Should You Fight Back in a Mugging?

April 6, 2007 — -- There were more than a quarter of a million purse snatchings in the United States in 2005. Many of those victims fought back, but is it worth it to risk your life for what's in your purse?

Lillian Hlywka, 82, fought off a mugger on her way home from bingo this week. She held on to her front porch and her bag and started to scream.

"If I could have reached him, I would have given him a good kick," said the fiesty senior citizen.

Experts say that a good kick would be a bad idea. Property crimes have become increasingly violent, and fighting back invites injury… or worse.

Carol Middleton teaches women's self-defense. But she says the best defense is to just surrender.

"He's going to get it anyway, but if you pull back he's going to hit you," Middleton said.

Purse snatching is a crime of opportunity. To be a real survivor, not a victim, eliminate that opportunity. Every female carrying a purse is a potential target, so keep it hidden.

Senior citizens are especially susceptible to these criminals since they may not be readily able to defend themselves. They make ideal victims.

Here are other tips to protect yourself from mugging:

Don't wear headphones or talk on your cell phone. Muggers look for people who are vulnerable or not paying attention.

Keep "mugger money" -- cash you can part with to end the situation quickly.

Keep your keys out. If a mugger gets your purse, you still have your keys.

Shop with a friend and travel together. If you must be out at night alone, stay in well-lighted areas. Walk close to street lights, staying well away from dark corners and alleys and for your protection, carry some form of self-defense.

When carrying a purse, women should have only have a few dollar bills placed inside. Credit cards, currency, driver's license, keys and jewelry should be carried in a coat or sweater pocket, or concealed on your person to reduce the opportunity of large losses.

If you carry a purse, don't wrap the strap around your shoulder, neck or wrist. If your purse is grabbed, a strong strap will not yield easily and you may be injured. Some purse snatch victims have been thrown down and have received concussions and broken bones.

Never carry anything more valuable than you can afford to lose. Always leave all unnecessary credit cards at home. When you shop and carry a purse, place it in your shopping bag. Never leave your purse on a store counter or in a grocery shopping cart, even for a moment.

For personal protection you should carry a police whistle or a flashlight. For self-defense, carry pepper spray or Mace spray on your key chain where they're readily available.

Make a habit to carry your key chain in a pocket, not in your purse. And you should never put your name and address on your house keys or car keys. This is simple a way of telling the thief who you are and where you live.

Most victims are attacked from behind, so they don't get a good look at the attacker. If attacked, call the police immediately. Try to remember all the details.

Tips courtesy of www.aware.org.