Posted on 12/02/2024 11:09:15 AM PST by DallasBiff
What Muggers Look For
There are actually several signs that muggers look for in their victims before they strike. There is of course no real “handbook” that muggers use to guide them in search of their victims, although there is a loose set of rules gleaned from repeatedly mugging people. They also get groomed for the job by their more experienced “mentors” if they’re already part of a gang, or if they join one while in prison.
These are some of the characteristics they look for in people before they strike:
The “Weird Walkers”
When picking a potential victim, muggers will first look at the way a person walks. Much like the way predators scope their target from a herd of prey animals, muggers look for anyone who walks in an “unusual” way, one that denotes weakness. This includes slouching, dragging feet, or eyes that are cast downward instead of eye-level.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanoutdoor.guide ...
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I had a guy try to mug me in long beach 25 years ago with a knife. I didn’t acknowledge him and just kept walking and he left me alone.
Much of such negatives like muggings and bullying, apply mostly to types while other types never such such things.
Proper stance, tight grouping.
I find an easy way to avoid being a victim of a mugger is to avoid New York City. Especially their subways.
In this life
One thing counts
In the bank
Large amounts
I’m afraid these don’t grow on trees
You’ve got to pick a pocket or two
You’ve got to pick a pocket or two
Boys!
You’ve got to pick a pocket or two
-Fagin from “Oliver”
My daughters friend was a 6'3" football player at a university in Chicago where the suburban nerdy white and asian kids were easy prey for a few local thugs.
A mugger came at him with a small knife, demanding wallet, phone, etc... He simply told the mugger - "That's all you have? I'm not giving you sh**, out of principle. You need to work harder and earn it if you want my cash."
The mugger laughed and walked away.
Avoiding Democrat run cities solves 99% of the problem.
Not enough is said about basic intuition and heeding it - it’s an almost animal instinct that humans still possess.
I was in a subway station once, and walked past a man who looked perfectly normal, but something about him alerted me to danger; I have no idea what it was, but I felt I had to get away from the man. (I had ridden the DC subway for many years with never a problem or fear; so this was unusual.)
I started walking toward the direction of the oncoming train and just as the door was approaching me and I stopped, I turned to my right and that guy was right next to me staring at me. I am certain he was going to take my backpack or worse, but the train door opened just then, and I walked in.
He had not been waiting to board at all, and didn’t; he just stood there and watched me get onto the train full of people.
People DO have very visceral feelings about the dangers - or just weirdness - around them. But often they don’t really pay attention to them.
I’ve noticed I have friends with ZERO situational awareness.
I’ve seen videos of travellers to Europe who always carry a ‘fake’ wallet with just a few bucks and maybe an expired credit card, while their real wallet is hidden somewhere else on their body.
Pick pockets are rampant there, especially in areas where there are lots of tourists.
On the rare occasions that I use a cane myself I have a Canemasters cane. It’s a self defense weapon in its own right.
https://canemasters.com/
bkmk
They missed some things:
- The prospect of getting shot is off-putting for muggers. Holding something pistol sized in your pocket is thus a deterrent. I’ve seen people sizing me up in the parking garage who turned around and went the other way when I put my hand in my backpack and faced them. Same thing on the street when I put my hand in my pocket.
- Unattended public parking lots, gas stations, ATMs: don’t open your door or approach your car unless you’re certain that no one is creeping up on you. Creepers abound these days.
- Cop shoes are a deterrent. Pay attention to what your local police/sheriff wear.
- cop radio is a deterrent. I’m talking about the mike on the shoulder stuff.
- Don’t look/behave like you’re part of a camera crew. Robbers love to rip off news crews.
- A robber threatening you with deadly force must be taken seriously. If the chance appears, defend yourself by whatever is the most effective means available and don’t stop until the assailant is definitely unable to further threaten you. Pay attention.
I notice they mention the loner problem. I drilled the buddy system into my kids and their friends before I let them go into the city by themselves. The one time the boys broke the rule, my son was robbed and ended up in the ER with alcohol poisoning, his friend had his car stolen in return for a hangover. They went to a nightclub for a show and met a pair of older women(?SF heheh) who started plying them with shots and deftly split them up. Later that month I noticed a foreign navy visiting SF put sailors on liberty in parties of 4-5, so new rules for visiting SF.
When I walk in public, I stand up as erect as I can, head up, eyes forward, shoulders back, and keep track of my surroundings. If outside, I wear sunglasses so it is harder to see where I am looking.
In Ireland I was told to be aware of the Tinkers. Another scam is the wallet is returned intact to you but they’ve scanned your cards. Most people won’t cancel their if their wallet is returned to them.
Many thanks for the canemasters.com
I eventually bought one of those travel vests that have hidden pockets all over, when I was commuting; and just kept in whatever bag I carried things that I didn’t mind losing.
The tip to NOT look affluent is a good one; and don’t wear jewelry.
When we arrived in Caracas in 1972 for a three-year tour, my fighter pilot dad gave me his service switchblade (the orange one the NORAD pilots carried) and told me I was responsible for protecting my sister and her friends while we were out without him. I was 14, that’s when I learned to keep my head on a swivel.
Colonel, USAF JAGC (Ret)
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