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Two Non-Encounters with Renton PD in a Week

acmariner99

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2010
Messages
655
Location
Renton, Wa
Last Friday while down in the south end I decided to stop by the outdoor store in Federal Way near where we have our Starbucks meets. They FINALLY had the new Springfield XDS in stock - and yes, I got one :) It's slim, it's slick, and it is very comfortable in my hands. I got a Galco IWB holster designed for the G36 for carry. I have a lot more carry options with it -- just not as many bullets.

So, this past Sunday I decide to go on my usual walk from my place in the Highlands down to Gene Coulon Park in Renton. I decide that it would be a good day to try out my XD's little brother. With the XDS snug in its holster, I tuck it behind my belt at my usual 3 o'clock position with the gun sitting in front of my shirt. It is so much comfortable than carrying my full size XD IWB. It is still cloudy and brisk outside so I put on my fleece jacket thereby concealing the pistol from view and walk down to the park. By the time I get there (about an hour), I am craving some ice cream and its warming up, so I order a nice milkshake at Kidd Valley, find a place to sit, and remove my jacket. After the waitress hands me my milkshake, a bystander notices the thing sitting on my hip and points to my side saying curiously, "whoa, what is that?" I reply, "oh, its just my self-defense sidearm. It's the new Springfield XDS, pretty nice huh?" He nods in agreement, "yeah man, have a good one." He then gets his food and leaves.

After I finish my wonderful milkshake, I go for my usual "rounds" around the park. I follow the paved trail along the lake and boardwalks starting by the beach area and walk all the way to where the park ends by the housing development about a mile to the north. On my last of 3 legs back to the park entrance, I notice two Renton police cruisers parked near the boat launch. The path I am walking on takes me right past the police cars with my strong side facing them. As soon as I see them (about 100 yards from them I think), I flip on my voice recorder on my phone and walk right past them. After I cross a small bridge near a brush lined creek, I glance to the side and turn my eyes as far to the right as I can to see if I am being followed. (I don't like being surprised from behind.) Not a minute later, I see the two cop cars leave the park. No harm, no foul ... and I only have circumstantial evidence that I was the one they were keeping tabs on. No contact, no nada ... as it should be. I turn off the recorder and start the 3 mile walk up the hill back home.

Today, after a long day at work and much needed errands to complete before embarking on another fun filled adventure tomorrow afternoon, I get home, strap on the XDS, and walk first to the Walgreens, then to the Safeway across the street (near 4th and Union in Renton). I didn't bother changing so I was wearing cargo pants with a polo tucked in; the XDS is therefore being carried openly. I ask an employee where the ziplock bags are, proceed with my shopping as normal, then decide I want some cheap chinese food. The guy behind the counter notices the name of my employer on my polo and he proceeds to ask me about my job. As we are talking I see a Renton police officer come in the door. I note that he isn't doing any shopping and is standing behind me at about my 7 or 8 o'clock while continuing my conversation. I also notice in my peripheral vision that the cop paces from about my 9 - 10 o'clock back to my 7. As the server hands me my food I turn to my left and the cop is now at my 11 o'clock. I offer a smile and a quick nod -- which he returns and walks towards the door and proceed to checkout. I use the opportunity to turn on my recorder in case they are waiting for me outside. I pay, head out the door, and notice the cop and his partner near their cruiser. As I walk away, with my strong side away from them, I can tell that they are both eyeing me but they never approach me. I proceed home without any further contact.

Now, what baffles me is that I have OCed with my full size XD fully exposed and large as life in this Safeway and other stores in the complex many times. In the park, I try to conceal my XD, but sometimes I remove my jacket and there it is OWB in my standard holster when it is warm out. There has been no commentary from employees, customers, or other park goers whatsoever. So, now twice in a week, I have one incident I know for sure where I am being watched and another that is circumstantial -- carrying a much smaller piece than I normally do. I had friendly and cordial conversations with multiple individuals while simply going about my business. Oh well, this is how LEO encounters are supposed to go. They get a call, they take a look, notice that I am OCing, and simply leave me be. I don't engage them and simply go about my business. Everybody goes home happy. My guess is the contrast from the gun to my shirt and pants. Both times I was wearing light pants and a lighter colored shirt. With the dark blue t's or the black fleece I get nary a glance. Though even with Big Brother XD and light clothing, I haven't had any contact or questions since I have been back. Odd.

See below for the new piece and my carry setup.
 

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Medic1210

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2012
Messages
298
Location
Rockingham, NC
I think 'maybe' you were right with your suspicion regarding the cop in the store, but maybe he came in to get something and noticed your sidearm then. As for the park incident, I seriously doubt they were sitting there for you. I mean, you spotted them parked there from 100 yards away. Do you really think if they were called for a MWAG they would just park somewhere and hope the subject happens to walk by them? My guess is it was pure coincidence they were there, and that they pulled off shortly after you walked past.
 

acmariner99

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2010
Messages
655
Location
Renton, Wa
I am inclined to agree that what I observed at the park was coincidental more than anything. I thought the timing was odd though. I am fairly certain that the cop at the store was keeping tabs on me. He walked in, hovered in my general vicinity, and walked right out the door when I left the immediate area. I don't know the real reason why they were there because there was never any official contact. But my gut says that they got a call, saw nothing was wrong, and left me be. As it should be.
 

Batousaii

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2009
Messages
1,226
Location
Kitsap Co., Washington, USA
an interesting thing...

I can honestly relate to the story, not as far as PD, but reactions in general. It just so happens that when I carry my Colt 1911 on my side, i get the awkward uncomfortable glances from time to time, compaired to wearing my Ruger Vaquero on a looped gun belt, people tend to be more curious and admiring of an old fashoined rig. The old revolver and belt stand out alot more than the slim simple 1911, yet poor sparky (1911) gets way more stink eye than the western rig --- go figure... My conclusion has been that people, influenced by TV, have pre-concieved notions of various guns and carry styles, and somehow vision you in a certain light based on those. Maybe they see the gun tucked in the belt as 1/2 way hiding it, and why would he hide it? vs. the guy carrying gun "X" would get some other reaction.
- I'd like to run a social experiment someday, carry a 1911 on an old green belt with a full flap... then next week carry a german luger in an era correct holster... week after that go back to my vaquero in the western rig... etc, etc - I bet one would get very different reactions, or so is my suspicion.

Pardon my poor spelling - no spell check here... and we all know "Bat's kant speel gud"

;) Bat
 

Schlepnier

Regular Member
Joined
May 12, 2011
Messages
420
Location
Yelm, Washington USA
Well it is good to see your actively taking situational awareness into account.

I do not care for the tuck in the pants rigs, so i use a simple belt holster for my taurus millenium pro compact. i find that most people do not even notice i have it on. When i OC it tends to be pretty un-eventful. i also have had thurston county sheriffs cruisers check me out from time to time but they never stop and bother me.
 

acmariner99

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2010
Messages
655
Location
Renton, Wa
Ill probably get a OWB holster similar to the one I have for Big Brother once they come out. I like the rig I have because of its low profile for concealment in hotter environments or deep concealment where OC isn't legal like OK (till NOV) and TX - since I see myself traveling there more often, I thought it practical. It's also very snug on my body. I would be very curious to see what kind of reactions I get if I OC my S&W 686. To someone not familiar with guns, it would appear to be a "western" style rig.
 

Eoso

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2012
Messages
10
Location
Washington
I think 'maybe' you were right with your suspicion regarding the cop in the store, but maybe he came in to get something and noticed your sidearm then. As for the park incident, I seriously doubt they were sitting there for you. I mean, you spotted them parked there from 100 yards away. Do you really think if they were called for a MWAG they would just park somewhere and hope the subject happens to walk by them? My guess is it was pure coincidence they were there, and that they pulled off shortly after you walked past.


There was a situation where I called in a burglary in progress. I gave them the exact address of the home, what the construction consisted of and colors. A unit creeped up the street at a snails pace. He did this past the house, up the entire street. The suspect came out of the house, stood directly in the middle of the road, looked down the street and stared at the cruiser for a few seconds before taking off. With suspect long out of sight the cruiser came back slowly again and parked between my home and the victims. I wouldn't put it past them to be blatent.
 

hermannr

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
2,327
Location
Okanogan Highland
I have a couple full coverage holsters (old police holsters, one from 1926 and one from the 50's) The only time I have ever had any conversation with LE (very short) was when I was wearing my Colt revolver and the old holster from 1926, and that was 20 some years ago. I also have a holster for that old Colt that covers everything but the butt..never had anyone notice it. Kind of hard to hide a 6" Colt revolver.

I also have an old leather holster with a snap thumb break retainer and another that grips the trigger guard (these are for semi-autos). I have had only one (positive) interaction while wearing these...all OC'd
 

BigDave

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Joined
Nov 22, 2006
Messages
3,456
Location
Yakima, Washington, USA
Ill probably get a OWB holster similar to the one I have for Big Brother once they come out. I like the rig I have because of its low profile for concealment in hotter environments or deep concealment where OC isn't legal like OK (till NOV) and TX - since I see myself traveling there more often, I thought it practical. It's also very snug on my body. I would be very curious to see what kind of reactions I get if I OC my S&W 686. To someone not familiar with guns, it would appear to be a "western" style rig.

Just to clarify your statement of "deep concealment where OC isn't legal" One can Open Carry where ever legal carry is allowed with a CPL. CPL does not mean one had to cover up.

The holster in your pic is for concealed carry as it lacks any retention strap or securing device, while a nice looking holster I would as you suggest obtain a OWB with a retention device to open carry.
 

acmariner99

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2010
Messages
655
Location
Renton, Wa
Just to clarify your statement of "deep concealment where OC isn't legal" One can Open Carry where ever legal carry is allowed with a CPL. CPL does not mean one had to cover up.

The holster in your pic is for concealed carry as it lacks any retention strap or securing device, while a nice looking holster I would as you suggest obtain a OWB with a retention device to open carry.

I think you misread. I plan to travel to states where open carry is not legal, but concealed carry is. Also, in instances where I choose to use more discretion, I wanted a better CC piece and holster.
 

BigDave

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Nov 22, 2006
Messages
3,456
Location
Yakima, Washington, USA
I think you misread. I plan to travel to states where open carry is not legal, but concealed carry is. Also, in instances where I choose to use more discretion, I wanted a better CC piece and holster.

Yes I did jump over that portion and it does look like the holster would be comfortable for all day carry in concealment.

The second point I was making in the post had to do with open carrying in a holster that had no retention devices to assist in maintaining the security of your weapon be it from normal movement to running to some jack-boot trying to take custody of it.
 
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