In a stunning development that has left the criminal underworld in disarray, a new trend is emerging: everyday citizens are taking matters into their own hands by "robbing the robbers." This outrageous act of vigilante justice has escalated into what some are dubbing a masterclass in threatening thieves, with workshops popping up in community centers and local bars across the country. Experts are divided on whether this phenomenon is an ingenious method of crime prevention or just a bizarre social experiment gone awry, but enthusiastic participants are showing no signs of slowing down. "It's all about empowerment!" declared Gary "The Giver” Johnson, a local man who has allegedly successfully threatened two robbers this week alone. “Why should I keep the valuables in my house when I can just wave my baseball bat at some would-be thief and threaten them? It’s a real win-win.” The practice has taken inspiration from the age-old advice to “fight fire with fire,” only in this case, it’s more of a “fight crime with moderate intimidation.” Workshops include a variety of techniques such as the highly effective “Please Leave” method, where participants learn to brandish not only their kitchen utensils but also their most intimidating frowns. One participant, Susan DeVries, proudly recounted her recent encounter: “I just stood on my porch and glared. The thief was so shocked, he literally dropped my Amazon packages and ran off.” Local police departments are reportedly torn on how to respond to this unconventional crime-fighting initiative. On one hand, they admire the enthusiasm of the citizens; on the other, they worry they might have to start issuing permits for “thief-thwarting events.” Chief Greg Theisen expressed his concerns: “We can’t have citizens thinking they can just play the role of Batman, especially when they don’t have any actual training. They could end up taking home a lot more than just their own stolen items—like a trip to the hospital.” Critics of this newfound trend posit that it could lead to more chaos on the streets, with everyday civilians gearing up for a showdown a la Mad Max. Some have already donned ridiculous costumes, complete with makeshift capes and swim goggles, to enhance their theft-deterring presence. The trend has sparked a line of merchandise, including panic buttons that simply yell “BACK OFF” if pressed. Meanwhile, adversaries of the practice are forming their own movement, launching campaigns with catchy slogans such as "Be a Friend, Not a Threat." This initiative aims to encourage more peaceful interactions with thieves—perhaps inviting them in for coffee instead of chasing them down the street. As the divide between robbers and the robbed widens, one thing is for certain: the landscape of crime prevention is changing. It seems anyone can be a hero in their own neighborhood, even if it means donning a cape and shouting threats at the local miscreants. While experts will likely debate the efficacy of this new approach for years to come, as it stands, robbing the robbers is here to stay. And who knows? Perhaps next, they’ll take their act to the wealthy, robbing the robbers of their mansions—but let’s face it, that would require a bit more courage than shouting “Boo!” on the street.