Over the weekend, a “street takeover” turned violent and an older couple in Queens were beaten by the crowd and had their car set on fire. There are a number of lessons we can learn about preparedness in this chain of unfortunate, yet predictable, events.
The way of fools seems right to them,
but the wise listen to advice.
Proverbs 12:15
First don’t let the media lie to you and use the tame term “street takeover” or “drift racing” events. They are RIOTS. An ARMED group comes into an area, seals off the roads and drives their vehicles around in circles at a high rate of speed. Eventually the group that gathers turns to looting area business, damaging property, and sometimes shots are fired.
The Malba neighborhood consists of mostly older couples, the type who still believe in our system of laws and who have blind faith in law enforcement. That was mistake number one. These residents believed that the police will always come when called and that the police will always support the law-abiding resident, but that’s just not true anymore. When the residents began calling 911 about the dangerous crowd and activity, they were told that the police would not respond and that they should call a social worker assistance hotline to “de-escalate the situation”. That’s right, the largest police force in the US told citizens that they WOULD NOT respond to a lawless crowd engaging in dangerous activity. That, dear friends, is lesson one. Stop thinking the police are coming to your rescue.
Next comes the bad decision these folks made, based on their belief that the American system would still help them. They went out and asserted their property rights in the midst of a potentially violent crowd. Yes, they were 100% within their rights to do so, but was it a wise decision? The man ended up being beaten and is lucky to have survived the encounter. Sure – it was indeed their property and they had a right to assert their rights. However, at the time, all that had happened was casual trespass. NYC has never been known as a huge supporter of property rights and the new administration will be even worse.
These people also erred in thinking that the crowd would respect their property rights or be deterred in any way with the threat of legal action. This crowd knew the legal climate better than the residents (note – your area study should include an analysis of prosecution outcomes for trespass, burglary, and the like). Understand the legal and law enforcement situation in your area. This will teach that the right thing (asserting your rights) might not be the best decision. Now – I know several of you are going to put very edgy comments below about what you would do and how shooting people solves this, but the TRUTH is that in NYC, this would land you in prison. Let me know when you turn away a violent crowd at gunpoint and I’ll sing your praises.
Read the news about these types of street takeovers so that you understand what they really are. A quick read of stories over the last 12 months across the country would show you that the very few times law enforcement even responded, they retreated in the face of the crowd’s violent attacks on them. That’s right, most street takeovers involve NO police intervention other than sealing off the area and letting the crowd run wild.
The next bad decision was taking a bat outside with him. Sure, there was a crowd, but bringing a bat out increased the likelihood of a violent encounter. A firearm would have been a better choice, but this is NYC. His best bet would have been being unarmed. He’s lucky the bat wasn’t used on him. The bat also will cause you legal issues if this ever went to court. Coming out with a bat could be construed as a offer to mutual combat. In several states, that invalidates your ability to prosecute someone for assaulting you and in some places (LIKE NYC) it can transfer the criminal intent to you.
I’m not trying to beat these poor people up, I’m trying to help others to learn from their mistakes. I do have a few solutions to maybe help.
The first is, obviously, don’t live in places that refuse to honor your rights if you can avoid it. Don’t live in states that limit gun rights or self defense. Don’t live in cities that refuse to prosecute criminals. I get it, many people can’t just up and move. But, if you can, get out. I did.
Next, establish a clear and defensible perimeter. Defensible doesn’t just mean tactically, but also legally. A legally defensible perimeter generally means at least a sign, but maybe also a fence. Read what your state requires to support a trespass prosecution, even if you know they won’t prosecute. Why? Well, if you are ever sued for defending your property line, you can point to the fact that you did everything required by law to protect your property. For signs, avoid the gimmicky “cool-guy” ones about shooting trespassers, as they have a nasty habit of turning up as “exhibit one” at trial. The fence, to stand up in court, doesn’t have to be the 6 foot chain link one with 18 inches of barbed wire on top. It can be a simple one-foot high decorative chain along your property line to mark it.
Finally, as the legendary Kenny Rogers said, “you got to know when to hold em, know when to fold ’em, you got to know when to walk away, know when to run.” If there is a single person or a small group trespassing, go ahead and demand that they leave. If there is a loud crowd of over 100, already engaging in criminal activity, don’t. Pull your perimeter back to the house doors and windows, which are easier to defend anyway. Choosing the time and place to fight isn’t cowardice, it’s TACTICS.
As a side benefit, the law is going to be WAY more on your side if you kill someone for kicking in your front door than if you have to shoot someone for trespassing on your lawn. In fact, in Michigan, the “Self Defense Presumption” allows the use of deadly force WITHOUT WARNING if someone forcibly enters an occupied dwelling. I teach in my Community Security Ops course to know and train on your state’s self defense and citizens arrest laws (no, I don’t want you being a wanna-be cop – citizen arrest laws generally give you MORE authority to use force than self defense laws as well as allowing you to pursue suspects).
I want to end by telling you that after the man was beaten, his car was set on fire. Secure your vehicles if you can. Garages help, but parking them inside a fenced perimeter helps.
No is coming to help you. Train like it, and make good decisions on when to escalate, and when to hold what you have. Someone on my lawn isn’t a deadly threat or a threat of loss. Be smart.
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