A Step Toward Safety Back

Jul 2, 2010



By Tracey Bivens (Imasteppa)

The recession that we are currently in has a lot of people entertaining the idea of wrecking havoc on people’s lives. Newspapers, CNN and even Facebook are riddled with different stories about crime happening left and right in our cities. As a result, a friend of mine asked me to write an article about safety.

She explained that in the dance world there seems to be an absence of awareness in one’s surroundings. We are often fixated on having so much fun when we travel or when we are at home that we let our guards down as women. I was really hesitant about writing anything because I didn’t want to come across as preachy and all knowing when I believe we all possess common sense. So, I took the idea and went one step further. I didn’t want to write from MY perspective. I wanted to write from the perspective of someone who actually called themselves "Jackin or Robbin” for a living. I called a guy from my church, Jonathan Williams (says it’s his real name), who had testified that he had been convicted of armed robbery eight years ago and the Lord turned his life around in prison. As a part of his ministry he agreed to share some insight with me on what I thought was rather fascinating information. He gives insight into his thought process when he planned on robbing women.

Tracey: Thank you Mr. Williams for agreeing to speak with me about this subject. I have to commend you on turning your life around and focusing on more positive things. I want you to be as honest as possible.

Jonathan: No problem.

Tracey: I’m from a dance world that often has a lot of women traveling to steppers sets by themselves all over the city and country. Does it make a difference if get to a steppers set before 9:00pm and leave before 1:30am?

Jonathan: First of all let me say this. Women are easy targets. Flat out! I don’t care how early you get to the party or what time you leave…you are considered an easy target! If I’m going to hold you up I’m going to use the element of surprise to my advantage, also what I see you wearing and the distance you parked from the club are major factors.

Tracey: Can you elaborate on those three points?

Jonathan: If you are walking by yourself, I’m gonna be in a position by some cars bent down or it will look like I’m walking as if I had somewhere to be. When you about 10 feet away…I’ll start advancing toward you. I used to act like I was asking for directions and I didn’t dress like a bum. I had on a shirt and tie. What can you do in two seconds? As far as what you wearing…if I can see you from a distance coming out the club, I can see jewelry, Prada or Gucci purses or shoes…I’m looking at you wearing…your money. If you got a $300 purse…I’m gonna assume you got that in your purse or your bra. The further away you’ve parked the less chance someone will witness what’s going on from the club environment.

Tracey: Hold up! So when women put their money in their bras…you guys know it’s there?

Jonathan: Yeah! You’re not fooling anybody. My mama used to do that. But you have to remember I’m trying to do this in less than 10 seconds. No conversation, no crying…just give it up! I don’t have time to search nobody.

Tracey: Well, where is the best place to hide money?

Jonathan: Take a limited amount out with you. If you going to a club, $30 should do it for drinks and maybe some wings. Why do you need $200? Keep your remaining money under your wig, in the top part of your panties…definitely not the bra or shoes.

Tracey: What about walking in groups?

Jonathan: Again…I want in and out. If you are with four or five women…I am not holding you up. That’s a fight for sure.

Tracey: Should women carry guns or mace?

Jonathan: That type of stuff is only effective if you are walking out the club with your finger on the trigger. You would literally have to be walking to your car turning in a complete circle to cover all angles, but it would work because now you’ve taken away my element of surprising you.

Tracey: Did any of your victims ever fight back?

Jonathan: No, not while I was pointing a gun at them, but one woman did start throwing up…I just walked away from that one.

Tracey: So most guys…

Jonathan: Women rob too. Don’t get it twisted. They are the best ones to do it because everyone always thinks male.

Tracey: So, most guys and women who rob prefer an element of surprise, cover of darkness, and seeing a person wearing their wealth?

Jonathan: Yeah, you see…I’m not thinking about how you are going to feel afterwards. I’m not thinking about how I’m inconveniencing you. I want what you have…plain and simple. I’m not taking your feelings home with me…just your money.

Tracey: I know you probably don’t want to think about this now but how did you get caught?

Jonathan: I tried to hold up an off duty officer and she got with my butt! Shot the hand that was holding my gun…pistol whipped me and everything. Praise God for her though!

Tracey: Any last words of advice?

Jonathan: Ladies…when you go out at night…always assume someone is watching you so they can rob you. Being paranoid is a good thing because it keeps you alert. Stay off that cell phone and try to travel in groups…not pairs. Stay sober because if you are tips that’s even better for me to get at your stuff. If you can…carry that weapon, but have it out ready to use! Don’t be playing and have to dig in your purse and find it. Don’t carry a lot of cash and put it somewhere other than your chest area. Last thing…if you don’t carry a purse, great! The less I see…the less of a chance that I’m going to choose you.

Tracey: Dang Jonathan…you got me kind of nervous.

Jonathan: Good…then you’ll always be aware!