automatikman

now there really aren't any "bad" bad areas in edmonton, at least no where i would avoid, but (for anyone that knows edmonton) the area around 96th street and 103 ave can be a bit sketchy. it has its dingy hotels, peepshow joints and some community housing projects, but all in all isn't that bad. it has character . i compare everything to san bernardino though, which is the biggest shit hole i have ever visited but that can be another story for some other journal entry. anyway, so i'm with my gf and we're walking through the area when i hear some guy across the street yell "ON YOUR KNEES!". we look over to see these two guys (about my age i'd guess) run up and push these 3 homeless guys down to the ground and proceed to steel all their stuff; money, bags, etc. now seriously... who the fuck jacks a homeless guy. that's bullshit . so we're just standing on the other side of the road watching this and i try to call the cops. not 911, but just the normal number. my girlfriend knew it of the top of her head (why - i'm not sure). after being on hold for a couple of minutes i gave up (my cell minutes are only free on weekends). i couldn't just sit back and watch this though, so we crossed the street and walked up to them. one of the guys walked away when he saw us coming, but the other fucker kept pressing one of the homeless guys for anything else of value he might have on him. i had to say something...

"why are you steeling his shit?", i asked.

"what?"

"why are you taking his stuff? he's homeless."

"it's ok - just stay out of it", the homeless guy tells me. it's not ok though, one of the other homeless guy is lying on the ground and looks legitimately hurt.

"cause he owes me money", replies the fucker. the guys a bit older than i thought before, and doesn't look all together there. definitely a bit strung out.

yeah sure. whatever you say fucker. he's obviously pissed that i'm interfering with his abusing of homeless people. "what could he possibly owe you money for?", I ask. umm... ok. i've asked too many questions.

"do you have a problem with something here?", the guys asks me.

is that a rhetorical question or what? no, i'm totally cool with watching you beat up and steal from homeless people. fucking tool, why else do you think i'm talking to you. either way. this guy could kick my ass and i don't really feel like explaining any black eyes or missing teeth at work tomorrow. "sorry, i guess it's none of my business."

"too bad, you just made it your business." - this guy like's his one-liners.

then the other homeless guy speaks up. "don't get involved, he's got another guy."

i turn around. fuck. the other guy's back and it must be my lucky day 'cause this one's got a knife . i think it was just a slightly bent steak knife that had been discarded and dug out of a trash can or something, but either way, i really don't want to get stabbed.

"ok, look - i'm out of your way. we're just going to keep walking and you can go get your money back." i tell him. "i'm not looking for a fight." i should go on walks with a bat. well officer, i was just taking my bat for a walk when...

anyway, my girlfriend's already moving away and has her phone out. thankfully these guys aren't paying attention to her. i bullshit with them for a little while longer and eventually they decide i'm ok and want to shake my hand. whatever. i'm outta here. by this time my girlfriends talked to the cops on her cell anyway. they can deal with it now. funniest part is, when she told them where we were, the reply she gets isn't "ok we'll be right there." it's "oh, you shouldn't walk around in that area. it's dangerous." fuck. the area has at most a 5 block radius. if it's that dangerous, patrol it.

anyway. that's my crazy story from last tuesday night.