Posted by BrendaTx on 6/21/07 6:46am
Msg #196214

OT Warning about asking directions.

This morning in the local news
http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/8099687.html



I seldom stop and ask directions, but I might have before thinking about this...

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A Canadian man was robbed Wednesday morning and held at gunpoint after asking for directions in Milam County.

It happened just north of Rockdale, near US 77 and CR 313 around 10:30 a.m.

Sheriff's deputies say Dominic Roy, 28, of Quebec was lost and stopped to ask two men for directions. Those directions led Roy to a dead-end road, where deputies say he was then held at gunpoint and robbed by the same two men.

Roy was unharmed, but the two men made off with nearly $200 in cash.

The two suspects were described as white males in their early to mid-twenties, with the driver having brown short hair, and his partner being bald with facial hair. They were last seen driving a medium blue pick-up truck.

If you have any information, you are asked to contact the Milam County Crime Stoppers at 1-888-697-TIPS. A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered.
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Reply by bigdog on 6/21/07 7:05am
Msg #196216

That's why I am planning to get a GPS as soon as possible. Most places I can find with google maps, but sometimes, in the sticks, roads aren't marked very well if at all.

"Go to the second holler, make a right by the white trailer, if you pass the big red barn, you've gone too far."

I don't know about you, but I've gotten those type of directions from bo's many times and it is very easy to get misplaced ( I personnally never get lost :0 ) in some of the more rural areas of Kentucky. Fortunately for me, I am used to these type of directions as I've traveled it for more years than I care to admit. But for some who aren't as versed in "hillbilly" directions, it can be very confusing, not to mention dangerous.

Reply by BrendaTx on 6/21/07 7:12am
Msg #196218

I have never asked directions except at a confusing busy interstate intersection...like, "what's the best way to get back on Hwy xxx heading west" after a rest stop. Even at that I could have been led astray to a site one block away and out of sight from the traffic.

This totally makes me rethink it...especially now that the idea has been floated to the criminal mind on television in these parts.

Reply by Lee/AR on 6/21/07 7:28am
Msg #196219

Seems to me that this was more a 'crime of opportunity' than a 'grand plan'. But, you are correct--it's been illustrated & there will probably be copycats. I have asked directions from time to time---and the usual reply is: I dunno; I'm not from around here. Or just plain "I dunno."
When I get directions from Bo... I ask a lot of questions & ask for landmarks. Things like: 'Turn left just past the gas station & take that road to the end' will generate 'what's the name of the gas station?' and 'how far is it from the left turn to the end of the road?' questions from me. Common questions from me to Bo: In miles, how far is "a piece"? Is your road paved or gravel?
Worst directions I've ever gotten from a Bo: My road is about oh, 1, 2 miles from (a landmark). Would you believe it was 9 miles from that landmark?
Best directions I've ever gotten from a Bo: After you make that left you'll be going up a big, big hill. My driveway is about 10 feet beyond where your engine starts lugging--he was right!

Reply by bigdog on 6/21/07 7:37am
Msg #196221

Yeah, some people have no idea how long a mile is. I get that alot.

Brenda, you and the other ladies in this profession and others that have to travel, be careful and don't trust any strangers. This world is far too dangerous these days. That's why the cell phone is such a great tool in todays world. You can USUALLY call the borrower if you get lost.

Reply by Joe Ewing on 6/21/07 8:18am
Msg #196223

Why would I do that. You know... ask for directions?

Reply by Ducky/FL on 6/21/07 8:23am
Msg #196224

You are so right Joe! Real men are never lost. We just don't know where we are! LOL

Ducky

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 6/21/07 8:28am
Msg #196225

Guess it's a guy thing!

It's a little like, "when all else fails, read the directions"??? LOL

Reply by LJ on 6/21/07 9:02am
Msg #196231

Re: Guess it's a guy thing!

My husband (being a fireman) will sniff out the nearest firehouse to ask directions. He can always find that. If they don't know where its at, the town is in trouble. lol When doing this, he gets a patch and spends an hour looking at their trucks.

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 6/21/07 9:08am
Msg #196232

Another option for directions

LJ, thanks for reminding me. You can also get from information the NON emergency phone number for the fire department. They know every street including the new subdivision streets that no one else has yet. The last time I had to do that, after they told me what street it was off of, I could find it on my map (a large county street index is a wonderful to carry in the car)

Reply by LJ on 6/21/07 9:49am
Msg #196241

Re: Another option for directions

Dorothy, Your welcome. Being Chief, my husband along with Police and EMS are the first to receive any new addresssing such as new subdivisions, new roads etc etc. They are given this info months before construction even begins. My husband also receives the actual blueprints for anything new in our area and has to approve fire codes. So, it is safe to say that if you stop a cop, or at a firehouse, you will be given correct directions. Please, please do not call 911 for directions unless of course you feel very unsafe. Most places do have a non-emergency number to call. However, some cities (like ours) all non-emergency numbers are answered at one place for the entire county. They may or may not be able to help you other than sending help to where you are. Never tried it in my county, but I bet that is what would happen if I tried. For instance, I called our non-emergency number just a couple of weeks ago about a problem that I saw happening in our park. I wanted a cop to go check it out and called non-emergency. The lady on the phone did not know where our park was and had to give her exact addressing to send someone. She didn't even know what town I was calling for. I had to tell her. It may be different in other areas, I don't know.

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 6/21/07 8:44am
Msg #196227

Why Moses wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.....

and then managed to find to only place in the Middle East without oil.

Reply by cntrlcalntry on 6/21/07 10:33am
Msg #196247

Just ordered a cell phone w/navagation from Verizon..

Was lost in the mountains at 10:00 p.m. last week and had
to call the sheriff for directions down. Navagation is only an
extra $10.00 per month, unlimited.

Reply by Dorothy_MI on 6/21/07 11:12am
Msg #196257

I have it and love it

Can't imagine how I ever survived without it!! I also print out an internet map and directions (sometimes there is a conflict and some times it's exactly the same). During our 4th season here in MI (almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction) this summer we have a number of roads closed for construction. If I have to detour from the designated route, it will recalculate and tell me turn by turn instruction to my destination.

Reply by NCLisa on 6/21/07 10:49am
Msg #196250

I've got a GPS but it still is inaccurate

so when it doesn't do the trick, my blackberry has google maps on it. So I can always figure out where I'm going.

Reply by PA_Notary_II on 6/21/07 1:07pm
Msg #196282

What's wrong with the Post Office?....

Especially for addresses with RD or RR box numbers. Even easier if there's a road name.

Reply by LJ on 6/22/07 9:00am
Msg #196474

Re: What's wrong with the Post Office?....

Post Office is a good choice during the day. Most of my closings are at night though.