Here is some more advise: If you find it necessary too leave your house and walk the mean streets of West Philadelphia, don't walk around like some tight-assed, weak-gripped comparative literature professor who would fit in better walking the sandy dunes of the Cape. There is no need to appear as an easy mark to these evil-doers even if you are.
Dress it down a bit - I prefer the rough and tough painter or laborer look. It doesn't hurt to look a little unhinged as well. Walk with big strides and clench your fists like you are ready to take a swing at someone. Talk to yourself - look like you are really steamed about something and are ready to take it out on the next person who gets in your way. Let a lot of conflicting emotions continually play across your face and every now and then shout out an expletive loudly. For women - the crazy bag lady look and behavior is sure to keep you unmolested. Tease your hair into a rat's nest. Wear torn and ragged clothing. I big wet and brown stain around your rear will definitely guarantee that most miscreants will keep their distance. The more ambitious will add the slight scent of urine. Smear some dirt on your cheeks. Open your eyes as wide as you can and try not to blink. The talking to yourself things works wonders here as well. Some dirty plastic bags with what looks like trash spilling out can conceal your valuables or if you have a child to transport a shopping cart can double as a stroller. Just put the baby in the cart first and cover it with recyclable bottles and cans. Lastly, if someone does try to start up a conversation or lay a hand on you - hit them hard and hit them fast. They won't be expecting an immediate reaction like this. Don't hesitate - even if they look like someone familiar like your next door neighbor or your boss at work - hit first and sort out whether or not it was appropriate later - it could save your life! -- Sam Nicolary On Tue, 23 Nov 2004, Jonathan Cass wrote: > If I am making a late night ATM run, I always give Sam or Andrew a call. > For a pint of Ben and Jerry's, they provide personal, armed escort to and > from my destination. Further, for maximum effect, they stand around the ATM > doing the Secret Service thing with an ear piece. Their response time is > terrific and nothing feels safer than walking with an bad-ass computer-type > who has a permit to carry. > > Jonathan A. Cass > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Joe Clarke > Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2004 8:12 AM > To: University City > Subject: Re: [UC] Hold up Sense - Criss Crossing > > > > > > > Hey, life in the big city *is* dramatic! > > > > And, on the flip side, if you're walking around at night and there's > > someone walking in front of you, it can be considerate to cross to the > > other side of the street rather than overtake them from behind. After > > I got mugged, I flinched every time I heard running feet coming up > > behind me. > > I also do this: cross to the other side of the street if I'm not certain who > is in front or behind me. Don't make it easy for the would-be perp. The > one and a half times that I have been mugged, they were either kids, drunk > or inexperienced. The one time I turned around to the two who were > following me and shouted "Keep your distance." The persons took offence at > this. In the meantime I scampered to the next corner where someone was > walking their dog. The two did not follow but returned to their haunt. > > > It might be a good thing for the community, perhaps in concert with the UCD, > give one of those street sense seminars where they go over these various > techniques? > > Joe C. > > ---- > You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the > list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see > <http://www.purple.com/list.html>. > > ---- > You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the > list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see > <http://www.purple.com/list.html>. > ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
