Senior Beat
by Carol Higgins Taylor
Special to The Weekly
I heard a report recently of a purse snatching. Time to amp up the vigilance on watching
our bags.
I’m sure most women will agree that purses can be a challenge. We need all the stuff we carry,
and the older I get the more stuff I seem to require in my daily life.
Purses with zippers are great because if kept closed it’s harder for a thief to reach in a lift your wallet. And an adjustable strap can suit all occasions, from going across the body when in a crowd to a shorter strap that can be easier to maneuver in other situations. Nothing is worse than an unruly purse strap with a mind of its own.
Having a snatch proof purse can only go so far. Here are some precautions to keep you
from being victimized:
- Never leave a purse unattended in a shopping cart. A thief could be watching you, just waiting for you to become momentarily distracted. Inattention presents the perfect opportunity to grab your valuables without your immediate knowledge. And these people are fast. They can be out of the store before you have a chance to yell, “Stop, thief.”
- Use a carabineer, a device that opens on one side, to secure your purse straps to the shopping
cart. You can also hook the cart’s child safety belt through the handle of your bag although that can be hard to use with arthritic hands.
- Never walk across a parking lot with your purse hanging over one shoulder, but instead drape it
across your body. If a thief tries to grab your bag, give it up willingly because you could be injured if a struggle ensued. Immediately report your loss to local police or sheriff and make a detailed note of the suspect’s description while waiting for the authorities. Focus on height, weight, hair color, age, eye color if possible, facial hair if male, tattoos and clothing.
- Women should never hang purses on a bathroom stall door hook. A thief could easily reach
over the top, grab the purse and be gone.
- Men should keep wallets in a place that is not readily accessible to a pickpocket. I have seen
billfolds hanging half out of back pockets. Even without a thief’s help, these wallets are precariously tucked and on the verge falling out.
- If you have pockets in your pants or skirt, pop your driver’s license and money or credit card in
there and leave your purse at home altogether. I know. I don’t take this advice myself. The “tiny purse syndrome” seems to be a young person thing. My almost 88-year-old mother and I could survive on an island for a long time just on the contents of our purses.
- Only carry the credit cards you need for your outing. And leave your Medicare card at home.
You don’t need it with you. Should you have an accident, someone can bring it to the hospital later. Just memorize the number to recite if you are able.
- Keep a record of your credit card and bank account numbers in a safe place at home so a theft
can be immediately reported to the appropriate companies. And never carry anything that cannot be replaced, such as cherished photos.
While these suggestions may seem like common sense, they often are not followed. Next time
you’re in a store that offers shopping carts look around. You might be surprised how many purses are left unattended “just for a second.”
Seniors are often a target because they usually to carry money with them and are the least likely
to put up a fight or run after the suspect. Seniors also tend to be the poorest witnesses, having just experienced an emotional event.
Remember, if you do become a victim, remain calm, be a good witness, get a good description of
the thief and immediately report your loss to authorities.
Most important of all, give up the bag, even if you love it. Stuff can be replaced and your safety is
worth more than the contents of your purse.
Carol Higgins Taylor is an advocate for seniors and owns Bryant Street Public Relations in Bangor. Email her at seniorbeat@gmail.com.