Just Musing

On  Muggers  and  Prowlers      

Hi Friends,

                When I went to New York in 1984, several  friends had warned me against moving around in the city late in the evenings after dusk, when it gets too risky to venture out all alone in Manhatten streets for fear of getting 'mugged' by a ruffian. Until then, I used to think that mugging is just 'cramming or rote learning'  or what people do in their school days just before the exams. In New York, it meant  what some people did to strangers on lonely roads to rob them of their jewelry or wallets at gun point. It's only in the big cities like London or New York, or Mumbai for that matter, that one is most likely to get mugged, probably because that is where the most gullible tourists or the rich businessmen visitors are found. They are usually new to the place, carry loads of money with them and so become easy targets for the prospective mugger. 

                In any case, I found from the Internet, that to avoid being mugged in a big city like New York or Mumbai, there are certain "Do's and Don'ts" that one must follow most diligently:  "First of all, when you walk down the street act confidently as if you have been staying in the city all your life.  Walk at a good pace sticking out your chest and pushing back your shoulders with your head held high and wave occasionally at a  passer-by as though you have seen an old friend or acquaintance. In other words, walk with a sense of purpose. If you are wandering aimlessly, look lost or nervous, then you are more likely to be an easy target for any mugger. On the other hand, if you look cool and confident, the mugger will, in all probability, leave you alone and give you a miss."  All the same, what do you do if you still come face to face with a potential mugger on the street? 

              "Whatever else you may do, do not shout, "Help, police!"  Studies have shown it causes the police to flee from the 'scene of crime'  while at the same time, it attracts attention of even more muggers. Instead shout, "Hey, this man is giving free passes for Jojo's Cabaret show!" and the mugger will vanish like magic. If you sense danger or if you are being 'stalked', then immediately move towards a more populated, safe area like a cafe. If you know Karate or Judo, don't even consider defending yourself by giving him a free demonstration of your skills. For all you know, he may be armed and faster than you in pulling out his gun. If you have a knife, don't pull it out on him for it may only prompt him to pull the trigger. Using a pepper spray may be a better idea. Remember, fighting back only increases the risk of harm to your person." 
              It is best not to carry a lot of cash with you and if you do, don't lie to him that you have no money on you. He has done his 'homework' well and already has a pretty good idea of how much cash you have. It may be a better idea therefore to give him what he wants; after all your life is worth more than any money you may have in your wallet. Besides, he may even decide to take your mobile or ipod instead of the money! Lastly, be alert. Don't walk like a dumb ass or a country yokel walking in his sleep, listening to lullabies on his i-pod and admiring the pretty buildings around; such a person makes an easy target for any mugger."  When in Mumbai, it may be a better idea to tell him you are from 'so and so' outfit and in all likelihood, he may just say,"Sorry, Boss!" and disappear from the scene!!

                  Many a time, the mugger shows his human side too; you will find him helping a senior citizen or a blind man cross the street or do some petty, odd job for him. Read my own experience in a New York Hotel with a man who, I found later, was probably a mugger; meet him in my next short story,"Encounter with a New York Mugger". It may also happen sometimes that one whom you mistook for a thief turns out to be someone you love dearly, as happens in my second story,"A Prowler in the House".

                 Bye, for now!

Vasant  Hattangadi

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