Having grown up in a rural farmland of PA, I got a huge wake-up call when I moved to a West Philly ghetto while in art school.
Having been house-robbed twice in a 24 hour period, as well as having my van broken into on 2 different occasions over the years, countless street incidents (and more recently an attempted break-in at my home last year), has made me rather “paranoid” (as my neighbor has tagged me).
I’d rather be “paranoid”, aware and ready, than the opposite when the shit hits the fan.
[quote]FightinIrish26 wrote:
[quote]Zarellz wrote:
Anyone who is acting like they would avoid this because they are always aware is a joke. You are not a badass. I am all for that kind of attitude, but in a situation like this i doubt the person could’ve done much. The robber did not necessarily have to be on top of them before pulling out his weapon. He could’ve had his weapon pointed at them while he was at another pump in the station.[/quote]
Motherfucker, they were buyin drugs at a gas station at night in fuckin Detroit.
That’s not a case of “anyone can get got,” that’s a case of “I got ripped off in a drug deal.”
So yea, it PROBABLY coulda been avoided.[/quote]
I didnt initially see the part about them buying drugs, MOTHERFUCKER! Even before that new piece of information was introduced people were talking like they should have had their guard up which would have prevented this from happening. So yeah, with that in mind it absolutely could have been avoided, MOTHERFUCKER!
[quote]Iron Dwarf wrote:
Having grown up in a rural farmland of PA, I got a huge wake-up call when I moved to a West Philly ghetto while in art school.
Having been house-robbed twice in a 24 hour period, as well as having my van broken into on 2 different occasions over the years, countless street incidents (and more recently an attempted break-in at my home last year), has made me rather “paranoid” (as my neighbor has tagged me).
I’d rather be “paranoid”, aware and ready, than the opposite when the shit hits the fan. [/quote]
I remember that story about last year … that’s some jacked up shit but you’re exactly right ID
[quote]Brother Chris wrote:
[quote]Zarellz wrote:
[quote]gregron wrote:
[quote]Zarellz wrote:
Anyone who is acting like they would avoid this because they are always aware is a joke. You are not a badass. I am all for that kind of attitude, but in a situation like this i doubt the person could’ve done much. The robber did not necessarily have to be on top of them before pulling out his weapon. He could’ve had his weapon pointed at them while he was at another pump in the station.[/quote]
I dont think anyone said that they would have avoided this (unless they said that they wouldnt have stopped at that gas station in the first place)
I think the big thing is they should not have been snuck up on. You should have at least seen it coming. You probably wouldnt be able to avoid it but it shouldnt be an out of the blue surprise ya know?[/quote]
I DO think people are at least implying that they would have avoided the situation. I agree that they should not have been surprised, but I don’t think the OP posted saying that his friends nephews were surprised, only that it happened. They may have very well been aware of their surroundings, and not at all surprised, but it did indeed occur regardless.[/quote]
Well PX didn’t say anything about that, I didn’t say anything about that. I have been robbed/mugged three times. Hasn’t happened yet since I went through a defense course and learned how to use a pistol.[/quote]
Well actually he did very strongly imply that. Do you think not being mugged is because of your defense course or is it just a coincidence? Have you had a person approach you with a gun since then?
[quote]Professor X wrote:
I think I saw that many people on the way to work this morning.[/quote]
That was pretty fucking funny.
Zarellz,
There is a lot to be said about making yourself a “hard target.” You obviously do not know much about it but it’s pretty common practice among military and police forces. You are taught to make yourself a hard target. Not to be easy pickings for, Muggers in this case, but insurgents or terrorists.
Having situational awareness and making yourself a hard target (not putting yourself in vulnerable situations without a plan) will go along way. A criminal, like a predatory animal, will look for a weak target. A lion doesnt just run up and try to tackle the biggest bad ass waterbuffalo. No they look for the weakest easiest target that is singled out from a group. Thats what most criminals will do. They’re not going to go for the guy who is looking around and looks ready for shit to go down any second. They’ll just pass and wait for next person to come by who is oblivious to what is going on around them
[quote]gregron wrote:
Zarellz,
There is a lot to be said about making yourself a “hard target.” You obviously do not know much about it but it’s pretty common practice among military and police forces. You are taught to make yourself a hard target. Not to be easy pickings for, Muggers in this case, but insurgents or terrorists.
Having situational awareness and making yourself a hard target (not putting yourself in vulnerable situations without a plan) will go along way. A criminal, like a predatory animal, will look for a weak target. A lion doesnt just run up and try to tackle the biggest bad ass waterbuffalo. No they look for the weakest easiest target that is singled out from a group. Thats what most criminals will do. They’re not going to go for the guy who is looking around and looks ready for shit to go down any second. They’ll just pass and wait for next person to come by who is oblivious to what is going on around them[/quote]
Some good points made. I’ve not heard the phrase a “hard target” but I am well aware of my surroundings if i’m ever in an even remotely vulnerable position. Its one thing to be internally prepared which has a lot to do with being aware. It sounds like being a “hard target” is a way of projecting this preparedness externally. I just don’t think that even if i’m on high alert that I look very different from someone that is oblivious to their surroundings. Also, if someones got a gun, they’ve got a gun. That will give them a huge advantage over any target. Unless of course they believe that target might have a weapon as well.
[quote]JGerman wrote:
[quote]Professor X wrote:
I think I saw that many people on the way to work this morning.[/quote]
That was pretty fucking funny.
[/quote]
The funniest part is he remembers each one.
[quote]gregron wrote:
Zarellz,
There is a lot to be said about making yourself a “hard target.” You obviously do not know much about it but it’s pretty common practice among military and police forces. You are taught to make yourself a hard target. Not to be easy pickings for, Muggers in this case, but insurgents or terrorists.
Having situational awareness and making yourself a hard target (not putting yourself in vulnerable situations without a plan) will go along way. A criminal, like a predatory animal, will look for a weak target. A lion doesnt just run up and try to tackle the biggest bad ass waterbuffalo. No they look for the weakest easiest target that is singled out from a group. Thats what most criminals will do. They’re not going to go for the guy who is looking around and looks ready for shit to go down any second. They’ll just pass and wait for next person to come by who is oblivious to what is going on around them[/quote]
I think what bothers me most…is that it took 6 fucking pages for these jackasses to stop acting like everyone who understands this is “paranoid and crazy”.
I’m military. I don’t get jacked very often unless I am no where around. I tend to NOT look like a mark. Every fucker who acts like being aware at night when alone is strange IS a mark…and they would be the first ones a real criminal is going to head for as an easy target.
Chances are, they will not choose the guy who is alert and staring right at them before they ever make a move.
It is very clear most here do not have much real world experience at all when it comes to shit that they will likely experience at least once in their lives.
If you have not been robbed at all yet…expect it…eventually…unless you live in some backwoods small town that has caused you to think the whole fucking world works like Mayberry.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
[quote]gregron wrote:
Zarellz,
There is a lot to be said about making yourself a “hard target.” You obviously do not know much about it but it’s pretty common practice among military and police forces. You are taught to make yourself a hard target. Not to be easy pickings for, Muggers in this case, but insurgents or terrorists.
Having situational awareness and making yourself a hard target (not putting yourself in vulnerable situations without a plan) will go along way. A criminal, like a predatory animal, will look for a weak target. A lion doesnt just run up and try to tackle the biggest bad ass waterbuffalo. No they look for the weakest easiest target that is singled out from a group. Thats what most criminals will do. They’re not going to go for the guy who is looking around and looks ready for shit to go down any second. They’ll just pass and wait for next person to come by who is oblivious to what is going on around them[/quote]
I think what bothers me most…is that it took 6 fucking pages for these jackasses to stop acting like everyone who understands this is “paranoid and crazy”.
I’m military. I don’t get jacked very often unless I am no where around. I tend to NOT look like a mark. Every fucker who acts like being aware at night when alone is strange IS a mark…and they would be the first ones a real criminal is going to head for as an easy target.
Chances are, they will not choose the guy who is alert and staring right at them before they ever make a move.
It is very clear most here do not have much real world experience at all when it comes to shit that they will likely experience at least once in their lives.
If you have not been robbed at all yet…expect it…eventually…unless you live in some backwoods small town that has caused you to think the whole fucking world works like Mayberry.[/quote]
I think some of the people arguing against you didnt/dont know that you were in the military. They dont know that you were told/trained with what to look for certain situations. I think they just assumed you’re just from a rough neighborhood or something.
So the idea of not taking the same route to work every day, or not going to the gym/grocery store/blockbuster at the same time of the day each and every day is very foreign to them.
It may sound like “paranoia” but when you’ve actually been put in a situation where you’re NOT surrounded by “friendlies” all the time you’re forced to notice/do these types of things. Do you think that training still sticks with me when I’m driving around my home town? Hell yeah it does. I’m aware of people who could be possible threats wherever I go. I dont sit with my back to the door of a restaurant, I always back my car into the parking spot and whenever I meet/see people I look at their pockets/belt line to see if they’re carrying a knife cause thats the most obvious place to cary one. Its just a habit now and I dont even think about it I just do it.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
I am still laughing at the guy who thought he wasn’t sheltered because he lived in a city with 70,000 people. I think I saw that many people on the way to work this morning.[/quote]
I wasn’t going to post about it because it’s already been a couple days, but as long as other people are still laughing about it…
Hahahahahahahaa.
Whew, that was rich.
What amazes me sometimes is how, even in big cities at night, so many people can wander home, drunk or high, on their own and not get attacked. It only takes one time and everything changes, i couldnt be casual about it nor leave it to chance like that.
[quote]Zarellz wrote:
[quote]Brother Chris wrote:
[quote]Zarellz wrote:
[quote]gregron wrote:
[quote]Zarellz wrote:
Anyone who is acting like they would avoid this because they are always aware is a joke. You are not a badass. I am all for that kind of attitude, but in a situation like this i doubt the person could’ve done much. The robber did not necessarily have to be on top of them before pulling out his weapon. He could’ve had his weapon pointed at them while he was at another pump in the station.[/quote]
I dont think anyone said that they would have avoided this (unless they said that they wouldnt have stopped at that gas station in the first place)
I think the big thing is they should not have been snuck up on. You should have at least seen it coming. You probably wouldnt be able to avoid it but it shouldnt be an out of the blue surprise ya know?[/quote]
I DO think people are at least implying that they would have avoided the situation. I agree that they should not have been surprised, but I don’t think the OP posted saying that his friends nephews were surprised, only that it happened. They may have very well been aware of their surroundings, and not at all surprised, but it did indeed occur regardless.[/quote]
Well PX didn’t say anything about that, I didn’t say anything about that. I have been robbed/mugged three times. Hasn’t happened yet since I went through a defense course and learned how to use a pistol.[/quote]
Well actually he did very strongly imply that. Do you think not being mugged is because of your defense course or is it just a coincidence? Have you had a person approach you with a gun since then?[/quote]
No such things as coincidence. Yes, cops approach me all the time, so do normal citizens with guns, most people I know own and carry guns.
The reason I haven’t been mugged since is partly because I know what to look for, and what to avoid. With that, people don’t try to make me a mark as much since I do notice things more. Not many muggers try to mug people that look at them in the eyes, easier to run up on someone when they are looking down.
Yeah my friend has been mugged…at knifepoint…the guy said…I just got out of prison and I need money…so give me it or I’m gonna stab you…my friend just gave him 10 bucks (all he had) and the guy left. There was 2 of them…and 1 one him…they both probably could’ve stopped him but for what reason? They said he really looked like he just wanted the money…the one friend had none and he had 10…and that was that. It’s good that nothing happened…like Skynett said…you want to be aware, they gave their stuff right away…if he seemed like he was gonna get them regardless they would’ve done something. Pick those battles wisely.
[quote]rasturai wrote:
Yeah my friend has been mugged…at knifepoint…the guy said…I just got out of prison and I need money…so give me it or I’m gonna stab you…my friend just gave him 10 bucks (all he had) and the guy left. There was 2 of them…and 1 one him…they both probably could’ve stopped him but for what reason? They said he really looked like he just wanted the money…the one friend had none and he had 10…and that was that. It’s good that nothing happened…like Skynett said…you want to be aware, they gave their stuff right away…if he seemed like he was gonna get them regardless they would’ve done something. Pick those battles wisely.[/quote]
I’ve seen this happen before, I just gave them a card for the local koc center.