I swear my girlfriend is aiming for “sainthood”…
So, you know the homeless guys and gals waiting for you at the intersection red light?
You’re parked 5 or 6 cars back as they slowwwwwwly work their way toward you, car-by-car, with that look on their face like your dollar is going to be the one thing that keeps them alive yet one more day.
Maybe you find yourself praying for the light to turn green in time for you to bypass them and avoid feeling like you’re going to hell for not coughing up some spare change?
(Or is it just me?)
Well, my schmoops does something that very few people do in these situations…
She hands them a $5 bill paper-clipped to a Christian “message of hope” card that might – just might – be the words they need to turn their life around.
(Yup. She’s a keeper! 🙂)
But I also know that sometimes criminals use this same “Do you have any change?” ploy to get close to you before they attack.
I mean, hey… I’m all about being generous – and I know that some people are just down on their luck and could use a lift up.
But I’m not about to open myself up to a close-quarters ambush and find myself bleeding out in a gas station parking lot for the sake of getting one more step up the stairway to Heaven, know what I mean?
Well, it got me thinking about a “defense tip” that was told to me a few years back by my friend (and legendary “gun guru”), Massad Ayoob…
A Simple Counter-Ambush Defense Tip For Concealed Carry From Massad Ayoob
Criminals often use the ploy of asking for change to get close enough to strike – and most of the time it’s by asking for change or directions somewhere where you’re already distracted, such as the gas station, pumping gas.
To stop them in their tracks as soon as you see them coming, don’t be afraid to challenge them and tell them in a very authoritative voice to “stand back”, asking “What can do for you?”
Mas said, to always be ready for this type of a ploy, keep a 5-dollar-bill wrapped around a matchbook or bic lighter (in order to give it some weight) either in your pocket or someplace within arms’s reach next to you in your vehicle.
Then, just toss it to the person hitting you up for cash.
If that’s all they wanted, they should stop… thank you… and move out.
If they continue to move in closer (to thank you or shake your hand), you know you might have a problem and can take more aggressive action to keep them at a safe distance – and maybe even prep to be at-the-ready to get to your gun or other weapon to protect yourself.
Yeah… that Mas is one smart dude! 🙂
I don’t give them $, I provide free meal coupons from the major franchises. I travel a great deal, sometimes to large Conventions, and I drop in an buy a slew of these closest to the facility….and then hand them out. Most are grateful, but those that are NOT….my coupons… will buy them a meal….. but not drugs!!
I stopped rolling down my window a few years ago when it seems like a barrage of alleged homeless were begging for $$. Always use situational awareness in parking lots & gas stations.
In cooler months pass out gloves, hats, scarves etc winter items that you are no longer using that are in decent shape that could help keep them warm.
I commend your heart. But, there are plenty of places that offer those amenities. They just sell/trade them off for the drugs. If you give them food/meal vouchers same thing. They want the drugs and will get them one way or another.
Also, just an aside…that is a good heart for the homeless/druggie. But for the criminal who intends to rob/harm you that WILL NOT WORK! Their intent is NOT for aid but to get within STRIKING DISTANCE of you.
Please do not confuse the issues as that is what places folks at risk.
Carry a “fake wallet”. Buy a cheap wallet from eBay for less than $10. Focus & use your “Situational Awareness” skills: look around & see if there’s more than one person ! If s/he demands cash, this is where the “fake” comes in. Put about 10 one dollar bills, 8 quarters (to give it some weight) and some other useless papers in it. Scotch tape a small florescent square hidden inside with your first name on it (in case you file a Police Report, this will be what ID’s the wallet as yours).
When they get about 10-12 feet away, yell at them to “STOP !” Then ask: “HOW can I help you ?” This alerts them and others around you to WAKE UP !
Then
1) Offer them a few bucks from this “fake”.
OR
2) IF they attempt to rob you with a knife, screwdriver, etc. you can throw the “fake” in the opposite direction of your vehicle as hard as you can. This will give you some time to RUN back to your vehicle and drive off !
REMEMBER:
The “fake” wallet has no value in it other than $10 and 8 quarters in it. Your life is more valuable than $12 bucks and a cheap wallet !
I reach into my Canadian tuxedo and say, “that’s close enough”. If they proceed to ask for money, I say, “get with the times, pal. Debit cards rule”.