At first we saw flash mobs as novel, harmless and funny – now that has changed. For you unfamiliar with the latest 21st century social networking tool a flash mob is exactly that.
People are alerted via email, Twitter or other modern social networking to assemble at a certain public place, (usually a mall or train station) for a brief period to perform an act in unison, often with music and placards, to collectively convey a message comical, satirical, politically or otherwise, then disperse.
Bill Wasik, an editor of Harper’s Magazine, is believed to be the creator of first flash mob when he staged a flash mob at two New York retail stores in May and June of 2003.
Two years later flash mobs proliferated with the advent of YouTube. As more flash mobs occurred they caught the attention of cable and TV networks and soon they were seen in our living rooms.
Some YouTube favorites include the 207 participants in the New York Grand Central station freeze on Jan. 31, 2008. Two months later the first international flash mob took place in 25 cities as thousands participated in a world pillow fight.
In Stockholm, Sweden, scores danced to a Michael Jackson “Thriller” tribute on July 8, 2009.
Two weeks ago a flash mob raced into a Wal-Mart store in Washington, D.C., and began singing their rendition of the song “Respect” with words protesting Wal-Mart’s hiring practices and miniscule employee benefits.
Now a new threat to retailers and the public alike has emerged – flash crime mobs.
A Fox News report recently noted, “Of 129 retailers surveyed by the National Retail Federation, nearly 95 percent said they were victimized by organized criminals in the past year.”
While Independence has yet to experience a malfeasance flash mob, the police are prepared.
Independence police spokesman Tom Gentry states, “The criminal element in the metro area is well aware the IPD is very active in shopping and entertainment areas. As a department, we conduct random sweeps of shopping areas looking for shoplifters and potential criminal activity, and many of our stores have their own security and they are not hesitant to call us about suspicious activity. We also have a constant patrol in the shopping areas as well as a police substation at the Independence Center mall.”
I give you President John Adams’ toast: Independence forever.
