In an effort to bump this thread and hopefully jump start it Ill tell a recent story. While I am a long time heroin addict the story has nothing to do with drugs.
I have been roaming the streets exploring buildings such as the Packard, Fisher 21, and the train station for 20 years. I made a little name for myself on a popular website here in Detroit called Detroityes.com. People started to call me for tours of Detroit. I only get about 3 or 4 jobs a year, many of the people calling are journalists from other countries but I will generally show most anyone around as long as I make a few bucks or its for a good cause.
This past summer I was giving a tour to an Aussie who just wanted to photograph Detroit. Robert is fascinated with Detroit, he is a pro all the way but gets stuck shooting Hollywood type events for the papers in Australia to make ends meet. The last thing he did I believe, before he left Australia, was the Game of Thrones red carpet event with all the actors. Using most of his savings he booked a flight for Detroit and spent a month photographing the awesomeness. Luckily he called and hired me to show him around. I serve as a guide and a half assed bodyguard. I generally keep my eyes open for trouble coming and diffuse situations. Robert carries upward of $20,000 in equipment and we are at the Packard Plant. Some of the streets surrounding the Packard are blocked but no street is completely inaccessible. My new friend Robert had set up in the parking lot of the abandoned DHS building next to the Packard and was shooting away. I sat in the truck waiting for him to finish. This was summertime and a hot day. While keeping an eye on him and the surrounding areas I noticed two guys with heavy hoodies walking quickly down the sidewalk toward us. Who the heck wears a hoodie in 85 degree weather? I started the truck and screeched up to Robert yelling at him "Get in the truck NOW Robert" He did exactly as I told him, grabbed all his gear, ran at the truck as the two punks were rushing us. Robert got everything in the bed of the truck and literally jumped head first in. As the punks rushed us a gun appeared pointing at us while they yelled at us "Give it up, just give it up" I stepped on the gas and sped off waiting for a gunshot but luckily dude didn't feel it was worth it.
Robert did exactly as I told him. I tell everyone I give tours to the same thing, If I say get in the truck do not ask questions just pick up your shit and get in the fucking truck ASAP.
Detroit is such an up an coming city these days but its a big city and the blight still far outweighs the new stadiums and eateries. As much bullshit that we deal with to score or explore, I love this city.