While the point that the presence of tattoos does not make one an automatic bad guy (leaving aside the discussion of what some types reveal in terms of gang membership, prison associations, etc.), it's worthwhile to remember that they don't make one an automatic good guy either.agarcia82 wrote:I have a chl and i have lots of tattoos..does that make me a bad guy?? I think what you did was just racial profiling..you didnt care what the man had to say..you just seen tattoos and automatically thought he was a bad guy.. and when you told him to buz off thats exactly what the man did he left you alone..you on the other hand did not my good sir you pursued it by calling the cops.. heaven forbid someone with a tatoo ask you for help if they are being robbed youl just shut the door on them..
In the case under discussion here, a great deal more than just the presence of tattoos was involved in triggering the OP's spidey sense, and it was the totality of the circumstances that led to his decision to call the police. They were dressed in a manner not appropriate for visiting strangers, asked inappropriate questions, and exhibited behavior that was inconsistent with what they said they were there for. The OP stated his concern was that they were checking out homes for future burglaries or home invasions. Whether that was their intent or not, their actions and manner matched what one would expect to see in that circumstance. His concerns about their character and intent were validated when one of the subjects was found to be in possession of unlawful drugs and was arrested and the other was cited for soliciting without a permit.
Ignoring fact patterns like this and trying to convince oneself that it's probably nothing is one of the most common elements in how victims attain that status.
This was a case of prudence, not prejudice.
