Re: Election 2022 (Poll added)
Reply #334 –
Well, I knew a guy (not a close friend but we'd chat when we crossed paths) who was gunned down in the street after a Mafia guy took a contract out on him. And I knew another guy whose father was gunned down in the driveway of his family's house, again a Mafia hit. I guess terror can come in all forms. Are hitmen with guns less terrifying than black youths in a group? Fortunately, I never really had any run ins with organised crime. My closest shave was when I attended a training session at Princes Park. I was up the Legends Stand end and as I was by myself I thought I'd sit next to a group of guys in suits hoping to hear comments about the players. That was until one of them got up and approached me to ask me to move away. I don't know why I didn't tell him to rack off, but I'm pretty sure it was Mark Moran so I'm glad I didn't. Something about him made me not only get up but then ask whether I'd gone far enough before I sat down. Years later, I read in the papers that the Carlton Crew would get together at Princes Park to discuss their business. D'oh!
Whilst I don't condone the behaviour, mafia and bikie types generally do harm to other mafia or bikie types. They deal out justice their way and I kind of "respect" it.
Youths with guns and knives are 100% more scary as far as Im concerned because they are indiscriminate and are happy to do harm to you or I for a packet of smokes, a mobile phone, your car etc.
I grew living in the same street as the president of a prominent OMCG. They guys congregated at the house for some pretty wild parties. As kids we marvelled at the roar of the Harleys, they always gave us a wave and rode slowly passed us. One night, some drunken mates of the Prez ran into my old mans tip truck parked out the front damaging the fuel tank. The next morning, a tow rolled up, took it away and it came back that afternoon repaired.
Our street was as safe as houses, no burglaries or trouble while they were living there.