My husband was threatened at work!

@bethmt (419)
United States
April 2, 2007 3:07pm CST
My husband works at a county government office and is working right now as an interim director. His work entitles a myriad of responsibilities including public complaints that concern public and environmental health. Anyway, he called me to say that a man stopped by the office and wanted to complain about a neighbor. From what my husband told me this guy is a troublemaker and complains all the time to county and city officials. Today the guy started out complaining in a very aggressive, hostile way and making demands that couldn't even be addressed by the office where my husband works. My husband said he told the guy he could talk to him if he calmed down but the guy just got more abusive so my husband told him to leave. While the guy was walking out of the office he was shouting things like "I'll take care of this with you outside" and saying that he'll be back, etc. Well, my husband has been in administrative work for decades and has had to deal with a lot of things but this really rattled him. I think I'm more upset than he is though and I'm picturing these awful things you see on the news where people go on vengeful shooting rampages. My husband said he reported the incident to the sheriff's office but isn't pressing any kind of charges; he just wanted it on the record. I'm hoping this guy doesn't show up again any time soon. Has anything similar ever happened to you or a loved one while at work?
2 people like this
3 responses
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
3 Apr 07
No not to us. I would however wish an officer to be sent over to that guys house and they have a little talk. Better to have all that on record and then an eye kept out for him to show up again. In this day and age it sould not be brushed off and taken very seriously. Best of luck in avoiding any future incidents.
1 person likes this
@bethmt (419)
• United States
8 Apr 07
My husband called the sheriff's office so it would be on record but didn't want any charges pressed at the time. But I'm sure hoping that the guy has learned a bit of a lesson from all of this; we'll see.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
3 Apr 07
I can understand you being worried but I think you can go with your husband's gut feeling on this. This guy is probably the kind of guy to run off at the mouth. A serious guy would plan an attack but not tell anyone so he wouldn't get caught. This guy is too stupid for that.
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@bethmt (419)
• United States
8 Apr 07
You're right that the guy is probably all talk, especially since he goes all over town trying to stir up trouble.
• United States
2 Apr 07
I hate to see problems like this! I cannot believe that some people will take their problems out on anyone who is within range. Once when I was an assistant manager at a retail store in the mall (and VERY pregnant) I had to deal with 2 women who were trying to shoplift. I walked over just as one was about to stuff something into her purse and so she turned to me an started accusing me of following her. Obviously it was for good reason since I witnessed her attempt to steal. The place I worked at dictated that you could not stop someone whole stole until they were outside of the store so at the time I could only attempt to prevent theft. She started yelling at me (now picture a pregnant 19 year old being screamed at by 2 30-40 something y/o adult women that claimed to have children my age) saying that she would put me in my place and that she would kick my a$$ and all of this stuff. My co-worker was standing at the counter dialing security but trying to look like she was just watching. I asked her to leave, informing her that the store did not tolerate threatening of any sort and that security would have to be called and they would have to be escorted out of the store and mall by them. When security wandered into the store acting as if they were just doing a walk-through the women bolted. At the end of the night they escorted us out of the mall (we had lots of money and it was dark) and made sure that no one was following us to the bank. It was very nerve wracking, that's for sure! I also worked in security for a few years and had to deal with countless people thinking I was a moron or something because I was a young girl supervising the place. I was talked down to, threatened and much more. I showed them though. I didn't let anyone mess with me there! After a while many of the regulars would never mess with me and for the most part treated me with respect. The new ones were warned that I didn't take crap! It is really lousy dealing with the public when they are angry. I definately feel for you and your husband!
@bethmt (419)
• United States
2 Apr 07
It's funny how biligerant crooks will get when they know they've been caught. It sounds like you handled that situation great but I can understand how concerning it must have been for you. I'm sorry to hear you went through all that garbage when working security but I think it's great that you stood up to the people who bullied you.
1 person likes this