Think I’m paranoid?

You’d think I’m paranoid but lately I’ve been considering getting either a Swiss knife, pepper spray or Taser gun. Crime has been stalking me in the last couple of days. As you very well know, I was mugged last week. This past Tuesday night, a laptop was stolen from one of the classrooms at the Institute where I work. Another teacher and I were deceived by a robber who brazenly entered the room and asked us to leave as he had to charge the AC with some toxic gas. I’m pretty sure he must have had some “inside” help. Otherwise, how could he have known the AC was not working that night? I don’t want to make any accusations, but whatever!

Even though it was not MY laptop that was stolen, I still feel ROBBED. How could we have been so gullible? How could that guy have fooled us like that? If he was going to handle toxic gas, how come he was not wearing a mask? How come we weren’t notified of this by the Academic Office? How come I didn’t ask myself these questions then, before it was too late? My boss said it could have happened to anybody but I can’t help feeling stupid about the whole thing.

Anyways, yesterday one of my coworkers was mugged too. Two guys on a motorcycle followed him after work and stopped him while he was in his car at a traffic light and pulled a gun on him and especifically asked for his watch. His really expensive Invicta watch. This is so weird because usually those muggers on motorcycles just ask you to give them your wallet or cell. But they asked for his watch, so how on earth did they know he usually wears a fancy pricey watch? Coincidence? I don’t think so. Luckily he wasn’t wearing it that day.

So that is why I have been really paranoid lately and I have asking myself if I should get something for self-defense. I was thinking a Swiss Army knife but a really smart person advised me not to get one as it could be used against me and being as clumsy as I am, I’m sure it’s very likely to be that way. Pepper spray does not seem to be as effective as a Taser gun, but I heard those are hard to come by.

One thing is for sure, though. I am not too sure I want to continue living in Barranquilla anymore.