The Most Dangerous City You Have Been To?

Najaf, Iraq. Was convoying to our base and we had to stop at base there. El Salvadorian escorts decided to circle Iman Ali mosque. 3rd holiest place in Muslim world. He was cousin and brother in law of Mohamed himself. About 10 flatbeds, 3 up armored Burbs, and a handful of Hummers. They made about 3 trips around complex and there were hundreds of pizzed Iraqis flipping us off and cursing. Never been used for bait before. Of course they knew that one shot and the El Salvs would level the place. No silly rules of engagement like poor US troops. One medic quit as soon as we got to Camp Echo. Funny now. Then it was "how the Hell did you get yourself into this".

 

east Chicago, Il.

 

Newark, New Jersey

 

I've been to Newark twice and I have to agree. Even in the middle of the afternoon the thugs and ho s are out in force. There may be a nice side of that town, but it's not anywhere near where I was or where large trucks go.

 

Laredo and Chicago (Central Yard) feel bad.

Newark near the docks I strap my doors closed from the inside baby!

Actually MOST places they send me make me nervous to SOME degree.

 

Hunts Point Market used to be really f'd up but now they got a little more control over that place. You used to have shady people come up to you ask to see your paper work so they can guide you, then they take it and tell you to give them money so they can give you your paper work back. But like i said it's not that bad no more over there. Los Angeles is also on the top along with Oakland, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Flint is not so safe as well.

 

Topic Back From The Dead...

Back in my OTR days I have had a few places that freaked me out.. I can't remember exact towns tho... I used to drive right from my shippers in Canada and right the customers in the U.S... I didn't really stop at truck stops too often.. I just wanted to get down to customers and sleep wake up offload and drive to my back-haul.. I would sleep at truck stops or rest centers coming back with my back-hauls.. So here are some scary moments for me..

New Jersey 2 incidents.. First one I called a customer and told them I was on my way and I wouldn't be there unti late.. I asked them if it was safe to sleep there and they told me not really... Well stupid me I don't listen so I drove right to the customers anyhow.. Got in around 11pm or something.. Well I settled in for the night and the next thing you know I hear gun shots and all kinds of yelling around me.. Needless to say I just crawled under the blankets and hope that I would make it out alive.... The second time I drove to a customers place that and I again didn't come in until very late and I couldn't see a single thing.. The customers drop off was behind the buildings of the main road.. Well I get in and drive between the buildings.. I get to the back and all I see was train tracks going one way and a road going the other way.. I was like I can make a left cause there was train tracks (I was told to go left).. Well instead I made a right and drove around some buildings.. I seen to people standing outside the building well I was a little scared to asked them cause they looked sketchy and one guy looked like the hunch back of notre-dame.. They were acutally nice and told me I could go the way of the tracks so I did.. Woke up next morning and yep there is lots of road back there lol..

Another story.. I was in Pennsylvania drove to a customers again very late.. Well this was my backhaul.. So I was waiting until morning.. Town was a little bit away from the place.. So anyhow I am ready I really need to use a washroom... There was 2 buildings where I was (in between mountains or whatever).. 1 of them my customers which was closed and the second some factory.. So I go to this run down factory and everyone that worked at the place looked like trashy zombies and very unkept.. It freaked me out a little.. The washroom was dirty too...

Detroit.. It's all around scary lol... But I usually was bopping around town during the daytime going to my usual backhaul shippers... The only time which I wasn't using my head was I what in a hotel for the night.. I was bored decided to walk around not even thinking about it being dangerous just acting like I was at home just walking around.. Nothing bad happend thank god but the after thought of what I had done was a little scary lol...

Detroit is funny.. I haven't been across in a very long time (windsor/detroit)... Anyone who travels this crossing will know.. The trucks are automatically put on some sketchy streets (while the cars could get right on the highway).. Boarded up buildings, busted out windows, people begging for money, crappy police and the list goes on... It's funny how the way it's described on TV is pretty true, a bunch of black people (I am not racist) sitting on the "stoop" infront of the corner store listing to music with a ghetto blaster.. One old man (like senior) which his pants at his ankles like a rapper coming up to the trucks which is walkman and a cop begging for money.. (again not racist just the truth)...

 

I'm sure most of you know this but I'm certain there are some newer drivers that haven't heard of this: The best and legal weapon to use while in a big truck is your fire extinguisher. A face full of yellow/white toxic halon works wonders! If any of you have ever put out an engine fire with an extinguisher, know what it feels like when you breathe in a little bit of that halon. Plus, it gives the police a better edge in finding the indigenous personnel of the Gary, In., Chicago, Il., Compton, Ca., anywhere on the east coast area who tried to assault or jack you.

Like most drivers I don't carry a gun (not anymore) in my truck, so I learned to be creative and effective. So, there's a Cholo running around Ontario, Ca. swearing he'll never try to jack a truck driver again. Happy hunting!

 

what I find interesting..very revealing...is hardly any of you all were 'hurt' or 'victimized' in your descriptions...

The majority of you all simply saw 'alot of black people'...and felt like 'little miss muffet sitting on her puffet'....

Talk about perception gone awry....

No actual victimization...just fearful perceptions gone awry...

Thanks for the lesson....

 

I was thinking the same thing. Not one driver was accousted. Maybe they all got lucky. On the note of personal protection, I prefer wasp/hornet spray. It's got that good 25ft. reach and doesn't cloud the whole neighborhood like a fire extinguisher. I like to see them rolling in pain.