Stay Safe in Boulder and need home+self defense tips

[mp128369]

I was at my girlfriends apartment last night when we heard a girl screaming like she had just been attacked. A few minutes later we heard someone sobbing and heard her crying help me. Immediately called 911 but they did not find anything. She lives in a sketchy part of Boulder next to a halfway home and a block down there is a huge camp of homeless people who routinely go looking for trouble. Not the kind of place where you go walking alone at night. The thing that scared me is that we already had an issue where a homeless man climbed onto the truck parked under her balcony and walked into her house. Needless to say I did not sleep well last night and spent all night watching that door. Fast forward to this morning after I left and my girlfriend texts me a screenshot that the same night they saw someone creepy wearing a bunny mask walking by the circle K near her apartment. No idea if this is related but I know what I heard last night and I know those screams weren't fake. Anyways she lives in university housing so without a doubt no weapons allowed but I wanted to know if you guys had any tips for self or home defense just in case this creep comes back.

[mp128369]

Will also try to post the screenshot

[buffalobo]

No reason not to have Louisville Slugger and a putter.

[beast556]

Tell CU to get more security or have her relocated to another dorm. Have her get her ccw and get a S&W j frame for her purse. Coldsteel safe maker will change someone's mind real quick, they come in steel and polymer.

[mp128369]

No reason not to have Louisville Slugger and a putter.

Last night my options were a glass bottle and a kitchen knife. Probably should get something with a little more reach though.

[mp128369]

Tell CU to get more security or have her relocated to another dorm. Have her get her ccw and get a S&W j frame for her purse. Coldsteel safe maker will change someone's mind real quick, they come in steel and polymer.

She goes to Naropa not CU. Essentially from my experience everyone there but her has severe mental health issues and is pretty far left but their parents spoil them rotten. No idea if that would happen also as Im prety sure they only have one housing building.

[mp128369]

84966

[def90]

Naropa has student housing?

Is that the circle k across from the high school?

Did you peek outside to try to determine where the cries for help were coming from or was all of this just based on sound? Coming from outside or within the apartment complex? But yeah, baseball bat or field hockey stick would work.

People wearing masks around that part of boulder isn't anything new.

[sbgixxer]

Whenever firearms aren't an option, I'm a big fan of OC spray (pepper spray). I've gone through some training with it where we had to, "feel" what it was like and it is NO fun. There's always the naysayer who brings up the 1 in 1 million case where a dude hopped up on PCP isn't fazed but since it attacks the mucous membranes it usually doesn't matter much how tough or numb a guy is. Aside from the intense discomfort, breathing becomes difficult as does the subject's ability to see. There's also the psychological issues of disorientation while all these unpleasant things are happening. I think it's a great option especially for females to level the playing field as the size of the perp no longer matters. Plus, you don't have as much of the mental issue of taking a person's life. I always told my 5' tall, prim and proper mom that if you feel you may need it, use it, it's not permanent. It's better than letting the unknown threat get close to you.

[mp128369]

Surprisingly yes naropa has student housing but its super sketchy. Its hard to tell with the room we where in. We can hear everything on the street and everything from the surrounding rooms so its hard to tell. I looked off the balcony but I saw noone on the street and didnt hear anything else.

[.455_Hunter]

My son is now at BHS and he has a strict regimen of where he can go and with whom. It's a totally different vibe down there from when I attended in the early '90s. The Circle-K at 14th and Canyon is ground zero for Boulder's zombie infestation, and I believe the station at 17th and Arapahoe has just been rebranded to the same thing. I am very happy that have the mountain buffer zone in place between us and town.

BPD just cleared the vagrant camp behind the BHS baseball field late last week, but that means little, as the game whack-a-mole is in full effect.

OP- I strongly suggest using Broadcastify to monitor BPD dispatch and learn what is going on in almost real time. My wife carries bear spray for all threats- two and four legged.

Are you violating an actual law or just policy by keeping a firearm in the apartment?

[mp128369]

My son is now at BHS and he has a strict regimen of where he can go and with whom. It's a totally different vibe down there from when I attended in the early '90s. The Circle-K at 14th and Canyon is ground zero for Boulder's zombie infestation, and I believe the station at 17th and Arapahoe has just been rebranded to the same thing. I am very happy that have the mountain buffer zone in place between us and town.

BPD just cleared the vagrant camp behind the BHS baseball field late last week, but that means little, as the game whack-a-mole is in full effect.

OP- I strongly suggest using Broadcastify to monitor BPD dispatch and learn what is going on in almost real time. My wife carries bear spray for all threats- two and four legged.

Are you violating an actual law or just policy by keeping a firearm in the apartment?

No clue, but considering that the building is owned by the school and based off the kids I have met there I'd rather not risk doing anything.

Also not surprised with the circle k being ground zero. Whenever Ive gone there theres usually a homeless dude always is looking to start something or swipe a wallet. Not to mention all people ive encountered doing various drugs when driving down streets in that part of town.

[.455_Hunter]

Naropa housing is also where BPD got in trouble for a LEO confronting a resident whom he thought might be a trespassing transient. That saga is still playing-out.

[mp128369]

I wouldnt blame an officer for thinking that a student was a trespasser. Homeless people wander in there when people dont close the gates behind them and Naropa students sometimes dress like theyre homeless. Also kids forget their keys or just feel too lazy to take them so Ive seen a lot of kids hop over fences to get back inside.

[MrPrena]

What I did not know.


1. I always thought those building was a frat/sorority house since I lived in Boulder during 90s. now I know.
2. I thought those area of Boulder was not bad of an area. Just crazy bum dropout students lives near the hill and baseline area. Anyways, many many weirdos in Boulder.


What I recommend besides common sense.

Besides common sense like travel together or Have cell phone ready to call 911 advice, there are other good advices.

Buy 2 or 3 key, layard type of pepper spray. Put one at key chain. Put one on laynard. Put one at dorm/housing door. Many people have a pepper spray , but have it in on area which is not readily accessible.
Since, weapons are not allowed , I would carry a sturdy sharp-sharp pen. If small pocket knife or fixed neck knife is allowed, it would be better.
My wife knows a person who defended against crazies at a very good area /part of town with a pen. Victim stabbed the attacker on their thighs about 8 times. Police could not find a suspect, but the suspect probably have many stab mark to remember not to do stupid shit.

[SideShow Bob]

Safety is first. Who is going to know what you have in your apartment to defend yourself ? Keep it under wraps & on the down low.
If you have to defend yourself or girlfriend, defend yourself or girlfriend.
If you get kicked out for defending yourself with a forbidden item, so what, you and your girlfriend are still alive and the dirt bag is put down.

[Sawin]

^ What Bob said.

But if you want to play by their rules and not have a firearm, I get it... use pepper spray followed up by a baseball bat... should put an end to the threat effectively, if needed.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Firearms may not be allowed but sporting goods and money can't be banned. I prefer a softball to a baseball bat (aluminum versus wood) and a 2 iron over a putter (longer reach). Back when the original "Death Wish" was a thing, police officers in Honolulu used to tell residents to keep 2 or 3 rolls of quarters in a tube sock (you may want to double the socks up) at home. If you're cheap, get a few rolls of nickels instead of the quarters.

Keeping a bag of range balls with the club(s) would also be good. It enhances the believability of having the clubs, they're easy to throw and they hurt like hell.

[hurley842002]

Safety is first. Who is going to know what you have in your apartment to defend yourself ? Keep it under wraps & on the down low.
If you have to defend yourself or girlfriend, defend yourself or girlfriend.
If you get kicked out for defending yourself with a forbidden item, so what, you and your girlfriend are still alive and the dirt bag is put down.

This...


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[Ah Pook]

She goes to Naropa not CU.
Moved to Boulder in '95. Got out in '97. Naropa was sketch then. Not much has changed.

[colorider]

I don’t even know what Naropa is. I avoid Boulder like the plague. I’ve lived here my entire life (52yrs) and can count on one hand how many times I’ve been to Boulder.

[Hummer]

Safety is first. Who is going to know what you have in your apartment to defend yourself ? Keep it under wraps & on the down low.
If you have to defend yourself or girlfriend, defend yourself or girlfriend.
If you get kicked out for defending yourself with a forbidden item, so what, you and your girlfriend are still alive and the dirt bag is put down.



What Bob said. ^^

Depending on circumstances and outcome the use of pepper spray could require the same level of threat as deadly force without being as effective as a firearm. And a firearm might be a better deterrent without actually having to use it.

Keep it securely locked and hidden when not at home, and have it readily available when you are.




84978

[.455_Hunter]

I don’t even know what Naropa is. I avoid Boulder like the plague. I’ve lived here my entire life (52yrs) and can count on one hand how many times I’ve been to Boulder.

Good for you. Do you want a cookie?

Considering all the freaks I have seen at the 92nd & Sheridan Walmart, I am not sure you have much room for Westminster high-horsery.

[theGinsue]

Easy now fellas. Keep it civil.

[Bailey Guns]

Whenever firearms aren't an option, I'm a big fan of OC spray (pepper spray). I've gone through some training with it where we had to, "feel" what it was like and it is NO fun. There's always the naysayer who brings up the 1 in 1 million case where a dude hopped up on PCP isn't fazed but since it attacks the mucous membranes it usually doesn't matter much how tough or numb a guy is. Aside from the intense discomfort, breathing becomes difficult as does the subject's ability to see. There's also the psychological issues of disorientation while all these unpleasant things are happening. I think it's a great option especially for females to level the playing field as the size of the perp no longer matters. Plus, you don't have as much of the mental issue of taking a person's life. I always told my 5' tall, prim and proper mom that if you feel you may need it, use it, it's not permanent. It's better than letting the unknown threat get close to you.

First, I agree that OC can be a good self-defense option. I don't agree that it's ineffective in 1 in 1M instances of use. In my experience carrying it every day for 10+ years (and sometimes actually using it 2 or 3 times in a shift) it's ineffective far more often than that, for a variety of reasons: intended target is on drugs or alcohol, environmental conditions, it misses intended target, etc... It's like shooting someone with a handgun....you can't count on it working like it does in the movies to immediately incapacitate a threat whether it be 2 or 4 legged. In my experience it was almost always ineffective against dogs.

Another issue with OC is it works just as well on the user as it does the "usee" and you really need to be prepared for that. That's a far bigger issue than it not being effective on the intended target in my opinion.

Using OC seems so simple but there are a LOT of things you need to know and be prepared for.

I'd also recommend using the foam type rather than the spray or liquid type...much less chance for cross contamination in my experience.

[sbgixxer]

In my experience it was almost always ineffective against dogs.

Interesting experience. Hopefully bear spray works better against its intended 4-legged target.

[StagLefty]

Good for you. Do you want a cookie?

Considering all the freaks I have seen at the 92nd & Sheridan Walmart, I am not sure you have much room for Westminster high-horsery.

We have high-horsery in Westminster ? I'm always the last to know [Sarcasm2]

[colorider]

Good for you. Do you want a cookie?

Considering all the freaks I have seen at the 92nd & Sheridan Walmart, I am not sure you have much room for Westminster high-horsery.

Easy now. Have a snickers. I can have an opinion.

[.455_Hunter]

I can have an opinion.


You sure can, and when you post it on a forum, you can expect it to be critiqued.

There are zero towns along the urban corridor that I "avoid like the plague". This is especially true of communities located on natural lines of travel. If there is a reason to go there, I go there, or at least pass through on the way to another destination.

The problems that afflict Boulder also afflict most of the Denver Metro area (OK- maybe not Cherry Hills), plus Pueblo, COS, Loveland, Greeley and Fort Collins. Indicating that Boulder is especially abhorrent while simultaneously living in an area that also has major challenges is a bit hypocritical. I am not really sure how a zombie encounter in downtown Boulder is fundamentally different than a zombie encounter outside the Yak & Yeti Buffet.

As a Boulder native, I get that it has a somewhat deserved reputation, and is a popular punching bag on forums like this one. However, I do have to defend the town on occasion, especially to acknowledge the thousands of good productive citizens who still call the area home.

[MrPrena]

As people recommended 13 years ago here....
Get a FOX Labs OC.

5.3 shu is no joke.

[kidicarus13]

As people recommended 13 years ago here....
Get a FOX Labs OC.

5.3 shu is no joke.Yes

[hurley842002]

As people recommended 13 years ago here....
Get a FOX Labs OC.

5.3 shu is no joke.

I?ve been directly sprayed by Fox Labs, DefTec, and Sabre, the Fox Labs by far left the most lasting impression.


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[Irving]

You sure can, and when you post it on a forum, you can expect it to be critiqued.


It's standard procedure on here to dog pile on and talk about what an absolute shithole a neighborhood is whenever anything crime related gets posted about in said neighborhood.