Pull up a chair, grab a cold one, and talk about life as a locksmith. Trade stories of good and bad customers, general work day frustrations, any fun projects you worked on recently, or anything else you want to chat about with fellow locksmiths.
by Sinifar » 21 Aug 2015 8:09
Egad is the time flying, almost the end of August and school starts soon. Been quite busy with school work - they start new construction about the middle of May, and by August they finally have the new doors on, and now need lock work to their system done.
So this weekend is the Milwaukee IDN Brat Fest and Trade Show -- For those of us who can't get to the big shows like ALOA this is a good alternative. About 25 vendors show up at the thing, and you get the newest inside on things going on. Not to mention the free lunch which goes with it, all the Brats you can eat plus all the fixings.
Along with that there is the classes today at Master Lock - down at the plant. Here in is the problem. The plant is at about 32nd and Center. This means nothing to anyone who doesn't live around here -- but it is deep within the "war zone". Milwaukee is closing in 100 murders this year and over 300 shootings down in that part of the world. Not to mention the current rash of car jackings all over that area. Like I want to lose the road unit?
LIKE why would anyone even think of keeping a plant in that mess? The problem comes from this - I am from the "Lake District" a good 40 miles due west of there, two counties away. Out here in "cow country" we don't have those problems. So do I go down there and hope for the best? OR pack my hardware and make sure I can at least get out of there in one piece?
Currently - I am leaning towards what the IDN people said, "Just make nice and leave your hardware home."
I probably will, just to make nice. BUT KNOW -- Not one person down there, their entire legal department, nor the plant NOR the MILWAUKEE POLICE DEPARTMENT can guarantee my safety, nor the safety of anything I drive in there. My nerves are shot worrying about going into the war zone --- FOR ANY REASON.
I am old enough to remember a time when one could go down there, and be safe at least until about noon or so - we had quite a few stores we serviced in the area when we still had the large grocery account, but they are long gone. Always bothered me then too, but I still went because I had clients down in the mess. Never had any problems then, but that was 15 years ago. TODAY to is an open shooting gallery day or nite. And judging from what MPD says on the nitely news it isn't getting any better.
In the end, probably pack something small, and leave it in the truck -- at least the plant won't have a hissy fit over bringing anything into the place, but I will have a chance with all the car jackings this past two months down in that area - of getting out of there in one piece.
Not that we don't have problems -- the C store down the block has been robbed several times, and the next one down and across town had the owner shot -- a body showed up over on Clark street the other day -- and some goof got shot at the juvie center last week. Cow country is starting to become dangerous as well.
So now you know why I pack - just to be safe.
Getting dangerous out there - so be safe.
Sinifar
The early bird may get the worm, but it is the second mouse which gets the cheese! The only easy day was yesterday. Celebrating my 50th year in the trade!
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Sinifar
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by FletcherMunson » 21 Aug 2015 9:39
Sinifar wrote:BUT KNOW -- Not one person down there, their entire legal department, nor the plant NOR the MILWAUKEE POLICE DEPARTMENT can guarantee my safety, nor the safety of anything I drive in there. My nerves are shot worrying about going into the war zone --- FOR ANY REASON.
I am old enough to remember a time when one could go down there, and be safe at least until about noon or so - we had quite a few stores we serviced in the area when we still had the large grocery account, but they are long gone. Always bothered me then too, but I still went because I had clients down in the mess. Never had any problems then, but that was 15 years ago. TODAY to is an open shooting gallery day or nite. And judging from what MPD says on the nitely news it isn't getting any better.
In the end, probably pack something small, and leave it in the truck -- at least the plant won't have a hissy fit over bringing anything into the place, but I will have a chance with all the car jackings this past two months down in that area - of getting out of there in one piece.
So now you know why I pack - just to be safe.
Getting dangerous out there - so be safe.
I can't agree more as someone that grew up in the area and after 15+ years moved back from another warzone known as Chicago. The violence has gotten worse here as well as there, but luckily one can legally take measures for personal protection. It's no different than know first aid or CPR as there will be some time before help *might* arrive. Be safe, and hope the event is fun!

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FletcherMunson
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by billdeserthills » 22 Aug 2015 17:10
Have you considered getting a small gun you can easily carry in your pocket? Lots of .380's available, I even have a kimber ultra ten II that I can put in a large pocket. it is a .45 acp with a 10 rd magazine, easily enough firepower to get you out of a pinch!
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by GWiens2001 » 22 Aug 2015 21:01
Used to have a Para-Ordinance P-10 45. It was a 10 round .45 ACP that was about the size of a .380
Gordon
Just when you finally think you have learned it all, that is when you learn that you don't know anything yet.
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by MatrixBlackRock » 23 Aug 2015 6:33
Sinifar wrote:The plant is at about 32nd and Center. This means nothing to anyone who doesn't live around here -- but it is deep within the "war zone". Milwaukee is closing in 100 murders this year and over 300 shootings down in that part of the world. Not to mention the current rash of car jackings all over that area. Like I want to lose the road unit? Sinifar
Sounds like N.W. Broward. http://www.sheriff.org/posts/post.cfm?i ... 026191375DWayne
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MatrixBlackRock
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by FletcherMunson » 24 Aug 2015 19:01
MatrixBlackRock wrote: Sounds like N.W. Broward.
Heh, I used to work in Broward County about 8 years ago, BSO definitely has their work cut out for them! It was a strange place.
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FletcherMunson
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