34

A few weeks ago i was walking my dog around 11pm, and a driver jokingly did a brake torque as we were crossing the street. He was maybe 3 feet away from us.

After yelling at each other, he threatened to kill me and my dog the next time he saw us. As I pulled my camera he peeled out and hurled a racial comment my way. Sadly, there was so much movement i couldnt get the plate, and i didnt get anything that happened before that on camera.

So I got a body cam to wear for all my walks. Unfortunately, this is not the only time people have been racist and threatened my life so I’m just tired of it and hoping it might encourage people to behave. Feels lame, but it does provide some comfort. Does anyone else do the same?

top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] M137@lemmy.world 17 points 9 months ago
[-] some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org 5 points 9 months ago

Don't downvote someone correcting spelling. They did it with no apparent snark.

[-] SorteKanin@feddit.dk 3 points 9 months ago

On the other hand, there's probably also almost no reason to upvote it. OP will see it, there's no need for it to be the top comment.

load more comments (3 replies)
[-] DeathByDenim@lemmy.world 7 points 9 months ago

Sort of. I wear a camera while cycling because there are a lot of angry people in cars that have some weird hatred towards people using a bicycle.

[-] houstoneulers@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago

Actually, this is sorta what motivated me. Since I watch those angry driver youtube videos, I often see the need for cyclist/bikers.

[-] PonyOfWar@pawb.social 7 points 9 months ago

No, as that would be illegal in many situations in my country. I also don't want cameras pointed at me constantly, so I don't do that to other people either.

[-] surewhynotlem@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago

Can you not have dash cams?

[-] PonyOfWar@pawb.social 9 points 9 months ago

Dashcams are legally controversial in Germany. Generally the common opinion is that they're only allowed if they quickly delete all recorded data and only save it if there was an actual accident.

The problem with a bodycam is that while it's allowed to film in public, it's not allowed to film specific people without their permission. So it would be fine to film a busy street without focusing on any people in particular, but going into a store with your bodycam where it would film your interaction with the cashier would be illegal.

load more comments (2 replies)
[-] nichtburningturtle@feddit.org 3 points 9 months ago

The thing is, that your dashcam usually stays on public property / public spaces, while a bodycam could easily film someone on private property. Therefore OP would likely have limitations on where they are allowed to film, similarly to an IRL streamer.

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] houstoneulers@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago

Thanks for all the responses! It is a lame feeling as I do see it from others side (those that aren't being potentially violent assholes), but the cost of any one person having serious intent is too high now, especially since i've never had anyone say anything against the asshole's behavior.

With that said, having a camera has taken the edge off for me so I don't feel as confrontational, and I can just post them on the neighborhood app after walking away. But on the flip side, I now live in middle america...

[-] thermal_shock@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Keep using it. 99% of the time, people won't even notice or know what it is. Those that do may actually behave better knowing it's there. Nothing wrong with being prepared. Do you have a car dashcams? Same idea, better to have it ready the time comes.

Mine has saved me twice in the 6 years I've had it, first thing I did was buy the fiance at the time the same model, knowing it worked well for our needs.

[-] drmoose@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago

This is crazy - where does this happen that it sounds so normalized? How terrible it must be to live in an environment that allows this

[-] Gerudo@lemm.ee 5 points 9 months ago

My wife isn't white. She gets slurs thrown at her all the time just out of the blue.

[-] drmoose@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

Crazy, sorry to hear about that.

I think humans do have a tendency to stereotype people but how does that evolve into a full blow hate is just beyond me. I imagine it's an equivalent of losing your mind to a overly packed mushroom shake because you really have to be demented to fall into such behavior.

[-] houstoneulers@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

This latest incident happened in middle america. But it's happened to me on the coasts as well.

[-] adhocfungus@midwest.social 2 points 9 months ago

Midwest US was going to be my first guess. Not uncommon behavior around here.

[-] Kng@feddit.rocks 5 points 9 months ago

I have honestly been considering this but less for protection but more for preservation. I feel like the best way to capture what its like to live in the world of today is to just walk around and start recording mundane things. Sure this is much more prevalent than it used to be but oftentimes I find myself wishing I just had more photos of the places I used to frequent that are simply no longer in existance.

[-] 01189998819991197253@infosec.pub 4 points 9 months ago

In addition to the camera (of which I would recommend one of those camera glasses, so it's always pointing where you're looking), start carrying a visible brick, too. While crossing the street, make it SUPER visible that you have one. It's not illegal to carry a brick, but it informs wanker motorists that you can, and will, use it. I have a mate in New York that does this, and taxis stopped cutting him off while he was crossing the street. He still gets slurs thrown his way, but sticks and stones and all that.

[-] houstoneulers@lemmy.world 3 points 9 months ago

lmao, idk if I'm going to go that far. But given that in my encounters no one stops to either help or stick around for the cops to help confirm the circumstances...

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] WolfmanEightySix@piefed.social 2 points 9 months ago

What’s a brake torque?

To answer your question, if this is a regular thing for you I’d say it was worth it. Although if you’re in the USA it’s probably just gonna lead to you getting shot.

[-] bert_macklin_fbi@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago

A brake torque is something you can do while driving a car. You keep one foot on the brake, hit the gas with the other foot, and take your foot off the brake. Oftentimes, this results in propelling your car forward while squealing your tires.

A kind person would refrain from doing these at night or near neighborhoods.

[-] kokope11i@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago

Us olds call this a burnout.

[-] tkk13909@sopuli.xyz 3 points 9 months ago

If it's not an obvious camera then a driver probably wouldn't notice it

load more comments (1 replies)
[-] WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.works 2 points 9 months ago

I can kind of understand, but I'm utterly disgusted of people who record public spaces like random streets. let us have some privacy!

at the same time it's sad that this is needed

[-] aln@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

... You're upset that someone is recording a public space. Public. You want privacy in public. Do you not see the disconnect?

load more comments (1 replies)
load more comments (3 replies)
[-] nomugisan@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 9 months ago

Seems sort of insane for daily wear, but I think having a camera for walks or jogs isn't the worst idea if you've got the money. I'd make sure the security and privacy of the camera and recorder are tip-top though

load more comments
view more: next ›
this post was submitted on 02 Mar 2025
34 points (88.6% liked)

Ask Lemmy

36136 readers
477 users here now

A Fediverse community for open-ended, thought provoking questions


Rules: (interactive)


1) Be nice and; have funDoxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, and toxicity are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them


2) All posts must end with a '?'This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?


3) No spamPlease do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.


4) NSFW is okay, within reasonJust remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either !asklemmyafterdark@lemmy.world or !asklemmynsfw@lemmynsfw.com. NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].


5) This is not a support community.
It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions. If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email info@lemmy.world. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.


6) No US Politics.
Please don't post about current US Politics. If you need to do this, try !politicaldiscussion@lemmy.world or !askusa@discuss.online


Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.

Partnered Communities:

Tech Support

No Stupid Questions

You Should Know

Reddit

Jokes

Ask Ouija


Logo design credit goes to: tubbadu


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS