7 thoughts on “What would you do?”

1. The store’s inventory isn’t my problem, and likely not the clerk’s problem under these circumstances.

   The assault on the clerk is more concerning. If he’s getting bruised up, probably still not my problem. If he’s getting murdered in front of me, well I guess I’m in a fight now.

   • To me, this is what’s important: that you KNOW where your lines are drawn BEFORE something happens. I don’t really care where you draw your lines because we’ve all got a different lot in life, but it’s about knowing where your line is… or even just having a line in the first place.

2. the clerk made a mistake.

   1. didn’t recognize that there were way too many people in the store. All of the same ilk – unemployed teenagers – dangerous situation – no need to light a match
   2. Tried to close the door – he should have called 911

   A concealed carry gun in that situation wouldn’t have done anyone any good. Not enough bullets and probably couldn’t fire fast enough if one was rushed.

   Mob mentality is an interesting thing.,

   • It’s easy for us to arm-chair it since we aren’t there, we can’t hear the audio, etc.. Nevertheless your points are well taken. He’s trying to stand up against a giant wave… 1 vs… a zillion? The odds are not in his favor.

   • I agree. The store’s mistake was letting that many people in at a time. Also, if you want to protect your store from something like this, you need to be able to lock the front door from behind the counter. Twisting a lock on the front door isn’t going to get the job done. (For starters, someone inside can just unlock it again.)

     However, just to make this clear, it should never be the clerk’s job to take a bullet (or even a beating) for the till. If a mob is inside the store, it is already too late.

     The second lesson to be learned here is that if your surveillance camera can only record images of “A blob wearing a red jacket, probably male” then what good is your camera? A good HD surveillance camera would capture useful images of many of these criminals.

     The only other thing that I could think of to ward off this many people, without damaging the store, is a Big F’ing Train Horn behind the counter. The clerk ducks down, puts on his ear muffs, hits the button and 165dB of Pain drives everyone out of the store. No lingering effects of mace or pepper spray to clean up.

     • Never be the clerk’s job? Well… depends. If it’s just some minimum wager, heck no. But if it’s your business? You may think differently about it. I’m not saying you should still take a bullet for some candy bars and sodas, but I think a part-timer vs. the owner will view the situation differently.

       But what it also seems to appear is that the store clerk is a well-meaning guy who wants to try to do right, but probably never thought through what to do if something went down. Then again, how many of us do think about mob attacks.. at least, until recently.

       It all comes back to the maxim about doing what it takes to maximize your enjoyment of beer and tv (search my blog archives).

       As to your other points….

       I have wondered that with surveillance cameras today… why are they still so crappy? As well, if audio could be recorded, that’d be good too.

       now that train horn idea…. I kinda like that. I betcha it would work.

       • Audio runs foul of many states’ antiquated wiretapping laws.

         I suppose the clerk could also be the owner, but clearly not in this case. An owner can do as he wishes; it’s his biz.

         That 60 round Glock mag is hard to conceal, but flash mobs seem to rapidly disappear around my store.

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