TerryP
Staff
I’d gotten used to the crime, rarely violent but often brazen; to leaving the car empty and the doors unlocked so thieves would at least quit breaking my windows. A lot of people leave notes on the glass stating some variation of Nothing’s in the car. Don't smash the windows. One time someone smashed our windows just to steal a scarf. Once, when I was walking and a guy tore my jacket off my back and sprinted away with it, I didn’t even shout for help. I was embarrassed—what was I, a tourist? Living in a failing city does weird things to you. The normal thing to do then was to yell, to try to get help—even, dare I say it, from a police officer—but this felt somehow lame and maybe racist.
Am I to assume it's a hate crime if I were to not allow someone to take a jacket?
I know I'm not just allowing someone to take the jacket off my back. I'm pretty sure once that was settled I'd take their shoes for good measure. But I guess I'd be the thief then, eh?
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