Mods pull if inappropriate.
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”
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.
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.
Wow, this is the best article I’ve seen on this topic. I just sent it to my late 20’s daughter who lives in Denver.
Thanks again.
Not many muggers in Sandy, Utah. Too likely to end up dead.
Had a couple of guys follow me into a grocery store once. I went down a couple of aisles and noticed they were still following. So I abruptly turned around and passed right between them. They seemed to suddenly be very interested in stuff on the shelves. No further following.
Disposable Income: How to Make a Decoy Wallet
https://www.americanoutdoor.guide/prepping/disposable-income-how-to-make-a-decoy-wallet/
The OTHER OPTION is to vote for people who are willing to put muggers in jail.
I don’t know, but I suspect 80% or more of mugging victims are Democrats (for various reasons, but the result is the same).
I remember in the very early 1970s reading a reprint of an article from one on the NY papers about an old man hobbling across Central Park. Some muggers accosted him but he proceeded to beat the hell out of them. The article concluded with a bit of advice to the muggers: Next time, don’t try to mug Jack Dempsey.
Steve Martin said that muggers leave crazy people alone and suggested wetting your pants before going into dangerous areas.
I am a sitting duck these days. Knock me over and odds are good I can’t get back up, let alone quickly. It is a world of difference from being young when you could run, dodge, defend, spring back up after a fall.
At this point, my best defense is not to get attacked. Well, that and CCW.