Interview Techniques

[Smoke]

Let’s take the panhandling thing out of the equation for a second and focus on the fact that you really don’t know who this person that’s trying to close the gap on you and trying to get into your bubble is.

Regardless of the person’s end goal the purpose of the interview is the same. They want you to lower your guard and let them in your space.

I’ve told this story before but I was attacked at work one night by a guy who walked up to me asking directions to a local bar. He acted completely normal (if a little tipsy) right up to the point he went for my throat. Had my partner not been right there things might have gone much worse.

Now granted I was at somewhat of a disadvantage at work because customer service (like giving people directions) was part of my job description so I couldn’t “blade up” on the guy and tell him to back off but I could have been a lot more aware of him and a lot more mentally prepared.

After that incident I tend to be a lot more aware of people that are trying to enter my space and a lot more cognizant of when they’ve singled me out and are trying to close the gap (not that it’s a daily occurrence). I know you can’t prove a negative but I thing a lot of times the fact that I am paying attention stops the interview before it starts.

 

[SAFireman]

Here, read this...it will give you a new perspective on people approaching you in public Street robberies and you - The Basics - AR15.COM

 

[Rastoff]

I know you can’t prove a negative but I thing a lot of times the fact that I am paying attention stops the interview before it starts.

This is correct. Simply letting them know that you know they are there, will deflect the situation before it becomes one.


Much depends on the situation. In a brightly lit place with lots of people around, the guy is probably just asking for directions. In a dimly lit area with no one else around, it could be a ploy.

In that case, take a positive stance and use your voice to take control. As he approaches, but before he gets too close, say in a loud demanding voice, "Stop right there!" Someone just asking for directions, unless they're an idiot, will stop. They will probably think you're a weirdo and leave. That's a good thing. If they are a criminal, they may continue to advance. This is when you present your gun and say, "Stop right there or I will shoot!"

 

[Doug M.]

Many years ago I got chewed out by a CHP officer because I stopped to help a lady with a flat tire. She flagged me down and was frantic and crying. Turned out she had a blow out at high speed and almost crashed. I looked at the tire and sure enough, it was shredded. As I prepared to change the tire the cop pulled up. He proceeded to chew me out because her boyfriend could be waiting in the bushes and attack me.

The lady was offended and I looked at him and said where I'm from we always stop to help someone. Especially a lady.

*
The CHP officer was right. The problem that fundamentally decent people have is that the flip side of life is as foreign to them as physics is to me. Women? Feh. No better than men. Such is a common type of set-up, and a good way to get hurt, killed, or accused of something. I almost never stopped for anyone off-duty, but I do have 3 WSP district phone numbers in my cell's memory.

The only times I have stopped is when I thought someone was at relatively significant risk if I didn't. I stopped a couple times when I was trucking because of weather and isolation. -10 and snowing north of Bangor is a big deal, etc. I took one college kid about 200 miles cuz her car had died on the side of the NY Thruway and I knew there were no troopers out for at least 40 miles. We stopped at the first service plaza and called her parents so they knew she was safe, and let them have my DL and badge #.

I've done motorists assists as a cop when I was closer than WSP. I worked in an isolated area and knew that these folks might be really hosed if I didn't. Often the travel to and from plus whatever they needed took me away from other stuff for most of 2 hours, and I did not dawdle when driving. (The overwhelming majority were travelers from the west side who had no clue that gas stations are so far apart when this far east. We had educational discussions. They put themselves at risk for no good reason.)

 

[Smoke]

Here, read this...it will give you a new perspective on people approaching you in public Street robberies and you - The Basics - AR15.COM

Already read it , it's written by a very questionable source and loaded with extremely bad advice

 

[Murdock]

Already read it , it's written by a very questionable source and loaded with extremely bad advice

I do not concur. I agree with SAFireman that the article is worth reading. Having also read the referenced article I found it to be consistent with law enforcement professional instruction I have observed, with current street survival training I have paid to attend and with information gleaned from conversations with LEOs I know and have reason to respect for their street experience.

 

[Donn]

The latest phenomenon around here is if the panhandler's got a kid, he/she comes along for the sympathy factor and to "convince" the mark that the plea, whatever it might be, is sincere. Might be on-the-job training for the kid too.

 

[walkin' trails]

Drug and alcohol dependent street people are usually too fried to realize how stupid their come-on lines are, and any citizen should be warry. A church men's group to which I once belonged decided they really needed a program to help the homeless on the corners panhandling. One gentleman had some experience with that thru another ministry and cautioned us that we should not give them money or anything they could sell or trade to buy drugs/booze. A dirty, hungry kid asking for a buck is probably begging for a parent who is either watching from a distance or passed out in the bushes . Buying the kid food is better than giving $$. At least the kid gets a meal. I worked the Border Patrol on the West Coast if Southern California years ago and noted that the panhandlers seemed to change how they viewed us. They used to steer clear of us, but then started trying to get $$ out of us like any other guy/gal in the street. Apparently one of my "long in compassion/short on common sense" co-workers had felt sorry for them too many times. Anyway, I'm afraid my tax dollars already go too far to buy dope for addicts and I'm not going to go any farther to help them get high.

 

[Smoke]

I do not concur. I agree with SAFireman that the article is worth reading. Having also read the referenced article I found it to be consistent with law enforcement professional instruction I have observed, with current street survival training I have paid to attend and with information gleaned from conversations with LEOs I know and have reason to respect for their street experience.

That's fine, I'm not going to start a debate on a 5 year old thread from another forum. I am going to point out that where I live following the advice of the author is a felony

 

[Don 73]

The best one I have seen so far was a guy with his dog asking for money for dog food. I admit, I bought some dog food and gave it to him

 

[Kanewpadle]

Not always true and can be very dangerous!

I was approached by one of those types while I was at the ATM. Now, when I'm at the ATM I always look left and right sporadically. So I saw him walking towards at me at 8 o'clock. His buddy kept going straight...

With a toothless smile he was asking for a dollar. Good for him that he kept a certain distance to me. I gave him a very firm "no" and he was not bothering any more. Not sure if he noticed my hand in my pocket...

Never said I can't see them or what they are doing. I just don't make eye direct eye contact. My peripheral eye sight is very good.

 

[Kanewpadle]

*
The CHP officer was right. The problem that fundamentally decent people have is that the flip side of life is as foreign to them as physics is to me. Women? Feh. No better than men. Such is a common type of set-up, and a good way to get hurt, killed, or accused of something. I almost never stopped for anyone off-duty, but I do have 3 WSP district phone numbers in my cell's memory.

The only times I have stopped is when I thought someone was at relatively significant risk if I didn't. I stopped a couple times when I was trucking because of weather and isolation. -10 and snowing north of Bangor is a big deal, etc. I took one college kid about 200 miles cuz her car had died on the side of the NY Thruway and I knew there were no troopers out for at least 40 miles. We stopped at the first service plaza and called her parents so they knew she was safe, and let them have my DL and badge #.

I've done motorists assists as a cop when I was closer than WSP. I worked in an isolated area and knew that these folks might be really hosed if I didn't. Often the travel to and from plus whatever they needed took me away from other stuff for most of 2 hours, and I did not dawdle when driving. (The overwhelming majority were travelers from the west side who had no clue that gas stations are so far apart when this far east. We had educational discussions. They put themselves at risk for no good reason.)

I know he was right. Guess I should have been more specific.

There was no where for an "accomplice" to hide.

There can be dangers around every corner. But when it comes to helping someone that I know needs help, that's a chance I'm willing to take.

 

[Old cop]

I've read the post by Burntoutcop before when I posted here last year (Glad I had My 442). He has sound advise but I cannot say I agree w/everything. I normally say "I can't help you" and a firm manner that leaves no doubt (I hope) that I want to be left alone. So far it's worked fine.

 

[SMSgt]

A polite "Sorry, can't help you today" has worked 100% for me. Don't antagonize.

 

[Rastoff]

Already read it , it's written by a very questionable source and loaded with extremely bad advice

That's fine, I'm not going to start a debate on a 5 year old thread from another forum. I am going to point out that where I live following the advice of the author is a felony

That's pretty extreme. Please tell us what this "bad advice" is so we can learn.

 

[SAFireman]

I merely wrote.... "Here, read this...it will give you a new perspective on people approaching you in public"

While your actions during an encounter on the street are your own decision, some if the behaviors/actions that he describes are spot on street urchin techniques....not everyone asking for money/help is evil. I have often helped out people that were in need, but I am keenly aware of what is going on around me. I spent many years working in some of the worst areas in Houston and I have seen stuff that would make you physically ill.

Keep your eyes and ears open.

 

[feralmerril]

I have got taken a couple times.
Once I was entering a coffee shop for a chat with friends. A older black woman asked me for gas money so she could go pick up her children at school. I gave her a few bucks and silently observed she seemed old to have school age kids. My buddy saw me give her money as he waited inside for me. He asked about it than roared with laughter saying, "Ya dang fool, there aint no school open today, this is memorial day!
Once I was starting to leave my house and a lincoln mark pulled up in front. This older black guy got out, walked straight up to me and was crying. I come here to tell ya my wife died this morning! Well I am sorry to hear that, but I dont even know any black women, are ya looking for sombody else that knows her? No, she told me she had talked to you about a week ago and that you were a nice christian man. ( I faintly rememberd a black woman walking by and trying to engage me in conversation about that time frame.) I had been set up! Then he asked me if he could come in my house and me pray for him! I yet hadnt put his game together, and being a christian, what do you do? I said okay, let him in and prayed with him. Then he proceeded to tell me how he had to take his kids to san diego to his sister for a week or so untill the funneral was over but didnt have gas money. He explained he was about 25 years older than his wife and they had young kids.
I said I would loan him $200 to make the trip. About 4 days later here he came again and told me he hadnt forgot the loan and was going to get some more money up to go to a pawn shop to get out his new browning 380 that his wife bought new last christmas and he never fired, and that when he bailed it out he was gonna sell it and pay me back.
Of course when he was to my house the first time he no doubt seen numerous gun magazines and books!
Larcaney took over. I had earlier once owned the same gun and knew the value. Tell ya what I will do. Heres another $100s. Go get that gun bailed out, bring it to me, and we will square the deal.
I am still waiting for my browning .380!

 

[Old TexMex]

In my work I'm often surrounded by beggars and street peddlers, (and some of them are mentally deficient) - they aren't the same as predators. Knowing the difference is why I have my job.

But when in doubt, I always assume they are a threat, and treat them like it. If I'm mistaken, well, maybe they just get their feelings hurt.
But that's better than the alternative, which is an escalating dangerous situation for my charges.

I make my contributions to charity in both money and labor on my own time and in a situation I initiate, not the needy people.

 

[ibewbull]

Heed the senses God gave us.

If it don't feel right LEAVE ASAP.

I thank God I am in the country and Wisconsin doesn't pan handlers.

I will stop to assist folks on the road but am accompanied by my friend
Smith and Wesson. Better safe than sorry.

The only encounters I may have will be while traveling.
Memories of Camden NJ 1970 are still bothersome.

 

[cass]

My son and I was stopped outside a hardware store by one of those slugs. When the guy asked for some money, my son walked over to him and very quietly whispered something to him. When we left the store, they were gone. He never told me what he said, but it hit home.