Battle Pay???

So, as I have mentioned, I work in Pomona. And, as I have mentioned, IT IS SHADY IN POMONA. Last year, a friend of mine told me that he feared for my life and so it was his intention to find me a "red Kevlar sweater". Um... so I had no idea what or who Kevlar was, and I know my sweater designers! He informed me it was the maker of bullet-proof vests, but that he was sure I'd refuse to wear one, since they're ugly, so he was going to see what he could do about getting them to make me a bullet-proof sweater. Sure enough, one morning I found a shopping bag on my car with a red sweater (made by Target or something) hand-stitched were the numbers "9-0-9" on the right sleeve and the inside was lined with a pillow, which was sewn in. That was funny back then... but, now, I might actually need it!

The reason my office is in Pomona is not because of it's proximity to the owners, neither of whom would be caught dead (no pun intended) living in the area. One lives in a palatial mansion in Chino Hills and the other "behind the gates" in Coto de Caza. But, our company is in a HUBZone (Historically Under-utilized Business Zone). This gives us special preference for contracts issued by the Department of Defense, our main client. It also puts me in harms way. There is a great reason why the "zone" is under-utilized... fear of impending injury, even death!

So, within the past year there have been 3 SCARY incidents, of which I am aware, (I am sure there are WAY more, but I am trying not to pay attention). Please note, I am not exaggerating! Once I had to drive all the way around the city trying to find a way into the parking lot of my building, because apparently there was a hit and run fatality on the other side of the street, I saw the body covered with a sheet! Aaaahhhh! Next there was a nice couple with their 2 kids in the back seat getting gas about 6 blocks from my office, the husband/father was shot point blank in the head, without cause, and was pronounced DOA. I had to divert my patronage to a new gas station. Actually, I try to pump up in the O.C. these days. The latest happened today. Three contractors got shot on their way to 7-eleven to get something to eat (this is gross, I know, but they are contractors, that’s where they eat lunch), this was about a mile from my office. All three were shot multiple times.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-shooting21mar21,1,3115934.story?coll=la-headlines-california&ctrack=1&cset=true

At what point is it appropriate to ask for a raise, not based on performance, but more on fear, I think the military calls this "battle pay"???