Flash Mobs

Grimmerick

So lately there have been a rash of flash mob robberies at convenience stores. 20-30 teenagers will roll into a convenience store and they just start taking whatever they can and overwhelming the cashier. Do you think it would be ok at that point for the cashier to drop a tear gas can to help evacuate the store and limit these kinds of robberies. Do you think this would be effective? Is there something else that would be more effective?

jamk1446

My gut reaction is to say, "Hell, yes!" But then I have to take a step back. Maybe many if not most of those mobbers are there for the excitement of stealing but there will be a few that are also eager for the chance of violence and if attacked, the whole group could turn. Those are really bad odds (obviously). There's a reason many companies have a policy of no resistance, nobody's life is worth beer and cigarettes.

BrettPGH

I think tear gas is a great idea in such a situation. Hopefully the doors can be slammed shut and locked on the little vandals. And legally I hope that evidence of premeditation would make them suffer worse penalties than just simple shoplifting. This is a coordinated and planned attack.

sarah_ep

If this is an issue, then the owner can put up a sign to only allow 5 students in the store at a time. He could also put up a sign not allowing large bags, they must be kept at the counter.

Grimmerick

If this is an issue, then the owner can put up a sign to only allow 5 students in the store at a time. He could also put up a sign not allowing large bags, they must be kept at the counter.

this would be a good idea and I think they do this too, but the kids blow right past the signs and rush in the store and grab all they can and leave and I am talking like 20-30 kids it's really overwhelming, it takes all of about 5-10 minutes so the signs wouldn't help in this case. Good thought though.

debloves2ride

I think the tear gas thing is a great idea. If you have premediated to rob a store with a group like that, then any steps the owner can take (short of killing you) should be ok. When did it become ok to intimidate, steal, cause property damage, etc... and not suffer any consequences? Also, when did it become ok to make a victim of people doing their job and earning a salary? Usually these people are just punks that think it is ok to do all of the above and not have any responsibility or accountability for things they do. Any steps the owner has to take - go for it.

sarah_ep

If this is an issue, then the owner can put up a sign to only allow 5 students in the store at a time. He could also put up a sign not allowing large bags, they must be kept at the counter.

this would be a good idea and I think they do this too, but the kids blow right past the signs and rush in the store and grab all they can and leave and I am talking like 20-30 kids it's really overwhelming, it takes all of about 5-10 minutes so the signs wouldn't help in this case. Good thought though.

Hmm. I wonder if there is a way to auto lock the door. It would be interesting if they could lock the kids in while the owner heads out the back to call police. I would think that tear gas would affect the owner, cashier just as much as it would affect the vandals.

GetMySkiniBack

On one hand, I think the tear gas is a good idea - the premeditation being a good point. But on the other hand, I'd fear for the safety of the cashier. I've seen video of one of these, and the "students" if they really were students, did not look like the type of kids just in it for a thrill. They looked like people that would result in violence if need be. Good debate!

Grimmerick

my thought with the tear gas would be, owner has a mask behind the counter and stays in the store, all others would be forced to flee because they would be in so much discomfort they wouldn't be able to stay. The whole store would be filled with gas and they wouldn't be able to see, plus their eyes and nose would be burning like crazy, so they would be easier for the cops to find when they get there and start patroling the area.

BrettPGH

my thought with the tear gas would be, owner has a mask behind the counter and stays in the store, all others would be forced to flee because they would be in so much discomfort they wouldn't be able to stay. The whole store would be filled with gas and they wouldn't be able to see, plus their eyes and nose would be burning like crazy, so they would be easier for the cops to find when they get there and start patroling the area.

Which made me think of something else. Setting off tear gas is gonna ruin all the inventory anyway. It's actually more cost effective to let them take some than to lose it all.

Hunh...

Grimmerick

I was thinking of that too, if the whole inventory gets ruined then there really isn't any point. Just sucks you can't gas the little *kitten* haha