Springtime For Armed Robbers

Broad & Liberty ran my piece on armed robbery.

You can read the piece via the link below or the text below:

Paul Davis: Springtime for armed robbers

Spring is here, and this is a fine time to go to parks, to stroll along district shopping avenues, or to simply go for walks in your neighborhood, as the weather is mild and comfortable. 

But be warned that this time of year is also springtime for armed robbers. While you are out and about enjoying the spring air and sunshine, armed predator criminals are also on the street looking for an easy victim. 

I know a man who told me he had been a victim of armed robbery as he walked on a street in a low-crime neighborhood in South Philadelphia. 

He recounted how he went out for a walk in his neighborhood during the early evening on a fine spring night. As he walked along the street, two young thugs emerged from a car and confronted him. One of the thugs stuck a gun in his face. Even though he willingly handed over his wallet and watch, the street thug brutally pistol-whipped him. A neighbor came out of her house upon hearing the commotion and she called 911. The man was rushed to the hospital where he was treated for multiple injuries. 

The man told me that he no longer goes out at night. 

Armed robbery is defined as the unlawful taking of property from someone by use of the threat of violence using a weapon. It is one of the most dangerous crimes, as it involves firearms or some other deadly weapon.

For the criminal, armed robbery is a quick and relatively easy way to obtain money. Many armed robbers are addicted to drugs and alcohol, and they need the money for their chemical dependency. The fact that the armed robber is probably intoxicated with impaired judgment makes for a potential deadly incident. Lately, it appears that many armed robbers are juvenile thugs looking for a thrill and “street cred.” 

Teenagers, women, the elderly, the handicapped, and lone men walking at night seem to be the profile that armed robbers prefer. But anyone can become a victim.   

Over my many years of covering crime, I’ve witnessed the look of shock, humiliation and fear on the faces of armed robbery victims while I was out on my many ride-alongs with the cops. I’ve also witnessed scared and battered armed robbery victims in police stations when they were brought in for statements and to possibly identify the thugs from mugshots. For many armed robbery victims, this traumatic experience will haunt them for the rest of their lives.     

While an armed robbery can happen anytime on the street where you live, shop or work, police and security experts have told me over the years that there are some commonsense precautions one can take to prevent becoming a victim.  

Be aware of your surroundings. Walk purposely with your head up.

Don’t walk while looking at your cell phone. 

Stay in lighted areas at night.  

Walk in crowded areas, as there is safety in numbers.

Women should carry their wallet in their pocket, not their purse. 

Don’t wear flashy jewelry.

Be aware of people around you when using an ATM card. Try to use an ATM that is located inside a business.

If while walking, you see that a car is following you, cross the street and turn back towards your home.

Don’t take shortcuts through isolated areas.

Keep cell phones and other valuables concealed and hidden.

Try to remember the armed robbers’ description, so you can pass it on to the police. 

Never resist, as armed robbers can become violent and cause you great harm and possibly murder you. 

This is good advice for most, but as I’m military trained and experienced, and I have a license to carry a firearm, I refuse to be a victim. But this is a very personal choice that not everyone should choose to take. 

If one does plan to carry a legal firearm, they should consider getting properly trained.

So, enjoy the marvelous spring weather and go out for walks, but always be on the lookout for armed robbers who will positively ruin your day.    

Paul Davis, a Philadelphia writer and frequent contributor to Broad + Liberty, also contributes to Counterterrorism magazine and writes the “On Crime” column for the Washington Times. He can be reached at pauldavisoncrime.com.