I was the victim of a snatch and grab in front of my house. I followed the dudes and got them arrested and my property recovered. No harm to me or property.
The thugs know where I and my 6 housemates live, they were possibly gang affiliated. I don't know if I should press charges. What do you think?
2006-10-12 07:52:06 · 12 answers · asked by chromatic 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Oh yah - the charges are grand theft, they are known drug dealers. Stakes just got higher.
2006-10-12 08:25:51 · update #1
Either that or put a "Welcome Muggers" sign in front of your place.
2006-10-12 07:55:29 · answer #1 · answered by Letsee 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am left with the impression that as long as you got your stuff back, they'll assume it's OK for them to go prey on others. You can take a number of pro-active steps to change yourself from an easy target to someone who's not to be messed with, and possibly prevent others from being victimized in the same way & worse. 1) Do everything in your power to move far away, and don't assume they won't know where you'll be.
2) Get 2 or 3 large watchdogs-Rotweillers are reputed to be amongst the most dreaded as they will typically attack a bad guy without barking first, they are also loving & intelligent when well raised, professionally trained and abundantly loved.
3) Become proficient with a firearm, every member of your household, and arm yourselves. Practice regularily and receive training.
4) Get a good alarm system
5)Install motion detector lights
6) Begin a Neighborhood Watch, even if you are at first the only member
7) Seek a restraining order, but don't forget that in itself it offers only legal recourse, not guaranteed protection
8)Speak with local law enforcement's gang task force re. these and any other appropriate steps to safeguard ypourself and your household
9) Read "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin De Becker- one of the smartest & most efficient guys out there, government and public figures and many others use his services.
Retribution is for your emotional interests. Follow through is for full accountability and consequences of their behavior & is in the best interests of all- even the perpetrators.
Kudos to you for giving your experience careful consideration.You'll never know how many you may be helping besides yourselves.
2006-10-12 11:36:35 · answer #2 · answered by gettin'real 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lets assume that they ran off and never got caught. If you are the type of person who would have said, "I just want my stuff back, no questions asked." and you would have meant it, then I would suggest maintaining your integrity and not press charges.
However, the fact that you were part of nabbing these guys and they probably would have not voluntarily returned your stuff, then I would have to evaluate their mindset. Are they sorry they did it? Do they only regret being caught? Or do they have a "whatever" attitude about it? In the latter, press charges. If they voluntarily attempted to apologize or make ammends to the situation then I would suggest retribution. But this cannot be ignored or forgotten about.
2006-10-12 09:20:38 · answer #3 · answered by Joe K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES, YES, YES!!!!!!!!! ALWAYS press charges, regardless of how small the incident was. A punk is a punk, and will remain a punk until he gets broken of that kind of behavior. As law abiding citizens, we have a responsibility to prosecute every criminal act, ESPECIALLY a mugging!!!!!! Do the right thing. If he's mugging people now, the chances are he's going to get braver and braver, and who knows what he will advance into doing. If he gets away with this, he won't stop. Someone else will get mugged or worse. I'm of the opinion we have a civic responsibility to prosecute criminals, for the sake of our communities, and the entire country.
2006-10-12 08:00:00 · answer #4 · answered by dgindiansfan 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First thought: you should press charges! It being a crazy world sometimes it is wise to look at other possibilities. Hopefully there is a way to keep these people from harming others without making your life a living hell. Example; Organize with others in your neighborhood if possible to control gangs, you know something that doesn't make it so much you against them.
2006-10-12 07:57:40 · answer #5 · answered by doktordbel 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Great question! Here is a great example of why the 2nd ammendment is so important. You can go to 2 places:
1 You can go and be a wuss and do nothing.
2 You can be a man and go to your local gun shop and buy yourself a gun so that if they ever mess with you again - you'll have the advantage over them.
There may be another time in your life when you need to protect yourself, and have fears that they may come for you. When you have your gun - you can confront force with force.
Don't be another victim!
2006-10-12 08:23:00 · answer #6 · answered by J S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no one can enable you to already know what's appropriate or incorrect in this subject yet you. this is an rather own selection to make. i could advise going to the police and reporting it. despite if, I understand that the trauma you have long undergone makes it very confusing to relive. evaluate this; how undemanding will this is so which you may bypass on while your victimizer remains working around unsupervised? Will you somewhat have the skill to "stay your existence" if he faces no punishment? in case you already know that this guy is at the back of bars the place he can never harm you or all of us else back, it may in fact make it much less confusing so which you may bypass on. Many sexual abuse sufferers sense no closure till after the case has been investigated and tried in courtroom. On yet another word, you will possibly no longer understand this yet you at the instant have slightly a duty place. you at the instant have the understanding that a citizen on your community is a risky pedophile. in case you do no longer say something and you later discover out somebody else develop into harm, you're able to be able to sense an excellent form of guilt for no longer talking up. it somewhat is one extra element so which you may handle regardless of each and every thing of this. finally, the alternative is yours and that i do no longer think of anybody could be mad at you for the two selection. despite if, in the top it may in all probability be the terrific element for each individual (your self risk-free) in case you probably did talk up. stable luck.
2016-12-08 13:38:50 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes get a restraining order for your protection and should they violate it they can be arrested for disregarding a federal injunction.
secong you could bring a civil suit under the charges of assault
(fear of physical harm) and win a sum of $, but seeing as they mugged u they probabley don't have any $ to begin with
2006-10-12 08:17:32 · answer #8 · answered by brad g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Press charges. If you don't they will only come back again thinking you are afraid.
2006-10-12 08:19:29 · answer #9 · answered by Gettin_by 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hell yeah, you should press charges. Just to be safe, I'd get a gun.
2006-10-12 07:59:45 · answer #10 · answered by Answer Schmancer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They must face the music if they are to turn from their troubled ways.
2006-10-12 08:03:48 · answer #11 · answered by Jack G 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋