A few weeks ago i was walking my dog around 11pm, and a driver jokingly did a brake torque as we were crossing the street. He was maybe 3 feet away from us.
After yelling at each other, he threatened to kill me and my dog the next time he saw us. As I pulled my camera he peeled out and hurled a racial comment my way. Sadly, there was so much movement i couldnt get the plate, and i didnt get anything that happened before that on camera.
So I got a body cam to wear for all my walks. Unfortunately, this is not the only time people have been racist and threatened my life so I’m just tired of it and hoping it might encourage people to behave. Feels lame, but it does provide some comfort. Does anyone else do the same?
I have honestly been considering this but less for protection but more for preservation. I feel like the best way to capture what its like to live in the world of today is to just walk around and start recording mundane things. Sure this is much more prevalent than it used to be but oftentimes I find myself wishing I just had more photos of the places I used to frequent that are simply no longer in existance.
No, as that would be illegal in many situations in my country. I also don’t want cameras pointed at me constantly, so I don’t do that to other people either.
Seems sort of insane for daily wear, but I think having a camera for walks or jogs isn’t the worst idea if you’ve got the money. I’d make sure the security and privacy of the camera and recorder are tip-top though
That sucks that it’s got to the point you feel like you need it but to be honest even just as a deterrent (even if you or others think it looks goofy to wear one) would be WELL worth it to wear one. I don’t think it requires outside validation for that.
Yea, I’m not super young but definitely not old, but this makes probably the 15th or 16th time I’ve dealt with such incidences. If people were more likely to be vocal about it and reprimand their behavior publicly, I’d feel safer. But no one ever has. And many of those incidences have involved stated death threats. This doesn’t include aggressions when I’m in a group of peers either. Of course when I’m with them, they all have my back. But alone? Nah.
I wish i could say this was all just my time in the bible belt, but this has happened in large, blue cities where I’d hoped I’d have more community support. This last incident was one of those cities.
Sort of. I wear a camera while cycling because there are a lot of angry people in cars that have some weird hatred towards people using a bicycle.
Actually, this is sorta what motivated me. Since I watch those angry driver youtube videos, I often see the need for cyclist/bikers.
This is crazy - where does this happen that it sounds so normalized? How terrible it must be to live in an environment that allows this
My wife isn’t white. She gets slurs thrown at her all the time just out of the blue.
Crazy, sorry to hear about that.
I think humans do have a tendency to stereotype people but how does that evolve into a full blow hate is just beyond me. I imagine it’s an equivalent of losing your mind to a overly packed mushroom shake because you really have to be demented to fall into such behavior.
This latest incident happened in middle america. But it’s happened to me on the coasts as well.
Midwest US was going to be my first guess. Not uncommon behavior around here.
Yeah, if you have a habit of confronting people in public when they’ve been assholes (and make no mistake, he was an asshole who deserves a beating), it probably would be a good idea. Or if you live in an area where these sorts of things regularly occur to you.
What possible outcome could you possibly expect from contronting someone who had done that? Just keep walking man. It sucks, but it’s not like you’re ever getting an apology.
I disagree. Not confronting them just encourages them to continue to keep it up.
And honestly, i do have a habit of confronting people (now) since others are often so likely to just not say anything against the bad behavior while others resort to victim shaming.
You’re right though. Something could happen, and now I think I will take the precautions to ensure I’m prepared for such moments.
Thanks for all the responses! It is a lame feeling as I do see it from others side (those that aren’t being potentially violent assholes), but the cost of any one person having serious intent is too high now, especially since i’ve never had anyone say anything against the asshole’s behavior.
With that said, having a camera has taken the edge off for me so I don’t feel as confrontational, and I can just post them on the neighborhood app after walking away. But on the flip side, I now live in middle america…
In addition to the camera (of which I would recommend one of those camera glasses, so it’s always pointing where you’re looking), start carrying a visible brick, too. While crossing the street, make it SUPER visible that you have one. It’s not illegal to carry a brick, but it informs wanker motorists that you can, and will, use it. I have a mate in New York that does this, and taxis stopped cutting him off while he was crossing the street. He still gets slurs thrown his way, but sticks and stones and all that.
lmao, idk if I’m going to go that far. But given that in my encounters no one stops to either help or stick around for the cops to help confirm the circumstances…
It doesn’t help you since I wasn’t there (sorry about that, mate), but, I would stick around (or give you my number for them to ring me, if I was late for work). This wanker’s behavior is deplorable, and I won’t stand for it. But, yeah lol a brick might be overkill. I was angry when I made the suggestion.
Maybe you could try those glasses that have a camera
What’s a brake torque?
To answer your question, if this is a regular thing for you I’d say it was worth it. Although if you’re in the USA it’s probably just gonna lead to you getting shot.
If it’s not an obvious camera then a driver probably wouldn’t notice it
Yeah, that’s a fair point. I dont know much about body cams.
No, but then I haven’t had the kinds of experiences you’ve had.
I can kind of understand, but I’m utterly disgusted of people who record public spaces like random streets. let us have some privacy!
at the same time it’s sad that this is needed
You’re expecting privacy in a public space?!
obviously, yes. see my other response
Like I said, it feels lame, but in all the incidences that I’ve been in (whether or not I’ve responded), no one in the community ever reprimands the other or even stays to confirm the circumstances to the cops. Their lack of action just serves as motivation for these guys to continue b/c no one will call them out for their behavior.
So there’s this, or something even more extreme, which I’m not ruling out at this point. I live in america after all.
no but I could see having something if I had control of it (run on free software and hardware) that was like ar with that as part of it.
A camera’s cool, but you should probably also carry a weapon. Yes, even when you’re just walking the dog. What starts as a threat today can become an attack tomorrow.
Not sure I would call it a weapon, but I carry pepper spray when I take my dog on walks. It’s mainly in case any other dogs decide to mess with us, but it’s something.
