After a surge of armed robberies in Chicago’s Loop, Grant Park, and New Eastside, the city’s police department circulated safety guidance recommending that victims remain calm, observe assailants, and gather witness tips.
However, retired NYPD detective Carl DeFazio, a former Marine and current private security consultant, publicly criticized the advice as dangerously out-of-touch. He argued that expecting someone to calmly observe their mugger—possibly while unarmed—is not only unrealistic but potentially life-threatening.
DeFazio insisted that the priority during a violent confrontation should be survival, not investigation. He warned that any attempt to make mental notes or gather details under duress could provoke a violent reaction from the criminal. His firm recommendation: comply, stay composed, and put personal safety first.