We all know crime is out of control in blue states. California, New York, Illinois, and others are practically unlivable due to spiking crime and soft policies on criminals. Unfortunately, crime isn’t just restricted to blue states. In fact, criminals seem to feel more emboldened, and people have forgotten how to live in a civilized society, even in deep red areas.
Few states are a deeper shade of red than the great state of Florida. Life is generally good in the Sunshine State, and with sun, surf, and sandy beaches, how could it be bad? However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t criminals. Unfortunately for those seeking to break the law, the hands of business owners and homeowners alike aren’t tied like they are in liberal states.
In fact, if you break the law in Florida, depending on the situation, you could be looking at a business owner and the business end of his peace-keeping device, and the same goes for homeowners. Rather than resort to violence, one Tampa restaurant owner has devised a creative way to make criminals pay, both literally and figuratively
The owner of a Tampa area restaurant, Rick’s on the River, has decided to go another direction to deter crime. The owner, Ken Brackins, talked about his unique strategy of confronting non-paying customers directly and shaming them publicly. He said: “We use this as also a deterrent. We’re not really trying to… get the money as much as use as a deterrent… so they won’t do it again or… we don’t want those customers back.”
Shame used to be a powerful teaching tool in America. The last generation has forgotten how to use shame as a deterrent. Brackins is seeking to remind them. He continued: “We always make them come back in and pay, that want to pay over the phone — but we make them do the walk of shame and come in and pay.”
Rather than call the police when a customer “dines and dashes,” Brackins opts not to waste law enforcement time and takes things into his own hands, albeit non-violently. He said: “They’re too busy for this kind of nonsense. If it’s something very large or something, or if they get combative, we would call the police. The police are way too busy. They’ve got more important things to do.”
It is an interesting strategy and one fellow business owners are embracing. In fact, numerous local businesses readily share information to help stop criminals without the help of police, “This is not the first time they’re doing this. These people are very relaxed when they do it, and I’ve had many other venues around call and say, ‘Hey, can you give me that person’s name and number because they’ve been doing the same thing?’ So they’ll wait a few months and come back and do it again if you don’t do something.”
Naturally, there are some people who don’t approve of the innovative means of crime prevention, but Brackins is undeterred. He said: “I would say 98% of the people are on our side. We’ve got some from all over the world where we get positive comments that they’re cheering us on. I think they’re sick of seeing the smash-and-grabs and nothing happening out on the left coast out there. So… we’re trying to do our part. You get a few people that try to just… say that we’re in the wrong. “But… hey, we’re not the ones that are… trying to steal something, so if you don’t want to be splashed all over social media, don’t do it.”
It is a stern warning for would-be thieves in the Sunshine State. If you don’t want your face on social media for the world to see you are a criminal, maybe don’t commit crimes. If more cities and states would resort to public shaming, perhaps prospective crooks might think twice.
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Featured image screen grab from embedded YouTube video
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