Outside the mall

[ocean10]

Hello Officers. I'd like to wish you and your families a Happy and Healthy 2010.

I would like your thoughts on this...

The other night I went to the mall with my 80 YR old mom. Just had to go to one store, then we headed right out the mall exit and was walking to a restaurant that was next door,about 20 yards I'm guessing.

As we are walking I noticed this man coming from the parking lot, and when he saw us, he slowed down, and was looking all around. I got a bad feeling right away. I was thinking to myself, if this guy tries something (take purses?) how will I protect my mother?
My mom walks very slow, (I knew we were targets for that reason alone) but even she sensed something and was holding on to my arm. I told her just to keep walking, and I kept looking over my shoulder. He kept looking at us, and I finally just stopped, turned around and stared at him. I held my head high, and let him know I was aware. He then turned and started to walk back to the mall.

I got my mom in the restaurant safely and without incident. After we ate, I went and got the car (after checking the area) and picked my mom up right at the door.

My question to you all is, did I handle that ok? What else could I have done, and if he tried to rob us, what should I do?

I attend a Crime prevention meeting once a month in my town, and plan on asking the police about it, but wanted to get all of your opinions also.

Thank you for your time.
Joanne

[acreature]

You did fine

[Cat_Doc]

It sounds like you did just fine. The vast majority of criminal scum prey on weakness. They do not want to try a target that displays awareness and strength.

[ocean10]

Thank you ! I feel a bit better about it now that you both think I did fine. Its one thing if its just me,(I can run, kick, yell, etc) but when my mother is with me and cant defend herself, its a whole other mindset.

I am glad I reacted as I was supposed too. I have heard not to look weak or like a victim, so maybe some of those warnings stayed with me.

[Samuel]

My question to you all is, did I handle that ok?

You were left alone, you got home safe - I call that a win.

What else could I have done

That will depend on the "totality of the circumstances" (many different factors). Did you have a cell phone handy? Do you have your local police department on a speed dial or saved in the memory? If things (he) really felt (looked) Wrong, you can always call the police, tell them where you are, what is happening, and start describing the apparent BG to the police (even allowing him to hear that you are talking to the police and describing him) as a suspicious person/possible thief/robber. How quickly could you get to somewhere populated/well-lit? How far away from your car were you and do you have a car security system with a panic alarm? Etc...

, and if he tried to rob us, what should I do?

Depends on many factors again. What is the apparent size/strength differential, how is he robbing you, what is he saying, is he displaying some kind of weapon, does he have friends helping him, what kind of and how much self-defense training do you have, do you think he will be happy with just taking your property or do you think he will do something worse to you and/or your mom, who/what else is around, are you armed and if so with what, could you simultaneously fight the BG(s) and protect your mom, etc etc etc...

It is many times tougher if/when you have others (e.g. elderly family member, kids, etc) that you have to protect and watch out for.

[ocean10]

Hi Samuel, and thank you for your response. You brought up a lot of things and I do think some of those things went through my mind as this was happening.

I am not a big person (5'3", and about 130lbs) and certainly no match for any guy even though he wasnt very big either. I honestly dont know how I would have reacted if he showed any kind of weapon.That would have really scared me.
If I was on my own, I would have ran and it would have been the end of it because the door was nearby.

However, I had my mom who walks no faster than a snail, and that presented all the fears I had, and my one thought was in protecting her. I did have a cell phone in my purse, with my local PD number in it, but I was not in my hometown.
I wasnt near my car or I would have set the alarm off as I always hold my keys and have my hand on the button if I need it.

I will take your suggestions and tuck them in my mind in case this ever happens again. I hope to be better prepared before I find myself in this kind of situation again.

The police dept in my town is going to have a self defense class sometime this winter and I plan to attend it. We talked about it a couple of meetings ago, and I will ask about it this coming tuesday at the next meeting.

Thank you again!

[Sgt. Slaughter]

I wasnt near my car or I would have set the alarm off as I always hold my keys and have my hand on the button if I need it.

Most people don't pay attention to car alarms, although the noise MAY be enough to startle the bad guy. Don't get the false impression that people will come running to sound of your car alarm.

I am not a big person (5'3", and about 130lbs) and certainly no match for any guy even though he wasnt very big either. I honestly dont know how I would have reacted if he showed any kind of weapon.That would have really scared me.
If I was on my own, I would have ran and it would have been the end of it because the door was nearby.

The police dept in my town is going to have a self defense class sometime this winter and I plan to attend it. We talked about it a couple of meetings ago, and I will ask about it this coming tuesday at the next meeting.

You will probably get more personal safety information out of that class than you will get practical knowledge to turn you into a fighter. You probably already know which parts of your body hurt most when struck, but at 5'3" 130 lbs you may not have sufficient strength to do much else. All in all, most bad guys look for those they think will not put up a fight.

[BJJVad]

I always recommend a lighter and "compressed air" hair spray.

Now that's hot!



All joking aside, don't try this at home, or without a trained professional.

You Tube

[ocean10]

I always recommend a lighter and "compressed air" hair spray.

Now that's hot!



All joking aside, don't try this at home, or without a trained professional.

That would work! love it.

[ocean10]

Most people don't pay attention to car alarms, although the noise MAY be enough to startle the bad guy. Don't get the false impression that people will come running to sound of your car alarm.



You will probably get more personal safety information out of that class than you will get practical knowledge to turn you into a fighter. You probably already know which parts of your body hurt most when struck, but at 5'3" 130 lbs you may not have sufficient strength to do much else. All in all, most bad guys look for those they think will not put up a fight.

Thank you for your reply Sgt Slaughter.
I do agree most people ignore car alarms, but like you said, it may be enough to scare the creep away.

I know I wont come out of that class a fighter, but hopefully a bit wiser.

Seems the world is becoming a more dangerous place every day, and its enough for me to stop and think about it and what to do to better prepare myself. I think that incident was a wake up call in a way for me.

I go to the mall on occasion only when I really need something, but I can get complacent about my surroundings and I realize I need to be plugged in all the time as to who is around me and what is going on.

Again, thank you for responding!

[CityOfChicago]

Stay alert, like you did. Pay attention to your surroundings, keep your head and eyes moving, and keep in well lit areas.

Of course, you could also try this:

[Creeker]

Stay alert, like you did. Pay attention to your surroundings, keep your head and eyes moving, and keep in well lit areas.

Of course, you could also try this:

You are a strange man, COC...