Flash Mobs as Cover for Criminal Activity
October 20 2008 / by Alvis Brigis
Category: Security Year: 2008 Rating: 3
Witnessing the rapid spread of the Flash Mob phenomenon, fueled by emerging driver organizations like Improv Everywhere, it occurred to me that these increasingly frequent and massive events could be used as cover for various forms of criminal activity. The first scenario that popped into my head was that of a bank robber arranging such a coordinated diversion to cover his or her tracks.
For example, imagine if the following flash mob (arranged in San Francisco just two weekends ago) was diverted to surround or walk through a bank or other burglary target:
A clever criminal dressed in bright red could then use such a crowd as cover for a quick escape.
Just how feasible is such a scenario?
As it turns out, a small-scale and version of this plan was successfully executed up in Monroe, Washington just two weeks ago.
