I went to Meijer today (it's a store in Michigan, little more expensive than Wal-mart). It was 10 o'clock at night. As I was pulling in to the parking lot I saw a man with a cell phone in one hand, with his other hand held sideways (like the way a gangster holds his gun). He wasn't holding in this hand, however, and was backing up from the car. At this moment I looked and saw a security officer running out of Meijer with a cell phone in his hand.
I pulled away, and turned to have my car facing the action going on. I watched for a little bit and saw the car pull away fast, and this is when I got out of my car to head into Meijer. I could hear the security guard on the phone giving the location of the car, what streets he turned onto, where they were heading, etc.
So I wasn't sure if it was a carjacking or not...something happened, but the security guard being outside so fast made me think something happened in the store. Really it's not my place to know what happened but it got me thinking of a few things.
1st, my assessment of this situation. While this wasn't as...intense as some of the other situations posted on the board, it raised some questions for me. I always try to have some situational awareness at all times, this helped me notice the person with his odd arm positioning and backing up away from the car while still facing it. I should've probably parked farther away or drive away and come back later. Driving away, however, could have put me on the path of this car and I could have put myself in danger by doing this (any input on this?).
It also made me think about what I would do, if I did actually see a carjacking taking place. Say I'm stopped behind a car and someone goes to the car in front of me and tries to carjack them. What would your response be if you were carrying? What would your response be if you weren't carrying? Would there be a difference between the two? I always make an effort to try to be able to turn around the car in front of me if I need to, but am not sure what else would be the appropriate course of action (besides calling 911, of course).
Thanks for any thoughts, input, and opinions. They are all greatly appreciated.
I pulled away, and turned to have my car facing the action going on. I watched for a little bit and saw the car pull away fast, and this is when I got out of my car to head into Meijer. I could hear the security guard on the phone giving the location of the car, what streets he turned onto, where they were heading, etc.
So I wasn't sure if it was a carjacking or not...something happened, but the security guard being outside so fast made me think something happened in the store. Really it's not my place to know what happened but it got me thinking of a few things.
1st, my assessment of this situation. While this wasn't as...intense as some of the other situations posted on the board, it raised some questions for me. I always try to have some situational awareness at all times, this helped me notice the person with his odd arm positioning and backing up away from the car while still facing it. I should've probably parked farther away or drive away and come back later. Driving away, however, could have put me on the path of this car and I could have put myself in danger by doing this (any input on this?).
It also made me think about what I would do, if I did actually see a carjacking taking place. Say I'm stopped behind a car and someone goes to the car in front of me and tries to carjack them. What would your response be if you were carrying? What would your response be if you weren't carrying? Would there be a difference between the two? I always make an effort to try to be able to turn around the car in front of me if I need to, but am not sure what else would be the appropriate course of action (besides calling 911, of course).
Thanks for any thoughts, input, and opinions. They are all greatly appreciated.