What he said. Do this now. You have a real problem on your hands here - but it's not the kind of problem you should ever try to deal with yourself.
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Mad man shows up at practice -scary times!
- Thread starter Jimmy4string
- Start date
What he said. Do this now. You have a real problem on your hands here - but it's not the kind of problem you should ever try to deal with yourself.
Whats going to happen on the 4th of july when all the fireworks are going off? Is this guy going to go on a rampage?
Jimmy4string, that is sooo typical in Austin! We learned a long time ago to always keep a snack and baseball bat in the rehearsal room. If the food doesn't placate, the bat can equalize. 
The Music Lab's are notorious for unusual walk-ins IMHO!
The Music Lab's are notorious for unusual walk-ins IMHO!
Just a heads up: It's barbed wire.
FYI, the O.P. was speaking in Texan. "Bobwire" is perfectly correct Texan.
Being visited by the Police lets two things happen, they would now know of his issues and possibly put him on to some help and they would know now that he is out there and would take the necessary measures when dealing with him.
A visit is far less intrusive than showing up AFTER something has started. The visit might allow a relationship to happen that may be advantageous to the Vet.
And......they can fill you in on the noise ordinance issue.
I'm in a similar situation. Nothing to really go to the cops with, but you don't want to be the victim. So how do you prevent future crime?
Most VA medical centers have an outreach center to try to help troubled vets. He needs help more than anything and for serving our country,and he deserves it. If you are within the laws for sound levels in your area, I would continue to practice where you are, and if the gentleman shows up again, see if you can diffuse his anger a bit , befriend him, and get his name. Call the VA and speak to the outreach/crisis center and let them know the mans name and his behavior and ask them to see if he is in the system and if they can reach out to him. I worked at the VA for awhile and there are many caring people there who would be glad to help. The system may be f^^^^d up, but there is alot of good people who care. But remember safety first. do not put yourself in a position where you can get injured or worse. And if you are uncomfortable doing this, switch practice spots and try to forget about him.
if you don't want uninvited guests , ... close the doors ... or at least close the doors that face the apartments ...
i do think you did right by not making the situation any worse . !
some folks need help .. but don't know it , or just think it'll go away .. !?
i do think you did right by not making the situation any worse . !
some folks need help .. but don't know it , or just think it'll go away .. !?
I believe in being good to our vets, but he sounded like he was borderline threatening you guys. If someone is threatening you, de-escalate and call the cops. I'd start carrying just to be safe.
My old practice space was downtown and we used to have a lot of homeless people wonder in. All of them were nice and just sat around enjoying the music and hanging out, but I always carry just in case after one not so friendly guy who spent some time in jail for aggravated assault wondered in.
My old practice space was downtown and we used to have a lot of homeless people wonder in. All of them were nice and just sat around enjoying the music and hanging out, but I always carry just in case after one not so friendly guy who spent some time in jail for aggravated assault wondered in.
"Bob wire" is perfectly acceptable here in Texas. Piss off, Yankee!!!
Really though, calling the cops if he comes back isn't a terrible idea. It may well be the catalyst that jumpstarts his road to recovery.
And you should absolutely contact the VA for local support groups. IF this poor fella IS a vet, they have programs to help.
Really though, calling the cops if he comes back isn't a terrible idea. It may well be the catalyst that jumpstarts his road to recovery.
And you should absolutely contact the VA for local support groups. IF this poor fella IS a vet, they have programs to help.
CrashClint
I Play Bass therefore I Am
I think you should get Bob to put up some more of his wire.
I would have folded him in half and thrown him back over the fence. I do not tolerate unstable ranting from any wing nut.
We are well within the noise ordinace. 10:30 PM and 7 AM.
I thought about carrying but really thinking seriously about it there are only two outcomes both are quit awful if it came to it:
i end up dead in a shootout
or
I kill this guy and go through court and depression over killing someone forever.
Also just having my pistol there could immediatly escalate a problem that didnt need to happen.
I may keep it in my gig bag but honestly wouldnt see myself coming out well in a shootout with a trained marine. My shotgun shooting is excellent for skeets as i am in sporting clays league, but my pistol shooting is ok at best.
We did contact the apartment managment next door but dont know if they can do anything. i guess we are going to lay low this week and practice at the guitarist place. May be good to try a different venue for our sound anyway.
I thought about carrying but really thinking seriously about it there are only two outcomes both are quit awful if it came to it:
i end up dead in a shootout
or
I kill this guy and go through court and depression over killing someone forever.
Also just having my pistol there could immediatly escalate a problem that didnt need to happen.
I may keep it in my gig bag but honestly wouldnt see myself coming out well in a shootout with a trained marine. My shotgun shooting is excellent for skeets as i am in sporting clays league, but my pistol shooting is ok at best.
We did contact the apartment managment next door but dont know if they can do anything. i guess we are going to lay low this week and practice at the guitarist place. May be good to try a different venue for our sound anyway.
Time to move, I for one wouldn't chance it. He has some issue that he is fully aware of since he stated that to you and punching walls and then climbing the fence to get you to stop. Not advisable to continue getting this guy worked up you know he is violent already. As for calling the cops on him getting him locked up for a few days is only going to escalate the problem. Did you see Rambo?
On the one hand, his actions were unacceptable; on the other hand, don't escalate the situation unnecessarily. I agree with the advice to call the cops and tell them about the situation, and follow their advice on how to go forward. They can also pay him a visit to talk it over. Look for win-win solutions. If you can turn down, do so. If you can notify the neighbors that you're having practice so that he can arrange to be elsewhere at the time, do so.
oh yeah -well we are in Texas and we pronounce it the way old Bob intended
I thought it was pronounced "bob warr."
Seriously, though, I'd report that encounter to the police. Grateful to all our military vets and the sacrifices they've made on our behalf, but your rehearsal time and place is not the issue. That guy needs help. What's next going to set him off--a honking horn? a thunder clap?
With his behavior I say that he deserves zero consideration for being anything other than a menace, and I wouldn't try to initiate contact or reason with him, nor would I attempt to stifle my own rights by placating him.
You should def the local authorities and file a report.... Chances are is that this dude is already on their radar. Furthermore I'd contact the management of the complex where he lives... If he indeed did go on a rampage a destroy the walls in his apt, then they will file eviction papers and possibly press charges.. Problem solved. I'd also report to the owner of your practice facility, trespassing is a crime. In the meantime show your appreciation to our service men and women by exercising your freedom of expression and continue to practice.
You should def the local authorities and file a report.... Chances are is that this dude is already on their radar. Furthermore I'd contact the management of the complex where he lives... If he indeed did go on a rampage a destroy the walls in his apt, then they will file eviction papers and possibly press charges.. Problem solved. I'd also report to the owner of your practice facility, trespassing is a crime. In the meantime show your appreciation to our service men and women by exercising your freedom of expression and continue to practice.
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