Lubbock's violent crime wave

[AV8R]

A visit with an employee of the DA's office and an EMT last week confirmed some of my assumptions regarding the wave of violent crime (home invasions, robberies) that has plagued this city since last fall. Like so many modern crimes, the Meth connection seems to be fueling this latest surge. A few weeks ago, combined federal, state, and local agencies conducted a large-scale sweep which effectively dried up the Meth supplies here. After a lag of a few weeks, new suppliers moved in, the suppliy crunch eased, and prices went up, creating the need for ready cash and the desperate measures to get it. (Our personal involvement in this consists of the front door kick-in of the rental apartment of my mother-in-law, Granny Glock's mom, which is located behind her main house; fortunately no one was home at the time).

Unlikely as it seems, though, there is occasionally humor. Last Tuesday night around midnight, a close friend was watching TV in his living room when he heard a knock at the front door. Without thinking, his son bolted to the door and flung it open, revealing an Hispanic male in his late 20s, who claimed to be passing through town and needed cash for car repairs. This, of course, didn't jive with the fact that my friend lives in the middle of a large residential neighborhood, distant from thoroughfares, and it was midnight. The caller became insistent, whereupon my friend, a grizzled, 60-ish Marine sniper who served two Vietnam tours, walked to the door in all of his suspendered, shirtless glory. Supermex took a look, then one giant step backwards off the front porch, rolled upright, and split like a streak. No guns were drawn. Sometimes the look is all that's needed, that is, if one has the look.

Bottom line is that we West Texans are confronting a situation that seems to be worsening exponentially, especially now that ephedra and other precursor Meth chemicals are available in bulk just across the Rio Bravo, and that the new stuff represents a quantum leap upwards in potency, being essentially 100% addictive, permanently. We all need to keep after our local law enforcement and our elected representatives to fight this problem, just as we need to adapt our defenses to protect ourselves and our families against this increasing threat. If there's any connection, my wife and all the kids are marksmen, proficient in the use of small arms, and they stay away from drugs. They're also very safe at home. I believe that it is very important to teach children, at appropriate ages, to be aware of the new problems that they will face in their generation, and strategies to deal with these new risks and dangers. All the best, and watch your six.

[longtooth]

Every place that meth is a major crime factor, we will see this continue to grow. Vigilence, training, PREPAIRED TO USE THE TRAINING, must be a part of every household.

[carlson1]

Every place that meth is a major crime factor, we will see this continue to grow. Vigilence, training, PREPAIRED TO USE THE TRAINING, must be a part of every household.

Meth labs are very dangerous and can be in any neighborhood. The stopping of over the counter cold medication sell has created a wave of Super Meth Labs.

[one eyed fatman]

In earlier years I lived in Lubbock. Never want to see that place ever again.

[The Bandit]

I'm sad to hear this. I went to school up there and liked it. I hope they can get some control on this.

[hmb]

my wife and I lived in LBB for 5 years......a long time ago (71-76). I felt it was an ideal place to live. 'Course, that was back then.

[one eyed fatman]

My brother use to come home everyday with his head beat in. That was in Jr high. The school I was going to go to the following year. My brother was much bigger than me. The only person there I liked I had to beat up. We moved. I was so glad. That was around 1965-66.

[anygunanywhere]

I lived in Lubbock from 1963 to 1969. Threw the Avalanche Journal for 4 years. Back then, before global warming , the snow would get deep at times. The wind on the plains made riding a bike tough. There's only about three fences between Lubbock and Canada to break the wind.

Sold cokes at Jones Stadium during TT games.

No real bad experiences.

I would like to go back and visit, you know, the roots thing.

Will be packing if I ever go.

Anygun.

[longtooth]

Anygun, where did you throw the AJ? Sr '68 Monterey Hi. If you return to the North Lbbk area TT Stadium you need to pac today. Some of the areas from 4th to even 19th st - College Ave to Ave A (used the 60's street names Remember) are really bad news. The wife's Dad still lives there & we are always concerned for him at 84 & still living by himself. 48th & Ave U area. The bars on Q are too close.

[wrt45]

Sr '68 Monterey Hi.

No kidding? My wife was in class of '67 at Monterey and '71 at Tech. We still own a house in the neighborhood you're talking about. My daughter and her family live there now.

The neighborhood is actually getting better, in my opinion. About 15 years ago it was really bad, but now it seems enough people are moving in and fixing up some of the homes to improve overall.

Our house was the one on University that the street racers drove completely through 2 years ago.

[anygunanywhere]

I left Lubbock when I was a freshman at Christ the King on 54th. We lived on 53rd right near the church/school. My first route was right near Monterrey, I believe if Monterrey was the one on 50th street.

Moved to Baytown. First time in a public school at Baytown R. E. Lee.

Talk about culture shock. Didn't take long to fit in. Back in those days, Sterling had just opened and we wuz whuppin their tails in football every year. High school was much more laid back in those days.

[longtooth]

Yes 50th st. it still is. We were out on 68th st, but I know exactly where you lived. My My, how life scatters folks.

[one eyed fatman]

Dang... Did everybody use to live there?

[wrt45]

Dang... Did everybody use to live there?

"use to live there" being the operative term. Just had dinner there tonight with daughter and grandaughter......and was glad when I hit the city limits headed back to the country.

[longtooth]

Same here but my drive is a lot farther than yours.