Reminder - Let's Be Safe Out There

UpOn2Wheels · December 11, 2009, 08:59:36 AM

I had an incident (possible attempted mugging) earlier this week in a Mandarin park. It worked out well for all parties involved, but it could have ended badly had I not been aware of the situation. What the potential bad guy didn't know is that I'm an NRA certified firearms instructor, and yes I was carrying at the time of the incident. A simple crime of opportunity could have been a very costly mistake.

I can't believe the number of completely unaware individuals I see in parking lots this time of year. Here's a few common sense reminders:

1) Mall and discount store parking lots are dangerous places. They are to criminals what watering holes are to predatory animals; a gathering place where the victims can often be taken by surprise. You should NEVER be talking on your cell phone as you walk to your car. It distracts situational awareness and makes you an easy mark for a criminal. Also, have your keys in hand before you get to your car; fumbling for keys while a few hundred dollars worth of gifts (and a purse, probably) sits in your basket is asking for trouble.

2) Lock your car doors as soon as you get in. A simple thing, but most people overlook it.

3) Don't be afraid to be rude. A common strongarm robbery technique these days happens at gas stations. A down on his luck guy will approach and ask for money; when you decline (or take out your wallet / purse) the situation escalates from panhandling to strongarm robbery. As a rule of thumb, I never let strangers get within ten feet in these situations before advising them "STOP. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING FOR YOU" in my best command voice.

4) Most criminals take the path of least resistance - they don't want a fight, they don't want a scene and they don't want to drag out the transaction any longer than possible. If you have to give up your wallet or purse, throw it as hard as you can in one direction and run as fast as you can in the other. No matter what you have in your wallet or purse, it's not worth dying for.

5) If you opt for defensive measures, be damn sure you know what you're doing. A lot of people carry pepper spray, but have they ever practiced with it? Could you safely deploy it on a windy day? Likewise, a lot of people carry guns in the car, which (IMO) is a bad, bad idea. I'm probably not going to need a gun if I have the ability to drive away from a situation, so why would I risk putting another gun on the street in the event of a break in?

6) Abductions are pretty uncommon, but they can happen anywhere. If someone attempts to get you into a vehicle, the correct answer is never, under any circumstances. Do whatever you have to do to avoid getting into a stranger's vehicle. Even taking a bullet in a public place is better than being tortured and left to die alone in the middle of nowhere.

7) Finally, never assume you live in a "safe" place. Mandarin is pretty safe, but we have our share of break ins and home invasion robberies. Use common sense; lock your doors and don't let strangers into your house.

Anyway, I'm off my soapbox now...

BridgeTroll · December 11, 2009, 09:02:39 AM

QuoteAnyway, I'm off my soapbox now...

Thanks for getting on it in the first place!

Karl_Pilkington · December 11, 2009, 09:20:00 AM

Quote from: UpOn2Wheels on December 11, 2009, 08:59:36 AM
3) Don't be afraid to be rude. A common strongarm robbery technique these days happens at gas stations. A down on his luck guy will approach and ask for money; when you decline (or take out your wallet / purse) the situation escalates from panhandling to strongarm robbery. As a rule of thumb, I never let strangers get within ten feet in these situations before advising them "STOP. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING FOR YOU" in my best command voice.

this one is the most common approach method, have seen this countless times in police reports, and you are absolutely right. My wife always chastises me for doing what you suggest, but you know better to be rude than sorry. Good Advice.

mtraininjax · December 11, 2009, 09:47:23 AM

Good info! My friend keeps a single dollar bill in his pocket at times like these, and just drops it, allows the person to go after the money and walk on by.

Besides, a dollar is not even worth the paper its printed on.

Dog Walker · December 11, 2009, 10:59:30 AM

Karl, Get your wife to practice with you until she is comfortable with putting up her hand in a stop gesture and saying loudly, "DON'T COME ANY CLOSER TO ME!" It's a woman's best, first defense.

Another ploy that my wife saw once was when she pulled into a parking space a guy walked up and said, "Hey lady, there were sparks coming from your front wheel when you pulled up." When she got out of the car to look, she saw him pulling at the passenger side door to get at her purse. Luckily that door was still locked so she jumped back in the car, locked her door and leaned on the horn. He ran away.

Overstreet · December 11, 2009, 12:34:26 PM

Quote from: UpOn2Wheels on December 11, 2009, 08:59:36 AM..........I had an incident (possible attempted mugging) earlier this week in a Mandarin park. It worked out well for all parties involved, but it could have ended badly had I not been aware of the situation. ........

Day time or night time?

Park area or at the boat ramp?

I've had some interesting encounters of my own at County Dock and adjoining park. The strangest was the young guy with the sword.

Ernest Street · December 11, 2009, 12:37:35 PM

Was he mumbling.."There can only be one!!"..?

UpOn2Wheels · December 11, 2009, 12:55:33 PM

Quote from: Overstreet on December 11, 2009, 12:34:26 PM
Quote from: UpOn2Wheels on December 11, 2009, 08:59:36 AM..........I had an incident (possible attempted mugging) earlier this week in a Mandarin park. It worked out well for all parties involved, but it could have ended badly had I not been aware of the situation. ........

Day time or night time?

Park area or at the boat ramp?

I've had some interesting encounters of my own at County Dock and adjoining park. The strangest was the young guy with the sword.

Early morning, on County Dock Road but before the boat ramp. I think a tweaker in a stolen car was looking for an easy victim, but I doubled back to Mandarin Road before he had a chance to exit his vehicle. I got the stink eye when he drove past me, like he was saying "Asshole, now I have to find someone else to roll".

sandyshoes · December 11, 2009, 01:48:10 PM

UpOn2wheels, yes, thank you for such good info, I learned some new things for sure. Eons ago at this time of year, and in the same day, I had a couple of weird encounters. One was a guy heading toward me in a parking lot (I mean he was making a beeline straight for me!) I stopped fumbling w/my keys and called his bluff - I looked right into his eyes with a "ya feel lucky, punk?" look on my face and I headed straight for HIM. He ran the other way. As soon as I arrived at the mall, miles away, I became aware of someone following me from about 10 feet away - he followed me into one of the big stores on the outside of the mall. Every time I would stop and pretend to look at something at a counter, so would he - again, I called his bluff. I acted like I was walking away, then wheeled right around, locked eyeballs and bulldozed towards him. He got scared and ran right out of the store!

mtraininjax · December 11, 2009, 02:05:42 PM

County Dock is a dump compared to the other park on the other side of Mandarin Road. County Dock is just that, a dock and has and will always be trouble. I seemed to find my own share of it when I lived in Mandarin.

reednavy · December 11, 2009, 03:13:19 PM

Some people call me paranoid for always looking around and such, I call it being aware of my surroundings. That is a key thing, always keep looking around and make eye contact with people.

Captain Zissou · December 11, 2009, 03:20:11 PM

Mtrain, I've never noticed your grumpy disposition until today. Good to know.

mtraininjax · December 11, 2009, 03:35:36 PM

QuoteMtrain, I've never noticed your grumpy disposition until today. Good to know.

How am I doing in the latest beauty pageant contest?

Sportmotor · December 12, 2009, 10:30:02 AM

I carry often. Always aware even if I dont act like it

Overstreet · December 12, 2009, 11:38:52 AM

Quote from: mtraininjax on December 11, 2009, 02:05:42 PM
County Dock is a dump compared to the other park on the other side of Mandarin Road. County Dock is just that, a dock and has and will always be trouble. I seemed to find my own share of it when I lived in Mandarin.

County Dock is a little rough, but calling the park at County Dock a dump would upset the folks at Walter Jones Historical Park adjacent to and connected to the dock.

http://www.mandarinmuseum.net/

http://www.coj.net/Departments/Recreation+and+Community+Services/Recreation+and+Community+Programming/Recreation+Activities/Permits/Walter+Jones+Historical+Park.htm