I really hate the Gaspump TVs

I’ve hated them for a very long time but as they’ve become more and more ubiquitous I’ve become aware of another issue that makes me hate these technological annoyances even more.

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They’re dangerous!

Yes… That’s what I said, Dangerous

I was coming home late at night from a slightly “iffy” part of LA.

I needed gas so I pulled into a familiar brand station.

It was quiet and the audio of the damnable pumptop TVs was very low. 

I swiped my credit card, made my selection of fuel and began pumping gas.

“TODAY ON PUMPTOPTV!

IT’S 97 IN THE VALLEY AND THE RIM FIRE IS STILL BURNING CAUSING EVACUATIONS! 

YOU’VE CHOSEN THE BEST FUEL DOESN’T YOUR CAR DESERVE THE BEST WASH?”

Holy CRAP!

The damn thing scared the hell out of me. Jeeze! I’m standing right here next to the damn pump. This was louder than I have the TV in my home and I’m about 15 feet away from my home television.

Then I realized something that sent a chill down my spine.

My situational awareness was entirely compromised!

I couldn’t have heard someone running toward me.

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My vision was already compromised because the station was very well lit. I couldn’t see beyond the illumination provided by the slightly flickering fluorescent bulbs, flashing TV images, and the ever changing marquee advertising coke and hotdogs inside.

Now I couldn’t hear footsteps approaching either.

Suddenly I felt very exposed. 

I’d never have seen or heard someone coming at me. Which made me a big freakin target.

I’m not being paranoid…

Any LEO will tell you to be aware of your surroundings at all times. This is especially true if you’re in a dicey part of town late at night.

Being aware of your surroundings and persons in those surroundings tends to help take the target off your back. Lots of crime is opportunistic and initiated by the perception that the victim is weak, or an easy mark.

If a perpetrator knows you’ve seen them and they’ve seen no fear in your eyes they’re somewhat less likely to pick you as their next victim.

These gaspump tvs are distractions and a menace. In this particular case the gas station was right next to an apartment building too. How the heck do those folks get a decent nights sleep?

I’ve been given one more reason to hate them, and to complain about them to the gas station owners every chance I get.

Be careful out there folks. 

Don’t inadvertently become a target.