Flash Mobs - the good and the bad
The term 'flash mob' was coined back in 2003 and has been used to describe a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place (normally a mall or food court) to sing or dance and then disperse suddenly.
If you aren't familiar with the modern day flash mob, I recommend a quick YouTube search or check out the video below. It can be pretty cool to get stuck in the middle of one.
Recently and rather quickly, it appears the modern day flash mob has mutated into a 'flash rob'. Flash robs occur when groups of 10 or more people suddenly begin terrorizing businesses, store employees and average Joe's and then disperse suddenly, before police can arrive. These flash mobs are not very fun if you find yourself in the middle of one.
Most of theses flash mobs have been targeting retail or convenient stores. The mobs are able to make off with more loot in faster time than the normal criminal. The mobs are normally done long before police can arrive.
Just a couple of weeks ago in NYC, a Dunkin' Donuts was targeted by flash mob of young individuals. Check out the video below to see how the the mob threw chairs and anything they can grab at the employees and made off with doughnuts and other items within seconds.
In Chicago, five flash mob of teens targeted innocent victims. One was a man on his scooter in daylight. The man was attacked by about 20 young men, around 7:30 PM, who hit him with a baseball bat and made off with his cell phone. The victims of the incidents recall not having nearly enough time to even react.
How to stop these mobs your wondering? Report any suspicious activity to your police department. If you are unsure of the recent criminal activity to a place you are traveling to, remember we've made it pretty easy to check out SpotCrime or MyLocalCrime on your mobile device. There is even a SpotCirme App available at the iTunes store. Staying aware of your surroundings is sometimes the best preventative measure against crime. Stay safe!!
If you aren't familiar with the modern day flash mob, I recommend a quick YouTube search or check out the video below. It can be pretty cool to get stuck in the middle of one.
Recently and rather quickly, it appears the modern day flash mob has mutated into a 'flash rob'. Flash robs occur when groups of 10 or more people suddenly begin terrorizing businesses, store employees and average Joe's and then disperse suddenly, before police can arrive. These flash mobs are not very fun if you find yourself in the middle of one.
Most of theses flash mobs have been targeting retail or convenient stores. The mobs are able to make off with more loot in faster time than the normal criminal. The mobs are normally done long before police can arrive.
Just a couple of weeks ago in NYC, a Dunkin' Donuts was targeted by flash mob of young individuals. Check out the video below to see how the the mob threw chairs and anything they can grab at the employees and made off with doughnuts and other items within seconds.
In Chicago, five flash mob of teens targeted innocent victims. One was a man on his scooter in daylight. The man was attacked by about 20 young men, around 7:30 PM, who hit him with a baseball bat and made off with his cell phone. The victims of the incidents recall not having nearly enough time to even react.
How to stop these mobs your wondering? Report any suspicious activity to your police department. If you are unsure of the recent criminal activity to a place you are traveling to, remember we've made it pretty easy to check out SpotCrime or MyLocalCrime on your mobile device. There is even a SpotCirme App available at the iTunes store. Staying aware of your surroundings is sometimes the best preventative measure against crime. Stay safe!!
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