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It's a jungle out there,so pack heat, some say

Jungle Terrace The idea comes after a carjacking at Tyrone Square.

By CRISTINA SILVA, Times Staff Writer
Published September 9, 2007

Then someone mentioned keeping firearms for self-protection, someone else suggested hosting a neighborhood training day at a local shooting gallery, and, before most realized what was going on, a few residents were seriously discussing a neighborhood weapons training plan.

Neighborhood leaders say the push to encourage gun ownership in Jungle Terrace, a waterfront community bordered by million-dollar homes and Tyrone Square Mall, will most likely not catch on. The fact that the proposal even came up in the mostly quiet neighborhood is surprising.

Advocates said they were motivated to call for action after a recent carjacking at Tyrone Square Mall.

"These are things that never happened in our neighborhood before," said Eric Carlson, a retired dentist who has volunteered to teach his neighbors how to use a firearm. "So are you going to stick your head in the sand or are you going to prepare?"

Crime is a rising concern in Jungle Terrace. At a recent community meeting, residents were told to invest in pepper spray and be more cautious.

But police statistics actually reveal a decline in crime in the area.

In 2006, there were 74 violent crimes in the neighborhood, down from 124 the year before. Statistics for this year are not available.

Property crimes have remained steady at slightly above 990 incidents a year.

"A lot of the crime comes from the mall area, so it is a little misleading," said Steve Zachem, 37, president of the Jungle Terrace Civic Association, of the growing concern about crime. "We certainly haven't seen the problems that some other neighborhoods have seen."

Zachem, who is a gun owner, said he doesn't think it is necessary to encourage his neighbors to arm themselves.

"There is a lot of responsibility that goes with owning a gun," he said. "I certainly hope that anyone who is looking to buy a handgun weighs all the pluses and negatives before making that decision."

Still, some residents said they are worried that criminals are starting to consider the area easy prey.

Robert Miller, a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association, said someone recently tried to steal his truck at Tyrone mall. He is also worried that some of the freshly sprayed graffiti throughout the neighborhood is a sign that there are gangs in the area.

"I don't feel as safe as I did before," said Miller, a retired computer technician. "As long as they know how to use it, I certainly wouldn't feel uncomfortable with my neighbors having a gun."

To the naysayers, Carlson points to Kennesaw, Ga., a small community just outside of Atlanta that requires every household to maintain a firearm together with ammunition, with exceptions made for convicted felons, the disabled and those with religious objections.

There, the crime rate initially plummeted for several years after the passage of the ordinance in 1982, according to the Associated Press.

"There are crazy people out there," Carlson said. "The key is to be prepared and not live in fear."

Cristina Silva can be reached at 727 893-8846 or csilva@sptimes.com.

[Last modified September 9, 2007, 01:44:29]