| When it comes to purse snatching, prevention is the | | | | Don't put it in the shopping cart. Don't leave it at the |
| best protocol. We ladies need to guard our purses | | | | table when dining. |
| carefully. We have things in our purses we can't be | | | | Use a "mugger's wallet". It's a fake. Use an |
| without- otherwise why would we carry them around | | | | inexpensive wallet- or better yet an old one, fill it |
| with us constantly? Most of the items are easily | | | | with junk- like those fake credit cards you get in the |
| replaceable: antacids, Chap Stick, emery board. Some | | | | mail with offers- and a few dollars. If confronted by |
| items are not: prescription drugs, important phone | | | | a mugger throw it away from you and hope he |
| numbers, credit cards. Either way it's still our stuff | | | | takes the bait. |
| and we need to protect it. Not on the same level as | | | | Purse snatching is a crime of opportunity. Try not to |
| our children or our own safety, but make a habit of | | | | present the opportunity to the wrong person. Use |
| taking a few precautions and the chances of getting | | | | basic safety techniques; walk in well lit places, stay |
| mugged are greatly reduced! | | | | out of thick, tight crowds. Look at faces, make eye |
| If you can do without a purse- leave it at home. I | | | | contact and appear confident. |
| carry a leather pouch with a zipper closure just big | | | | Report suspicious activity. This may help those who |
| enough for my driver's license, credit card(s) and | | | | aren't as conscientious as you. After all, if you are |
| cash. I usually still carry a handbag, but even then I | | | | following the above guidelines, you will probably be |
| can carry the little pouch elsewhere on my body so if | | | | left alone. |
| I am a victim of purse snatching at least I have the | | | | O.K., so the unthinkable happens and you purse is |
| vital items with me. I would probably find my purse | | | | grabbed. You have to make the snap decision on |
| down the block in a trash can fully loaded- unless the | | | | whether or not it's worth fighting for. I'm guessing |
| mugger had a tummy ache or broken fingernail. | | | | that Crocodile Dundee isn't around with a soup can to |
| Keep your purse close to your body, between your | | | | save the day. I'm thinking that if you are toting |
| elbow and rib cage. Don't have it dangling down by | | | | children around with you, you may just need to let it |
| your hip. Having it strapped around your neck may | | | | go. |
| seem more secure, but when the thief grabs it and | | | | How does one prepare for the actual purse |
| runs you may suffer injury to your neck. If you have | | | | snatching? Make copies of all credit cards (front and |
| a coat or jacket on, have it underneath. Yeah, I | | | | back). Don't carry family heirlooms, one of a kind |
| know fashion police would agree that it would ruin | | | | photographs, your cell phone or other irreplaceable |
| the "lines" of your look, but definitely make your | | | | valuables in the purse. |
| purse less accessible to snatching. | | | | In my experience if you are prepared for it, it |
| Keep it closed and fastened (zipped, buttoned, flap | | | | probably won't happen. It's worth the extra trouble! |
| closed). Don't set it down or leave it unattended. | | | | |