what would you do?

[mr.72]

This is one of those little experiences that added up to make me want to carry.

This happened in 1996, in Austin. I was 23 at the time.

My wife and I were joined by another couple to go to a concert on 6th Street on a weekday night. Parking on 6th Street near the venue (a large bar/club) was unavailable and I was driving. Being a cheapskate about paying to park, I parked the car in a public free lot that was near I-35 (the far East side of the 6th St. entertainment district ... border of the "bad part of town" for those not from Austin). As we got out of the car, we were approached by an urban entrepreneur (so to speak) who had an associate standing back away a few dozen feet behind him, who made us an offer to watch our car in the parking lot, ensuring it wouldn't get broken into, for the lowly sum of $50. My response was something like "say what? no I'm not going to pay you $50 to watch my car" while my wife and the other couple rapidly got back into the car, as did I, and then I sped off and found alternate parking arrangements. All's well that ends well I guess.

I have replayed this scenario in my head over and over for the past dozen years and I still feel very lucky that we made it out of there. However I am not sure how you'd respond to this even being armed. At this point I think I'd be best off to sternly tell the dude to move back, then ensure the BG had retreated sufficiently before getting in the car and getting out of there.

Thoughts?

[seamusTX]

I have run into that scam. IMHO, the best tactic when a stranger approaches you is to say, "Please stop there," and reinforce it with a gesture such as pointing at the ground with your "weak" hand. That has stopped 90% of the hustlers and panhandlers that I have run into. They know that you are not a good mark.

A guy running this scam is probably not going to mug you or damage your car, because he has probably had previous run-ins with the police and wants to continue his business of getting drunk or high with donations from the gullible. However, you never know.

Let's step back from the immediate threatening situation and look at how it could have been avoided.

If you go to places like 6th Street (which I have been to) and park on the street or in an unattended parking lot, you risk vandalism, car theft, or worse. If you are bound and determined to go there, you need to park in an attended lot or take a taxi. The money spent is nothing compared to what you will pay if your car is damaged or stolen.

It also sounds like you are talking about attending an event in a 51% establishment. That means that you either go armed only with uncontrolled weapons like pepper spray and a knife, or carry a handgun and risk a felony conviction.

- Jim

[Rokyudai]

I think you responded correctly. Having been armed should not make a difference on how you carry yourself. You used the most valuable tool of all, your common sense and made a proper decision to leave the situation and area. Having a CHL does not give you permission to be a tough guy....and I'm saying this only in general and not implying you would do this. Certainly some situations escalate and in turn you may have to puff up but I'm not going to rip a guy's throat out for being annoying.

I think the verbal judo that seamustx brought up is good stuff. It is strange how even the most determined street hosts get tripped up by it.

[seamusTX]

Yeah. Con artists and robbers have learned to control a situation. If you are walking, and you stop to talk to them, they are already in control. If they are the first to speak, they are in control. Having you issue a command, however politely, is not what they expect.

If you're walking, by all means keep walking. When you stop, an accomplice may be closing from behind.

I have avoided some of these approaches by walking into the street. These guys don't want witnesses. If you're in the street, you're more likely to be seen by drivers, possibly by a cop.

- Jim

[mr.72]

Let's step back from the immediate threatening situation and look at how it could have been avoided.

Heh... well I just don't go down there anymore.

When I'm downtown these days, I either park conspicuously on the curb near to my destination, where vandalism and robbery are highly unlikely, or I park in an attended private parking lot. Learned these lessons many years ago.

[RiverRat]

The other advantage to parking on the street is that it is public property and there is no question about insurance coverage and police reports. Sometimes damage on private property and parking is not covered.

[smyrna]

... I parked the car in a public free lot that was near I-35 (the far East side of the 6th St. entertainment district ... border of the "bad part of town" for those not from Austin).

I know exactly where you are talking about. Talk about "Penthouse to the Outhouse"...It always amazes me how the scenary changes just a few blocks from the heart of our state government. I hear DC is no different.

As far as the situation, I think you did the right thing by removing yourself, others, and your vehicle from the situation. The best defense to any attack is to not be there for the attack.

[mr.72]

Well in retrospect, I feel very fortunate that we got out of there. It takes a fair amount of time to get in a car, lock the doors and start it up.

[dukesean]

4 people splitting a taxi fare isn't a bad idea either, if you don't want to have to walk to and from your car which would need to be parked in the bad area of town.

[longhorn_92]

4 people splitting a taxi fare isn't a bad idea either, if you don't want to have to walk to and from your car which would need to be parked in the bad area of town.

Outstanding suggestion.

[seamusTX]

Every time I have used this technique or a similar technique, they have looked crestfallen or sneered and turned away.

The other technique is for bums who ask for something but do not approach. I just say, "I can't help you."

I would not ask a question or engage in any kind of conversation.

I try to keep moving. Most of these encounters have been going into or coming out of businesses. A few have been while I was out for a walk.

- Jim

[fm2]

Just out of curiosity, what do you do after you say "Please stop there" and they stop? Do you just say "I'm not interested" and try to walk away, or do you actually ask them what they want, such as "What can I do for you?"

I like to issue some request (re-enforced by the stop hand sign and good body language) and not get interogotory with them as invited by phrases like "What can I do for you" and "Can I help you". I try to be direct with my reply like "I can't help you" or "I'm not interested".

[seamusTX]

Russell, you're probably on the young side and not mean enough.

I used to listen to sob stories and give panhandlers change. What broke it for me was a guy that was panhandling outside a convenience store-gas station. He looked like the world's oldest hippie. His spiel was that he hadn't eaten for days. He was thin enough to make that believable; but while he was talking to me, his cell phone rang, and he answered it. This was about 15 years ago when cell phones were an expensive big deal.

That changed my attitude. I've been working my entire adult life. Anybody who wants to eat can do the same thing or marry someone who does.

- Jim