http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/surveillance-video-offers-glimpse-of-a-dc-restaurant-patio-robbery/2013/06/06/3e1bc190-ced8-11e2-8f6b-67f40e176f03_story.html?tid=pm_pop
The link above is for a recent armed robbery that happened in DC. Watch the video, notice how calm the robber and discreet the robber was. The victims in this case were very calm and collected, and in this case, gave the robber what he wanted and did not get hurt. When you look at these kinds of videos it is important to analyze it as a scenario in general, but not from a "what did they do right, what did they do wrong," perspective.
For one, even with a video and after incident interview, we the viewers, do not have the full picture of what happened.
Rather than judging someones actions in this type of scenario I find it more beneficial to think about what my options may have been, had I been there.
These are a few things to think about after watching any kind of crime video:
1. Prevention: would be possible to avoid this situation entirely?
Be realistic. I'll never sit down to eat at an outdoor restaurant ever again is not the solution.
2. Being in the situation: imagine that you ended up there, as is: how do I get out of it safely?
(clicks heels three times while wearing tinfoil hat) "If he would have been more aware the whole thing wouldn't happen. You wouldn't catch me off guard like that."
3. Variables: how might this situation severely changed?
Think of this set up with different behavior and the variables that may have made significant changes.
You: Just sat down to eat or can't believe I ate the whole thing after drinking 4 beers.
The bad guy: For example, rather than being calm, lets say the robber came up to the two guys frantically shaking, cracked out on drugs, gun pointed at them, finger on the trigger. How might the scenario change?
This blog isn't about answers, it's about enabling you to think through things for yourself to help.
Evan Dzierzynski
NOVA Self Defense
Owner/Lead Coach
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