odd expression causing many problems- need input

[starmom41]

I recently moved out of a small city I’d lived in for many years. Throughout those years I heard a rather odd expression over and over again without any variation in the wording. Criminals have felt free to engage in all kinds of criminal behavior- even in broad daylight in public, even with other people around- and it’s also the reason crime victims have not reported incidents. The overall ‘theme’ is unless incidents occur in front of a security camera, there’s nothing police can do.

So I’m wondering if anyone here is familiar with this expression, and/or has an idea of its initial origin, and/or input on the subject in general.
The expression- again, with no variation in wording: “YOU GOTTA BE ABLE TO PROVE IT!”

One incident that occurred shortly before I moved: one of my neighbors was a middle-aged guy who owned a bike. One day (broad daylight, people around) an individual walked up onto the property, stole the bike in full view of my neighbor, walked off the property, and started wheeling the bike down the street. Neighbor had his cell phone and yelled “I’m calling the police!” The thief wasn’t the slightest bit rattled, just yelled back “You gotta be able to prove it!” and continued walking on down the street with the bike.
(I made a mistake- I should have stayed there to speak to police when they arrived, but was in a hurry and didn’t think about it.)

The first I ever heard this expression was shortly after I arrived in the area in 2004. I was simply standing outdoors smoking a cigarette. Also daytime, many people around. Two guys (strangers, a little older than me) were conducting a drug deal directly in front of me. I guess they thought I’d report them, but it didn’t occur to me, I was just shocked that they didn’t even try to hide what they were doing. One guy looked at me, kinda smirked, shrugged, and said “You gotta be able to prove it!”

I’ve also heard victims kinda gasping as to why incidents went unreported- always worded exactly the same way, I’ve never heard anyone referring to themselves like “‘I’ can’t prove it,” but almost like brainwashed with that exact expression- example: “I didn’t report what happened to me because YOU GOTTA BE ABLE TO PROVE IT.”

Any input would be helpful/appreciated.

[fakeradaron]

Starmom–I don’t even get what you are asking or saying.

[Donna Andersen]

starmom41 – sounds like the criminals have already been arrested and have learned that unless the evidence is strong enough to hold up in court, they will walk away with no consequences.

[sept4]

Hi Starmom, I don’t recognize the expression but I do recognize the dynamics of a criminal environment.

I was trapped in a criminal environment as well because my ex husband led a secret double life of crime. The people around us all had criminal ties as well. The dynamic in that environment is that everyone thinks they are above the law and will never get caught and will never be held accountable.

I think the catchphrases vary by criminal environment. They are like ecosystems with their own language that everyone parrots. In my environment the catchphrases were “smoke and mirrors” and “Mickey Mouse” and certain Spanish terms like “pobrecita” (poor girl) and other catchphrases. It’s like a code language or a dog whistle to signal that you are in that criminal environment and everyone just repeats it.

Anyway the most important thing to do with a criminal environment is to get out of it and dissociate yourself from any ties and move as far away as possible. I did so after my divorce and it sounds like you did too by moving away from your old town so good for you.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 2 months ago by sept4.

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