True Story-Unsure what the proper response is.

[BC9696]

We own a catering company that feeds hot meals to several hundred people (elderly, people in rehab, etc) so we are working daily. A crazed homeless guy entered the building and demanded food, then proceeded to spit and cough all over everything. He did this before we could offer him a to go box which we would have done. So he's told to leave and his response is to spit in the mouth of an employee. He grudgingly leaves, the cops come...basically nothing happens except a report is taken.

Clearly this is not a situation justifying use of a firearm and since I wasn't in the office at the time, my staff was uncertain what to do. Maybe there's an attorney here that can chime in.

I bought several pepper gel canisters. Would I be within the confines of the law to spray this guy with pepper gel, tackle him and hold him for Police? My thought is this...I want him arrested & tested for COVID19 as a protection for my staff and kitchen facility. It creates a real disruption as everything has to be thrown away and the room sanitized. This is expensive, time consuming and a real pisser. Is Macing his arse and taking him down overkill? What would the appropriate action be?

This occurred during the period when our delivery vans are being loaded, otherwise the doors would have been closed and locked as they are 95% of the time. How much force is too much force? Can I cuff people like this? I need a plan...this crazy old fook may return.

[lazyworm]

Given all the recent news reports of stupid people doing stupid things like licking things at grocery stores, that should now be classified as "Making Terrorist threats"?

[357manny]

Pepper spray or taser him. You're protecting your employees' and your health--Coronavirus could be a death sentence for anyone to contract. It's within your rights to defend yourself.

He will definitely be back; if not him, someone else may come along. Ugh.

Cops would not/should not arrest you for doing something they would also most likely do.

[axhoaxho]

https://youtu.be/nn_Q6nKNZ3E

[Grouchy Bear]

returns

[Judas530]

Pepper spray indoors = no bueno. Cops are taking this kind of thing pretty seriously atm. I'm not a business owner so please consult a lawyer but I would think you would be within your rights to protect yourself and your employees, especially if the guy isn't seriously hurt or killed. I'd be more concerned about him sueing you than going to jail. This is California afterall. Business owners take alot of crap from the homeless.

[timdps]

Physical barrier to ensure distances? Sneeze guards like store cashiers? Bouncer to keep the homeless out (since it does not appear that you feed them)?

T

[ibanezfoo]

We kill terrorists don't we? Guy seems like a terrorist. Blast him.

[NorcalGSG]

How about outside barriers? Anything along the lines of a gated fence etc to help reduce the chance of people getting in the building? Possibly even just around the loading area with an electric gate?

[BajaJames83]

Spit in someone's mouth that would be a sure beatdown

[OCEquestrian]

Baseball bat ....

[ZX9ALLDAY]

I was a bouncer before i moved to CA. One time a fight broke out and someone used pepper spray because he was gettn his a** beat. Everyone in the club 200-300 people evacuated because it got bad.

You should have dumped him right on that floor. Its you and your staff’s word vs his.

[SWalt]

Cop did nothing? Something tells me if you spit in the cops mouth you'd be arrested.

[BC9696]

I wasn't there, I was sheltering (working in my home office) to minimize exposure. There is no way to load a dozen delivery vans and secure the entrance at the same time. I am looking for help from someone who specializes in self defense law in Orange County. The Sheriffs don't appear too concerned. I am. This is crazy FN chit. Lotta homeless in our area. I need a solid plan (company protocol) for such situations cuz I'm pretty certain he'll be back.

[L84CABO]

I understand your frustration with this. But be careful what you may be getting yourself into. Just because you can't see a weapon doesn't mean he doesn't have one. Things could escalate VERY quickly. And it's clear you're already dealing with a dude who is unstable and or high. Trying to secure your physical area, may be your best approach. Even if you have to post one or two people at your entrance while the rest of folks are loading the vans.

Also, I know enough about cuffing people to not do it unless you've had training on how to do it properly and safely. Things can go south with that pretty quickly. And there may be legal ramifications such as false imprisonment charges if you're not in the right. You should be talking to a real attorney on this and not people on the internet.