[sudo-discuss] attempted robbery outside omni

[Jake]

Last night, Sunday Oct. 12th at about 11:30 PM about four of us were 
sitting outside omni on the chairs behind the stop sign.

A few people came up on a diagonal path toward us, but many of them did 
not seem headed toward us.  One person seemed to be pulling or pushing 
another younger person with him, and they were headed closest to us.

Then this guy started acting weird, stuck both of his hands deep into his 
pants (which were very loose) and started moving in and out of peoples 
personal spaces.  He said something i don't remember, and I asked him what 
he was doing.  but then he said "How much money y'all got?"

everyone answered "none, we don't have any money." making it clear that 
we were not intimidated.  He said he was going to "blast" the place up, 
trying to suggest that he had a gun and he was going to start shooting.

I don't think any of the other people in his group were supporting his 
actions, at least they were not close to us.  Maybe the small person he 
had been pushing/pulling but i don't remember.

Then he started getting in my personal space, and I thought that he might 
try something physical with us, or try to grab someone's bag (like mine) 
so the next time he moved back, I jumped up and ran inside the omni, 
yelling "I AM CALLING THE POLICE!" out the door.  I think he moved to grab 
or follow me inside, but the others outside stood up and complicated 
things for him.

I ran inside and stashed my bag and told people inside to come outside 
right away.  Someone grabbed a fire extinguisher in case a weapon was 
needed, but when we got outside he was already leaving I think.

The point is, we should discuss best practices in situations like these, 
and also discuss a sign that should be placed inside the omni advising 
people who will be sitting outside to prepare for this type of situation.

probably a sign reminding people of the possibility of this or worse 
happening, and a suggestion to avoid being alone outside, especially with 
your laptop or phone out, especially late at night, unless you are aware 
and prepared for what might happen.

this situation worked out well enough, but it could have gone differently.

this certainly will not be the last time something like this happens.

-jake