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UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Tips for exploring in bad areas? (Viewed 6848 times)
Explorer Zero 


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Re: Tips for exploring in bad areas?
< Reply # 20 on 11/30/2018 4:21 AM >
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some mod should make this a sticky thread?




fantasies..




corvidcache 


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Re: Tips for exploring in bad areas?
< Reply # 21 on 12/20/2018 10:08 PM >
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This topic is important to me. I am very close to several people who used to be homeless, and I don't let go of the idea that it's possible for me to become homeless someday if something happens beyond my control - like losing my job due to struggles with depression, which has come close before.

On the other hand, I know someone who was mugged for his Nikon during an explore. Tripods are great. If you've got a decent multitool, you probably don't need another knife. But I try to be respectful to people living inside abandoned buildings. If I know it's an active squat, I don't go. If I hear people, I leave. I don't want to disturb them. I wouldn't randomly walk into a homeowner's house - why should I bother squatters?

Do what you will, but I'd advise that respecting the privacy of squatters goes a long way to protect all parties.




The #1 rule about poking things with sticks is never use your finger.
Radio2600 


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HY KAK TO TAK

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Re: Tips for exploring in bad areas?
< Reply # 22 on 12/21/2018 12:32 AM >
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There's a person who doesn't post very much, but visits here regularly who basically got all of his high-dollar photo gear stolen from his car in a bad part of Philadelphia.

So if you're venturing into sketchy territory, you probably don't want to bring your best gear until you become more familiar with the landscape.

My first trip to Gary was with a cell phone camera and that's it. I bring better stuff now, but I don't leave anything too valuable in the car.

If you have nice vehicle, you may want to opt for mass transit.





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blackhawk 

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Re: Tips for exploring in bad areas?
< Reply # 23 on 12/21/2018 12:56 AM >
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Posted by Radio2600
There's a person who doesn't post very much, but visits here regularly who basically got all of his high-dollar photo gear stolen from his car in a bad part of Philadelphia.

So if you're venturing into sketchy territory, you probably don't want to bring your best gear until you become more familiar with the landscape.

My first trip to Gary was with a cell phone camera and that's it. I bring better stuff now, but I don't leave anything too valuable in the car.

If you have nice vehicle, you may want to opt for mass transit.




High dollar cam gear is like a high dollar bicycle; don't leave out of your sight.
Best to keep it glued to you at all times, anywhere you go.
When street shooting my cam was always in my hand never around my neck. A pro cam with the 70-200L is pretty much a 3 pound hammer... and I knew it.
Carry yourself like you mean business.




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RescueMe1060 


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Re: Tips for exploring in bad areas?
< Reply # 24 on 12/21/2018 1:58 AM >
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Posted by 2Xplorations
some mod should make this a sticky thread?




fantasies..


you need to be a mod again, I've said it hundreds of times




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stealthwraith 


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Re: Tips for exploring in bad areas?
< Reply # 25 on 12/21/2018 3:10 PM >
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I use the same approach when I walk around any place: pay attention to your surroundings. Have an idea of what action steps you will take if things go south and be prepared to use them if needed. That said, I've never had to go beyond talking. And I've discretely popped the memory card out of my camera once or twice and slipped it in my pocket on the off chance I'm going to just hand the dslr over and walk away (haven't had to but am prepared to if needed). I occasionally have carried a knife but really only used it as a tool and after having to pass them over to security at airports because I forgot they were in my bag I have abandoned that practice. Plus if someone is close enough for me to stab them they are way too close and I've probably already started running or throwing things at them.




Stealth: adj. designed in accordance with technology that makes detection difficult. Wraith: n. A wisp or faint trace of something
Explorer Zero 


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Re: Tips for exploring in bad areas?
< Reply # 26 on 12/21/2018 3:45 PM >
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Posted by RescueMe1060


you need to be a mod again, I've said it hundreds of times


thank you sir I appreciate that




earthlycanvas 


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Re: Tips for exploring in bad areas?
< Reply # 27 on 2/3/2019 9:45 AM >
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NEVER GO ALONE. Unless the place is crawling with crackheads/shady people/dead bodies/etc. In that case don't go at all lol. Otherwise, if the place looks relatively safe enough to explore, it's always good to have someone who has your back and who you share comfort with. Whenever I go with others I don't feel as much paranoia compared to being alone, and overall the experience is much better.




UrbanDK 


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Re: Tips for exploring in bad areas?
< Reply # 28 on 2/3/2019 5:36 PM >
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I explored in a bad area a few years ago, but made the mistake of not researching the place before I went. I just passed the building every day on my way to work and thought I'd go in before Halloween. A week later I read that the building was a hotspot for meth and heroin, and that a lady was seen there trying to pull her own hair out of her head. Moral of the story is, do lots of research. Serious crime almost always ends up in the news, and you can find out a lot about what goes on in buildings from news reports.




UrbanDK
Dee Ashley 


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Re: Tips for exploring in bad areas?
< Reply # 29 on 2/5/2019 4:50 AM >
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When deciding what to bring with me to possibly use to defend myself, I always ask myself, "if I get caught and searched and a cop finds this on my person or in my bag, will it get me into more trouble?" If the answer is yes (or even maybe), I don't take it. Period. I have a tripod that I almost had to use against a pack of aggressive dogs (I would've lost that fight, but not for lack of trying!). I also keep a multi tool in my bag, which can double as a knife but can arguably used for non-weapon activities so I feel like it's easier to justify having it in my possession.

I do keep a small container of pepper spray in my backpack, but I've never had any problems, even the one time I actually did get searched. That said, I'm female, so they probably understand why I would want to have it. I also informed the officer it was in the bag so it wasn't anything unexpected. I was allowed to leave that location with a warning.




I wandered till the stars went dim.
Mr. Bitey 


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Re: Tips for exploring in bad areas?
< Reply # 30 on 2/5/2019 2:36 PM >
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Not really advice, just my thoughts and opinion. Personally, I don't. Milwaukee has some stunning abandonment, as the North side was once home to the richest of the the rich. Today it's home to the shittiest of the shit, and those beautiful homes are now worthless, with hundreds abandoned. The good folk who did live there were forced to abandon because the crime and trash makes the property worth pennies, and no one wants to buy. The city offers them up for as little as $500, still with no takers.

I do posses a permit for concealed carry, but.... One guy with a gun, you will very likely live. 2 guys with a gun, and someone is going to get shot, quite possibly die. Not a gamble I wish to engage in. I also don't wish to have my non-gangster-ass beat, robbed, stabbed, or worse. I was mugged for a leather jacket 29 years ago - it was not a pleasant experience. Never again.

In closing, the tip I follow for exploring bad areas is to NOPE the hell out of there. It's not worth it to me.

In other news, the local fire department wanted to mark those homes with a series of florescent symbols so they knew which homes were safe to enter, which to tread lightly in, and which had floors completely rotted away. The people cried 'racism', and the plan was blocked. What an incredibly effed up world this has become.




Give abandonment a reason for its sacrificial reclamation to nature. Love it. Remember it. Take a picture. Share it. Leave the decay to nature.

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blackhawk 

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Re: Tips for exploring in bad areas?
< Reply # 31 on 2/5/2019 3:12 PM >
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Posted by Mr. Bitey

In other news, the local fire department wanted to mark those homes with a series of florescent symbols so they knew which homes were safe to enter, which to tread lightly in, and which had floors completely rotted away. The people cried 'racism', and the plan was blocked. What an incredibly effed up world this has become.


Lol, if you're a ghetto dweller you learn to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.

Best legal weapon is a walking stick ie pole weapon.
Need at least a 5 ft one preferably 6 ft.
Not just for hitting...
Putting your full body weight behind a jab into the hip of your menace will calm them down fast.
One to the neck or solar plexus can be lethal.
Works great fending off animals, helps find hellholes and makes hiking easier/safer.




Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in.
Mr. Bitey 


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Re: Tips for exploring in bad areas?
< Reply # 32 on 2/5/2019 3:21 PM >
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Posted by blackhawk


Lol, if you're a ghetto dweller you learn to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.

Best legal weapon is a walking stick ie pole weapon.
Need at least a 5 ft one preferably 6 ft.
Not just for hitting...
Putting your full body weight behind a jab into the hip of your menace will calm them down fast.
One to the neck or solar plexus can be lethal.
Works great fending off animals, helps find hellholes and makes hiking easier/safer.


I have been trained in hand-to-hand combat. I have no issue with defending myself, and am quite confident in my post-mugging-victim skills. Just seems a lot easier to me to stay out of shitty neighborhoods. I'm capable, but have no interest in confrontation.




Give abandonment a reason for its sacrificial reclamation to nature. Love it. Remember it. Take a picture. Share it. Leave the decay to nature.

Lifetime member of The Anti-MyInstaTubeTweetFace consortium.
NeuroticMatt 


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Re: Tips for exploring in bad areas?
< Reply # 33 on 2/5/2019 3:46 PM >
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Posted by Mr. Bitey
Just seems a lot easier to me to stay out of shitty neighborhoods. I'm capable, but have no interest in confrontation.


This. The best way to win a confrontation is to avoid it. Any sort of defense trainer will tell you that. Physical altercation is last resort. That being said, when I am in an area I feel uncomfortable in my tripod is in my hand, I even extend one of the upper leg sections to give me a little more reach and swinging power if needed. Most of my explores are more rural in nature so I also carry a trench knife on those, but I do not have that strapped on me if I am in a city environment. Got questioned by a deputy one time and they asked about the knife, I told him that I use it to cut away small tree branches that are in the way of a photo.

I also always wear steel toe boots. But if you are in a confrontation that kicking is your defense, you are way too close. lol

In my car I have a hiking stick I'll take the stick with me through tall grass to poke around. But will poke a person in the eye if I need to.

When I feel most vulnerable is when I am standing at the back of my car gearing up or putting gear back in before or after an explore. I have items in reach back there for emergencies if needed.

Other thing I always have is a good tactical flashlight. You can blind the crap out of someone to buy you time to put distance between them and you.




blackhawk 

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Re: Tips for exploring in bad areas?
< Reply # 34 on 2/5/2019 4:01 PM >
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Poke in the eye?
Lol, it's hard to hit the neck or head in combat with a pole jab.
Miss, and your opponent has the opportunity to grab your pole.
Your posture with the pole telegraphs your intentions. The hip area presents a bigger, more doable target and done right is incapacitating or/and lines you up for a more lethal strike.




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Abby Normal 


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Re: Tips for exploring in bad areas?
< Reply # 35 on 2/5/2019 7:53 PM >
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Ok, maybe not...

Abby Normal




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ryanpics 


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Re: Tips for exploring in bad areas?
< Reply # 36 on 2/5/2019 10:13 PM >
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The flame thrower is probably the best option tbh. Do any of the wealthier explorers here buy a bad car with the intent of not being a target in bad neighborhoods? I feel like pulling up in a Tesla and pulling out $10,000 in camera equipment might get you robbed.




UER Forum > Rookie Forum > Tips for exploring in bad areas? (Viewed 6848 times)
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