"Mugger Purse"

[texasgirl]

The recent post on if your wallet is worth taking someone life and how some spoke of carrying a “mugger wallet� got me thinking. I am probably in the minority of women who does not carry a purse on a regular basis but when I do having it taken from me is a concern. I try to be aware of my surroundings and careful not to leave my purse unattended in a shopping cart or other such things. I do carry on to work daily but often it just act as a mobile file cabinet with everything from check book, bills, receipts, and paystubs in it. I have a small ID wallet that I keep in my pocket with my daily use credit card, DL, CHL and a little cash, keys stay in my pocket. I have just cleaned out my purse and now it is basically the equal of a muggers wallet. If someone takes it they will get a mini first aid kit, nail clippers, dental floss, a small multi-tool, pen, note pad, a small flash light, other misc girl stuff and an old ID wallet with a few dollars, a used Visa gift card and one of the fake cards that comes with those mail credit card promotions . There is nothing with my name, address or any other personal information on it. Another bit of advice my mom gave me back in high school was to keep my car and house key on separate rings. I use one of the quick detach device for when I want to keep them together (at home or at the office) but separate the car key off when walking out to my car. That way if a situation ever unfolds where some BG ends up my car key, my home and office keys are still with me.

Please understand I am not trying to plan to be a good victim but I know situations can arise where, even if only to distract, it may be better to just throw them the purse or key to be able to get to a safer position or to access my weapon (which I never put in my purse). I know there will be times after checking the mail or getting paid that I may have some personal info in my purse or carry my checkbook for the day but I am making a commitment to remove those items ASAP. I know most of the time people post about what we would do in certain situation but as a woman the idea that the aftermath could include a BG having not just my credit card but possibly my home address and even key has made me rethink some of my bad (and often common) habits.

I know that because my office dress code is basically Casual Friday every day I have the advantage of being able to wear either jeans or slacks most days (so I have pockets)and many other women may not. Is my idea off the wall or unrealistic?

[Xander]

It's not off the wall at all...It's a fine idea. Misdirection has been an integral part of warfare since the earliest days of war.

Countries have built elaborate wooden airfields for enemies to bomb, aircraft carry flares to distract heat-seeking missiles, police use bait cars to catch car thieves, and the "mugger's wallet" you've already mentioned. They've all worked well.

Anecdotally, I have a friend who lived in Buenos Aires for two years, where muggings are almost routine. He, in fact, was mugged repeatedly while living there since he was out on the streets every day working as a missionary. He didn't have a mugger wallet, but found that keeping a single bill in his pocket and handing that to mugger worked like a charm to end the encounters. In the end, it's staying alive and well that's the goal, and anything that helps you increase the chances of that outcome is a good tactic, in my book.

[Snake Doctor]

Is my idea off the wall or unrealistic?

Not only is it unrealistic, but I applaud you for getting your head in the game. Last night at my apartment's neighborhood watch meeting, an issure came up with a woman and her purse being stolen. The APD detective who was present at our meeting (I regret forgetting her name, but she was great) told the women that if they had to carry a purse to keep it angled over the body (like a seatbelt strap) or to keep it in front of you with a hand on it. She also mentioned that her preference was to carry her ID, credit card and minimal cash all in her front pocket, and her keys in her hand. She said that a recurring trend in Austin this year has been for a two-man team in a car or SUV to pull up as women walk through parking lots and to snatch their purses right off of their arms. Sorry if that was lengthy, I just remember all the ladies last night being very interested in this information and thought you would as well.

[texasgirl]

told the women that if they had to carry a purse to keep it angled over the body (like a seatbelt strap)


She said that a recurring trend in Austin this year has been for a two-man team in a car or SUV to pull up as women walk through parking lots and to snatch their purses right off of their arms.

I read somewhere that some police are asking women not to do that because some have been drug because they can't let go of the purse. I can't remember where I read it though.

[Xander]

told the women that if they had to carry a purse to keep it angled over the body (like a seatbelt strap)


She said that a recurring trend in Austin this year has been for a two-man team in a car or SUV to pull up as women walk through parking lots and to snatch their purses right off of their arms.

I read somewhere that some police are asking women not to do that because some have been drug because they can't let go of the purse. I can't remember where I read it though.

I agree with them. The *last* thing that you want is to end up on the ground and tangled up in your purse strap, regardless of whether you're being dragged by a car, or looking up at the mugger who's now standing over you.

[seamusTX]

told the women that if they had to carry a purse to keep it angled over the body (like a seatbelt strap)

I read somewhere that some police are asking women not to do that because some have been drug because they can't let go of the purse. I can't remember where I read it though.

It has happened many times: http://www.google.com/search?q=purse+sn ... im+dragged

- Jim

[ELB]

I think what you are doing ("mugger's purse") is a good idea as far as being one choice in your goodie bag of tactics. It would not be a good idea if it were the ONLY tactic you have in your repertoire, because it is not going to work in every circumstance. That's why you also have a gun and a CHL, and maybe pepperspray, and you have rehearsed methods of breaking contact, and of course scout your surroundings and don't go the bad places etc etc.

I think one should draw a distinction between rights and tactics. It is your right to be in any lawful place, at any time, dressed however you please, and it is your right to defend yourself, with deadly force if necessary. If confronted, it may be your choice of tactics to runaway and/or give up the mugger's purse in lieu of a fight. That should be your choice, however, it is not a choice that should be enshrined in law as a requirement.

Massad Ayoob wrote that he carries a $5 bill rubber-banded around a matchbook, ready to flip onto the sidewalk, in order to distract panhandlers who seem to be working up to a mugging. He said he's been called a coward for it, but in his view it gives him another option.

Good luck. Hope you never need to part with your mugger's purse.

elb

[texasgirl]

It would not be a good idea if it were the ONLY tactic you have in your repertoire, because it is not going to work in every circumstance. That's why you also have a gun and a CHL, and maybe pepperspray, and you have rehearsed methods of breaking contact, and of course scout your surroundings and don't go the bad places etc etc.

I totally agree with you on that. Myself and a few other women friends took a Krav Maga based self defense class a while back to have something else to add to our options in dealing with a situation.

[texasgirl]

One more thing I though of the ID holder I use does not have an clear ID window in the front. The first one I had did and a friend suggested I might not want to put my ID in the clear window because then my address would be visible when I took it out at the register if I was holding it a certain way.

This is what I use now
http://www.amazon.com/Marshal-Leather-C ... 57&sr=8-11

[HankB]

This may not really be helpful (sorry) but when I saw the title of this thread I had a flashback to an episode of the Carol Burnett show in which Carol and her sidekick (Vicki Lawrence?) portrayed a couple of little old ladies concerned about being mugged.

Carol had all sorts of stuff in her purse - gun, mace, blackjack, etc. - and, you guessed it, along came a purse snatcher who grabbed it and went offstage.

Vicki said something along the lines of "Well, now, all that stuff didn't help you one, bit, did it?"

Whereupon Carol reached under her shawl and produced a detonator - you know, the black box with a T-handle on top.

"Well, I don't know about that . . . " as she pushed down the handle.

Offstage . . . BOOM!

[KD5NRH]

It could provide some entertainment if you got one of those "separation alarm" devices that goes off when the keychain piece and the alarm piece get a certain distance apart, and wired it to a 120+dB car alarm siren sewn inside the purse.

[WarHawk-AVG]

mugger purse with break away handle, and zip cord attached to pin of hand grenade inside

With added push button key fob for rapid ease of deployment

Problem solved

I am tired of criminals being treated with kid gloves...like they have the right to rob and not risk their lives doing it!