Experts Offer Street-Wise Advice In Wake Of Recent Philadelphia 'Flash Mob' Events
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The recent headlines about a couple of violent "flash mob" incidents in Philadelphia (see related story) is causing many residents and visitors to wonder, what do you do if you find yourself in a flash mob?
What if you're just walking down the street, minding your own business, and one of these flash mobs breaks out around you? What do you do? Local experts say, first try to avoid them.
John Appledorn, president of the Delaware Valley Citizens Crime Commission, says: don't panic.
"You start running or leaving the people you're in, it might work to your detriment," he warns. "You never know what's going to happen in these groups."
Frank Farley, a psychologist at Temple University, says people need to remember that we're in a post-9/11 world. So, he advises, take out the ear buds, stop texting, and pay attention.
"If you are not paying attention to your surroundings, you may be caught right in the middle. Very good advice is to stay in touch with where you are and what you're doing. I think that's good advice at any time," Farley says.
Related story: Philadelphia Extends Weekend Curfew For Minors
Reported by Karin Phillips, KYW Newsradio 1060
