Currently Cincinnati has a higher per-capita homicide rate than Chicago due to a couple of warzone neighborhoods. I used to work on the edge of one of those neighborhoods.

I visited a BP station on the edge of the war zone at least once a month. Let me tell you, the video brought back less than fond memories. It was a busy station.

I always stood with my back to the car as I was filling, and then regularly checked my Six. I put an eyeball on everyone in the lot.

1) It helped that I generally drove a 2004 Coup D'Ville. That right there got me a ton of respect.
2) I was always friendly and courteous. I never gave anyone the stinkeye.
3) Being an old fart in the African American community gives one a certain amount of respect. They figure if you lasted that long, you must have earned it.
4) My head was on a swivel. I never showed a lack of attention.
5) I only went in at lunch or late afternoon-- never when it was dark.

. . . and I never had trouble.

I still never drove into the lot with less than a Ruger LCR in 357 Mag. Usually, I had my Ruger p95.

Genesis 9:2-4 Ministries Lighthearted Confessions of a Cervid Serial Killer