E.L.. Shapiro wrote:
Crime is nothing new, it is just that the criminals are always out there inventing new methods of victimizing folks and of course, reverting to some of the more traditional crimes like mugging, robbing people at gunpoint, knifepoint, or under threat to violence. Even if you are a recluse who never leaves home you will get attempts to defraud you on the telephone and online.
If you never take your photography equipment out of your home or studio, it is still subject to the possibility of theft, break-ins, and arson. Smash-and-grab occurrences in cars are popular among thieves and you are not lucky they will steal the car as well- while they are at it!
Seems crime is a regular industry! So, rather than suffer fear, paranoia, and anxiety, do whatever you can PREVENT being victimized.
I can understand it being risky if you travel to an unfamiliar foreign country where criminal activity is a commonly known fact, so my best recommendation is DON'T GO THERE! The problem is, this thread is about a mugging that transpires in a supposedly civilized city at a popular wedding photography venue while the photograher was covering a wedding. Those offenders must be some badass crazy people! If you feel that things like this might occur in your community- think about security. Do not work alone, even at a wedding or event when you are concentrating on doing the work, and can be taken by surprise. Even if you are just shooting the scenery, birds, or bees, stay out of isolated areas and travel in groups. If you are a street photograher, do not carry excessive or overly conspicuous gear. My camera bags look like they went through Word War III- that's because they are army surplus signal satchels and ammunition cases. And...I look like I have been through WW III as well! I am big- ugly, and have a serious case of perma-frown!
If you can help it, never leave anything valuable in your car. The vehicle I use to go out on location and industrial jobs is an older model SUV- very unimpressive, with no advertising signage, dark tinted windows, and an alamm system that will wake the dead! When it is washed and shiny it looks le the mortuary van from the medical examiner's office.
Funny story. My industrial jobs sometimes take me to what you might call"bad neighborhoods"- ongoing urban renewal projects, old factory buildings, some abandoned houses, buildings, drugs, etc. I sometimes work late into the evening and was never bothered by bad guys, etc. The crime wave that actually targeted and victimized photographers, musicians, and DJs happened in posh hotels. It turned out an organized bunch of thieves were stealing musical instruments, sound gear, DJ equipment, and yes, PHOTOGRAHY EQUIPMENT! At one of the most prestigious hotels in the city, there was a policy that all this gear could not be brought in through the main lobby and had to be offloaded at the service entrance or loading dock. Then the vehicle had to be parked in the underground lot. By the time the folks came to get their gear and bring it onto function rooms- it was gone!
I did not find out about this on the TV news or by reading the local newspapers. There was one weekend when I had no event to cover and deced to just stay home and relax. I suddenly go an urgent telephone call from a friendly competitor photographer who told me that his gear, spares and all,l had disappeared and could I bring him a workg outfit so he could cover his wedding assignment. I thought he was gonna suffer a heart attack or a stroke! I quickly assembled a kit and brought it to the hotel. The police and the security fokls were there and mentioned that this was an ongoing problem. After that, no more loading dock for me. I brought my stuff right in through the main entrance and told the concierge that I was a guest- after all was wearing a black tux or business suit but being big, ugly, and frowning helps as well! Well at weddings, I do work with at least one assistant who can guard the gear but that is a young lady who is not big and ugly and has a lovely smile!
Also- May the universe forbid that any of this ever happens to you but remember, even at weddings, never leave your gear unattended, and make sure you have adequate insurance that includes a floater for coverage of the equipment when in transit or in use away for your home or studio and makes sure there's no disclaimer for "mysterious disappearance" whew there's no evidence of a break in but the equipment is gone.
Sneak thieves are a problem but outright assault and robbery are quite another. It depends on where you live and the laws. You may need to add to your checklist of equipment like cameras. lenses. flash hear, tripod, triggers, brackets, cords, pepper spray, taser, expandable baton, switchblade, 9mm Glock, or my preference is an old S&W .38 snub-nose detective special- very compact- hardly bigger than a good sized Speedlight! Too bad concealed or open carry is strictly prohibited here in Canada! There was a time when the cops of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary were not allowed to carry guns- just a large truncheon was permitted!
My idea! Attach a tripod head to the end of a Lousiville Slugger and pass it off as a monopod. If you are accosted by muggers just treat their heads and a high/outside pitch and knock them out of the park!
Crime is nothing new, it is just that the criminal... (
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