I have to travel through/stay near Detroit

secretcreek · #1 09/25/12, 07:34 PM

I'll be traveling up to Detroit, going to a more northern suburb to stay with my elderly grandmother for a week or so. She lives in an area that was all dairy farms when my mom lived there as a kid, but has been cookie cutter house street after street since the 70's. It's not ghetto, but it's a rough area now.

I will be traveling alone (woman), but I'll have a decent vehicle to travel in, I'll have pepper spray, a stun gun, and my 38 special with me. My state has reciprocity with MI so I can conceal carry to MI no problem. I will travel during daylight...for what that's worth in Detroit anymore, and I do know my way around the freeways and main highways.

Since a gun in a case or in a glove box is too hard to get to without being noticed...and my hammerless, snubby 38 is still too big to fit in the upper tray of the center console at my elbow... would it be a good plan to have it on the seat next to me-within reach but under a jacket, maybe? Under a seat isn't an option...too easy for the gun to slide away, and I couldn't reach for it easily anyway. I don't want to wear the 38 while driving either.

I'll have my BOB with me...I need to dump it and repack so I know what's in it for sure. I've forgotten what I stashed exactly. I know to fuel the car before I drive into Detroit and close 'burbs as "easy target looking people" are being carjacked or robbed or worse at gas stations in broad daylight. Unfortunately I physically look like an easy target- out of state tags, and sporty car all draw attention too(only car we have that's trip worthy).

Any other suggestions?
-scrt crk.

ryanthomas · #2 09/25/12, 07:58 PM

You sound like a pretty formidable target to me. Keep your gun close and don't get off the freeway at the wrong exit and you should be fine. I sometimes carry my gun like you described on the passenger seat under a jacket. Works well for me.

Not sure if your state has the same rules, but if you get stopped by the police be sure to tell them you're carrying immediately. Most cops around here are cool with it as long as they know up front. Otherwise they get angry.

Detroit isn't too bad right now. Not sure how far north you're talking (quite a difference between say Highland Park and Sterling Heights, with a wide range in between) but the northern suburbs along the 75 and 53 corridor are mostly full of middle eastern people these days. They're more into organized crime than random street crime and violence.

mike · #3 09/25/12, 08:01 PM

I don't know when you are leaving, but if you have time you can buy holsters that attach to the front of the drivers seat or the dash. I have no idea what they cost. I would not leave it on the seat, to easy to slide around as you said. It might be best just to keep it on your person.

||Downhome|| · #4 09/25/12, 08:11 PM

I as a man have more to worry about in Detroit.

Situational Awareness and do not look like a victim.

Nor a target. As in more money then brains.

You should be OK.

We where down for navy week, Which also was Lions opening day.

If there would of been trouble that would of been the day.

No issues with us or anyone else I know of.

Most crime is crime on crime.

Or those who associate with the criminals.

The rest is those who look like marks.

secretcreek · #5 09/25/12, 08:13 PM

[QUOTE
... Not sure how far north you're talking (quite a difference between say Highland Park and Sterling Heights, with a wide range in between) but the northern suburbs along the 75 and 53 corridor are mostly full of middle eastern people these days. They're more into organized crime than random street crime and violence.[/QUOTE]

Eastpoint/Roseville. I have relatives and friends that live all along the way from Toledo to Auburn Hills.

TNHermit · #6 09/25/12, 08:28 PM

NOt exactly sure wich direction your comin from but Ann Arbor is U of M and a pretty safe place. More laid back. not that far from Detroit.

Catalpa · #7 09/25/12, 08:35 PM

I was down in there last year; it wasn't too bad, but not anywhere that I'd want to stop. Gratiot south of 10 Mile starts to get rough, and south of 8 Mile gets worse, Grosbeck seems a little better; not sure of your route but if it were me I'd stay on the highway until 10 Mile then cut across. I'd avoid gas stations, they're all owned by mid-east types and over the last few years I've noticed a marked difference in attitudes to white women; almost like they feel they don't have to pretend anymore. Just sayin.

You sound like you've got your wits about you and probably not much to worry about. Keep aware of your surroundings and make sure you have a full tank of gas before you hit town. An underdash holster seems like a great idea.

Hope your elderly relative can stay safe! My Mom goes down there a lot and it scares me.

secretcreek · #8 09/25/12, 08:57 PM

I like to take 23 up from Toledo...mostly because Cabela's is a fun "rest stop", and 23's a much nicer trip north than I-75 up thru inner city Detroit...but to take 23 up to 696 is the looong outer belt way...but then, it is safer. Yeah, I'm not doing Gratiot below 10 mile.

Thanks everyone.

wagvan · #9 09/25/12, 09:47 PM

I'm with Catalpa, Detroit is not that bad, especially during the day. I go down in many of the "bad areas" during the day. Unarmed and no worries. Yes, there is a criminal element in Detroit, but there are a lot of good people there, too. There ar wonderful amazing things going on in Detroit, if you know the right places to look. If you can, visit Eastern Market. It is all about situational awareness and not looking like a target. Although I would agree that an out of state plate on a sporty car will make you more of a target. And I live just a few minutes from Cabela's. Give a holler and I'll meet you up there. I'll be in Dundee in the morning for my clergy breakfast. I prefer 23 to 696 over 75 also. As far as the gun, can you slide a paddle holster between the seat and the center console?

Karen · #10 09/25/12, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secretcreek

I like to take 23 up from Toledo...mostly because Cabela's is a fun "rest stop", and 23's a much nicer trip north than I-75 up thru inner city Detroit...but to take 23 up to 696 is the looong outer belt way...but then, it is safer. Yeah, I'm not doing Gratiot below 10 mile.

Thanks everyone.

I agree it will take longer, but well worth it. There won't be as much traffic, plus lots of safe places to stop in case of car trouble, flat tire, etc.

Ozarks Tom · #11 09/25/12, 10:00 PM

Don't know if this helps, but DW carries her hammerless 38 in the door pocket. Also, it might be worth investing in a couple cans of Fix-a-Flat. Gets you back moving in a hurry.

texican · #12 09/25/12, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secretcreek

Any other suggestions?
-scrt crk.

A platoon of marines, an AWAC's plane doing recon, and a squadron of Harrier attack jets...

short of that, drive during the day, and don't stop for nothing...

rxkeith · #13 09/25/12, 11:00 PM

its detroit, not kabul with you walking around wearing the flag.
my parents lived there over 70 years, and i grew up there.
yes, there are some scary neighborhoods that look like a war zone. i have seen some of them. you aren't going there. i would be more concerned about traffic more than anything else. uninsured drivers, and everyone talking on cell phones. some of the freeways are older and narrower.

as was already mentioned, pay attention to your surroundings as you should anywhere, have your route planned, and please don't talk on your phone while driving. i still have lots, and i mean lots of family in the metro detroit area. they aren't running for the hills.

keith

secretcreek · #14 09/26/12, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rxkeith

its detroit, not kabul with you walking around wearing the flag.
i still have lots, and i mean lots of family in the metro detroit area. they aren't running for the hills.

keith

Does an Ohio license plate equate to an American Flag in Kabul

LOL? I too have loads of relatives in/around Metro Detroit. I grew up in Monroe County. Lived in Oakland County once married. Moved to Appalachian Ohio 20 yrs ago ( DH's stompin' grounds) ..where there's plenty of fringe element pot growers and meth makers...but the hometown/know everybody and wave/ leave your unattended vehicle running while you pop in the TSC or Dollar General attitude still exists.

I'll be fine. I'm just "blessed" with the "tend to over think e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g" gene. It has been helpful concerning awareness and SHTF planning. Guess it's good to think things over and have a mindset in the event of an issue so I'd be able to act rather than shut down/freeze.

-scrt

carasel · #15 09/26/12, 06:39 AM

Looking to secure your gun. Depending on car and seat belts. Buckle the passenger seat belt. Sit in drivers seat to see if you can clip the holster to the belt for easy grabbing. Works well in one of mine. Not at all in the other.

wagvan · #16 09/26/12, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secretcreek

Does an Ohio license plate equate to an American Flag in Kabul

LOL? I too have loads of relatives in/around Metro Detroit. I grew up in Monroe County. Lived in Oakland County once married. Moved to Appalachian Ohio 20 yrs ago ( DH's stompin' grounds) ..where there's plenty of fringe element pot growers and meth makers...but the hometown/know everybody and wave/ leave your unattended vehicle running while you pop in the TSC or Dollar General attitude still exists.

I'll be fine. I'm just "blessed" with the "tend to over think e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g" gene. It has been helpful concerning awareness and SHTF planning. Guess it's good to think things over and have a mindset in the event of an issue so I'd be able to act rather than shut down/freeze.

-scrt

Ohhhhhh. Ohio plates. Yup. You're in trouble.LOL.

You could put an "M Go Blue" or an old school "Woody is a Pecker" bumpersticker on your car (an homage to the Woody Hayes/Bo Schembechler rivalry for those not up on football...) and you should be fine. :lol: We live on the state line, I ride up to Ann Arbor in my Toledo friends' cars all the time. No worries. Although if you drive like an Ohio driver you may get a few "You're number 1" salutes. And if you grew up here, you know how to drive on the Autobahn.

brosil · #17 09/26/12, 08:01 AM

I have to work on traffic sensors along the road in Detroit and worry much more about the drivers on 696 than the criminal inhabitants. Be strong, Detroit is where the weak are killed and eaten ( from an old t-shirt saying)

DryHeat · #18 09/26/12, 08:15 AM

In the 70s and 80s I did a *lot* of driving around the US, hundreds of thousands of miles total, building a small business doing sales and delivery from pickups and vans, mostly into large cities and suburbs. I never included the Detroit area but went through south Chicago, south Miami, Philadelphia, central Cleveland, and similar areas on my way to my actual destinations. The one pointer I might offer is that uniformly in these really *bad* areas, everything was quiet and unthreatening early to mid-mornings. If there's any way to schedule passage through areas you're concerned about in, say, the 8AM-Noon time span, you'd likely be better off.

Laura Zone 10 · #19 09/26/12, 08:18 AM

Never drive with less than 1/2 a tank of gas.
Have a map, printed directions and gps.

Liberty'sGirl · #20 09/26/12, 09:48 AM

Go around, it's pretty here this time of year.

You've probably left already, but make sure you check on the construction zones on US 23, the dufusses think autumn is a good time to BEGIN construction projects in this state.