LIFE IMITATES VIDEO GAME
Looks like the crimes in New Orleans are going to the next stage. From Katrinahelp.com, comes this post:
"The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Saturday that many FEMA uniforms, badges and letterheads have been stolen in the New Orleans area are being used as fake identification by robbers.
FEMA leaders said the crooks are referring to themselves as "FEMA Procurement Officers," even though no such officers exist."
The modus operandi is straight from one of the "missions" in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. As this walkthrough (help guide) explains how the player get "solve" this mission:
"It's helpful to unlock the cop uniform before going for this package. Come
into Washington Beach via the brdige from Starfish Island. Go straight down
this road and head over the bridge...
...put on the cop clothes so the police won't attack you. Go into the corridor from
the central lobby, and walk down the hall. Take the stairs up into the
upstairs office. The package is hidden in the glass-windowed office across the
room from the stairs entrance."
Looks like the types of crimes and related issues I was concerned about in an earlier post, titled "Grand Theft Auto: The Big Easy" may not be far-fetched or far behind.
I just can't bring myself to believe that people are finding their social guidebook in a video game.
Perhaps this behavior/impersonation stems from these folks watching an episode of CHIPS where CHP impersonation almost proved disastrous.
All I'm saying is, the entertainment industry has flooded American homes with negative ideas for decades. How can we single out a single product?
Posted by: Scott | Tuesday, September 06, 2005 at 02:59 PM