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buddero 
Group: Members
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Joined: Jan. 2009
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 1:22 pm |
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Yesterday, as my wife and I were walking into a store, a man and woman were walking out and as they passed us, the woman started sprinting and thrust her arm through the shoulder strap and took off with my wife's purse. I chased them for about a quarter mile, through several apartment complexes and into an alley where I gave out. At one point I was within a few steps of them, but couldn’t keep up the pace.
So, we’re unsettled, my wife has a few bruises, dealing with credit card and related issues, re-keying the locks, getting new chips in the car keys, and so on.
As we’ve gotten older I’ve tried to get my wife to quit carrying a purse. To me, purses are just crazy – a sign that says here’s the goodies, and not too hard to grab. She doesn’t carry a purse when we’re traveling, but here in Dallas, even in the inner city it feels safer, I guess. Not now.
Lest anyone think I’m making a grrrr post about my wife behind her back, well, I guess I am; but not casting stones as I’m the guy who left a daypack with a laptop in it in the Hong Kong airport (got it back – what better place to leave something valuable). Just grrrr in general.
If I’d been carrying a pistol I would have shot them, but I seldom carry anymore and I’m fine with that. It’s not that I see any particular value in their toxic lives. I’m sitting here, really thinking about this, and in the end, I’m glad I wasn’t carrying.
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Reach out your hand, if your cup be empty
If your cup is full, may it be again
Journal and links to refugees, backpacking, travel in Asia, photos, honky-tonk angels, other beautiful things...
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High_Sierra_Fan
Group: Members
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 1:27 pm |
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I carry a bike messenger bag on most urban traveling and I just always have the strap across to my opposite shoulder. Largely for balance and weight distribution but in some small part so it can't be grabbed in that fashion.
Glad neither she nor you were hurt.
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| Post Number: 3
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Lamebeaver
trail? I don't need no stinkin trail!
Group: Members
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Joined: Aug. 2004
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 1:41 pm |
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I wonder if you could get one of those dye packs they use in banks....put it in a pocket on her purse and tell her to never open that pocket.....
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| Post Number: 4
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JimInMD
Group: Members
Posts: 3112
Joined: Feb. 2011
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 1:42 pm |
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I'm glad she's safe. Being assaulted like that is a frightening experience.
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Checking out for a while, find me on FB.
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| Post Number: 5
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UlightBandit
ROAR!!!
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 1:47 pm |
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I somewhat agree Buddero.
My grandmother, who at the time was in her 60s, was walking in Rome when a thief darted from a crowd & grabbed her purse. She attempted to let it go, but it snagged on her shoulder and dislocated it. When she hit the ground, she broke her wrist in several places.
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Firedancer
Colorado Dreamin'
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 1:48 pm |
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That stinks, I'm sorry it happened to you. I get so angry at people that somehow think they're entitled to something that someone else worked hard for.
Maybe a different style of purse is safer than another? I typically either have a very small wristlet or a cross-body style that I think would be more difficult to break away.
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The future is no place to place your better days.
Dave Matthews
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| Post Number: 7
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Pathfinder1
Group: Members
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Joined: Apr. 2011
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 2:28 pm |
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Hi...
What a terrible experience...!! Glad that there were no serious injuries to you or your wife. Wish you had been able to catch the rats.
And now...with our infinate hindsight...we can realize that a purse, messenger bag, shoulder bag, etc. is best carried with the strap across the opposite shoulder. NOTE: they now make these items with a cable threaded through the strap, which helps prevent 'slice-and-run' incidents.
Hope the cops can track them down.
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| Post Number: 8
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Ben2World
Group: Members
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 2:41 pm |
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For me, I just plain dislike carrying things. Even when I have to carry an umbrella, I buy the shortest, lightest one I can find -- so it fits in my trouser pockets.
Women generally need to carry more... but I bet if they apply the principles of "backpacking light" to their everyday lives -- leaving stuff at home, carrying only the essentials -- and making each do multiple functions to the extent possible -- and then selecting only the lightest and most compact options -- plus selecting clothing that incorporate pockets -- then they too can venture out hands free...
Buddero -- sorry to hear about the purse snatching. When stuff like this happens, oftentimes, the psychological aspect -- repeatedly reliving the terrifying moment in our minds -- is worse than the material stuff lost.
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The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page. -- St. Augustine
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| Post Number: 10
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RebeccaD
Double Arch, Arches N.P.
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 3:16 pm |
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Ben, that's my approach, but I do need a wallet, and there's no room in my jeans for one  . I carry a wallet on a string, in effect, and carry it cross-shoulder, but it's still vulnerable (though maybe less obvious and harder to grab). Of course a wallet in your back pocket is subject to removal as well.
If I need more than my wallet, I carry a backpack, or a messenger bag (usually this means I'm hauling books to the library or swimsuit to the gym).
Of course, an argument could be made for carrying a very heavy purse--and knocking the scumbag flat with it
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Bits of writerly thoughts and random short fiction found at
The Ninja Librarian Blog
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| Post Number: 11
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big_load
Group: Members
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 3:18 pm |
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| Post Number: 12
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buddero
Group: Members
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Joined: Jan. 2009
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 4:37 pm |
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Thanks for the responses.
Here's what we carry $, pp, etc. while traveling: http://www.rei.com/product....ey-belt
Millions of people around the world carry $ in a little inside pocket sewn into a shirt, etc.
But whatever, it's really a drag to have a (even a small) crime committed on oneself. We're off to the car dealership where the key changes will be $160+. Grumble, whine, sigh, snarl.
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Reach out your hand, if your cup be empty
If your cup is full, may it be again
Journal and links to refugees, backpacking, travel in Asia, photos, honky-tonk angels, other beautiful things...
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| Post Number: 14
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sarbar
Hiker Trash
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 4:45 pm |
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I have always carried my purse across my chest, with a wide strap, that is designed to be hard to cut. Or I wear a 2 strap ladies backpack purse, also hard to get off.
Sucks though. Out here every month a lady or two gets her purse grabbed out of a cart at the store. I see people walk away from their purses ALL the time in Costco and Safeway, I just don't get that!!
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Trail Cooking, Recipes, Gear and Beyond:
Trail Cooking & Freezer Bag Cooking
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| Post Number: 15
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| Post Number: 16
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RebeccaD
Double Arch, Arches N.P.
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 5:03 pm |
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I remember that! And think that my refusal to haul a big handbag leaves me unable to emulate her!
I have to say they seem like some of the less competent burglars I've ever seen.
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Bits of writerly thoughts and random short fiction found at
The Ninja Librarian Blog
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| Post Number: 17
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oldnolder
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 6:15 pm |
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Buddero, sorry you had to experience this. I hope you and your wife get over this soon. It is so sad that crime is so rampant these days. Peace to you.
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| Post Number: 18
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buddero
Group: Members
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 7:51 pm |
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Thanks Oldnolder, et al.
I've been thinking about this, needless to say. From my point of view the key points are:
In my opinion carrying a purse makes one more vulnerable to assault such as what I described. A purse (a) tells the world that here is where the valuables are, which is a fundamental security mistake and (b) is easily stolen.
There are differences between valuables (cash, credit card) and other stuff (photos, makeup, multi-function tool, etc.). It's a cultural oddity that women seem to feel obligated to carry their valuables in this manner vs. concealed.
Older people are at increased risk of being targeted by criminals, including purse snatchers as above (and con artists, and others I'm sure). We also pay a heavier price for physical violence due to diminished physical capacities - so it becomes even more important to avoid violence.
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Reach out your hand, if your cup be empty
If your cup is full, may it be again
Journal and links to refugees, backpacking, travel in Asia, photos, honky-tonk angels, other beautiful things...
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| Post Number: 19
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no_granola
minor deity
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Posted on: Jan. 16 2013, 8:16 pm |
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Rule number 1: stay out of the city.
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The difference between people who think for themselves and those that follow the herd is that thinking people aren't afraid of reality.
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| Post Number: 20
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| Post Number: 21
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trailweaver
Group: Members
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Posted on: Jan. 17 2013, 1:23 am |
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About a year ago I started leaving my purse (hidden well or locked in the trunk) in the car when I go into the grocery store. I take the credit card I need in my pocket and I don't have to watch the cart all the time. . . it's so much easier to shop without a purse dangling around on my shoulder.
Anyone who grabbed my purse would be sorely disappointed anyway! No cash, ever, and anything else of "value" is either home or on my person.
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| Post Number: 22
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Echo
Group: Members
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Posted on: Jan. 17 2013, 9:43 am |
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I never work at the same place two days in a row so my purse has a few essentials that are really worthless to anyone, a hairbrush, tampons, carmex, gum, advil and antacids, pens, more like a desk drawer really, so I'd laugh to think of anyone digging through it for money. I'm a substitute teacher with two teenagers and one is in college, there isn't much of value even in my house.
I know I talk about Flylady.net a lot because she has helped me a lot, and her site has a wallet that is thin and pocket friendly for just this reason
http://shop.flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_Wallet.asp
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If Light is in your heart, you will find your way Home. (Rumi)
The miracle is not to fly in the air, or to walk on the water, but to walk on the earth. Chinese proverb
http://echo-echosvoice.blogspot.com/
http://duffybarkley.blogspot.com/
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| Post Number: 23
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RumiDude
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Posted on: Jan. 17 2013, 11:56 am |
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(buddero @ Jan. 16 2013, 10:22 am)
QUOTE If I’d been carrying a pistol I would have shot them, but I seldom carry anymore and I’m fine with that. It’s not that I see any particular value in their toxic lives. I’m sitting here, really thinking about this, and in the end, I’m glad I wasn’t carrying.
I don't know if you have ever suffered a theft like this before, but you should be aware of how this can affect both you and your wife.
I have been the victim of theft, physical battery, and several home burgleries. Oddly, it wasthe burgleries which were the most difficult to come to terms with. I had dreams of killing burglers and my thoughts during the day often ran in that direction as well. I finally just had to let it go because I didn't want that kind of crap running through my head. Anyway, just a heads up. YMMV
Sorry this happened to you and your wife. Take care.
Rumi
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“This is my Indian summer ... I'm far more dangerous now, because I don't care at all.”
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| Post Number: 24
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buddero
Group: Members
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Posted on: Jan. 17 2013, 4:04 pm |
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Thanks Rumi. Yes, it's a bad thing to have a crime committed on one. I've been robbed at gunpoint, but never burgled.
I was worried about the effects of this on my wife. Today I got a clue. She wanted to go to the store. There were other, closer options, but she wanted to go back to the store where it happened. Parked in the same spot and walked in the same door. Shopped. Left.
MY WIFE, XENA! Oh Hell Yes!
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Reach out your hand, if your cup be empty
If your cup is full, may it be again
Journal and links to refugees, backpacking, travel in Asia, photos, honky-tonk angels, other beautiful things...
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| Post Number: 25
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Survival Skills 101 • Eat Better
