Here's how my morning's been: Bank robbery in shopping center where I work!

[Jack T. Chance]

I came to work today, expecting a day just like any other.

Instead, shortly after 10:30, I start seeing all kinds of police driving around the shopping center with their lights and sirens on. A few minutes after that, choppers started flying over and around the shopping center, one of which was the news chopper for WJLA channel 7 in Washington, D.C.

So, I started checking out their website. It took nearly an hour for them to post the story. One of the banks in this shopping center, the very bank I have to use to make the deposits for work, was robbed and there were shots fired!

You can read more about it HERE.

What a lousy way to start the work day. I hope the rest of you aren't having to deal with crap like this today.

Oh, and Moderator types, if you feel this topic belongs in another forum, feel free to move it if you deem it necessary.

[Jack T. Chance]

UPDATE: The people from the shopping center's management company JUST came in to talk to us about the incident... nearly 4 hours after it happened, mind you. But then again, I've always gotten the impression that shopping center management isn't always present on the premises, anyway.

[freeatlast]

Several years ago, my (now ex) husband and I lived in a small town out in the middle of nowhere. It had one street, about 29 houses, a gas station and a bank branch. On the day after Thanksgiving, the bank branch was robbed. We didn't know anything about it until a sherrif's deputy came to our door to see if we saw anything unusual. Turns out, that branch saw the largest deposits of any of the local branches of that bank. They got away with alot of cash and were never caught.

[PhotoChick]

Wow. I didn't know you were that close to me. And what's with the crime spree around here? First the bank of america in clarksville and now this. I don't think I want to go to the bank any more.

[Jack T. Chance]

Wow. I didn't know you were that close to me.

Yep, I just don't broadcast where I live all over the internet.

And what's with the crime spree around here? First the bank of america in clarksville and now this. I don't think I want to go to the bank any more.

Well, do you REALLY want to know?

What it boils down to is that the expansion of Metro and MTA service out into the suburbs surrounding DC and Baltimore has only increased the crime in the suburbs. As public transportation has made it easier for the criminal element to get out to the suburbs, they've expanded outward from the cities, and have started targeting malls and shopping centers out here in the 'burbs. They can hop on the train or bus, head out to their target mall, gank a bunch of stuff or mug some people, then quickly hop on a train or bus and be GONE.

I mean, it sucks not having a car in this area, and when I didn't have one, I had a hard time getting around. Then, as soon as I DID get one, THAT was when Metro and MTA and other local public transportation agencies started expanding their service. I mean, it's now possible to take buses all the way down to Annapolis Mall! And what happens? You start hearing about criminals in Annapolis Mall having SHOOT OUTS with the security guards and/or police in the mall. Not cool.

If only I could figure out how to get a successful internet-based business off the ground, I could work from home and not have to deal with this kind of crap anymore.