Traumatic experience; moving out of my shop

[David Hodgkins]

I have a dinky little shop on the other side of town that I moved into almost 2 years ago because I didn't want to disturb my neighbors as I built more and more cars. No one had ever complained to me about it but I figured I'd respect my neighbors and keep the noise down. While in this little shop I acquired a lift and larger 220 volt / 60 gallon compressor. and more and more tools. But this past weekend something happened that has me convinced I have to give up the shop.

This little shop is one of about ten in a single row. The building is very old (for so-cal) and pretty run down. But it's really cheap and until now it felt pretty safe.

The problem is one of my shop neighbors, who goes on full blown benders and brings really sleezy (heroin and meth addicts) people around. The first time he did it a PA and drum set were stolen from his shop that very night. Then this past Saturday he brought around a totally wasted heroin addict. She was wasted out of her mind. The neighbor picked her up at a liqueur store and they were partying in his shop when she walked by my open door in a stupor, smiled, and then made a beeline for his truck, took out a pen and paper, and walked away. As in LEFT the property. My red flag radar was off the charts as she pretended to do stretches in from of the building, pausing long enough to write something on the paper. (I assume it was the address, as that is what she looked at right before writing on the paper). I confronted her and told her to show me what she had written on the paper. She wadded it up and put it in her blouse. And then started walking down the street, away from the shop.

I ran back to my neighbors shop and really let him have it. I told him EXACTLY what had happened and absolutely tore him a new one verbally (don't worry, I wasn't within 10 feet of the guy). He just sat there in a stupor and took it.

I then called my friend to arrange moving my roadster out of the shop immediately. I can take losing some tools but losing the roadster would be devastating. 30 minutes later my friend came over to drive my truck to my house and I took out the roadster and started to buckle up when what do you know, the addict shows up and walks in to the neighbors shop. Well, you might guess what happens next. The neighbor, who is also wasted, gets in my face (literally) spitting profanities and threatening to fight me. Bumps me several times. Picks up a big bag of cement and comes at me. I knew it was coming and a simple ju-jitzu - like move deflects him and the cement onto the ground. I tell him, just have her show me the paper. Show me the paper and if it doesn't have my address on it I will apologize profusely. She won't do it. She leaves again.

I have no choice. I HAVE to move out immediately. I can't go to management because the dirtbag is a business partner of a friend and I don't want my friend kicked out for reasons I won't get into.

Here it is several days later and I'm still shook up about it. But I can't stay. I feel it's only a matter of time before I'm robbed.

I just had to vent about this. I'm SO BUMMED I have to move! Believe me, this stupid little shop is the cheapest in town and I can't afford to go to a bigger shop in a better part of town.

Looks like my plans for the little race shop are in tatters now and I'm headed home. I hope I don't get too much flack from the neighbors for putting a lift in my garage. As far as I can tell, it's not against the rules, but I HATE to have anyone pissed I'm cutting metal after work and on weekends.

I know it's just a cruddy little shop but I built some cool cars there...

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=48297&d=1449250311

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=57569&d=1471274860

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=48158&d=1448830648

Ugh.

:(

[wallace18]

So sorry to hear about this deal. You are best to get out ASAP. Something safer will come about for you I am sure.

[ThickCobra]

Dave, wow! Its unbelievable that there are people out there with little or no respect for others. But, the smartest thing you did was keep your cool as things could have gone terribly wrong, and you may not have been able to share this with us. A reminder to us all...be very careful.

I hope it works out in your home garage.

Jay

[pavieSD]

Dave, really sorry to hear this! Your shop was a sweet little spot and very convenient. I'm up in San Clemente almost every day now so I'm available during the day/night if you need help moving. I also have an SUV I can help with loading/moving anything that you need help with. Give me a call or shoot me a text. Happy to help in any way I can.

Mark

[RickP]

It is with great heartfelt feelings that I read about your situation. I am very much against drug use of any kind and this is one small example of why. Heroin, meth, crack, pot, booze etc. is epidemic on our country and it effects everyone, not just the users. In my local community, Pottstown PA, the local drug users have branched out to more upscale communities and are committing robberies and home invasions. I would venture to say that 99% of robberies committed are to fuel a drug addiction.

Something is WRONG when one feels they must move in order to keep from being robbed or that they no longer feel safe. I am sorry you need to move.

[MPTech]

Sorry to hear Dave, but better safe than sorry. Not a matter of if you get robbed, just when.
This kind of person is opportunistic and only cares about how they can fund their next "buy".
Good luck.

[GoDadGo]

David,

Sell your stuff and move to Louisiana, Slidell Louisiana that is.
Your Dollars Will Go Very Far Down Here & Folks Won't Bug You!
$500,000.00 will get you a 5,000 SQ/FT waterfront home in a gated community.
We are an open carry (No Permit) and conceal carry state (With Permit).
We are just North of New Orleans and East of the Redneck Riviera!
Also, the police in St. Tammany Parish don't play with felons.
They arrest them and take them to jail.

Steve

[ben1272]

There is nothing you can do to reinforce entires, windows, etc., and lock the place up better? That plus a good alarm maybe could get police responding before they are able to fully break in?

Sorry to hear of your troubles. On the up side, it means laying out a new shop, even if it is the home garage!

[Ram4x4sprt]

After meeting you at your Huntington Beach BBQ, I can only imagine that if he made a direct hit on you with his bag of cement, he would still be lying in the parking lot with the cement keeping him pinned to the ground. Would need to be on a serious bender to think you would be a good target to run at. Hope it all works out!

[David Hodgkins]

Thanks for the support guys.

My biggest headache will be moving the lift. That thing is SUPER heavy! Also, it's not like my garage is empty. I have ~10 bicycles hanging from the roof alone! And I'll have to figure out where to get another 200 circuit from.

The good news is I'll have just a bit more room, and no more rent. BUT, (and don't tell the wife) now I lose my only "I gotta get outa here for a while" spot. And no more impromptu music jams.

I'm a little depressed about it actually. But I'll get over it I guess...

Ben, I could put in a roll-up door and reinforce the smaller access door, but I don't want to sink too much money into something I don't own.

Steve, I swear if I wasn't tied down, I'd consider moving east! I've lived with only 1-2 seasons a year forever! I'd actually LIKE having 4 seasons! (I hear I'd lose that attitude QUICK if I actually lived somewhere with snow)

Mark, I'll expect you at the shop with a nice bobtail truck on Saturday. Deal?

Jay, the whole time I was thinking about using the least amount of force as possible. If I actually went off on the guy I'd probably end up in prison. My friend told me later I was lucky he didn't reach for a knife, or other lethal object. I guess he's had violent outbursts before. Glad I didn't know that frankly...

[Jeff Kleiner]

Sorry to hear about this buddy. Maybe you can find another work location if home isn't the best option.

Jeff

[adubbelde]

You want seasons, come to the southern Black Hills. Winters aren't too cold, summers aren't too hot, no humidity and no mosquitoes. Low taxes, no state tax. The people here are great. Open carry/ conceal carry. There are a few Factory Fives around.

[Georg]

Hi David,

Sorry to hear about this. Can imagine how much work it will be to get all things settled down again in a new place. This will take a lot of time and additional work.
Hope you get some hands for the quick moving and afterwards take some time to find the right and better place than your home garage.

good luck and all the best, Georg

[Kim S]

I'm sorry to hear. You do so much for others and sad to see this happen. This is my first time on the forum and meant to write to Thank you and everyone for your welcome at the Huntington Beach show, then I read this and am sad. Hope it will all work out. Kim

[frankeeski]

Dave, if you need a place to store some stuff until you get everything in order just give me a hollar. Better yet, I'll call you tomorrow and see what you may need to store for the time being. I'm storing stuff for one of our mutual friends already over at our warehouse so a bit more shouldn't be a problem.

[j.miller]

I told you your choice of friends would get in in trouble one of these days! But did you listen? noooOOOO.....just had to hang with the "cool" kids for some "street cred" and to get your "party" on.......too soon? love ya brother, let me know if I can help...da Bat..........sooooooo, this crack ho, got a pic? WHAT! get your mind outta the gutter, only room for one of us....in the gutter!

[carlewms]

Dave,

Sorry to hear of your required move ... but honestly considering the neighbors it is probably the best thing to do. I have found that there is no amount of reasoning you can do with those kind of folk and to the police it is way down on the priority list.

Carl

[AC Bill]

That sucks..
Your friend has a business partner like that? In what, a grow-op?

The dirt-bag is probably already a felon, and an assault charge against him would probably have sent him away, and you could just stay there. Probably be a blessing for your friend too. Maybe he could find a better partner.

[DaleG]

Move the bikes to a small storage rental. Not sure about your neighbors, but mine are always dropping by to see build progress, no issues. Hope it all works out; scary situation...move fast...with no forwarding address, of course.

[skullandbones]

Man you are very lucky! Glad you didn't get shot or stabbed. Drugged up individuals are so unpredictable. I've seen more than my share in the hospital environment I worked for many years. If it weren't so serious it would be funny: that is being attacked by a bag of cement. I'm somewhat surprised that someone would go after you anyway.

I guess you will have to just be a little more discrete like most of us home garage car guys.

Good luck setting up your new digs.

WEK.

[WIS89]

Dave-

So sorry to hear about this situation. Gotta be pretty messed up to come at you with a bag of concrete. Mix in a little water, and he'd of been a "hardened criminal," right?

Yeah, I had to do it...

I hope you are able to get set-up again soon. I understand the idea of a get away place. I think it makes sense for all of us. Hopefully another place will work out for you to get things going again.

So sorry for your trouble!

Regards,

Steve

[Straversi]

Trust your first instinct and don't look back. Can't mess around with people like that. Don't worry about lost rent or deposits.

[Big Blocker]

Wow, Dave . . . Really, really sorry to hear this - too bad I don't live closer, I'd come by and help all you need (being retired and all).
I sure hope you get this worked out easily and don't worry too much about your neighbors, they all seem pretty cool. Just don't run your grinder past 9:00p. Ha-Ha-Ha.
I would love to have an "I gotta get outa here for a while" spot. Living in a condo isn't anything like having a house with a garage.
Good luck my friend, things will work out and you'll be back at it soon enough.

Doc

[Jacob McCrea]

Sorry to hear about this, David. I can relate as my shop is in a neighborhood with a lot of the same sub-set of society floating around, and I work with heroin addicts regularly in my job.

There is basically no floor to a heroin addict's behavior once they hit a certain point. It sounds like that woman is at what I jokingly call stage 3 of heroin addiction. Stage 1 is where they sell their belongings for heroin. Stage 2 is where they steal from family and friends for heroin money. After burning those bridges they hit stage 3, which is committing retail thefts, burglaries, and sometimes street robberies - to get whatever they can quickly turn into cash at the pawn shop or from whoever buys stolen goods. Stage 4 is prostitution. After a certain point it's not so much about getting high, but not going through withdrawal, which I am told is worse than withdrawing from any other substance. Some don't get past stage 1 if they aren't careful, or if a "hot" batch comes through town.

Take this for what it's worth, and I say this with hesitation as I know you're a level-headed guy and I don't like to second-guess high-functioning people.

I would get the high-value and easy-to-steal things out of there ASAP, but it might be worth it to hold off on the lift and fixtures for a month or two, and see if the situation improves via these dirtbags self-destructing or disappearing. Low-functioning drug addicts tend to end up in jail, or they get killed for cheating a dealer, or they end up with no way or reason to come to your neighborhood, or they end up a persona non grata from the guy who is giving them drugs for sex (your neighbor, if I had to guess), or they just overdose and die. I've seen a few poor heroin addicts who had a cockroach-like ability to stay alive and out of jail, but the bulk of them self-destruct and go away sooner or later. The bottom line: I'm not sure if it's viable given the relationships you alluded to above, but I would try to get local law enforcement to crack down on these cretins, and see if you can wait them out. Sorry if this unsolicited advice seems pedantic; good luck!

[JL1958]

Sorry to read this. It seems more and more people have no respect for what others have worked for. I hope your neighbors are understanding.