Urban Camoflage...

I missed something Hot Rod was tyrying to get at...something about fear...I can't say he was altogether wrong...conditioned to fear guns...ok...I hate to think that is true but it might very well be...and it may be used at times to good effect. I read something about brandishing a firearm in one of the gun magazines recently...and you are right about the shift in mindset.

Can't say that is my expereince...where ever I have lived. And I have lived in some amazing places. IN the neighborhoods I worked in SF...pulling a knife would piss a lot of folks off...they might run away only to come back with a buddy or two...tough call....in the situations we are talking about...brains and balls will account for alot...and so will luck...we can all admit that. Straight up.

Mr. Gallo, I have to agree sometimes those types of uniforms are good for walking under the radar...but I wonder if in times of emergency people might look to you for help/assistance...would that put you at any risk for becoming entangled in a situation? Good input...just wondering...looks like a great approach though....and certainly would be feasible for somebody like that to be carrying tools and such...not out of place... good thinking. I think this one would be under the title of "urban good guy camo". Nobody wants to shoot the utilties guy if he might be restoring power...

All good stuff...

Shane
 
Here in Brazil there are all sorts of characters that walk the streets in the urban environment. It would be fairly difficult for a well-lived white person to blend in with the street people. First of all you are too healthy, wrong color, (not being racist here its just a fact) and if you move with any kind of purpose or direction that in itself will be a dead giveaway. The street people are a community and they know who they are and if you are not one of the locals then you will be spotted as an outsider instantly and challenged. They are tribal in mentality and very territorial. Most street people follow a routine that guarantees their survival and are pretty much confined to a home range of a few square blocks. I know one guy that fits the first posts description to a “T”, he hasn’t moved off the same corner for six years.

If you are white and have had a haircut in the last month then your best bet is to dress like a Mormon missionary. Black pants, shoes, white shirt, tie, name tag (Elder so-and-so). Carry a large shoulder bag with all your survival gear and some religious literature ready to hand out. Approach the meanest looking people with absolute confidence with a brochure in your hand and when they tell you to get lost you say OK.

This is not and anti-LDS post either. I have seen Mormon missionary kids walk through the worst slum areas of Brazil and nobody messes with them because they have “Brand Name Identity”. Everybody knows who they are and that they barely have lunch money and bus fare. They are in uniform and they are a permanent part of the landscape in urban blight areas. Nobody messes with them because it’s no fun and holds no net profit.

If you want to go “tactical” then the classic Catholic Priest garb of all black with a white collar can’t be beat. I knew a guy in college that (for kicks) used to wear black shoes, black socks, black pants and shirt, black crew neck sweater and a thin white tie. All you could see of the tie was the knot. From 25 feet you would swear he was a priest. This could get you into trouble in a major disaster if you get called upon to give last rites or something.

You could go with the neutral brown of the UPS. If you are approached by a gang you just say, “The truck’s back there guys, go for it! I QUIT!” and toss them some car keys. Who would turn down the chance to loot a UPS truck?

It is not recommended that you dress like a Hare Krishna or Buddhist Monk. They don’t have any gear and the backpack would be a dead giveaway.

Sometimes it’s best to hide in plain view. Mac
 
I have spent some time on the wrong side of the tracks so to speak, been through the projects in Chicago, and generally poked in to areas that smarter people avoid, as well as bummed around the third world a little.
My best advice... show respect... talk to people , not down to them, don't be a tough guy, in another neighborhood someone will be tougher, have a bigger gun or more friends to back him up.
Don't be a victim, think like a victim or act like a victim... it wll draw the predators like flies. I'm not sure how to tell folks how to do this but I have seen that victims get preyed upon where confident, capable people do not, I have also seen overconfident tough guys ride off in ambulences. If you show a gun or knife some one may elect to take it off your body.
If you anticipate going through a foreign language enclave, pick up a little of the language, beforehand, when people see that you are trying, many will go more than half way to help.
A note of caution, displaying gang dress or colors in many hoods is like screaming a challange, be aware of both for at least the major gangs in the areas and avoid the colors and dress.

Enjoy!
 
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