EDC Lesson

[Old cop]

I stopped to gas up my car mid afternoon today when I saw a young guy walking across the lot watching me closely. No other cars or people were around (no station attendant in sight) and I kept an eye on his progress as he got closer. While I can't articulate it I believe he was sizing me up. I look like an easy mark, past 70 and handicapped. My 340PD was in my L/F pocket so I slid my hand on it trying to look casual. He gave me a wide berth but kept looking over his shoulder at me and checking to see if anyone else was watching us. Needing both hands to finish I shifted the gun under my shirt, appendix, with my back to him, and got back in the car. He was still looking at me as I drove away. Maybe I'm just a paranoid old retiree and nothing was going to go down, but I was really glad to be carrying. Lesson: If you can legally carry do so all the time, not selectively when you think you might need to.

 

[i1afli]

You just never know.
Thanks for sharing.

 

[michpatriot]

Hand stays in pocket

I stopped to gas up my car mid afternoon today when I saw a young guy walking across the lot watching me closely. No other cars or people were around (no station attendant in sight) and I kept an eye on his progress as he got closer. While I can't articulate it I believe he was sizing me up. I look like an easy mark, past 70 and handicapped. My 340PD was in my L/F pocket so I slid my hand on it trying to look casual. He gave me a wide berth but kept looking over his shoulder at me and checking to see if anyone else was watching us. Needing both hands to finish I shifted the gun under my shirt, appendix, with my back to him, and got back in the car. He was still looking at me as I drove away. Maybe I'm just a paranoid old retiree and nothing was going to go down, but I was really glad to be carrying. Lesson - If you can legally carry do so all the time, not selectively when you think you might need to.

I've been fueling up and felt the same unease, hand in pocket...with off hand hung up the pump and replaced filler cap..discretely drew as I entered my vehicle, started the engine with left arm over the steering column..

 

[Wingmaster]

Go with your gut feeling. If you thought he was sizing you up, He was very likely sizing you up.

Good advice. Carry everywhere every day.

Wing master

 

[Kanewpadle]

When I'm out and about I watch EVERYONE. I even turn around and look at them if I have to. If they don't like it, oh well.

Some youngsters see gray hair as a sign of weakness. BIG MISTAKE!

Can't say enough about situational awareness.

 

[RobertJ.]

Situational awareness in action!

I can't help but wonder how many wouldn't have noticed a potential problem. We should all take a lesson from it.

Thankfully, your story had a good ending!

 

[ExcitableBoy]

Many people have a touch of being "psychic" and pick up on another person's thoughts or intentions. Most ignore these internal signals and blow them off as paranoia, or whatever. Ofttimes, those who ignore these feelings wind up having trouble descend upon them.

A lot of LEOs DO pay attention when their senses flare up... they get a "hunch" that something is about to happen, or "feel" that something just isn't quite right in a situation. For some , it may be experience ("I've seen this before."), it may be good training, or it may be keen observation. Whatever the case may be, they are on alert and ready to act.

Have you ever just met someone and taken an instant dislike without even speaking to that person? Or see someone you've never seen before and want to have a beer with them? I would bet large money that most of us have. Same kind of radar.

What do you "pick up" from people when you're in a crowd? Do you sometimes get uncomfortable, maybe even agitated?

Pay attention to your senses and act upon them. It could be the difference in getting home happy and in one piece, or becoming a statistic.

 

[Big Cholla]

Us old retired LEOs watch everyone! Yes, it is Situational Awareness, but I just like to watch people. One never knows what there is to see.....

 

[Warren Sear]

Many people have a touch of being "psychic" and pick up on another person's thoughts or intentions. Most ignore these internal signals and blow them off as paranoia, or whatever. Ofttimes, those who ignore these feelings wind up having trouble descend upon them.

A lot of LEOs DO pay attention when their senses flare up... they get a "hunch" that something is about to happen, or "feel" that something just isn't quite right in a situation. For some , it may be experience ("I've seen this before."), it may be good training, or it may be keen observation. Whatever the case may be, they are on alert and ready to act.

Have you ever just met someone and taken an instant dislike without even speaking to that person? Or see someone you've never seen before and want to have a beer with them? I would bet large money that most of us have. Same kind of radar.

What do you "pick up" from people when you're in a crowd? Do you sometimes get uncomfortable, maybe even agitated?

Pay attention to your senses and act upon them. It could be the difference in getting home happy and in one piece, or becoming a statistic.

There can be a fine line between "psychic" and "psychotic". If one thinks they can read minds, it is probably more a situation of the latter.

 

[dubshooter]

I often fuel up after shift, which is often on the later side of midnight. I carry appendix and have had situations of cars pulling into the empty lot after me and the circling around slowly. I just skip my thumb up to my belt loop to keep hand close and keep watch. I don't know if it's the "sizing up" of they just realize their target is paying attention and they won't catch you sleeping. Either way, keep the head on a swivel

 

[dubshooter]

What do you "pick up" from people when you're in a crowd? Do you sometimes get uncomfortable, maybe even agitated?

Pay attention to your senses and act upon them. It could be the difference in getting home happy and in one piece, or becoming a statistic.

I'm often agitated in a crowd. Because I hate crowds and don't like being around a lot of people I don't know. But I don't think I'm psychic

 

[Muss Muggins]

Was your fly up?

 

[Arik]

Probably thinking "why is this old guy staring at me for"? [emoji13] [emoji2]

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[PPS1980]

Just being aware and keeping an eye on folks can be a preventative. I had a similar feeling a couple years ago when filling up late at night and was alone at the station. Found out they had a robbery later that night. Was it the same guys in the same car? No idea. But being aware and not keeping it to yourself is a great preventative IMHO.

 

[Double-O-Dave]

Old Cop:

I had a similar incident a few months ago while pumping gas, but my "ute" walked directly towards me with his hands in his front pants pocket. I moved my off-hand into my front pants pocket on my New York reload (Model 38-0), smiled at him, and said "why don't you just keep walking before someone has a bad day?" The look on his face was priceless as I imagine his surprise that at least this old dog still had a few teeth left in his mouth, and wasn't afraid of biting. Yeah, he put his head down, turned around and walked away to bother someone else.

I'm glad things worked out for you. Stay safe.

Regards,

Dave

 

[jimmyj]

Keep on being Paranoid--It could save your life

 

[Protected One]

Better to be paranoid than compromised!

Way to watch, Old cop!

 

[bigwheelzip]

Your situational awareness was probably as important as your carry. There are so many people who are oblivious in public, that they might as well tattoo "Victim" on their forehead.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I stopped to gas up my car mid afternoon today when I saw a young guy walking across the lot watching me closely. No other cars or people were around (no station attendant in sight) and I kept an eye on his progress as he got closer. While I can't articulate it I believe he was sizing me up. I look like an easy mark, past 70 and handicapped. My 340PD was in my L/F pocket so I slid my hand on it trying to look casual. He gave me a wide berth but kept looking over his shoulder at me and checking to see if anyone else was watching us. Needing both hands to finish I shifted the gun under my shirt, appendix, with my back to him, and got back in the car. He was still looking at me as I drove away. Maybe I'm just a paranoid old retiree and nothing was going to go down, but I was really glad to be carrying. Lesson - If you can legally carry do so all the time, not selectively when you think you might need to.

Was it "coply intuition"?

 

[DD357]

Go with your gut feeling. If you thought he was sizing you up, He was very likely sizing you up.

Wing master

Yep; I'm betting he was sizing you up too.

 

[squidsix]

You aren't paranoid. Humans are dangerous.

 

[JohnK]

If you look like food, you may be eaten.

Double-O Dave handled that well.

I'm 74 now, really have to keep situational awareness constant.

 

[TomkinsSP]

One of my professors at John Jay (wish I could remember his name) described this type of situation. People who have (or have learned to develop) situational awareness notice small patterns in their environment, and then they anticipate potential future outcomes from those cues. It is not paranoia, even if the rustling grass is not a hungry lioness, the gazelle did well to move away.

On the street we occasionally busted storefront 'psycics' who preyed upon extraordinarily superstitious and ignorant clients (not that I am judging.) Many were just con artists and neer-do-wells, but those who stuck around year after year were mostly just entrepreneurial folks who understood their client's superstitions and had a better than average (which is to say phenomenal compared to thier clients) ability to read these little patterns and translate them into moron.

So if you are in a position of vulnerability, and you feel that tingle, you are psychic (at least in the Flatbush Ave sense), and even if its not a clear and present danger, you are not paranoid.

 

[Fastbolt]

Well, while I'd rather not fire/light off a round near gasoline fumes, I rather doubt any miscreant would want to be threatening someone holding a gasoline pump nozzle, either.

Yes, if you're inattentive to what's going on around you, and look like it, it might appear to present an opportunity to someone looking for a victim.

 

[Buford57]

They prey on the unwary.

Thanks for sharing that reminder that eternal vigilance is indeed the price of freedom...and safety.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Approaching someone holding gas pump is not very bright, I agree!

So if you are in a position of vulnerability, and you feel that tingle, you are psychic (at least in the Flatbush Ave sense), and even if its not a clear and present danger, you are not paranoid.

That's the neighborhood I picked up my Spidey sense in, too. I enhanced it after Colonel Cooper taught us the color codes.

 

[misswired]

Was your fly up?

That's funny, I don't care who you are ....!
My 'golden' rule.... Don't let a stranger within 'touching distance'....period!

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

Carry and shoot every day.........I see what I mean.

 

[diegobxr]

I look like an easy mark, past 70 and handicapped.

This thread made me think of an excellent phrase I once read here:

"A young guy may kick your ***, but an old guy will kill you".


CCW or not, your advantage was your excellent situational awareness and effective response. Congrats to you, sir.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Here in the sunshine state you can "flash," but even before you could, I would. A knowing look at the potential perp while scratching the side of my head with a Bull Dog .44 pretty much sets the stage for what's gonna' come next. Their choice.