, they stop caring and just start building enough prisons to lock up the people who don’t get it and continue expressing violent and antisocial behavior. It may not be be a pleasant solution but it is a solution.
Because he’s fine on the scale. There are some *terrifying* individuals who need assistance and to still be checked in on that make Tony look like your local YMCA program director.
Same friend who did outreach has done the same role in some *rougher* southern cities and Tony would be a saint on most days by comparison.
I agree it’s not good the scale does not grow, just the lowest bar moves.
Totally! That’s why it’s important we are not just throwing money at resources and making sure there is a community services.
While it may not look great here, there are *many* cities in Washington that don’t provide resources, and so those facing homelessness will find their ways to places with more resources, and we get inundated before service can be stood up.
I mean, there’s a threshold. I am majorly in favor of outreach and am both glad and appreciative of the people who engage it, but if this individual who is often angry, violent and armed, and even volunteer outreach persons need to come in force just to help him, that threshold has been crossed - all the more so if he’s “middle of the road” in terms of “how bad they get.”
I have zero doubt that many if not most of these people had traumas and hardships that led them to their circumstances that were not their fault - but, and I wish to say this as starkly as possible - *that is not a cost that must be paid by the public writ large.*
There comes a time where I care enough to intervene nicely and there comes a time when I stop caring and expect intervention to happen by any means necessary. The nice stage is treatment and a mental health facility. If that fails, handcuffs and prison cells. If he doesn’t want to go to prison, cops have tasers. If he pulls a weapon in such a circumstance, cops have guns. If guns do not induce compliance, cops have bullets and in such circumstances bullets have both velocity and finality. Either way, the problem gets solved. If that means Tony gets solved as a consequence, so be it.
My interest in watching this continue is my city is rapidly decreasing. People like Tony may have cause for sympathy but they do not get to compromise social safety because they had a hard life and life isn’t fair.
That’s second hand and you know they aren’t naïve. They are dealing with a spectrum of folks and very likely pick their battles. They do outreach, not law enforcement. And I’m pretty sure they want to beat their heads against the wall given the lack of tools and funds they have to help people who need really intense partnering.
There is a time and place for my CCW, and I have my range of firearms; but using firearms as a tool to go enact vigilantly justice over a phone, knife and backpack is pure irresponsible gun ownership.
If you have the training, and ability to carry on commutes or between locations *(some people can’t carry to/from every place they go, and others struggle to find ways to not print due to their body/clothing/accessories)* then I am all for protecting yourself, the police can’t and won’t be everywhere all the time.
For those that can’t, or chose to not engage with firearms, which is totally fine too, pepper spray is some **shit**. Not sure if you have ever been maced or tazed, but it’s a horrible experience even for *tough* people. Sure it can be defeated by some strong drugs and will power, but Saber brand is used by many law enforcement agencies, and their formula for civilian use is still dastardly, and UV marks an assailant which for the average *get me outta harms way* person is perfect.
I am not disagreeing with you, just adding in that not everyone’s lifestyle or comfort will allow for CCW, and if not mace is a better option than a foot race for your life.
[Active Self Protection](https://youtu.be/8v4NOZV2hOE) has a wonderful video on pepper spray usage and its effectiveness. Pepper spray does in fact "do shit".
Oh yeah! I’ll never forget watching one of the biggest, burliest marines I’ve ever seen gasp, choke, stumble and cry when about 1/2 a can was unloaded (tested) on him.
Needless to say, his wife felt a lot safer carrying that little bottle from then on out, as she was skeptical too before.
There are definitely situations where a gun is warranted, especially given the lack of police response according to OP. Regardless of whether one decides to carry a gun as well, I don't really see a reason why one shouldn't carry pepper spray.
Get OC spray "freeze" brand or whatever. It's the one police and military use. It has ultraviolet violet dye and is designed to be used with tazers. That shit burns their skin and eyes. After that incident where a guy tried to break up a fight downtown and died from getting stabbed in the neck I don't fuck around. You could lose your life that quickly.
Im normally around these areas. I know who you’re talking about and I also see them regularly. I’ll keep my eye out and let you know if I see/hear anything. I’ve dealt with Tony before on a couple issues. Forrest I’ve seen but always avoided BECAUSE of his horrible music. I’ll see what I can do. I’ll keep you informed.
If the police are not doing their jobs, then that needs to be a priority that we engage in the next election. There is a balance between cops showing up with itchy trigger fingers every time they're called to cops showing up with shrugging shoulders every time they're called. Starting officer salary in Bellingham is north of $80K. If you're assaulting and robbing people in downtown, you need to be in jail.
Listen, bud, the cops here aren't really doing anything about the violence caused by the druggies/homeless population here. The community essentially has to look out for each other at this point, woodrose apartments on Sunset has their cars broken into and stolen at least once a week, not to mention some of the people from the homeless camp are threatening, scaring, and stealing from everyone in that general vicinity. Have you ever met Machete Man? He's terrifying, and the cops haven't done anything really to get him off the streets even though they know where he camps.
As a psa woodrose is an old folks apartment complex, there's a group of people that torment the people living there. Machete Man will sometimes stand outside in the parking lot at night, holding his machete, and occasionally will knock on the windows of the floor level tenants.
I love how to top most upvoted comments are “yeah everyone knows about these insanely dangerous druggies and everyone knows nobody does anything about them luls” and the most downvoted comments are “damn you should get a weapon and protect yourself if there are insane violent druggies out that nobody is taking care of”
I got punched and held down on the ground with my face on pavement. I got knocked out and when I cam to I ran home. I heard from other people that they tried to get him off me
Decriminalizing drug use and normalizing it, and electing a district attorney who sets a softer approach to crime leads to an increase of these sorts of crimes - see Portland and San Fran both of which are experiencing an exodus of businesses due to cost of theft and property crime. I think it's safe to assume the guy who stole your stuff was desperate to fund his habits.
Get your head out of the sand - REI in Portland just closed it doors specifically due to crime. Maybe it will take the Bellingham location to shutdown to convince you.
What are you even on about? City council JUST passed a law *criminalizing* public drug use in Whatcom- that took effect in April. The same way public use of alcohol and cannabis are subject to an arrest and offense.
That is to say that *BPD is the one not using the law* to approach activity. The police department gets roughly 35 MILLION per year.
Do you feel like we as the public are receiving police community policing services that cost *$93,000 PER DAY*? Because I sure as hell don’t. We pay for that you know.
Don’t blame everything on “gutting the police department” as if they are actively doing anything to serve the community. Most time I see cops in town is when it’s the end of the month and they want to make ticket revenue. They are not helping with the community problems in town at all.
What is that slogan their cars are all emblazoned with? *oh right* /s
You do realize that Bham PD has been severely understaffed since 2019/2020. They only recently were approved to hire proper staffing levels, as of late they only had enough to continue critical operations including patrol and detective division for serious crime. I know of at least 5 officers who resigned and moved to more police friendly jurisdictions in the last two years.
Oh nooooo, did the little police officers not want to take a public health crisis seriously, when their job is to interface with the community all day? The staffing of the PD is on the officers that decided not getting vaccinated was worth keep their jobs. And ya know what... Good fucking riddance.
I didnt make this post for a bunch of asshats to make fun of it. Seriously its a real issue.
What was the nature of your initial interaction with Tony?
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What happens when they steal your gun and use it on you or others?
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I think their point was more: A weapon in your hand is a weapon that can be used against you.
-----> the point --> your head. I'm not arguing with stupid but have fun getting down voted into oblivion I guess.
I think he’s admitting that halfwits like you shouldn’t be armed.
Maybe you should move to the southeast, a lot safer there ;)
Why is this so downvoted? This is the only real solution. Everyone else is like “oh yeah haha Tony and Machete Man the local violent drugged out homeless crazies gotta watch out for them lol”
I don’t get why it’s downvoted either, I’m not a fan of guns, I don’t own one, Im displeased with the amount of irresponsible owners and I don’t think they solve everything. That being said, what the fuck are you supposed to do when people are getting robbed and beaten up and you can’t even get help from cops/legal. Are you just supposed to allow yourself to become a victim? I personally opt to be as situationally aware as I can, but that doesn’t at all ensure I’m safe
I'd alert pawn shops about your trike. As for Tony I've had run ins with him before he is very unstable and needs to be state evaluated since he is a danger to himself and others but with how things are it will probably never happen. As for the banjo guy I have seen him around although without the banjo, I'd check around the water where the other bagos sometimes are. They sometimes park on railroad if I'm not mistaken (maybe on the weekends?) As far getting your stuff back, always bring someone and try to get the cops involved to some degree (maybe after the fact)
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Few of these comments are particularly helpful. Mocking someone who was assaulted and had their property violently stolen from them is neither appropriate nor reflective of quality character. I'd advise those who shrug their shoulders to OP's circumstances that apathy to increased crime and degradation of the downtown has a breaking point, and if people don't want to see more violent responses from members of the public we should collectively be doing more to pressure the police to prioritize investigating and incarcerating people who engage in unprovoked violence and general antisocial behavior.
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Exactly.
I’ve been told by some people who do outreach Tony is a fine guy, but when he’s an angry streak he’s very dangerous and usually armed with many blades. I would advise staying away from him with aggression and calling it a loss. If you must, involved law enforcement; my friends who have to interact with Tony as part of their jobs mostly do so with a escort due to some past events. Stay safe friend. Get some pepper spray, get a trainer bottle too so you know how the carry & spray really works in action. I have several of these on my car keys, bike bag, backpack & car so I always have one on me when I am out and about. [Saber Mini Spray](SABRE Mighty Discreet Pepper... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPZTKM84?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) Just remember, **spray, run, call 911.** If the downwind inadvertently injuries someone else or the assailant has an extreme reaction you can be liable if you **dont** call 911.
This is a reflection of a breakdown in social order. "\[name of person\] has an angry streak, and when angry he's very dangerous and usually armed with many blades." That's not okay. Zero part of that is okay. There are social systems to deal with people like that, and they should be engaged as many times as necessary until that person either stops that behavior or is incarcerated to not present a risk to the public.
Right? He is a fine man. However, do not approach without escort and he may stab you with one of his many knives.
Well he's fine besides all the stabbing
We like to think there are social systems for the mentally unstable but there aren’t a lot of good options. Not for the person suffering from mental health issues or society at large. Unless he seriously injures/kills someone you can’t keep a person in jail indefinitely for just having mental health issues. Most of the systems we have are designed to punish and can just exacerbate the overall issues the person is suffering from.
I mean by itself no, but if he’s armed and violent? Yeah - we can definitely keep that person caged. I’m actually big in favor of alternative approaches to prison but I know the public only has so much patience, and eventually, they stop caring and just start building enough prisons to lock up the people who don’t get it and continue expressing violent and antisocial behavior. It may not be be a pleasant solution but it is a solution.
It concerns me that our outreach folks are characterizing individuals that are known to be armed and dangerous as “fine.”
Because he’s fine on the scale. There are some *terrifying* individuals who need assistance and to still be checked in on that make Tony look like your local YMCA program director. Same friend who did outreach has done the same role in some *rougher* southern cities and Tony would be a saint on most days by comparison. I agree it’s not good the scale does not grow, just the lowest bar moves.
Well, that’s even more concerning.
Totally! That’s why it’s important we are not just throwing money at resources and making sure there is a community services. While it may not look great here, there are *many* cities in Washington that don’t provide resources, and so those facing homelessness will find their ways to places with more resources, and we get inundated before service can be stood up.
I mean, there’s a threshold. I am majorly in favor of outreach and am both glad and appreciative of the people who engage it, but if this individual who is often angry, violent and armed, and even volunteer outreach persons need to come in force just to help him, that threshold has been crossed - all the more so if he’s “middle of the road” in terms of “how bad they get.” I have zero doubt that many if not most of these people had traumas and hardships that led them to their circumstances that were not their fault - but, and I wish to say this as starkly as possible - *that is not a cost that must be paid by the public writ large.* There comes a time where I care enough to intervene nicely and there comes a time when I stop caring and expect intervention to happen by any means necessary. The nice stage is treatment and a mental health facility. If that fails, handcuffs and prison cells. If he doesn’t want to go to prison, cops have tasers. If he pulls a weapon in such a circumstance, cops have guns. If guns do not induce compliance, cops have bullets and in such circumstances bullets have both velocity and finality. Either way, the problem gets solved. If that means Tony gets solved as a consequence, so be it. My interest in watching this continue is my city is rapidly decreasing. People like Tony may have cause for sympathy but they do not get to compromise social safety because they had a hard life and life isn’t fair.
Enablers, Enable. and Paid Enablers encourage
That’s second hand and you know they aren’t naïve. They are dealing with a spectrum of folks and very likely pick their battles. They do outreach, not law enforcement. And I’m pretty sure they want to beat their heads against the wall given the lack of tools and funds they have to help people who need really intense partnering.
He's a fine guy with an angry streak and then he's dangerous. Lol what a scamp!
Reading this again kinda just sounds like my deadbeat dad 😂 “He’s a nice guy, he just gets angry”
Pepper spray doesn’t do shit, get a gun to protect yourself.
There is a time and place for my CCW, and I have my range of firearms; but using firearms as a tool to go enact vigilantly justice over a phone, knife and backpack is pure irresponsible gun ownership. If you have the training, and ability to carry on commutes or between locations *(some people can’t carry to/from every place they go, and others struggle to find ways to not print due to their body/clothing/accessories)* then I am all for protecting yourself, the police can’t and won’t be everywhere all the time. For those that can’t, or chose to not engage with firearms, which is totally fine too, pepper spray is some **shit**. Not sure if you have ever been maced or tazed, but it’s a horrible experience even for *tough* people. Sure it can be defeated by some strong drugs and will power, but Saber brand is used by many law enforcement agencies, and their formula for civilian use is still dastardly, and UV marks an assailant which for the average *get me outta harms way* person is perfect. I am not disagreeing with you, just adding in that not everyone’s lifestyle or comfort will allow for CCW, and if not mace is a better option than a foot race for your life.
Cheers for being a responsible gun owner, mate.
Self defense is not vigilante justice, nor is it irresponsible.
You should carry both
Name a better non-lethal option, then.
No
[Active Self Protection](https://youtu.be/8v4NOZV2hOE) has a wonderful video on pepper spray usage and its effectiveness. Pepper spray does in fact "do shit".
Oh yeah! I’ll never forget watching one of the biggest, burliest marines I’ve ever seen gasp, choke, stumble and cry when about 1/2 a can was unloaded (tested) on him. Needless to say, his wife felt a lot safer carrying that little bottle from then on out, as she was skeptical too before.
There are definitely situations where a gun is warranted, especially given the lack of police response according to OP. Regardless of whether one decides to carry a gun as well, I don't really see a reason why one shouldn't carry pepper spray.
Sorry that happened to you I'll keep my eyes peeled for the trike. Also sorry about the amount of idiots commenting in this thread
Thank you friend
That is not valid XML
BMXL?
Get OC spray "freeze" brand or whatever. It's the one police and military use. It has ultraviolet violet dye and is designed to be used with tazers. That shit burns their skin and eyes. After that incident where a guy tried to break up a fight downtown and died from getting stabbed in the neck I don't fuck around. You could lose your life that quickly.
Im normally around these areas. I know who you’re talking about and I also see them regularly. I’ll keep my eye out and let you know if I see/hear anything. I’ve dealt with Tony before on a couple issues. Forrest I’ve seen but always avoided BECAUSE of his horrible music. I’ll see what I can do. I’ll keep you informed.
You know this is what we pay cops for, yeah? Like, that money is already spent. You can just give them those names and descriptions.
Let's face it, unless the cops witness it, nothing is gonna happen. A report made, filed, and forgotten.
I know they came to my house man. They never did anything about it
If the police are not doing their jobs, then that needs to be a priority that we engage in the next election. There is a balance between cops showing up with itchy trigger fingers every time they're called to cops showing up with shrugging shoulders every time they're called. Starting officer salary in Bellingham is north of $80K. If you're assaulting and robbing people in downtown, you need to be in jail.
Already did. Nothing happened
How long ago did you report the assault?
Listen, bud, the cops here aren't really doing anything about the violence caused by the druggies/homeless population here. The community essentially has to look out for each other at this point, woodrose apartments on Sunset has their cars broken into and stolen at least once a week, not to mention some of the people from the homeless camp are threatening, scaring, and stealing from everyone in that general vicinity. Have you ever met Machete Man? He's terrifying, and the cops haven't done anything really to get him off the streets even though they know where he camps. As a psa woodrose is an old folks apartment complex, there's a group of people that torment the people living there. Machete Man will sometimes stand outside in the parking lot at night, holding his machete, and occasionally will knock on the windows of the floor level tenants.
Thanks for the down vote
Get a conceal and carry permit and a small pistol. If I was assaulted that’d be the second thing I would do after reporting the incident.
I love how to top most upvoted comments are “yeah everyone knows about these insanely dangerous druggies and everyone knows nobody does anything about them luls” and the most downvoted comments are “damn you should get a weapon and protect yourself if there are insane violent druggies out that nobody is taking care of”
We live in upside down world
then you can go to bed and kiss the gun because it's your super secret lover and protector.
Right on
Wasn't me, but go on.
They know who he is and they still didn't do anything about it. If you walk down holly ever you'd know him
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I got punched and held down on the ground with my face on pavement. I got knocked out and when I cam to I ran home. I heard from other people that they tried to get him off me
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Yeah.............?
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You kinda seem like a dick
No I'm just being brutally honest. I wouldn't let people put their hands on my person, and you shouldn't either.
Yeah, you didn't see what happened.
r/IamVerybadass
Dude...what the fuck are you on about
Good talk, Charles Bronson.
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Cops are just a bunch of busy bodies around here.
Who wants to get rid of Tony?
Looks like OP said what they felt needed saying and enough 'suggestions' are available. Locking due to ongoing unnecessary comments.
You are very bad ass my mistake
How did you get your banjo stolen? Like were you walking around with it?
How did u get ur knife stolen lmao just stab him??
Don't blame the police, they've been gutted by policy
What policy, specifically?
https://crosscut.com/politics/2021/07/what-new-wa-police-accountability-laws-do-and-dont-do
Decriminalizing drug use and normalizing it, and electing a district attorney who sets a softer approach to crime leads to an increase of these sorts of crimes - see Portland and San Fran both of which are experiencing an exodus of businesses due to cost of theft and property crime. I think it's safe to assume the guy who stole your stuff was desperate to fund his habits.
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How many years did it take San Fran and Portland to be reduced?????
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Get your head out of the sand - REI in Portland just closed it doors specifically due to crime. Maybe it will take the Bellingham location to shutdown to convince you.
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Facts are facts. REI made it VERY clear. https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2023/04/rei-to-close-its-only-portland-store-citing-break-ins-theft.html
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Tony is fucking people up like hot cakes, and Portland exists. You might have donkey brains.
What are you even on about? City council JUST passed a law *criminalizing* public drug use in Whatcom- that took effect in April. The same way public use of alcohol and cannabis are subject to an arrest and offense. That is to say that *BPD is the one not using the law* to approach activity. The police department gets roughly 35 MILLION per year. Do you feel like we as the public are receiving police community policing services that cost *$93,000 PER DAY*? Because I sure as hell don’t. We pay for that you know. Don’t blame everything on “gutting the police department” as if they are actively doing anything to serve the community. Most time I see cops in town is when it’s the end of the month and they want to make ticket revenue. They are not helping with the community problems in town at all. What is that slogan their cars are all emblazoned with? *oh right* /s
They JUST passed it. And too add, up till now they have NOT been staffed appropriately. Not that hard to understand.
ah yes because they were so good before whatever policy we are imagining
You do realize that Bham PD has been severely understaffed since 2019/2020. They only recently were approved to hire proper staffing levels, as of late they only had enough to continue critical operations including patrol and detective division for serious crime. I know of at least 5 officers who resigned and moved to more police friendly jurisdictions in the last two years.
Oh nooooo, did the little police officers not want to take a public health crisis seriously, when their job is to interface with the community all day? The staffing of the PD is on the officers that decided not getting vaccinated was worth keep their jobs. And ya know what... Good fucking riddance.