First Day by the Lake

[Fonejack54]

So, the other day was pleasant so I decided to go and sit on a bench by the lake in the center of town. I was there a few minutes when this 20ish guy who is of the persuasion that commits a majority of crimes starts to mull around the bench, looking out over the lake, maybe 15 ft. away. A few minutes and he walks in front of me and ends up about 15 ft. on the other side, no longer looking at the lake but toward the street.
Of course, by this time my hand is in my pocket and I ready my PF-9. The guy moves behind me so I decided to descend the steep bank to the lake to make an attack more difficult and give me some space. After, say ten minutes, I went back to the bench and noticed him by the street, probably 20 ft. from the bench.
I sat back down on the bench and soon he's next to it asking if he can sit down. We actually had pleasant conversation for a while, my hand never leaving my trusty Kel-Tec.
I left after about thirty minutes but I still think he was mulling over assaulting me and the fact that my right hand never left my pocket may have given him pause.

[Brian D.]

You were there we weren't. Always "listen to" your gut instincts, unless of course they've led you down the wrong path several times or something.

Nowadays it's almost weird to see a 20 something without a phone for companionship. Maybe he would have started up a conversation sooner but pretty much isn't any good at it thanks to staring at a little screen for hours on end.

[docachna]

On more than one similar occasion, I have "relocated" slightly to gauge the reaction of the other party. Two or three chess moves often clearly conveys the message that "I know, you know that I know...", etc., etc. etc.

But, yours turned out well. It's not often how you drive, it's if you arrive.

[glocksmith]

It'd be interesting to find out if there were any incidents prior to or immediately after your encounter with the suspicious fellow. He may not have gotten you, but he might've gotten someone else around the same time period.

[TSiWRX]

Another incident at another park, by another lake:

http://www.krem.com/news/Coeur-dAlene-m ... 60671.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho--A Coeur d’Alene man was attributing his life to having a concealed weapons permit on Wednesday.

Anthony Broyles said he and his two-year-old daughter were approached by a man with a knife. Broyles said he thought the man wanted to kidnap his daughter.

As we've seen in several incidents lately, keep your eyes open for accomplices, too.

Fonejack54, I'm also a fan of the hand-on-weapon-but-out-of-sight school. Glad nothing came of your encounter.

[Atilla]

Maybe he was simply meeting a casual encounter from Craigslist.

Like a hungry dog, if they circle around more than once, something's up.

[glocksmith]

Maybe he was simply meeting a casual encounter from Craigslist.

Good theory...and quite possible. That's called thinking outside the box.

[curmudgeon3]

I can vouch that "hand in pocket" can deter an attack; it worked for me at 11pm dark in downtown Cleveland many years ago (way before licensed concealed carry became legal) in one of those "Hey, you got a cigarette" situations.