Summer, unfortunately, brings a swell of street crime, including shootings. Knock on wood, I have not been robbed or mugged at gunpoint, so whenever I hear that a victim gets injured after refusing to give up a backpack or purse to someone with a weapon, I get really judgmental.

To me, whatever is inside a purse or backpack is not worth a life or a limb. It’s not even worth a principle. I understand the perspective that "by giving in" you feel like you’re allowing crime to continue, but you don’t really have a choice. One way or another, the bag is going to be taken, with or without bullets.

Also, mid-robbery is no time to "man up" or mouth off when someone’s threatening to end your life. Just give the a-holes what they want and thank your freaking lucky stars that you get to go to work the next day.