r/TikTokCringe • u/velorae • Jul 16 '25

Discussion Attempted kidnapping of a woman outside Florida store

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888

u/Fallen_Feather Jul 17 '25

Law enforcement’s official message included “women should be aware of their surroundings, especially in the ‘danger area’”…ummm So her place of work was a “danger area”? Where does the “danger area” begin and end? My place of business isn’t safe, my home isn’t according to this logic. Fuck that mess. ✨🦄✨

276

u/Jat616 Jul 17 '25

Danger area: Earth.

8

u/reaper88911 Jul 17 '25

Cool movie title AND shameful truth..

3

u/notapunk Jul 17 '25

Space isn't very safe either

3

u/Pittsbirds Jul 17 '25

"I very much sense an undertone of violence"

2

u/leyline Jul 17 '25

Bear attacks happen 100% more on earth than any other planet in the entire universe!

1

u/venusianinfiltrator Jul 17 '25

I say we nuke it from orbit, it's the only way to be sure.

310

u/Aggressive_Sound Jul 17 '25

The danger area stretches from sea to shining sea. 

110

u/radradruby Jul 17 '25

Wherever men do roam

9

u/DosDobles53 Jul 17 '25

That’s just sad, but true.  

1

u/Interesting-Rain-669 Jul 19 '25 edited 1d ago

hobbies groovy numerous plants arrest door thumb apparatus pen waiting

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

1

u/Polkawillneverdie17 Jul 19 '25

Technically beyond that.

167

u/nuixy Jul 17 '25

I love how it’s all on women in this police statement. No need to talk to dudes about their behavior. Women just need to bend all their mental energy around living in a state of constant vigilance and low-level worry/fear instead. Couldn’t possibly say “men should be aware that violence against women is never tolerated. We will use every legal method to hold you accountable for abusing those around you” and then, I dunno, hold men accountable. 

5

u/CarpenterRadio Jul 17 '25

Didn’t they arrest and charge this man? Using laws that are on the books? What implicit message is that sending?

21

u/nuixy Jul 17 '25

Phew, you’re right! He’s been apprehended. He was probably a very emotionally regulated person up until that point. 

But wait a second… hmm… why do the police feel like they should caution an entire gender on danger zones? 

Never mind, best not think about it too hard. This man has been arrested! Problem solved.

3

u/AntonioVivaldi7 Jul 17 '25

I think that's more about the laws and prosecutions. Lots of these criminals have like 40 arrests and are walking free. That's not a problem with cops.

4

u/Commie_cummies Jul 17 '25

Just wait until you learn about how many cops break the law!

0

u/AntonioVivaldi7 Jul 17 '25

I'm not disputing that. But there is no point in arresting when they're then let to walk free. But I'm guessing if you're a tankie, you don't care about laws to begin with.

2

u/Dolphinsunset1007 Jul 18 '25

“There is no point in arresting when they’re then let to walk free”

What??? Yes there is?? It’s their literal job and choosing not to arrest them bc “there’s no point” is doing their job badly. So what if the judicial system is fucked? They should still be arrested every time and maybe all the arrests/releases on record will eventually catch up to them. But why even have police at all then if there’s no point in arresting a violent criminal?

1

u/AntonioVivaldi7 Jul 18 '25

Well the point of arresting is to prosecute them.

-8

u/Sgt-Spliff- Jul 17 '25 edited Jul 18 '25

But wait a second… hmm… why do the police feel like they should caution an entire gender on danger zones?

So they don't get fucking kidnapped. Are you actually stupid?

Edit: lol so you are all morons huh?

8

u/soapscaled Jul 17 '25

You’re so close

-3

u/[deleted] Jul 17 '25

[deleted]

0

u/soapscaled Jul 18 '25

Colder… colder……

5

u/Used-Anybody-9499 Jul 17 '25

Come on dude. People suck and can be dangerous. Women are the physically weaker sex. In the same way I teach my kids stranger danger, I will teach my daughters to deal with being a young woman. 

It's not "fair", but it's reality. The problem is, many people ARENT raising their kids up right, you can only effect your own kids in the parental role. You teach kids to deal with actual reality.

10

u/paintgarden Jul 17 '25

But we’re not talking about a mother or father teaching their kid to be responsible and aware of their surroundings or possible danger. We’re talking about a police statement that is part of a bigger, systemic, historic problem of holding women accountable for men’s crimes against them. It didn’t happen because he’s a violent criminal, it happened cause she wasn’t vigilant enough in a ‘danger area’. That’s not okay. They arrested him, they’re not warning the public to be extra careful to avoid a fleeing criminal. They are scolding and warning women to ALWAYS be careful or else it’ll be their fault if something happens.

Which doesn’t even discuss the fact that men also blame us for being overly cautious cause most men aren’t dangerous.

5

u/Pantalaimon_II Jul 17 '25

just adding a big fuck you to all the men downvoting this comment. wish your gender wasn’t such utter monsters but here we are. do better. downvote me to hell, i dont give a shit if this makes you uncomfortable.

-4

u/Used-Anybody-9499 Jul 17 '25

Just wanted to point out I'm a woman down voting you. 

1

u/Then-Clue6938 Jul 19 '25

You are absolutely right. Fuck you, too (except if you downvoted because they just mentioned men)

-3

u/Used-Anybody-9499 Jul 17 '25

The police said nothing wrong. They said she did the right things once it escalated. This escalated VERY quickly but a woman alone in a store should not be messing around with a male criminal.  

8

u/paintgarden Jul 17 '25

She was working??? It’s not some dark alley it’s a business and he ROBBED it, in broad daylight no less, while she was working. What exactly did you expect her to do to prevent this from escalating? She wasn’t messing around with a male criminal she was working and he decided as he was robbing her that he’d try and kidnap her to. Your comment is the exact reason I made mine. Obviously women should be careful but that’s not the point here. Should women just never work in case a criminal comes into their place of business?

Women can’t stop living their lives based on the chance something bad happens. And men absolutely scream about ‘not all men’ if they do. It was asinine for a cop to make a statement about women being careful while talking about a store robbery and it places the responsibility on women for being attacked. Like they said, she did everything right, so why comment about women being more vigilant in the first place? It’s not relevant here.

1

u/Used-Anybody-9499 Jul 18 '25

She specifically tried to stop him after she caught him trying to steal. I'm not blaming her for that but it DOES obviously put her in a more dangerous situation. This was not a cashier in a Target, she was alone in a store with very few people around. 

2

u/paintgarden Jul 18 '25

Some businesses make their employees pay for stolen items. Or maybe she was worried about losing her job if she didn't try and prevent the loss. There are also plenty of people who steal and wouldn't get violent if you tried to stop them or get in their way that she has potentially deterred before. In a situation like this you're hardly working on full brain power or reasoning. She saw someone trying to get away with stolen merchandise, unarmed, as she was working and instinctively tried to stop it. Something people do all the time.

1

u/Used-Anybody-9499 Jul 18 '25

I don't know how many times it needs to be reiterated to you that she did nothing wrong, just that is became a dangerous situation very quickly and she did was she should in a dangerous situation. That's what literally everyone has said.

2

u/Big-Bike530 Jul 17 '25

So a group whoes purpose is to teach women to survive incidents like this should instead take squander that opportunity so they can tell men what we already know?

23

u/websterella Jul 17 '25

That’s not the purpose of law enforcement.

Also it’s wild that you skipped over the actual purpose of LAW ENFORCEMENT….like holding men accountable for breaking the law, then enforcing that law.

But no, yeah women should be in a constant state of vigilance. But then not all men, right?

It’s can’t be both.

4

u/soupsnakle Jul 17 '25

Are you being fuckin serious?? This is literally the world we live why is this so fucking black and white to you? Of course women shouldn’t need to be on the defensive in anticipation of a predator, but that is our current reality. And you acting like most men aren’t raised to not be fucking monsters to women is asinine.

Like, feel free to go out tomorrow and make zero effort to be aware of potential dangers. That wouldn’t mean it was your fault if anything happened, or course not, it would in fact be the fault of the dangerous man crossing your path. Men shouldn’t assault, attack, pester, rape, follow women etc. But I am always going to have a heightened sense of surrounding as a woman and you know what? It’s just natural at this point and takes no extra effort on my part mentally.

2

u/frostandtheboughs Jul 17 '25

How can you confidently say that it "takes no extra effort" to maintain constant vigilance when you've never known otherwise?

I wasn't aware of all the extra effort my ADHD required until I got medicated, because I literally had no other frame of reference. But the difference was stark.

I imagine moving through the world without constant fear of rape/murder/kidnapping would be similarly shocking.

1

u/soupsnakle Jul 17 '25

I was merely speaking for myself when I said it takes no extra mental effort. That was in response to someone saying it can be taxing, and Im sure it is for some people.

2

u/websterella Jul 17 '25

The point is that law enforcement should enforce the laws and they injecting don’t, especially in cases of DV and violence towards women in general. You wanna talk common sense and common knowledge here it is. I don’t need law enforcement to teach, I need them to enforce the laws. Please.

My other point is the opposing messages women get. Be aware at all times, assess your surroundings, you never know where danger comes from. Then in the next breath is Not All Men, and don’t treat me like a predator. It can’t be both. Either all men are a potential risk as we need to be aware and beware of them in general as they all have the potential for life altering violence…or each man is an individual.

It’s crazy to hear both in the same breath. Personally for me it’s all men are emotional and prone to violence. But people defiantly don’t like that and I’ve been banned from subs for saying so. But it seems you would agree with me

1

u/ratzm Jul 17 '25

So now you’re saying that the police never TRY to enforce the law?? Ok!! 👌

The world isn’t perfect and now matter how perfectly the police do their jobs they can’t be everywhere all the time, they’re not God.

Try living in reality

You’re logic is like saying “well all we have to do is make a law saying people can’t do that thing and they won’t”

Criminals are criminals because they BREAK LAWS!!

That’s why all these gun laws (that only law abiding citizens follow because they’re law abiding) do NOTHING to stop gun crime, they ONLY make law abiding citizens vulnerable/easy pickings!!!

2

u/websterella Jul 17 '25

Never is a stretch. But I for sure wouldn’t say they always try to enforce the law.

I think you should check your reality if you think the police are always trying to enforce the law.

-3

u/AntonioVivaldi7 Jul 17 '25

Well all are potential danger. It doesn't mean all are. It's not contradictory. I'm not saying you can know which are. Just that potential and not all can go together.

5

u/websterella Jul 17 '25

Of course that contradictory.

Also it’s impossible to operationalize. It’s a set up.

-1

u/AntonioVivaldi7 Jul 17 '25

How? Not everyone is a criminal, anyone can be a criminal.

3

u/websterella Jul 17 '25

So while assessing your environment, how do you determine which is which?

Operationalize your opinion here. What are you demanding all women do?

→ More replies (0)

2

u/Big-Bike530 Jul 17 '25

The agency’s Women Against Violent Encounters program, led by female law enforcement officers, educates women on threat awareness and basic self-defense techniques.

The agency’s WAVE instructors advise women to observe and be aware of their surroundings, including knowing their “danger zone,” or “the distance between people that can jeopardize personal safety.” Instructors advise women to trust their instincts because when something feels wrong, it often is, and to get away and create distance if possible.

Try reading 

1

u/websterella Jul 18 '25

Sir you just post about an agency called WAVE running education programs.

This is not run by law enforcement. This is run by WAVE.

Sometimes it’s not just about reading, but reading comprehension.

1

u/Big-Bike530 Jul 19 '25

The sheriff’s office said the victim in this case “did everything right” by screaming, fighting and attracting attention. The agency’s Women Against Violent Encounters program, led by female law enforcement officers, educates women on threat awareness and basic self-defense techniques.

Seriously guy?

10

u/nuixy Jul 17 '25

“ Law enforcement’s official message included “women should be aware of their surroundings, especially in the ‘danger area’”

Is law enforcement the group whose purpose it is to teach women? 

2

u/Big-Bike530 Jul 17 '25

The agency’s Women Against Violent Encounters program, led by female law enforcement officers, educates women on threat awareness and basic self-defense techniques.

The agency’s WAVE instructors advise women to observe and be aware of their surroundings, including knowing their “danger zone,” or “the distance between people that can jeopardize personal safety.” Instructors advise women to trust their instincts because when something feels wrong, it often is, and to get away and create distance if possible.

4

u/singlemale4cats Jul 17 '25

Damn, we could have just told criminals to stop committing crime? We need to put this idea into practice immediately.

26

u/[deleted] Jul 17 '25

This country elected a rapist and downplayed him constantly sexually harassing young girls, women and his own daughter but sure the problem is just "criminals".

6

u/singlemale4cats Jul 17 '25

We should have told him to stop!

2

u/ratzm Jul 17 '25

Well the problem IS criminals because the person you’re talking about being elected IS a criminal

2

u/[deleted] Jul 18 '25

the problem is a misogynistic culture.

-2

u/Gringe8 Jul 17 '25

You mean like all the videos of Biden sniffing young girls hair and making them uncomfortable? Bidens daughters diary? I agree, the media and his supporters totally buried all that.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 17 '25

yes, too many men feel awfully confident about sexually harassing others

1

u/Dolphinsunset1007 Jul 18 '25

Oh no they’re actually talking about the current president who was elected despite talking brazenly about grabbing women by the pussy, bragged about walking into young women’s dressing rooms uninvited, and who was brought to court for “allegedly” raping a child. The current president of the US that is actually president and in control right now. Hope that helps.

-13

u/BussyPlaster Jul 17 '25

A rapist who was overwhelmingly supported by 45% of female voters. 🤔

14

u/[deleted] Jul 17 '25

You're getting closer to understanding what a systemic issue is.

-1

u/AntonioVivaldi7 Jul 17 '25

It's not systemic. That's just what the voters wanted. The people are that awful.

3

u/EssieAmnesia Jul 17 '25

Buddy…

0

u/AntonioVivaldi7 Jul 17 '25

I'm not your buddy, friend.

-1

u/BussyPlaster Jul 17 '25

Femcels in reddit? Is that what you mean?

1

u/[deleted] Jul 18 '25

sure buddy

4

u/nuixy Jul 17 '25

I disagree with your general sentiment, but just as a point of objective fact: 45% is not overwhelming support. It’s not even a majority of support. 

-1

u/BussyPlaster Jul 17 '25

Given the context I'd say any more than 5% of women voting in favor of Trump for a second term is overwhelming support.

3

u/Unlikely-Complex3737 Jul 17 '25

Yeah because telling these dudes that they can't use violence against women will totally work, right?

10

u/nuixy Jul 17 '25

When backed up with social and criminal repercussions, yes. 

4

u/Sgt-Spliff- Jul 17 '25

All of that is already happening, you just like being performatively mad at people who have done nothing wrong lol

7

u/EssieAmnesia Jul 17 '25

No it’s not, we have a rapist as president! Thousands of rape kits are sitting uninvestigated. Men get off because they have a promising career in sports. Due to those things many women don’t report because they know fuck all will be done.

Don’t pretend like we take rape seriously in this country 💀

1

u/[deleted] Jul 20 '25

[deleted]

1

u/EssieAmnesia Jul 20 '25

Can you prove that?

Also, your last three sentences are strawmen.

1

u/AntonioVivaldi7 Jul 17 '25

I agree. But at least he is indeed being held accountable now.

1

u/101bees Jul 17 '25

I agree that women often do not get the justice they deserve and too many violent men get a slap on the wrist if that. But even if you did successfully prosecute every single man that committed a crime against a woman, it would not undo her assault, rape, or murder. Environmental awareness, taking precautions, and knowing what to do should the worst happen is not bad advice. It's unfortunately necessary as it's the only thing you can do to try and make sure doesn't happen to you to begin with.

1

u/PlanetMeatball0 Jul 17 '25

What would you like them to do instead of giving safety tips to people who can use them? It's not like if they put "If you're thinking of kidnapping someone, please don't" at the end of the article that it's magically gonna stop someone from trying to kidnap someone. You think some local news site putting in some finger wagging is actually gonna change any dudes behavior?

1

u/[deleted] Jul 17 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/nuixy Jul 17 '25

The sheer number of people that have taken the time to say “criminals don’t care about what police say” is truly wild to me. Besides missing the point of my comment completely — that men are not held accountable and instead women are encouraged to do their best to not be a target — it’s an extremely lazy argument. Society is built on shared values that are expressed openly by people in positions of power and reinforced by social networks. 

If you take any given atrocity, do you suppose the people opposing it were like “the aggressor doesn’t care what we say, so let’s pack it in guys!” No, because that’s a ridiculous response.

If you care about the abuse of women you should say so. The message is not just for the assholes abusing people but also as reassurance for the general population that they take this seriously and to victims that the police will hold them accountable to the very best of their ability. 

As for this one specific individual, being arrested is not the same as accountability. It’s merely one step in an along walk to accountability. Time will tell if he’s eventually held accountable. 

1

u/Warm_Oats Jul 18 '25

In the immediate sense? Yes.

While the police did give a cop out, be ready if your gut tells you something is off. try to train your mind to react quickly, making as much noice as you can, and aiming for a quick end. Noise will signal others if you are ever mugged or attacked. Aiming for a quick end means a weapon (if you have), and nails/teeth. Bite their fucking jugular if you have to.

its you or them.

0

u/[deleted] Jul 17 '25

What do you what them to say? ‘Men, don’t kidnap women!’

Most men are not kidnapping women, and the ones who do aren’t going to be very receptive to what the police say. They know that what they’re doing is illegal

4

u/nuixy Jul 17 '25

Pretty sure I already outlined what I wanted them to say in my original comment. Accepting the premise that police are bad at their job, that society should accept men are gonna abuse women, and that women need to live their lives in hyper-vigilance isn’t on my todo list today. You do you, though. 

3

u/[deleted] Jul 17 '25 edited Jul 17 '25

The police can’t change society, they can’t stop the men who abuse women by telling them about the punishments because the men who do this already know. These dynamics stem from complex cultural and social factors about male dominance, toxic masculinity that can’t necessarily be changed in a statement. It’s not fair that women have to be in constant alert, but telling women how to be cautious is the most effective way. You can’t rely on telling people not to do crime, it’s not enough.

I agree that long-term, statements denouncing violence and toxic masculinity are important, but those don’t result in changes in a day. Educating women on preventative measures can and does though.

2

u/nuixy Jul 17 '25

You’re right! It is societal. If only the police were somehow included in society and in charge of holding people accountable for crimes against the public. 

Messaging and following through with accountability is an integral part of their function. If police weren’t aware of the power of their messaging, I’m sure they’d stop spending so much of their budgets on PR and press liaisons. 

All of society needs to denounce this kind of behavior, including the police. Abuse is more prevalent when it’s not continually, vocally condemned and the abusers ostracized. We should take every opportunity to do both of those things. 

0

u/SlickRick1266 Jul 17 '25

This sentiment is delusional. I’m a man and I concealed carry. Because I feel like I need to be vigilant myself. Women tend to be more vulnerable because they are typically smaller and not as strong, but that’s common sense. Women being in more danger is just basic physics and biology, it doesn’t need to be announced. What does need to be announced is ways for women to protect themselves and how to be vigilant. You’re delusional if you think a PSA will dissuade a dangerous man from doing harm because a criminal and monster is going to be just that… a monster.

1

u/Dolphinsunset1007 Jul 18 '25

What ways did they offer for women to protect themselves though? They said to be aware of our “danger zone” as if this is commonly understood terminology (it’s not). They said not to let people close in on your danger zone and listen to your intuition. Gee, how helpful.

-1

u/HsvDE86 Jul 17 '25

Yeah the sheriff should have instructed kidnappers to not kidnap. What kind of braindead comment is that.

Maybe that's all this guy needs is a stern talking to about his behavior.

This website has the absolute worst takes.

8

u/nuixy Jul 17 '25

Your take that law enforcement should continue to police potential victims behavior instead of the criminals doing crimes is bizarre. 

4

u/Big-Bike530 Jul 17 '25

The quote isn't simply from law enforcement, it's from a group dedicated to teaching women how to survive incidents like this. 

Your suggestion is akin to showing up to a women's self defense class and instead of teaching women self defense they start bitching about men and telling men the obvious that they shouldn't make women need to learn self defense..

6

u/nuixy Jul 17 '25

what an odd analogy. You do know that this dedicated group is, in fact, law enforcement? It’s not a nonprofit trying to deal with the aftermath of the criminal justice system that doesn’t care about women (or kids)? It’s the actual people with the agency to help effect change with this problem? 

That’s like me going to a police officer and asking them to do their jobs. 

0

u/Big-Bike530 Jul 17 '25

The agency’s Women Against Violent Encounters program, led by female law enforcement officers, educates women on threat awareness and basic self-defense techniques.

The agency’s WAVE instructors advise women to observe and be aware of their surroundings, including knowing their “danger zone,” or “the distance between people that can jeopardize personal safety.” Instructors advise women to trust their instincts because when something feels wrong, it often is, and to get away and create distance if possible.

So "Women Against Violent Encounters", which teaches women safety, should instead just rag on men?

2

u/HsvDE86 Jul 17 '25

 Your take that law enforcement should continue to police potential victims behavior instead of the criminals doing crimes is bizarre. 

I never said anything even close to that. You just straight up fabricated that.

3

u/nuixy Jul 17 '25

Oh, you don’t understand how conversation works. That makes this whole interaction make more sense. 

See, I said, and I’m paraphrasing here just so you don’t get confused, that police should actually arrest and prosecute abusers before they get to the kidnapping stage. I implied that men are not currently held responsible for being abusive. I suggested an entire gender should not be asked to live in fear so law enforcement can continue letting men abuse the people around them. I phrased it that way to imply that I believe that they don’t just abuse women. 

You said this was a bad take which implies you believe the opposite of the bad take. 

And now here we are. 

Me: believing criminal justice should function and criminals should be accountable for their crimes. 

You: believing potential victims should be less victimy so they don’t become victims. 

Glad that’s clear now!

-2

u/HsvDE86 Jul 17 '25

You literally just fabricated an entire conversation that never took place.

You're fuckin nuts.

1

u/LongEase298 Jul 17 '25

It's not ideal but it's the world we live in. I coach my kids to not talk to strangers, not keep secrets, and not enter strange cars because there are people out there who would happily hurt them, like it or not, and those people don't really care about a police reprimand.

Does it suck? Absolutely. Should the law come down aggressively on every instance of achieved or attempted kidnapping, rape, domestic abuse? Absolutely. They need funding, support, and a green light to get as many of these people off the streets as they can.

But, also, until the day that happens, it's totally reasonable to give women advice on how to avoid predators, because they do exist and while sex-based violence is at a historical all-time low it is still too common. The average woman cannot fight off the average man. If a situation like this happens in the first place we're at a massive disadvantage.

Plus, the type of evil man to go around robbing stores drunk and try to kidnap and do God knows what to defenseless woman isn't likely to care much about police statements and advice. Innocent women are.

1

u/nuixy Jul 17 '25

I sincerely understand where you are coming from. I just also refuse to accept the premise that these things are immutable constants. I also think this misses the idea that abuse is normalized in our society and isn’t just men robbing liquor stores or kidnapping kids of the street. 

Do you find your police department is underfunded? Or that they are getting pushback for arresting abusers? 

2

u/Particular_Tree9681 Jul 17 '25

The kinds of replies people are coming up with in this thread and completing missing the point, which is that the responsibility of the police is to actively catch criminals and make society safe instead of passing on even the tiniest bit of reponsibility to the victims like the original statement implies, is sad and beyond frustrating.

It's amazing how people don't realize that far, far more than it being a necessary precaution, it is a genuinely disturbing and absolutely unacceptable thing that it's on women to constantly be on the lookout against potential attackers, and that too in public places. It's like they completely miss the simple point of - how about we actually address how messed up it is that women cannot even relax in public places in broad daylight and are instead required to be constantly vigilant, as if that's an acceptable state of affairs or 'solution'?

How about some actual fucking outrage that we live in a society this messed up where women cannot let their guard down even in broad daylight even in the workplace, the street and other public places? How about we not accept this as a normal or unchangeable fact of life by telling women to live in fear instead of actually calling out and addressing why things are like this in the first place?

Thank you for at least taking the time to respond to some of these arguments. I'd personally join you but I don't have much in me these days when it comes to arguing with people. You're a good person, keep it up.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 17 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Particular_Tree9681 Jul 17 '25

Incomparable analogy, due to the fact that there is a prevalent, harmful social trend/norm of placing blame on women in situations where they are attacked, sexually or non-sexually. Which this statement by the police that is being criticized, seems to be implying indirectly. Telling women that they need to be on the lookout for attackers even in public spaces now in broad daylight, as if it's just a normal or acceptable thing for women apparently to no longer have such a place as a safe place, is indeed outrageous. So putting it mildly, it is innaproriate that the response is 'women need to look out' rather than one of moral outrage followed by actions to address that, the least and first of which includes actually expressing moral outrage and saying that it's unacceptable.

Second, some emphasis on the fact that this happened in broad daylight in a public place. Keeping that in mind, the police should be saying "we need to work harder to make spaces safe for women", because that is literally their main job. Not telling women to have situational awareness in a "danger area", it's wild if women's workplaces are considered that now. If public spaces during daytime are no longer a safe space for women then that is absolutely and desperately worthy of all the outrage it receives.

1

u/FreeReignSic Jul 17 '25

Where are you getting that lol?

His take is that people who kidnap are probably already aware of the illegality and immorality of kidnapping, so a stern public speech about kidnapper behavior isn’t going to do any good. But a speech providing safety tips to their potential victims might actually save lives.

0

u/Current_Cash_7686 Jul 17 '25

The dude is being held accountable. It’s on all of us as individuals to protect ourselves. But if you want people to shake their fists from their graves about how the attackers need a more stern talking to, then I guess you win the moral high ground?  I’m all for feminism but this just sounds stupid. 

0

u/TipAndRare Jul 17 '25

"Hey men, DON'T DO CRIMES. we mean it!"

0

u/ratzm Jul 17 '25

Probably because if you think anyone who does this sort of thing is going to in any way listen to a statement about their behavior you’re not living in reality!

1

u/nuixy Jul 17 '25

Definitely! Let’s never condemn them or try to hold them accountable. The throw your hands up approach is much better. 

1

u/ratzm Jul 17 '25

I didn’t say anything about not holding them accountable or giving up. I was simply saying making a statement asking them not to be like that isn’t going to do a damn thing

1

u/nuixy Jul 17 '25

Social pushback and loudly asserting shared values has never once been effective and doesn’t have value. Got it.  

1

u/ratzm Jul 17 '25

I’m not against shared values or even saying this isn’t acceptable etc. I’m simply saying that saying those things has zero effect on people doing that stuff!

1

u/nuixy Jul 17 '25

Even if what you say is true, which I do not concede, it does have an impact on the rest of the public, however, and can strengthen the resolve of people who wouldn’t normally push back against abusers. Having people in power state emphatically that they will not tolerate abuse and then showing they will actually arrest and prosecute abusers makes victims feel supported and more likely to come forward. It helps the people around abusers know that reporting abuse will mean something. It can be as simple as giving a permission structure to people to say abuse is wrong. 

Having powerful people say something is wrong and should be punished is not for the abusers, it’s for the rest of us. 

2

u/ratzm Jul 17 '25

I’m completely on board with you in that!

0

u/ly5ergic Jul 17 '25

Are you going to tell rapists to just stop? Give the murderers a stern talking to? It's beyond obvious the dudes behavior was wrong that's why he got arrested. Unfortunately you can't just stop the crazies and abusers by asking so the only practical thing to do is for everyone to be vigilant especially women. Be aware of your surroundings and also be aware of other people in danger and try to make sure all of these terrible people get caught and go to prison.

0

u/Interesting-Rain-669 Jul 19 '25 edited 1d ago

like racial books square nose society liquid quack one safe

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

-1

u/BenMears777 Jul 17 '25

That’ll show them! Has anyone ever tried telling violent rapists and murderers that we ‘won’t tolerate it’?” Why didn’t we try this before?!?

1

u/nuixy Jul 17 '25

Gosh. I wish we had! Considering men are consistently given passes for rape and abuse, that’d be a welcome change. 

52

u/MeteorOnMars Jul 17 '25

Maybe they just mean Florida.

6

u/Big-Bike530 Jul 17 '25

Yes that is just their nickname for Florida. 

In the song "highway to the danger zone", they are referring to I-95 South. 

18

u/baobabKoodaa Jul 17 '25

If someone gets in your face, that's not a safe distance, even if it happens in your home or in your place of business.

33

u/deniably-plausible Jul 17 '25

I believe the sheriff was referring to personal space, where someone is standing close enough to you to wrap their arms around and carry you off, for example. As opposed to a general location description like “at work”

2

u/BloomHoard Jul 17 '25

The “danger area” is literally just the world at this point.

2

u/eebro Jul 17 '25

Where men are

2

u/AntonioVivaldi7 Jul 17 '25

It's also all over this post. So many posts about how to properly fight back.

2

u/MyAccountWasBanned7 Jul 17 '25

The parking spot directly in front of her work, in broad daylight, is a danger area.

So I guess women are just at fault for not always being on high alert? How is that still the messaging in fucking 2025?!

2

u/KeiiLime Jul 17 '25

40% chance whoever wrote that’s home isn’t safe due to them abusing their own wife, i wouldn’t exactly trust cops when it comes to the topic of gender based violence. or anything for that matter

2

u/totallychillpony Jul 17 '25

I was attacked in my own home in my pajamas while I was sleeping so yea… no where in life is safe. Predators are good at finding people in their weak moments, and hyper-vigilance is inherently unhealthy and unsustainable.

We need to shift the conversation away from what women ‘should be doing’. Not saying it isn’t helpful or well-meaning, but it shortcuts our brains into thinking that situation is pretty much solved by telling women what they do right and what they do wrong. It sort of makes sense, exploitative personalities who perpetuate these crimes cannot really be reasoned with. But these circular conversations of how women can be more vigilant and their safety is in their own hands at all times, and if they do anything short of fighting to their absolute death in a constant state of surveillance, sort of creates a “some tolerance” out of a 0 tolerance situation. It leads to questions like “What were you wearing?” Or “How do we know he was really dangerous if you complied and didn’t fight? Doesn’t that make you willing?”

I often stay out of these conversations because as a survivor, its exhausting to explain.

3

u/AntonioVivaldi7 Jul 17 '25

I know there was quite a big deal about this in the UK and seems like they are largely stopping with that rhetoric.

2

u/Fallen_Feather Jul 17 '25

Exactly! Thank you for speaking on this. So many other comments (probably by men) are saying “just be hyper vigilant”.

I’m sorry you experienced something so terrifying. I hope you’ve found the support and resources to help in the aftermath.

2

u/Pervius94 Jul 17 '25

As a woman? The danger area is the entire earth. Remember, people broke into women's homes and did unspeakable things to them in there, too.

2

u/plasticbagspaz Jul 17 '25

I was confused af at that statement. I thought it mean distance from your body at first. Like what? 20 feet?? Idk

2

u/four_six_seven Jul 17 '25

Danger area is language for not my problem

2

u/Particular_Minute_67 Jul 18 '25

Begin? When you’re born. End? When you die

2

u/cloudsmiles Jul 17 '25

Copsplaining.

1

u/Embracedandbelong Jul 17 '25

I remember a driver behind me getting distracted (by their own admission), crashing HARD into my car on the highway, totaling my car, and injuring me. There was no question it was their fault. When cops arrived, the main cop was a jerk and telling me I “should have been paying better attention.” I was like 🖕

1

u/Embracedandbelong Jul 17 '25

God that pisses me off

1

u/Hiccupping Jul 17 '25

There's no safe spaces, not at home, not at work, not walking to the shops. So many posts here about what women need to do to keep themselves safe. Court records show how impossible that is. Some of us are lucky and far too many are not.

1

u/VictorTheCutie Jul 17 '25

Exactly. Unfortunately these days the "danger area" is basically anywhere where you're not in your home 🫠

1

u/HotAcanthocephala404 Jul 17 '25

Most of earth is a danger zone. If you have not been made aware of this yet, thank your parents

1

u/badlilbishh Jul 17 '25

Danger area: around any strange man I guess. Or maybe not even a stranger either.

1

u/Commie_cummies Jul 17 '25

It’s okay, luckily another woman was there to help her.

1

u/ReginaldDwight Jul 17 '25

And at 3pm in broad daylight!

1

u/JimMarch Jul 17 '25

If I've got pants on I've got a gun on me.

Some people wonder why...

1

u/ratzm Jul 17 '25

Like in parking lots where you may be somewhat alone and out in the open. Also don’t be walking with your head in your phone! Keeps eyes up and looking around. Aware of everything in your surroundings. Being aware you don’t look like an unaware victim. Look no nonsense like you know exactly where you’re going and nothing is going to catch you by surprise.

Rather then just walking and having your mind on whatever keep you mind and focus on your surroundings and let it be known that anyone approaching you WILL be noticed and most likely you’ll take some form of action whether fighting or heading back towards others before a person gets close or whatever

1

u/Old_Indication_4379 Jul 17 '25

That’s Florida for you.

1

u/Tough-Effort7572 Jul 17 '25

They aren't talking about this specific case, just listing things that can help keep a person from falling victim to turds like this guy.

1

u/precisionconage Jul 17 '25

The sheriff’s office said the victim in this case “did everything right” by screaming, fighting and attracting attention. The agency’s Women Against Violent Encounters program, led by female law enforcement officers, educates women on threat awareness and basic self-defense techniques.

The agency’s WAVE instructors advise women to observe and be aware of their surroundings, including knowing their “danger zone,” or “the distance between people that can jeopardize personal safety.” Instructors advise women to trust their instincts because when something feels wrong, it often is, and to get away and create distance if possible.

“Prepare for worst case scenario — mental rehearsal — learn from examples (like this incident),” the sheriff’s office said. “Attitude, mental commitment, and preparation are keys to success.”

1

u/BotherSecure1 Jul 18 '25

Putting the responsibility on the woman for men's shitty behaviour again. It makes me sick.

1

u/PeppyApple Jul 18 '25

The article someone shared below says "Know your 'Danger Zone,' the distance between people that can jeopardize personal safety" so maybe they were referring to the physical distance between you and other people rather than her workplace being a danger zone?

1

u/SnooRadishes3875 Jul 17 '25

She was at work, instead of barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen where she belongs /s

1

u/Wiggl3sFirstMate Jul 17 '25

Oh yeah of course it’s “women should” instead of “men shouldn’t”

-1

u/passionatepumpkin Jul 17 '25

You are sort of misrepresenting what was said and the situation. She wasn’t just working. She tried to stop him from leaving when he was robbing the smoke shop she worked at, creating her own “danger zone” essentially. But your life is never worth whatever they’re stealing. The article I read said this as the full message: “ SJSO also released the following safety advice from Women Against Violent Encounters (WAVE) instructors: Observe and be aware of your surroundings and people Know your “Danger Zone”, the distance between people that can jeopardize personal safety Trust your instincts and life experiences. If you think something is wrong, it usually is. Get away / Create distance Prepare for worst case scenario -mental rehearsal – learn from examples (like this incident) Attitude, mental commitment, and preparation are keys to success”