Just got this note from my top-secret source at Seattle U:
On Friday, February 27, 2009 Seattle Police Department and Campus Public Safety (CPS) received a report of a strong arm robbery that occurred at approximately 11:00 p.m. in the area of 18th and E. Cherry St.
The students reported they were walking west bound on E. Cherry when they were approached by two males. One male demanded they turn over their property and implied he had a hand gun. When the students refused to give their property, they were punched by the suspects. After grabbing one of the student’s cell phone, the suspects ran away.
The suspects are believe to be 20 years old , 5’8″ tall and of slender builds. One of them was wearing a red sweatshirt with a hood and jeans. The second suspect was wearing a blue hooded sweat shirt and jeans. Seattle Police have advised at the time of this reporting there have been similar reported robberies in the area.
Be careful out there…
Terrible news but those students were brave to refuse. I sometimes wonder what I’d do in the same situation. I usually feel safe walking those streets late at night when I have at least one other person with me. Guess I’m kidding myself. 21st feels better lit than the others if you’re walking south.
You’ve got to refuse, my friend. When people stand up to these punks, they’ll understand that the community doesn’t accept common thuggery as a way of life. If defending yourself by means of violence is necessary — in the unfortunate case that it comes to those circumstances — be vigilant and know that what you are doing is in the best interest of your community…and that we salute you for it.
what the heck do these perps look like? white, black, brown? are these the same guys that beat up the guy from Gay Bingo wearing a Sailor suit? that was in The Stranger and TV. too much co-incidence to be un-related.
Why dont the cops send a single under-cover out to walk around in a sailor suit to draw these scum out, and then arrest them?
I disagree with refusing a mugger, especially one who is potentially violent. Nothing that I carry with me is worth injury or worse. I remember all too well a story from a few years back about a former Seattlite living in NYC who stood up to a mugger. He shot her and she died on the street in her boyfriend’s arms. So not worth a few bucks, a cell phone, and a credit card I could easily cancel. No mugger is going to think, “Well gee, that person stood up to me, I think I’ll move on.” Either they’ll leave without violence and mug someone else later, or they’ll be violent and take what they want anyway.
And if people just submit these punks won’t think “Gee, that was easy” and they’ll get bored and just stop? The easier it is, the more often it will happen. Don’t think just because you hand over what they want you won’t be assaulted.
Thank you! That was my question also…sometimes the descriptions can be so worthless!
There’s more at stake then the you wallet and cell phone. What about your self respect? We need to be strong people not afraid to fight for what’s right and to not be taken advantage. You may get punched or kicked, so what? Getting shot is pretty unlikely in a petty street crime robbery. But if uou didn’t let some kids steal your wallet, that you can live with. Shit, just start screaming loud and runn away. Do anything other then make them think it’s easy to take somebodies wallet. Grow some balls.
I agree that screaming loud and running away is a great option and I didn’t mean to imply that it isn’t. And, obviously, if I’m with a friend I may react differently than if I were alone. I think it’s ridiculous to say that any one way to react is the right way or to judge a victim for how they did or didn’t respond to an assault. I would absolutely fight back if I were being physically assaulted; I’d have no choice. But if someone wants my empty wallet – well, my balls (if I had them) just don’t think it’s worth it. I’d rather get home to my daughter in one piece.
Cute! but not a secret. SU publishes every incident and distributes it to their students.
I agree with ksh; it’s not helpful to imply there’s any proper way to respond to a mugging. Case in point: sometimes there’s a gun and a person willing to use it, sometimes not.
The most important thing is to think things through in advance. Time and again, people who do the best in a crisis are the people who have a realistic plan they can call on – ideally one that’s rehearsed/practiced (self-defense classes, etc.), but at least something that is fully thought out. You can carry a “mugger’s wallet” with an old ID and a couple bucks in it (which can in a small way discourage mugging, because it makes a very risky act result in very little reward…although there can be added risk to you if the mugger notices). Or you can stand your ground if you feel like the circumstances favor that. It’s like fires and earthquakes: how you should react depends entirely on where you are and what’s going on, but you still have a few drills under your belt, ready to go if you need them.
Just like life, some battles are worth fighting and some aren’t. Some you can win, and some you can’t, and some aren’t worth the gamble. Once you decide what your goal is, the only thing that can help you is your plan.