112th Precinct Community Council

Do Not Resist if someone is trying to take your property-

Jan 20, 2006

Do Not Resist if someone is trying to take your property-

By Heidi Harrison Chain

A healthy man in his 40s called me to tell me what had transpired the night before. He was proud that he had resisted an attempted mugging in Manhattan. As I was listening to the story ?– I told him that he was lucky to be alive. He had been approached by someone who claimed to have a gun on a Manhattan street. Instead of handing over his wallet ?– he kept walking to go to a more crowded area. He got lucky. The other alternative would have been absolutely awful.
Please remember that YOUR SAFETY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR PROPERTY!
There had been incidents widely reported a few years ago when people resisted and got shot. A few weeks ago when someone in law enforcement was faced with a mugger and a gun- he handed over his property.
You are worth more than what is in your wallet.
I have also heard stories of women getting severely hurt trying to resist when someone attempts to grab their pocketbook. Women have been thrown to the ground holding on to their purse. If someone grabs your bag- Let it go. If you attempt to hang on-the possibility is that you will still lose your property but you could also get hurt.
The NYPD website has the following suggestions for women:
DO NOT....
carry a bag that makes you a target. A bag that dangles from the shoulder can be easily yanked off your shoulder by someone coming up from behind.
DO NOT....
carry your bag in such a manner that you can't let it go if you have to. Many women have been injured because their own bags acted as handcuffs as a purse snatcher yanked it away.
DO....
be aware of your surroundings and carry your bag close to your body, tucked in the bend of your elbow.
DO....
minimize the amount of money and credit cards that you carry with you on a daily basis. Divide your money between pockets and bags.
IF...
you are the victim of a purse snatch do not fight to hold onto your bag, especially if there is a weapon involved.

The NYPD website also has suggestions regarding coming home late at night. . Here are the suggestions from the website:
COMING HOME LATE AT NIGHT:
Avoid shortcuts that are not well travelled or well lit.
Know what reputable stores are open in your neighborhood late at night. If you suspect that you are being followed stay away from lonely quiet blocks and head for the store you know to be open.
When walking to your car or on your way home, keep your keys in your hand until you are safely inside for added protection.
If someone drops you off at home by auto, ask the driver to wait until you are safely inside.
If a motorist bothers you while you are walking turn around and walk in the opposite direction of the car. Do this as often as necessary and he should get discouraged.