The Knock-Out Game

[Kleanbore]

A member recently asked about ways of detecting the onset of a knockout game attack before it's too late, and about defending against it. I cannot find much on it, and I am by no means an expert, but I have an idea or two. Perhaps others can add or detract.

The knockout game shares many characteristics of any other violent criminal ambush--with one exception, I think. I'll get to that.

Here's one strategy of avoidance: stay alert and observant. When I see people pass by on our little one-block street, walking dogs, pushing baby carriages, walking alone or even together, I see most of them, young, middle aged, and even elderly people, most of them have their eyes on their electronic devices. Here, the biggest risk is probably one of falling or being grabbed and forced into a passing car, but I see people coming home from the high school, walking between buildings at the local university, walking in the supermarket parking lot, and coming out of medical centers doing the same thing. Prime targets, for ambush or for getting run over. Take your pick.

Put away the darn things!!!!

Here's another idea. It is my impression that an integral part of the knockout game is having it recorded on video.

So, if you see someone, particularly a younger person, photographing you or panning you a cell-phone as you walk, stop, turn, look, listen, and make ready--instantly.

Other ideas welcome.

 

[Lefty38-55]

Good thoughts! Can't really add anything ... less avoid NY City!

 

[Ks5shooter]

The world we live in.Always pay attention to surroundings.In fact as wife and I are out and about,we discuss what to do if a threat is recognized.

 

[ojibweindian]

A member recently asked about ways of detecting the onset of a knockout game attack before it's too late, and about defending against it. I cannot find much on it, and I am by no means an expert, but I have an idea or two. Perhaps others can add or detract.

The knockout game shares many characteristics of any other violent criminal ambush--with one exception, I think. I'll get to that.

Here's one strategy of avoidance: stay alert and observant. When I see people pass by on our little one-block street, walking dogs, pushing baby carriages, walking alone or even together, I see most of them, young, middle aged, and even elderly people, most of them have their eyes on their electronic devices. Here, the biggest risk is probably one of falling or being grabbed and forced into a passing car, but I see people coming home from the high school, walking between buildings at the local university, walking in the supermarket parking lot, and coming out of medical centers doing the same thing. Prime targets, for ambush or for getting run over. Take your pick.

Put away the darn things!!!!

Here's another idea. It is my impression that an integral part of the knockout game is having it recorded on video.

So, if you see someone, particularly a younger person, photographing you or panning you a cell-phone as you walk, stop, turn, look, listen, and make ready--instantly.

Other ideas welcome.

I asked it.

Fundamentally, the "Knockout Game" is an ambush. Those can happen anywhere. The only counters I'm aware of are to keep heads on a swivel, and keep enough distance between yourself and everybody else.

The only risk mitigation I can think of is to stay away from densely populated areas as much as possible, and not allow complete strangers, as best one can, to come within "bad breath" range.

 

[Kleanbore]

I asked it.

Fundamentally, the "Knockout Game" is an ambush. Those can happen anywhere. The only counters I'm aware of are to keep heads on a swivel, and keep enough distance between yourself and everybody else.

The only risk mitigation I can think of is to stay away from densely populated areas as much as possible, and not allow complete strangers, as best one can, to come within "bad breath" range.

I do not see how either is practical.

To avoid walking into an ambush, giving wide berth to persons who look suspicious (wrt actions and body language) would be wise.

That won't work when attackers run up from behind.

Anther idea: keep an eye on reflections in store windows.

 

[ojibweindian]

I do not see how either is practical.

to avoid asking into an ambush, giving wide berth to persons who look suspicious (wrt actions and body language) would be wise.

That won't work when attackers run up from behind.

Anther idea: keep an eye on reflections in store windows.

Agree.

The risks can only be mitigated, not eliminated.

 

[Hugger-4641]

The only risk mitigation I can think of is to stay away from densely populated areas as much as possible, and not allow complete strangers, as best one can, to come within "bad breath" range.

Good advice, but hard to do in some situations. Being aware of your surroundings and ready to act is your first defense. Ready to do what?... Get away if possible, but in my case, even if not armed, if I'm still physically capable and trained to go hands on if needed. One example I remember in particular: a few years ago my wife and I were in a little park area outside Titan Stadium waiting for the gates to open. My wife was buried in her phone but I was paying attention to a couple guys who weren't behaving like everyone else. They were kind of milling around and seemed to be working towards us from different directions. When one them thought I was looking at my phone, I saw him nod to the other guy and then tip his head and cut eyes towards us. There was really no where we could go easily. So I nudged my wife, took my coat off and handed it to her, shrugged my shoulders and stared down the taller and closer of the two. I'm not the hulk, but once my arms are bared you can tell I'm not a weakling. That was enough to persuade these two to change whatever plans they had and move on.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

Good to maintain awareness! Statistically I think being killed in "the knockout game" is more likely than death by meteor but less likely than death by bee sting, so I'm not overly concerned about it.

 

[Kleanbore]

Good to maintain awareness! Statistically I think being killed in "the knockout game" is more likely than death by meteor but less likely than death by bee sting, so I'm not overly concerned about it.

The likelihood of the risk depends upon where you are, who you are, and when you are exposed.

 

[Hillbilly Hydrographics]

Most of these vids that show up on the webs seem to allways be young black youths. And seems the victims of these attacks are most times white. This is just an observation from seeing these vids online. As for being ready for such an attack try to stay out of densely populated areas specially deep in urban areas where the thugs run the streets.

 

[Phaedrus/69]

The likelihood of the risk depends upon where you are, who you are, and when you are exposed.

True. But the average number of bee sting deaths per year is about 72, considerably higher than the combined total number of documented deaths that I could verify from this "game" since 1992. But I'll concede that this figure also includes wasp stings. In any event I will continue to avoid people, both good and bad, as much as I'm able.

 

[shafter]

There really isn't much one can do aside from having bodyguards to watch their back. The reality of life is that people are extremely easy to attack. No matter who you are if someone wants to do you harm they can find a way to do it.

Being vigilant is always a good idea but when criminals are acting in a team theyre going to defeat the vigilance by using a decoy or two. We can't see everything at once.

Also, I believe one of the best ways to avoid trouble is to look completely annonymous or invisible. Don't attract attention by appearing overly weak or overly strong. Just blend in. If you try to look tough you'll only scare the ones who didn't matter anyways and the truly bad ones may take up a challenge.

Lastly Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube are all packed with videos of young people filming other people trying to get reactions for views. A young person filming may get my attention but it isn't "suspicious" anymore. It's a part of culture now.

 

[Howland937]

young person filming may get my attention but it isn't "suspicious" anymore. It's a part of culture now.

Might be part of their culture but it isn't part of mine. If I or my family is targeted in their filming, I will be suspicious. I'm not above bringing my suspicion to the attention of the person doing it.

I mind my manners, am generally polite in public and like was mentioned, avoid bringing undue attention upon myself. Recording me, boring as I am, would be very suspicious.

 

[SunnySlopes]

deleted

 

[Hugger-4641]

Might be part of their culture but it isn't part of mine. If I or my family is targeted in their filming, I will be suspicious. I'm not above bringing my suspicion to the attention of the person doing it.

I mind my manners, am generally polite in public and like was mentioned, avoid bringing undue attention upon myself. Recording me, boring as I am, would be very suspicious.

That also depends on the environment. On the street and someone targets me or family for recording, yeah thats suspicious. At the boat ramp, people recording with phones and filming with cameras is not unusual.

 

[Kleanbore]

But the average number of bee sting deaths per year is about 72, considerably higher than the combined total number of documented deaths that I could verify from this "game" since 1992.

I am continually amazed at how many people in today's generation believe in the "search and you will find it" idea. Blame Google

Do not take this personally. Many people who should know better, and a number of people who need to, are subject to the same misconception.

Think about it. To be able to have retrievable data, the data must be reported, gathered, and cataloged.

There is no category in the Uniform Crime Reporting database for the "knockout game. The data are mixed in with murder, voluntary manslaughter, and aggravated assault. And national UCR reporting is not nationally mandated. The only "information" we have about the prevalence of the knockout game comes from media reporting, which is spotty at best, and it is not put into a database.

Bee stings? The number of signs that result in deaths rom bee stings is trivial, compared to the number of stings. Not so with the knockout game.

 

[Bcwitt]

My research (Google) indicates "knockout game" refers to a specific race group assaulting another specific race group. Is that correct?

 

[armoredman]

Another name for it is Polar Bear Hunting, meaning it tends to be aimed at white people. Kleanbore is 100% correct - GET YOUR EYES OFF THAT DADGUN PHONE!!!!! The number of people I see setting themselves up for failure simply because they can't stop looking at the dadgum giggle boxes is stunning. Even my wife will walk while staring at a game, until I take her phone. The wailing and the gnashing of teeth is truly epic. If you WANT to be assaulted, keep it up, and as well totally ignore where you are AND what time of day it is.
What is that most famous phrase? "He came out of nowhere!" No, he didn't - you weren't paying attention.

 

[Hookeye]

Where are the stats for those alive but permanently damaged from such attacks?

 

[Kleanbore]

Where are the stats for those alive but permanently damaged from such attacks?

Again, there are no stats---there is no operate reporting classification.

Those would be included among all other cases of aggravated assault.

 

[DeepSouth]

Apparently this game is so common around here I’ve never heard of it, ever. I had to Google it lol. To be honest out here rural AL it sounds like a good way to get shot, it’s been said “an armed society is a polite society.”

For better or worse my radar goes up anytime I’m around males between ~15 & ~25. I know it’s profiling, generalizing, whatever. But when a group of people commit a disproportionately high percentage of the violent crimes, and I see someone that fits in that group, yeah I’ll pay extra attention to them.

Just apply common sense to the information you have.

 

[Kleanbore]

Apparently this game is so common around here I’ve never heard of it, ever.

My impression is that it often has to do with gang initiation.

 

[Bcwitt]

Where are the stats for those alive but permanently damaged from such attacks?

I suppose it is offensive to collect such data.

 

[Kleanbore]

I suppose it is offensive to collect such data.

?????

There is no system by which to collect it.

 

[Howland937]

That also depends on the environment. On the street and someone targets me or family for recording, yeah thats suspicious. At the boat ramp, people recording with phones and filming with cameras is not unusual.

True. Goes back to awareness. I'm aware that in an amusement park, attraction or somewhere something exciting or strange may happen, I may inadvertently be caught in the line of sight. I try diligently not to photo bomb anyone, but I'm sure it's happened accidentally. If I give them leeway and the lense or person continue to track me, that's a problem.

Maybe a little problem, maybe a big problem...but yes, I would have questions for that person.