OT: Matt Johnson Article

[PuckinUgly57]

Long story short, he is homeless in LA, on drugs, nowhere to be found and distanced from his family.

I'm not even sure how I stumbled on this one but wow, what an awesome read. I wondered what happened to him after he left the NHL, pretty sad story. Hope he and his family can put everything back together.

It's a long read and be prepared to reflect on your own life.

Searching for Matt Johnson

 

[Vegas]

Sad. Really sad.

 

[davnlaguna]

Matt Johnson jailed in Los Angeles - Article - TSN
Update
In jail
Busted up a Denny’s on New Year’s Eve in Santa Monica

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

Really sad. I really liked him when he was with the Kings. I am not sure if this is all from getting hit in the head too much, substance abuse, or mental health issues. But I hope he gets the help he needs.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Wow, that's crazy. At least they know where he is now, maybe the family can try and step in again and help him but the thing with people in these situations is a lot of the don't want the help.

For those reading who aren't familiar with CA, the big thing in Orange County is the homeless encampment along the Santa Ana River Bed with a lot of homeless camps along the bike trail in Anaheim all the way to Santa Ana (a shithole city overall) about 15-20 miles away. I live in Yorba Linda, the city next to Anaheim and the most NE city in OC, the last city in OC until you head into Riverside County. Yorba Regional Park is about 6-7 miles west in Anaheim/Anaheim Hills and I take my kids there when we go bike riding because you can access the bike trail that runs along the river bed from this area.

I don't go too far down it because when the trail goes under overpasses, there are literally camps set up of homeless people and it can be scary from drugs to criminals to crazies. There are needles everywhere, trash, piss and shit, unsafe fires, etc. I won't put my kids in that situation and I carry my Smithfield 40 when I ride down that trail just in case. I don't have a conceal carry permit yet (working on it - it's very hard to get in CA) but I'd rather literally shoot first and ask questions later if my kids, me or someone else is in danger.

The County of Orange announced 2 weeks ago they are going to be moving them out. It has gotten worse because of our goofy state and retarded governor Jerry Brown, who passed a few Assembly Bills the last 5 years that released inmates before their full term as a reason to reduce crowding in jails. It backfired because there are people who have committed serious crimes roaming free who shouldn't be, and many of these early release inmates have gone on to commit serious crimes such as r*pe and murder. Fuck em, keep them in jail and off the streets of society - do the crime, do the time.

Many of these people find their way to these homeless camps and essentially create gangs to extort the homeless by offering "protection". I'm not kidding you, this is how bad it is in this state - along with being the highest taxed state in the nation, its penchant for taking care of illegal immigrants over citizens and basically doing everything backasswards is why we have decided on an exit strategy of leaving in the next 12 years after our youngest is out of HS. This state is garbage because of its government. It was a nice state to live in when we moved from OH to here in 1986 but has slowly gone into the toilet.

Back on point, back in November the OC Sheriff's Department tried to help these people and 83% of them refused the help. That is a combination of drugs, mental illness and criminals because they can essentially do what they want without any rules or regulations. That is a stunning number, the actual count was I believe 910/1093 contacts refused the help.

I'm sure in many cases there are mentally ill people who refuse the help, which is what it sounds like with Johnson. The issue is you can't force them to get the help and that is where the challenge is.

 

[Kings4OT]

Ya I wont live in CA because of the laws there, unfortunately you guys are infesting NV and sending it down the toilet as well. Most of those types of laws and programs don't help anyone and people that can and should work can instead camp out and shoot up.

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

Good luck on getting your CCW Puck. Its next to impossible. I looked into it a while ago and its next to impossible. I was told the best possible way was to try San Bernardino county. I was encouraged to be a first responder reserve. Just asking for it for personal protection etc is not enough.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

I hear you, I have run into roadblocks as well as I had a wobbler felony over a decade ago but it has since been expunged and I have a completed clean record now.

Wobblers are felonies that stay on your record until you complete your restitution - whatever that is, court programs, fees, time served, etc. - for those that don't know. They are not permanent unless you essentially are a lazy bastard and don't do what you're supposed to do but the crime was serious enough to warrant prison time and the judge gives you a shot to redeem yourself based on the factors of the case. Oviously not one of my finer moments, but a hard lesson learned nonetheless. Haven't had any issue with the popo in 10+ years but this one stuck around for some time.

After the expungement I was able to get a weapons license since all my rights were reinstated but I have received conflicting information for a few lawyers regarding how the wobbler can affect the CCW persmit. I'd taking my time and doing my research and due diligence because you'll have 1 shot at it pretty much. I am a volunteer fireman with LACoFD so I have that going for me, but CA and its gun laws are nothing short of ridiculous.

From my understanding after the SB shooting the applications for guns as well as CCW went through the roof in the county - have you heard anything or have any information on how that is going?

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Ya I wont live in CA because of the laws there, unfortunately you guys are infesting NV and sending it down the toilet as well. Most of those types of laws and programs don't help anyone and people that can and should work can instead camp out and shoot up.

I found this on Facebook, this is how bad it is. It's scary and crazy at the same time.

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

Thats crazy how they block off what they CLAIM to be THEIR land. Like they own it. Same type of thing up in LA under the 110 fwy. This guy was on the news because how nice HIS area is.. Its like an apartment and he has electricity.

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

From my understanding after the SB shooting the applications for guns as well as CCW went through the roof in the county - have you heard anything or have any information on how that is going?

PUCK, Once I was told all that entailed to get the CCW, I just got deflated and stopped. I may look into what it takes to be a volunteer for either the FD or PD.

I do agree with you to carry if you ride down there to be safe, especially with the kids.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Thats crazy how they block off what they CLAIM to be THEIR land. Like they own it. Same type of thing up in LA under the 110 fwy. This guy was on the news because how nice HIS area is.. Its like an apartment and he has electricity.

Exactly, just because you're homeless - mostly by choice - doesn't give anyone any right to just lay their belongings down and claim the area/land as theirs. This epidemic has gotten out of control, the sense of compassion surrounding these people is mostly false and even worse people fall for it.

Yes, there are many who truly need the help, are addicts/users/what have you, can't do it on their own, mentally ill, etc. but a majority of this are people who choose to do this by choice because they feel they won't/don't have to obey laws as well as societal structure. Fine and dandy if if doesn't affect other people, but guess what, it does.

I remember seeing this guy and thinking to myself "dude you are HOMELESS. Capable of working, getting back on your feet but you choose this? And then expect people to support it?". I just don't understand this whole thing and don't want to - all I know is I want to be able to go on a bike ride with my kids and not have to worry about their safety and what legal ramifications I could get into if I had to defend them or myself with a weapon.

I didn't do anything, these shouldn't be my issues.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

PUCK, Once I was told all that entailed to get the CCW, I just got deflated and stopped. I may look into what it takes to be a volunteer for either the FD or PD.

I do agree with you to carry if you ride down there to be safe, especially with the kids.

I can put you in contact with the Fire Captain for LACoFD who helped me many years ago and got me all set up. He's still there at Station 171 in Inglehood.

I was stupid and didn't join the FD when I was 18, I didn't want to work for a government agency because...well I was 18 and full of piss and vinegar. You say no, I'll say yes, you say yes, I'll say no.

Now seeing what a life they have, their retirement plans and all those benefits I kick myself. You can retire after 20 years in the FD, if I had gone straight in at 18 I could have retired any time after 2013 when I turned 38. Of course I could have been killed in the last 25 years too, but I digress. I still get that rush even when I volunteer, the adrenaline junkie in me apparently will never die no matter how old I get.

The positives outweigh the negative, assuming all went well as it has now I would be almost 43, set for life, retired and could do my own thing - a hobby, start a business, spend more time with the kids and their school activities, etc. Not a bad thing so for you young kids reading (even older folks - LA took a 56 year old 2 years ago who graduated from the Santa Ana Fire Academy. I heard that story and couldn't be happier for the guy, chasing and finally living his dream. LACoFD has changed their hiring practices because they have a ton of 22-27 years olds but these kids don't know how to talk to people and don't have enough life skills) be smart and see what you can do to get in although in CA it's extremely hard. Try other states like TX, FL and such if you aren't tied down with kids and whatnot.

It really sucks knowing I will get into some type of trouble or at the very least a long drawn out date with the legal system for just defending myself or someone else if it came down to that. CA is hit or miss, I've seen some people walk and others have some sort of legal problem for using a weapon without a CCW even though it stopped a crime in progress or prevented it from happening altogether. But such is the state we will live in, also why we are leaving in 2030. The gun laws are a joke - how is Chicago, Detroit and DC working out for you anti gun folks? Crime ridden shitholes.

It won't stop me however from enjoying my life and time with the kids. I keep that thing holstered and it's ready to go if necessary when we venture onto the bike trail. The kids are educated about these encampments and how dangerous they can be but they don't know pops is packing to keep them safe.

They do make fun of me for wearing a fanny pack when we ride with snacks however since only "old dads" have those according to them.

=)~~

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

It really sucks knowing I will get into some type of trouble or at the very least a long drawn out date with the legal system for just defending myself or someone else if it came down to that. CA is hit or miss, I've seen some people walk and others have some sort of legal problem for using a weapon without a CCW even though it stopped a crime in progress or prevented it from happening altogether.

I took my wife to the Cowboy/Charger game for Thanksgiving and sat next to a guy that works at a private range in Lytle Creek. There is a private range there that he is an instructor. He recommended to take a class. There is a company called Top Gun that rents part of the property and teaches handgun/rifles and shotguns.
Firearms Training in the Inland Empire: Pistol, Shotgun & Firearm Safety | Top Gun Training Centre if you are interested.

He did say that taking the class could help you in a situation where you would have to use your weapon. You can show that you have take a gun safety class. He said that if you ever had to use it against someone, you WILL BE sued. Thats what he said. Its not a cheap class and I am thinking of taking it with my wife.

 

[PuckinUgly57]

Too funny, the guy I went to (I do have training) is also called Top Gun, must be a popular name in that industry.

This is the guy I go to, he does overall security assessments including fire arms training. I met him at a chamber of commerce networking event about 4 years ago and have gone to him since. I tried to link just his training division (you'll see it on the upper left side in the drop down) but apparently corporate America blocked me because it was a "WEAPONS/BOMBS" website. Really?

Threat Management And Protection, Inc. | TMAP

Living in Yorba Linda I go to the gun range in Brea. These guys are awesome, all are ex military/LE and great guys too. One guy in particular is a former SpecOps guy, I would not want to mess with that guy with or without a weapon. He will beat the holy hell out of you just by staring at you.

www.ocindoorrange.com

Coincidentally that too was blocked as I just tried to go there. Geez.

And yes, I would strongly recommend taking that class. As soon as my kids are old enough (I should mature enough - they are 12, 7, 7 and 5 but not ready yet) they will be learning too.

 

[LAKINGSFAN]

I checked both links and it appears that the Top Gun has several locations. The websites are identical. I believe a coworker of mine took the training class in Brea. I will normally go to the Prado range in Chino/Corona. I have also shot at a range in Oceanside (my son lives out there) and that range was actually pretty nice.

I am fairly new at this "hobby" and have only been shooting about 10 times or so. Several co-workers drive out to Hodge Road and shoot but I am not sure how comfortable I am with that. I like there to be some kind of rules etc. Not just everyone on their own.