Be aware of your surroundings

There's not really any "what would you have done?" in this one, is there? I don't see where anyone could have seen that coming. I have no idea what the neighborhood was like. Even if you keep yourself in "stage yellow" you can't avoid being near a punk once in a while. Unfortunately, the way people dress nowadays, it's hard to tell the real maggots from the from the ones who just look like one. I refused to go into a Dunkin Donuts once because of the neighborhood and the crowd hanging out in front, and the people in the car with me thought I was being, well.... too bad! I went to the next one in a decent area.
 
What came to my mind is: What if Wayne had been carrying and the thug found and took his gun along with his billfold. A rather disconcerting situation.
 
I think this is a classic example of being aware of your surroundings ALL the time! ALWAYS be prepared. You are not really safe anywhere, not even at home! Everyone has a false sense of security, including me.
 
Unfortunately we cannot always keep 21 feet of 'safe' distance between us and supposed threats. We cannot always keep our six monitored.
 
Stance comes to mind. The gentleman looked too relaxed with his hand on the counter. Screams, "Mark!". I've been in this situation in many a bodegas in New York City; walk in, someone (seemingly out of nowhere) walks in behind you, doesn't buy anything, but is coincidentally at the counter while you're at the counter and not doing anything. :confused:

I tend to, first, acknowledge the person with a head-nod or verbal greeting; just to kind of say, "I know you're there". Then, I tend to stand at an angle, facing the threat and the counter at the same time, again, to say, "I know you're there".

I hope they catch that dude in the video cause that was just all kinds of wrong.
 
I think this is a classic example of being aware of your surroundings ALL the time! ALWAYS be prepared. You are not really safe anywhere, not even at home! Everyone has a false sense of security, including me.
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Actually, it is a classic example of him NOT being aware of his surroundings all the time. Yes, we should all be 100% ready to defend against all potential threats at all times and have the skills to handle every type of threat, regardless of how little time to react is available. From the start of when the robber started to move towards more until contact was less than 2 seconds. During that time, while reading the menu, he had to identify the threat as a threat, identify the attack, then develop a defensive response.

Nobody is ever on the ball that much all the time.

Big Calhoun notes that there were some 'tells' that would have indicated a potential problem, but having worked fast food, the attacker's behavior isn't all that abnormal. He had not ordered anything because he had not been waited on by a clerk. There is only one register open at the counter. The clerk comes up to the counter to take Moore's order as he came to the counter before the attacker. It is a lot easier to see that this is going to be an attack knowing the attack is going to come. It is a whole other matter to see other people behave in very similar manners and know if they will attack or not.

The thing about ambushes is that they are ambushes.

This happened back in July 2006. I believe they did catch the attacker but can't find any news accounts saying as much, however. It was on the local new here for a few days and shown on America's Most Wanted.
 
Big Calhoun,
I hear ya. After responding to this post last week I headed up to my place in Maine. We stopped at a BK off the highway (hate that food, but we were hungry). I had this thread still fresh in my mind and had told my wife about it. I found a renewed awareness for the others at the counter area. The little German lady didn't raise an eyebrow, but sure enough, two punks with hoodies came slunking in. I gave them the "yeah, I see you" look trying not to overdo it & get a wisecrack out of them, then stepped back a few paces and let my wife order. Just keeping a cover and block for her and keeping them off guard. It shouldn't have offended anyone, and too bad if it did. Thanks for reminding us, Doug.
 
Being from Houston, around downtown, you never know what's going to happen. My best advice: do not stop or get out of your car in downtown Houston. Keep your doors locked AT ALL TIMES! Other than that, go with your gut instinct. I'm very happy to see that this guy is OK.
 
Some guy at the range wears a "badge" that identifies him as a CCW holder. I think it should say; "shoot me first". The point is, keep them wondering, and look aware. They'll almost always go for the easiest target. They practice being BG's as much or more than we pratice self defense. I worked with juevenile offenders. They can be lightning fast when it comes to grabbing and throwing things like staplers - ducked just in time to let it hit his buddy behind me & start a fight. They like to think things will go as they plan, and don't like situations where they have to think their way out.
 
Best defense: Be aware of your surroundings

I thank god that I've never got mugged or got robbed, because I was almost always been aware of my surrounding.

I don't care if teen aged girl is following me 2-3 blocks, I try to be alert of any possibility. Am I too paranoid? haha :D jk
 
They practice being BG's as much or more than we pratice self defense.
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exactly. this is their biggest advantage--weapon or not.

In this case the perp knew he had a good one on his hands. The victim was elderly and looked somewhat wealthy.
 
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