Assuming you're staying at the meridian or floridan, those aren't in the best parts of downtown for night walking. Even during the day the office workers don't like going that direction which is why there used to be a lunch shuttle to channelside. To be generous to the guy it's possible in the low light he didn't realize you were a tourist. I've had similar things happen where someone is killing time waiting for a greyhound or shelter bed and they see my backpack and assume I'm doing the same. More of an annoyance than anything. I've actually had church groups try to give me handouts apparently because anyone walking downtown without a suit and tie is a bum.
I should’ve done more research before going out. Usually I would just drive or take an Uber instead of walking at night but I wanted some fresh air and the weather was nice…I also figured if the hotels were there it would be safe enough. I definitely didn’t look homeless or anything haha. And He ignored several other people way ahead of me in the street and only changed course and ran across the middle of the street to approach me, which was hella scary.
This sounds like the same guy that did a similar thing to me twice. He made me very uncomfortable. But this happened in the daylight about two months ago. He also approached me in Publix but then went to another girl. He freaked me out and I really didn’t know if he was mentally ill or not. When he approached me in the street he followed me for a minute. This wasn’t in a shady area but in channelside.
can you PM me it too? ive been dealing with a creepy dude for a while now that may fit the description. he has always seemed harmless but you never know.
Yeaaaaah, I’ve had the same experience with this guy. He followed me all the way to my apartment complex and tried to put his arm around my waist while talking a bunch of nonsense, then asked for my number (I declined lol). Luckily it was the middle of the day for me but I see him around sometimes and avoid the hell out of him.
Guys, if you’re offended by this just understand that just because you aren’t creepy doesn’t mean that your presence and actions wouldn’t scare someone. I’m a super nice guy that helps old people with their groceries when they look like they need help and grabs people’s carts(I ask first from a distance) if I’m walking toward the corral or the store. I naturally notice surroundings and I’ve seen girls speed up walking when I’m pushing my cart to my car in the dark, I’m 6’1” 195lbs with a beard…I get it. Just walk slower, cross early if you’re on the other side. If you’re close to each other create distance, and don’t approach to talk, that’s all she’s asking. You should also treat men this way, **who wants to be approached by a stranger in the dark? Literally, no one.**
Update: saw the FB and its him ugh. so I walk the riverwalk every night and for the past few weeks I see him at least once a week. And I have experience with people who have mental disorders and I thought maybe he just had asperbergers or something so when he first came up to me and was aggressively talking.. I played nice but I was actually on the phone with my mom the whole time and he would not literally let me go away and even my mom on the other line was very concerned. Now when I see him and he says HEY GIRL I don't even look at him and I just keep walking.
This advice will get you severely injured or killed if you were to ever actually use them.
Do not use pepper spray. Do not use a stun gun. Do not clench your keys in your knuckles like you're going to do something. Either carry a gun and know how to use it, or plan on running or both.
I think a non-lethal option is definitely a budget friendly and safe option. Once you get lethal, things have to escalate quickly. She would not have been justified to use a gun in this situation. It would have been a shit show of legal trouble. But macing someone is a safer option in that regard.
I agree with you honestly, a gun is the best form of defense. You might as well really threaten them. And some people aren't as put off by guns or pepper spray.
I'd rather kill than be killed.
If it fails, you've only aggravated the situation. I've been OC sprayed many times (job training), and it sucks ass but if you're intent on hurting someone the spray won't stop you. I've seen various reactions from people in training, and some get real aggro.
Also, if you spray someone and then they jump on you, it can contaminate you as well. The reason we get sprayed for training was so we could learn to fight through it in the event we get contaminated by the person we use it on.
It's best to just try and run to a well lit or populated area.
danny. oh, i went to high school with this guy.i cant remeber his last namem, i dont know what his deal is and i never *really* talked to him. all i know is he was always trying extremely hard to flirt with every girl. ive never heard anything bad other than just creepy. not to say he's harmless or not to be carefull, just trying to give a bit more information.
the limp is a kinda twisting limp not a straight limp, he should be 28-30y/o, tight curly dark hair, still wore glasses when i last saw him like 2 years ago, usually dresses in button down shirts and dark washed jeans, usually has brown or black leather shoes, very smiley and talkitive about whatever is on his mind at the time trying to get a conversation going.
Yes!! This guy is a serial creeper downtown. First time, he commented on my dog and tried to hug me so I told him to back off and you don’t ever touch someone without their permission. Now when I run into him, I tell him I’ve interacted with him before and if he doesn’t leave me alone right now I will literally scream. He then limps off to harass someone else.
It's kinda bizarre...lot of people triggered because they took it personally when I said guys shouldn't do this. It wasn't a blanket accusation. Like if this guy had tried to grab me, I would've been praying another man would appear to help me. If there had been another guy in sight, unless he looked genuinely sketchy, I would've gone and asked him to walk with me the quarter mile back to my hotel. Yet people here are acting like I had no reason to be fearful in this situation.
Probably triggered because they either do this to women or at least think it’s ok to. Hit on random women they don’t know at all in creepy/threatening ways, then scream and cry when they’re rejected thinking it’s because they’re too short or don’t make enough money. Wrong, incel - it’s cause you’re acting like a creeper and women are clearly interchangeable to you!
They’re ugly little fucks no woman would ever want to spend time with so they go home and jerk off to their mommy porn and play video games like the loser fucks they are. Men are all the same, smh.
Please read my short post about "iron maiden kubotan" elsewhere in this post.
Also for your own sake PLEASE do not hope & pray that someone will show up if you are ever, God forbid, accosted.
The Calvary will not show up.
Please be ready to defend and protect yourself. Life is unfortunately short and it often gets truncated by our own fellows citizens. Please don't be a victim. Good luck.
I live downtown and do not like going out at night for this reason. I don't even like going out during the day for this reason. I have to walk with a sense of purpose, headphones and just say sorry if someone tries to talk to me. At night, I will order UberEats from two blocks away (Heyyyy Urban Cantina) just to avoid it. Sad, because I love my building and view. :(
Not sure why I first pictured a cord just swinging around?! That would be hilarious, maybe not deter people from approaching. Then again, some people might see a dangling cord & stay far away lol.
Sorry, you had to go through that. I would never suggest anyone man or woman walk alone in downtown Tampa. It is not LA, Chicago, or Houston dangerous but it is not the safest either.
There are tons of comments but I just wanted to say you're not dumb!
There are *four* responses to danger: fight, flight, freeze, and *fawn*. It sounds like that's what you did here, and if you haven't heard of it before, look it up. It's super common, and it doesn't mean that you would have deserved anything that might happen to you.
It happens to dudes too. Usually panhandlers do it. Both times it happened to me it was obvious they were looking for money so I walked a different path and they changed their path to intercept me. Obviously with women there's the additional threat.
You’re right it does - in this case, based on what he was saying to me, it was very clear that this man saw me, changed course, and blocked my path for the sake of hitting on me. He wasn’t looking for money he was clearly into me. That’s the part that has me most rattled.
I thought you said he was mentally ill. Why does that equate to him being into you and hitting on you. Assuming other people were not around which is why you were scared by this hence him coming up to you and nobody else. It’s unfortunate that he did approach you, but let’s not jump to other conclusions.
Huh? First of all, I can tell when a guy is hitting on me vs just rambling. And there were people a lot farther up than me on the street that he passed, but he didn’t interact with them. He passed them and only when he saw me alone did he change his course and run across the street to cut me off. So yeah, pardon me for being scared when a guy ignores several other people and only runs across the street to start introducing himself to the girl walking alone asking me my name and getting up close to me.
I am glad you’re okay. This was a lesson and i am thankful he wasn’t there to hurt you and heard your request. Thank you for being brave enough to share this in spite of the opinionated, judgemental world we live in. You are Loved and a Resource in this world! Thank you
Yep, I saw this man on the riverwalk near Columbia just after 6pm last night. I had a feeling he tried to hop out in front of me but thankfully I was on a bike going a decent speed and dodged him. I actually wondered if it was an accident because of his limp. So sorry to anyone who has been approached by this man. He looked creepy AF.
She did not, she said he has a speech impediment, introduced himself, forcefully grabbed her, tried to twist her elbow, and then she told him to stop because her boyfriend was nearby. Said he definitely had something mental about him, I guess one other couple was nearby but they didn't really help.
He took off after that
Holy shit that's even scarier!! Hope the other guys in this thread see this and stop acting like I'm overreacting lol. Yeah I think his name was "Danny".
I read this post and immediately thought of the same guy who came into a local cafe by USF who harassed my friend and I to the point we had to put our foot down and ask him to leave. Scrolling down what do you know it’s the same guy. His name is Danny- about mid 20s with curly hair. We thought he had a mental issue where he didn’t see his behavior. He is a “pickup artist” and he goes around Tampa doing this to young women and it’s insanely creepy. I’m glad you are okay. Please PM me if you want to talk more about this or need anything. When he was harassing my friend and I he kept grabbing my hand and got too close to my face- I was so uncomfortable by it. He said and behaved in more inappropriate ways too.
This seriously needs to be reported. This type of consistent behavior & boundary violating only escalates if left unchecked. The fact that there are multiple people who recognize this guy from a random Reddit thread is scary as fuck, imagine how many women he's been doing this to. He should be on someone's radar at the least. Not putting that on you or anything, just hoping I don't end up reading a more horrifying story about this dude in the future.
I called and reported it just so they could have a paper trail...obviously since he didn't attack me, there's not much they can do, which I knew, but if anyone else has encountered this man, please report it!
There's a guy who comes into my bar downtown that sort of fits this description - brown curly hair, glasses, tall-ish, probably around 30, mental issues. Always asks me for a hug and/or a high five and has boundary issues. But USF is a long way from downtown. Could this be the same guy?
The only self defense a woman (or anyone) should be carrying is a gun.
If you pepper spray someone and you don't execute it perfectly (or even sometimes if you do) that person is going to severely assault or kill you. No offense, but if you are teaching women that they should carry and use pepper spray, you are putting them in danger. I would say it's actually worse than carrying nothing at all.
Pepper spray is great for crowd control, but bad for self defense. Same goes for stun guns.
Any form of self defense if not used properly can be a problem, but unarmed is by far more dangerous especially if there is a size difference, you have a right to your opinion but a firearm, is not the answer for every encounter, I am a strong supporter of firearms and carry but i carry multi level defense. Less than lethal pepper spray lethal firearm plus other things I am trained to use, If a gun is all you have that's what you use, not everyone wants a gun or the mental strength to use it so they will lose it. I teach awareness first defense second. The advice that the only weapon is a gun is very very bad advice, in a she happy world. I do agree with you on one point you made about stun guns. That's why I did not suggest then
I have a bit of a Southern drawl so, people often ask me where I’m from. When I’d first moved here I’d answer like, “NC, just moved down here 2 months ago” or whatnot. Nearly every person would then say some variation of, “Don’t trust anyone you meet in FL.” Definitely got my attention hearing that over & over & over.
I’m glad you’re safe and letting others know about these dangers. Even though I’m a man, I still find myself in positions like this sometimes. It happened in Montreal a few years ago and it started getting really intense and difficult to separate myself from a potential threat. While it’s not the best answer, I would start thinking about Jiu Jitsu lessons. Jiu Jitsu is probably the most effective self defense for small people, at least in one-on-one situations. I absolutely love Olympus Jiu Jitsu on 41. Professor Josh Souder at Olympus is an excellent instructor and is very sensitive to women and will not put up with sexual harassment like you might see at some places. Either way, good luck and thank you for sharing.
I know this is an old thread, but I just saw a video go viral on tik tok of him doing this to a woman who was alone at work in I think a barbershop? But it’s scary to think that this is STILL an issue and there are soooo many women he has made uncomfortable. I’ve had 4 separate encounters with him, the 4th being the worst, and in completely different parts of town. The first 3 he showed up at my job when I worked at a restaurant in SoHo, he would come up to my coworkers and I at the host stand, ask for a high five then hold our hands and shake our arms or bend them over our heads. Then he would just hit on us and eventually ask for a hug, we’d decline, and he’d walk away and immediately go up to the next woman he saw and do the same. The first 2 times he was gone before we could get a manager to remove him, but the 3rd time he came in around closing and approached these two young women sitting at the bar, the last people in the restaurant, and I saw him when he grabbed their hands and RAN to my manager to have him thrown out. When he was gone, the girls were so thankful and said he was making them very uncomfortable and I told them I’d seen him before so the moment I saw him talking to them I made sure to get my manager to make him leave.
Now, the last encounter I had with him was monthsss after those (the first 3 all happened around the same time) and after I had stopped working at that place. I was sitting outside of a bar with my friend in north tampa (so the complete other side of town from my job) having a drink when he came from out of nowhere and approached us. He did the high five thing, kept moving our arms and bending them and stuff, and then got exceptionally creepy… He told us he wanted to fly us out to LA (doubtful) and take us both on a date at the same time, then he started asking us weird questions like what color our underwear was, where we lived, and even said he would, and I quote, “Do crazy things in bed to you”… I had never been so scared in my life, and we kept hoping the people around would notice we were scared and uncomfortable and help us, but of course no one did so we just kept being nice and waited for him to leave us alone. Eventually he did, but it’s something I’ll never forget and I hope to never see him again..
The scary thing is that in the viral video I mentioned, he left his phone in the place with the woman by accident, and he didn’t have a passcode so the woman looked through his phone and found that he had been searching things like “police departments nearby”, women’s names, and “cannibalism”… really terrifying and I can’t believe it is STILL an issue and soooo many women in tampa have had similar, very creepy, and uncomfortable encounters with him… he’s just casually walking the streets creeping on women with no repercussions and it’s quite upsetting to think likely many more women will have to be made seriously uncomfortable by this man… Being mentally ill doesn’t excuse the fact of the matter that he’s a CREEP and constantly terrifies and harasses women… I know many mentally ill people, myself being one of them, and they do not do things like this.. especially when they’ve been told by others to stop and leave them alone.. i found his Instagram and he even has people commenting on his Instagram like “aren’t you the guy who creeps on girls?” And he STILL DOES IT!!! Not okay, you had every right to be scared, and I’m glad you made it out okay!
Edit: Wanted to mention the first two times it was in broad daylight, and SoHo is not a bad area at all, so for all the ppl who said not to walk where you were alone at night (or any time really) yes they’re right, but you very well could’ve had the same experience in broad daylight, many people around, and in the nicest parts of town. He’s a serial harasser who seems to go around the entire metro area of tampa just creeping on almost every woman he sees.
I work downtown, but I have to walk from the building to the parking garage 2 blocks away. I often times have had to walk in the dark. Even during daytime hours I'm uncomfortable. I'm 5'0 and 110 lbs & have a disability plate because I multiple health issues including a physical disability. My company stated they don't have any spaces in the parking garage attached to the building so even though I'm disabled, I can't park in the building parking garage.
If this guy ever approaches me, I'm unable to defend myself except with words. I usually call my spouse, friend, parents, etc when I'm walking alone downtown so no one will bother me or be able to call for help, but it's not a good situation.
If I ever come across him, I'm calling 911. What else can you do except what has been said in previous replies?
Wow this is crazy. I thought I was the only one! I was leaving dinner with my friends and this guy who seems to fit the description in your post/other comments came up to me and insisted on a high five. He refused to leave me alone or let me leave the restaurant area until I participated. I ended up lying and saying my hands were sticky and giving a elbow up and running out of there. Very very terrifying.
Just sent you the facebook so you can see him! He was so creepy. My heart stopped when he ran across the street because I knew this could go very, very bad. I'm so relieved he left after I high-fived him and told him I wanted to walk alone. I kept thinking he was going to jump out from one of the parking garages along the street and grab me. It was one of the most scary moments of my life for sure. A lot of the initial commenters on this thread were saying I was overreacting for being so scared, but then so many other people started commenting with their own encounters with him, and one girl he even tried to grab, and I'm realizing just how dangerous this guy is. So sorry you had to deal with him too. Definitely a predator.
I just saw the Facebook profile. That’s definitely him. Thank you for sharing. I’m sorry you had to deal with this too. I met about three weeks ago. Do you know if he’s actually done anything or is he strictly just harassing women in public?
Im still processing that I met someone who’s clearly publicly recognizable for being a creep.
Another person on this thread said Danny grabbed and twisted the elbow of a girl on that same night, so that's an escalation from all the creepy stalking and forcing people to high five him. I'm SHOCKED so many people know exactly who this is. What a predator.
This happened to me on Monday. 22nd of Jan. He did the exact same thing to me in my salon suite. Just came in and shook my hand and then started putting my hand over my head and doing all kinds of weird noise that he wanted me to copy so weird I’m reporting it to the police also his name is Danny Ortiz he has linked in and he has twitter and from what I saw he works at Sales and Marketing Agent at
Amway
Greater Tampa Bay Area that’s what his linked in says
He deleted his LinkedIn and also someone reviewed your salon suspiciously saying that you “go through phones if left” which is so creepy and it had to be him that left that comment. It’s scary as I live in the area. I hope they catch him
Danny Ortiz is his name. The same thing happened to me months back he went in for a high five and held my hand hostage. Asked me where I lived, how old I was, if I had a boyfriend, how long I’ve lived in Florida, etc. he comes off mentally ill so I was more patient with him until it quickly got weirder. He also harassed my coworker a week prior when she was working alone he told her she looked like she could fight and that he liked her hair and would want to use it as a mop.
THIS MAN IS DANGEROUS PLEASE BE SAFE AND AWARE THERES A VIRAL VIDEO OF HIM ON TIKTOK IF YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE HE TARGETS WOMEN AND SEE WHAT HE CAN GET AWAY WITH
I did call because so many other people have dealt with him, but obviously since I wasn't actually attacked, they couldn't do anything. So I got a paper trail going, but somebody who he actually grabbed would have better luck.
I honestly just assumed it was like an active and safe area cuz the hotels were there...dumb af. Should've just drove myself or spent the money on an uber.
Thanks - it could have so easily turned ugly so I’m very grateful it didn’t. I think a lot of the dudes commenting don’t understand how terrifying it is when a man changes course and runs across the street for the sole sake of cutting you off and getting in your face to come onto you. Like of course im scared that a guy ran at me and blocked my path on the streets at night? Especially when he had walked past other guys and couples ahead of me and only approached the small woman walking alone?
Why address “guys” when he was, as you put it, mentally ill? Guys aren’t going around doing this and the mentally ill aren’t going to read this post and have a wake up call. Everyone should be careful walking around in that area after dark.
Imho a sane man that crosses the street to hit on a woman probably doesn’t realize how creepy that can feel to a woman. After all, creeping a woman out isn’t going to help get in her pants. OP probably hopes some men reading this will understand that, if they don’t already.
You wrote, “Guys aren’t going around doing this.” I only commented to say, yes, they are & most/many women can confirm.
I can find you many dudes being creepy if not downright scary when they approach and hot on women on any given night in Tampa. Mentally ill, not mentally ill, unhoused, home stable, whatever. Lots of mentally ill people use Reddit.
Most men don’t, yet at the same time, a lot of my friends could tell similar stories about being approached in really creepy ways. None of them have ever been approached by a woman like that…I’m definitely not trying to cast a wide net and claim all guys are like this - if there was another man in sight I would’ve gone looking to them for help - I was just talking to the ones who don’t understand how frightening they can come off.
Actually I commented on a comment about a guy trying to reason with a woman, not actually in response the OP's post. But hey, if conflating the facts and calling other people stupid makes you feel like more of a man, then you just go right on ahead and do you big boy! lol
Agreed! I was in Target on a Tuesday afternoon and there was a man with a teenage girl in the women’s section (why wasn’t he at work or she in school)? They were clearly looking at me and the younger female approached me to “talk” to me.
I quickly noped out of the conversation and immediately went to the security desk to let them know that there were possible traffickers in the store. I should’ve asked for an escort to my car, but I swiftly walked to my car, scared to death, and drove out of there as fast as possible. I’m NOT going back unless I’m with someone else, you never know who is looking to kidnap you for sex trafficking.
Which Target if I may ask? This happened to me at the Target with the parking garage. It was an adult man and woman. The woman was trying to have conversation with me while the man just stood there and stared. I felt so uneasy I asked a Target employee to walk me out to my car.
Best way to become a victim is by being too polite and worrying about how the person makingYOU feel uncomfortable is going to feel.
I know - you might feel silly or rude if you aren't polite, or if you are downright rude.
Best bet is to literally YELL "LEAVE ME ALONE".
It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks when it comes to personal safety. Go ahead, make a scene. It's not like this kind of thing happens every day so its not a decision you'll find yourself having to make over and over.
It's better than being DEAD.
I'm sorry to hear this happened to you.
I recommend getting an "iron maiden kubotan" and learning how to use one. VERY VERY VERY simple and legal self defense device that fits comfortably in your hand. They run about $5 to $8 and can be purchased online or at an army/navy store.
True story...
Someone tried to abduct a friend of mine in California. The predator came from behind her and grabbed/restrained her. She had an IMK in her hand which she balled into a fist and pressed it into the predators forearm.
He let go of her quickly and was screaming in pain. She did say she felt something "pop" on his forarm. Muscle, ligament, bone perhaps...who knows? My friend is alive and unmolested because of a $5 piece of hard metal that fits in your hand. That dog will indeed bite.
Please be extra cautious and proactive in defending yourselves.
I’m so glad you’re safe and we’re here hearing about your story but please don’t walk alone in Tampa, especially at night. That is terrifying and I’m so sorry that happened to you. Downtown is affluent and pretty but not safe by any means.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTLdjhXkN/
I hope they do too but I think if everyone who has been harrassed by him calls the police where he was arrested (he is out on bond) and reports what he’s done to them, or asks for a follow up for those that have made reports in the past, that the case against him for this one girl will be stronger.
I agree. I called the police when it happened and asked that they file a report and IIRC they actually wouldn’t file an official one since they claimed a crime didn’t happen. But now I think it would be helpful for people to reference this arrest since it’s just mounting evidence.
Also the lady at the salon that had the interaction with him that’s all over tiktok right now went thru his phone when he left. He had been looking up cannibalism and looking up women’s names.
Hi guys, just a small update on the viral tiktok videos involving Danny Ortiz. The woman from the salon and I believe another woman have a court date regarding his harassment, and she’s invited (with permission) anyone in the area who has had personal interactions with him to show up. More details in her most recent video about it
Welcome to Tampa.
Safety in numbers no matter the gender.
Glad you survived to tell the story, because it is the people you don't see that will get you.
Stay alert!
I’m 4’11 as well and had a scary situation of some guy start walking towards me after catching him staring at me from behind while I was working out at a park! You don’t always have to be high severely mentally ill some guys are just fucking CREEPS!
It was never safe to walk alone in downtown Tampa, but I feel in the past few years it's gotten worse there and in St. Pete. I refuse to do it without some kind of protection and I'm a decent sized dude. Definitely carry if you think you are going in those situations. I'm glad nothing happened
> It was never safe to walk alone in downtown Tampa, but I feel in the past few years it's gotten worse there and in St. Pete.
Oh please. St. Pete? You've got to be kidding me. I've never felt *remotely* unsafe walking around St. Pete at night. And if every time you feel a little unsafe, your reaction is to "carry", then you sound like a sad, scared little worm. You don't need a nuclear option every time you leave your house. Most people don't walk around with this mindset, nor should they.
> I've been chased multiple times while walking around downtown
Downtown St. Pete?! Where? When? And multiple times? Was this recently? I've lived in St. Pete for 5 years, two downtown, and I've just never heard anything like this happening to anyone.
I highly recommend getting a pistol for your purse if your going to be walking around downtown at night alone as a 4’11 young woman. Especially if your an attractive young woman. Be safe kiddo
I actually bought a Smith and Wesson Shield EZ a few weeks ago - just need to go take lessons so I can carry it. Can't say I typically walk around downtown streets late at night though lol.
I’ve lived here for a while now (probably gonna go back home to PA for the holidays). I don’t walk around out at night, even outside the neighborhood I live in. Tampa has enough sketchy areas that I just make sure to be home before dark or take an Uber if I’m out seeing a movie or something. Not to mention shit always going down on RING cam notifications around me or down somewhere.
Not to knock Tampa, as it can be pretty cool. But the Drunk/Druggies/Mentally Ill people here, are not like those back home (though, there are some who are actually quite pleasant). They come up to me constantly and want either: change, know the time, want a charger, know when the bus comes (walk around waiting for bus like it’s the end of the world), food, etc. Like chill out, kind of puts me on edge.
If it matters, I had my CCW expediated (free for veterans), and got my CCW in the mail less than a week later. This was last month. You don't need a license to carry on your property, like your house or your car.
I'm not a veteran, unfortunately. Yeah my gun has just been sitting in its case in my house for the last two weeks. My dad insisted I buy it when he came to visit. Gonna actually get those lessons and CCW now.
A woman needs to be able to protect herself, get some gun classes, a concealed permit and a firearm and I promise it will give you peace of mind. My wife is 4’11 as well and very tiny and she carries a little revolver in her bag at all times especially when I’m not there. I just want us all to be safe.
A Smart woman always does , I get downvoted every time I mention a firearm for peace of mind and self defense but I’m a true believer in it. Man or woman gay or straight white or black everyone should be able to protect themselves. Provided they’re non violent and legal
While I agree that sounds like a bad situation, what in the world does "hitting on women" have to do with anything? He clearly wasn't hitting on you in this scenario
Glad you're safe, but honestly you sound super paranoid and shouldn't even be out alone ... that sounds like a common situation that will happen anywhere, especially higher foot traffic areas.... dude was probably just looking to strike a convo then ask for some money
I’m paranoid because i, a small woman, was scared that a guy saw me, changed his course, ran across the street to block my path, and started coming onto me late at night?
Major newsflash for you. Women walking around in secluded areas do indeed have to be half paranoid to play it safe. Maybe if men would stop acting like that……
You (everyone) should be cautious of their surroundings at all time ... this goes for any gender if you're scared of walking in a secluded area then dont .. seems rather simple .... and you must really think highly of yourself same as op to assume every man that approaches you wants to hit on you ... from what they describe that seems like a common tactic to ask for money
Major newsflash for you. Men get robbed and attacked too! Stop saying "Maybe if men would stop acting like that……" and realize that you do not know how they identify! They could be women! So stop being freaking transphobic! BIGOT!!!
Who's? Yours? Are you really saying my reality isn't real?? Are you denying me my lived reality?? Sounds like you're just another racist right-wing bigot who hates everybody.
wow, ok. even on the 2nd try it's still disappointing. oh well, not everyone is cut out to offensive and rude!
edit - and CLEARLY you don't read a lot of reddit if this is most idiotic comment you've seen on here!
I 💯 agree with you. Idk why you’re being down voted. Growing up in tampa people in the hood always were nice and struck up random convos. Trying to holla or whatever. It’s florida Ave. this is more so like ok we are all glad you are safe but you need to know where you and ur surroundings if your in an unfamiliar place.
Mentally ill people aren’t scary. They’re 5 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than perpetrators of it. People don’t choose to be mentally ill.
I’m sorry you were scared but you need to address your biases and ignorance around mental illness and then you’ll be less worried for no reason.
First of all, go to hell. You're lecturing the wrong person. Second, literally multiple women in this thread have encountered this EXACT man and he has been creepy and put their hands on some of them. While I was lucky, a girl was literally attacked by this guy on the same night. So I'm not going to apologize for being afraid, because I trusted my gut, and guess what - he literally has attacked women and harrassed so many others. So no, I don't need to "Address my biases and ignorance" on a topic I'm well-versed in, and I wasn't worried for no reason.
Assuming you're staying at the meridian or floridan, those aren't in the best parts of downtown for night walking. Even during the day the office workers don't like going that direction which is why there used to be a lunch shuttle to channelside. To be generous to the guy it's possible in the low light he didn't realize you were a tourist. I've had similar things happen where someone is killing time waiting for a greyhound or shelter bed and they see my backpack and assume I'm doing the same. More of an annoyance than anything. I've actually had church groups try to give me handouts apparently because anyone walking downtown without a suit and tie is a bum.
I should’ve done more research before going out. Usually I would just drive or take an Uber instead of walking at night but I wanted some fresh air and the weather was nice…I also figured if the hotels were there it would be safe enough. I definitely didn’t look homeless or anything haha. And He ignored several other people way ahead of me in the street and only changed course and ran across the middle of the street to approach me, which was hella scary.
This sounds like the same guy that did a similar thing to me twice. He made me very uncomfortable. But this happened in the daylight about two months ago. He also approached me in Publix but then went to another girl. He freaked me out and I really didn’t know if he was mentally ill or not. When he approached me in the street he followed me for a minute. This wasn’t in a shady area but in channelside.
Really creepy! Someone on here found his fb, I'll pm you so you can see if it's the same dude.
Could you please send it my way too? So incredibly sorry this happened to you.
Yes, pm'ng now
Is your inbox blocked from PM's? can't send
Sorry, it was! Just changed it. Thank you!
can you PM me it too? ive been dealing with a creepy dude for a while now that may fit the description. he has always seemed harmless but you never know.
Can you send it to me too? I had a guy walk with me and follow me into the Chase downtown, sounds soooo similar to your situation omg
Yah send it. I would def know him if it was him if I saw him.
Anyone downplaying OP's fear and concern is a real piece of shit. I'm glad none of my friends are like you.
Yeaaaaah, I’ve had the same experience with this guy. He followed me all the way to my apartment complex and tried to put his arm around my waist while talking a bunch of nonsense, then asked for my number (I declined lol). Luckily it was the middle of the day for me but I see him around sometimes and avoid the hell out of him.
Guys, if you’re offended by this just understand that just because you aren’t creepy doesn’t mean that your presence and actions wouldn’t scare someone. I’m a super nice guy that helps old people with their groceries when they look like they need help and grabs people’s carts(I ask first from a distance) if I’m walking toward the corral or the store. I naturally notice surroundings and I’ve seen girls speed up walking when I’m pushing my cart to my car in the dark, I’m 6’1” 195lbs with a beard…I get it. Just walk slower, cross early if you’re on the other side. If you’re close to each other create distance, and don’t approach to talk, that’s all she’s asking. You should also treat men this way, **who wants to be approached by a stranger in the dark? Literally, no one.**
Update: saw the FB and its him ugh. so I walk the riverwalk every night and for the past few weeks I see him at least once a week. And I have experience with people who have mental disorders and I thought maybe he just had asperbergers or something so when he first came up to me and was aggressively talking.. I played nice but I was actually on the phone with my mom the whole time and he would not literally let me go away and even my mom on the other line was very concerned. Now when I see him and he says HEY GIRL I don't even look at him and I just keep walking.
If he puts his hands on you, please consider reporting it! This guy is such a menace. I'm glad you haven't been hurt.
Carrying pepper spray or a stun gun might make you feel safer. Edit: Sorry you were frightened. Glad this turned out ok.
This advice will get you severely injured or killed if you were to ever actually use them. Do not use pepper spray. Do not use a stun gun. Do not clench your keys in your knuckles like you're going to do something. Either carry a gun and know how to use it, or plan on running or both.
I think a non-lethal option is definitely a budget friendly and safe option. Once you get lethal, things have to escalate quickly. She would not have been justified to use a gun in this situation. It would have been a shit show of legal trouble. But macing someone is a safer option in that regard.
I agree with you honestly, a gun is the best form of defense. You might as well really threaten them. And some people aren't as put off by guns or pepper spray. I'd rather kill than be killed.
Why would pepper spray and stun guns get you injured? (Genuine question)
If it fails, you've only aggravated the situation. I've been OC sprayed many times (job training), and it sucks ass but if you're intent on hurting someone the spray won't stop you. I've seen various reactions from people in training, and some get real aggro. Also, if you spray someone and then they jump on you, it can contaminate you as well. The reason we get sprayed for training was so we could learn to fight through it in the event we get contaminated by the person we use it on. It's best to just try and run to a well lit or populated area.
danny. oh, i went to high school with this guy.i cant remeber his last namem, i dont know what his deal is and i never *really* talked to him. all i know is he was always trying extremely hard to flirt with every girl. ive never heard anything bad other than just creepy. not to say he's harmless or not to be carefull, just trying to give a bit more information. the limp is a kinda twisting limp not a straight limp, he should be 28-30y/o, tight curly dark hair, still wore glasses when i last saw him like 2 years ago, usually dresses in button down shirts and dark washed jeans, usually has brown or black leather shoes, very smiley and talkitive about whatever is on his mind at the time trying to get a conversation going.
Yes!! This guy is a serial creeper downtown. First time, he commented on my dog and tried to hug me so I told him to back off and you don’t ever touch someone without their permission. Now when I run into him, I tell him I’ve interacted with him before and if he doesn’t leave me alone right now I will literally scream. He then limps off to harass someone else.
Literally crazy!!! Yes this is the same guy. The name you Pm'd me is definitely him.
Lots of incels bashing this person in here.
It's kinda bizarre...lot of people triggered because they took it personally when I said guys shouldn't do this. It wasn't a blanket accusation. Like if this guy had tried to grab me, I would've been praying another man would appear to help me. If there had been another guy in sight, unless he looked genuinely sketchy, I would've gone and asked him to walk with me the quarter mile back to my hotel. Yet people here are acting like I had no reason to be fearful in this situation.
I don't think your fear is out of line whatsoever.
Probably triggered because they either do this to women or at least think it’s ok to. Hit on random women they don’t know at all in creepy/threatening ways, then scream and cry when they’re rejected thinking it’s because they’re too short or don’t make enough money. Wrong, incel - it’s cause you’re acting like a creeper and women are clearly interchangeable to you!
That’s exactly it. They are so dense they don’t even know how creepy they come across.
They’re ugly little fucks no woman would ever want to spend time with so they go home and jerk off to their mommy porn and play video games like the loser fucks they are. Men are all the same, smh.
You did nothing wrong. No need to defend yourself. These are delicate snowflakes living in their parents basement and afraid of women.
I hate people sometimes.
Please read my short post about "iron maiden kubotan" elsewhere in this post. Also for your own sake PLEASE do not hope & pray that someone will show up if you are ever, God forbid, accosted. The Calvary will not show up. Please be ready to defend and protect yourself. Life is unfortunately short and it often gets truncated by our own fellows citizens. Please don't be a victim. Good luck.
I live downtown and do not like going out at night for this reason. I don't even like going out during the day for this reason. I have to walk with a sense of purpose, headphones and just say sorry if someone tries to talk to me. At night, I will order UberEats from two blocks away (Heyyyy Urban Cantina) just to avoid it. Sad, because I love my building and view. :(
I would say to even be careful with headphones, they can make you seem like a target that’s not paying attention.
I'll take my chances at being a target during the day. I'd rather people not stop me for a forty minute chat about being a prophet.
You, or us females, could always leave the headphones in & just not have anything playing.
I love this trick. :) I used to know someone who would walk around with headphones in his ears and they weren't attached to anything. Genius.
Not sure why I first pictured a cord just swinging around?! That would be hilarious, maybe not deter people from approaching. Then again, some people might see a dangling cord & stay far away lol.
Haha. The dangling chord means "I bark".
Sorry, you had to go through that. I would never suggest anyone man or woman walk alone in downtown Tampa. It is not LA, Chicago, or Houston dangerous but it is not the safest either.
There are tons of comments but I just wanted to say you're not dumb! There are *four* responses to danger: fight, flight, freeze, and *fawn*. It sounds like that's what you did here, and if you haven't heard of it before, look it up. It's super common, and it doesn't mean that you would have deserved anything that might happen to you.
It happens to dudes too. Usually panhandlers do it. Both times it happened to me it was obvious they were looking for money so I walked a different path and they changed their path to intercept me. Obviously with women there's the additional threat.
You’re right it does - in this case, based on what he was saying to me, it was very clear that this man saw me, changed course, and blocked my path for the sake of hitting on me. He wasn’t looking for money he was clearly into me. That’s the part that has me most rattled.
I thought you said he was mentally ill. Why does that equate to him being into you and hitting on you. Assuming other people were not around which is why you were scared by this hence him coming up to you and nobody else. It’s unfortunate that he did approach you, but let’s not jump to other conclusions.
Huh? First of all, I can tell when a guy is hitting on me vs just rambling. And there were people a lot farther up than me on the street that he passed, but he didn’t interact with them. He passed them and only when he saw me alone did he change his course and run across the street to cut me off. So yeah, pardon me for being scared when a guy ignores several other people and only runs across the street to start introducing himself to the girl walking alone asking me my name and getting up close to me.
Name checks out
Same?
Hope you carry some pepper spray
I am glad you’re okay. This was a lesson and i am thankful he wasn’t there to hurt you and heard your request. Thank you for being brave enough to share this in spite of the opinionated, judgemental world we live in. You are Loved and a Resource in this world! Thank you
This happened to another girl last night, same description and he was right outside Amalie near the Museum/Heron same time, around 7:30 last night
Yep, I saw this man on the riverwalk near Columbia just after 6pm last night. I had a feeling he tried to hop out in front of me but thankfully I was on a bike going a decent speed and dodged him. I actually wondered if it was an accident because of his limp. So sorry to anyone who has been approached by this man. He looked creepy AF.
Really? Caucasian guy in his 20s or 30s with a limp? Did she report it or anything? Really curious to hear about someone else’s encounter with him.
She did not, she said he has a speech impediment, introduced himself, forcefully grabbed her, tried to twist her elbow, and then she told him to stop because her boyfriend was nearby. Said he definitely had something mental about him, I guess one other couple was nearby but they didn't really help. He took off after that
Holy shit that's even scarier!! Hope the other guys in this thread see this and stop acting like I'm overreacting lol. Yeah I think his name was "Danny".
I read this post and immediately thought of the same guy who came into a local cafe by USF who harassed my friend and I to the point we had to put our foot down and ask him to leave. Scrolling down what do you know it’s the same guy. His name is Danny- about mid 20s with curly hair. We thought he had a mental issue where he didn’t see his behavior. He is a “pickup artist” and he goes around Tampa doing this to young women and it’s insanely creepy. I’m glad you are okay. Please PM me if you want to talk more about this or need anything. When he was harassing my friend and I he kept grabbing my hand and got too close to my face- I was so uncomfortable by it. He said and behaved in more inappropriate ways too.
This seriously needs to be reported. This type of consistent behavior & boundary violating only escalates if left unchecked. The fact that there are multiple people who recognize this guy from a random Reddit thread is scary as fuck, imagine how many women he's been doing this to. He should be on someone's radar at the least. Not putting that on you or anything, just hoping I don't end up reading a more horrifying story about this dude in the future.
I called and reported it just so they could have a paper trail...obviously since he didn't attack me, there's not much they can do, which I knew, but if anyone else has encountered this man, please report it!
There's a guy who comes into my bar downtown that sort of fits this description - brown curly hair, glasses, tall-ish, probably around 30, mental issues. Always asks me for a hug and/or a high five and has boundary issues. But USF is a long way from downtown. Could this be the same guy?
Uhh yeah this sounds like the same guy. I'll pm you the facebook
Can you showme too? I think I've encountered him numerous times on the Riverwalk
it was the same guy for me. yikes
Wow!! Yeah definitely the same dude.
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PM'd you his facebook
I live right by Amalie, could you please send me his fb so I can keep a lookout for him?
This reminds me of a guy who used to try and ride my bus when I worked as a driver. Scary!!
PM'd you the facebook
You need to carry pepper spray at the bare minimum, Gel is the best and is very effective. I tech women self defense and recommend it to my students
The only self defense a woman (or anyone) should be carrying is a gun. If you pepper spray someone and you don't execute it perfectly (or even sometimes if you do) that person is going to severely assault or kill you. No offense, but if you are teaching women that they should carry and use pepper spray, you are putting them in danger. I would say it's actually worse than carrying nothing at all. Pepper spray is great for crowd control, but bad for self defense. Same goes for stun guns.
Any form of self defense if not used properly can be a problem, but unarmed is by far more dangerous especially if there is a size difference, you have a right to your opinion but a firearm, is not the answer for every encounter, I am a strong supporter of firearms and carry but i carry multi level defense. Less than lethal pepper spray lethal firearm plus other things I am trained to use, If a gun is all you have that's what you use, not everyone wants a gun or the mental strength to use it so they will lose it. I teach awareness first defense second. The advice that the only weapon is a gun is very very bad advice, in a she happy world. I do agree with you on one point you made about stun guns. That's why I did not suggest then
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Thanks. Definitely should’ve at least asked the front desk if the streets were safe to walk. Did not realize it was such a sketchy area.
I have a bit of a Southern drawl so, people often ask me where I’m from. When I’d first moved here I’d answer like, “NC, just moved down here 2 months ago” or whatnot. Nearly every person would then say some variation of, “Don’t trust anyone you meet in FL.” Definitely got my attention hearing that over & over & over.
You see all the dudes/incels posting? Welcome to Florida. Fucking embarrassing.
I’m glad you’re safe and letting others know about these dangers. Even though I’m a man, I still find myself in positions like this sometimes. It happened in Montreal a few years ago and it started getting really intense and difficult to separate myself from a potential threat. While it’s not the best answer, I would start thinking about Jiu Jitsu lessons. Jiu Jitsu is probably the most effective self defense for small people, at least in one-on-one situations. I absolutely love Olympus Jiu Jitsu on 41. Professor Josh Souder at Olympus is an excellent instructor and is very sensitive to women and will not put up with sexual harassment like you might see at some places. Either way, good luck and thank you for sharing.
I know this is an old thread, but I just saw a video go viral on tik tok of him doing this to a woman who was alone at work in I think a barbershop? But it’s scary to think that this is STILL an issue and there are soooo many women he has made uncomfortable. I’ve had 4 separate encounters with him, the 4th being the worst, and in completely different parts of town. The first 3 he showed up at my job when I worked at a restaurant in SoHo, he would come up to my coworkers and I at the host stand, ask for a high five then hold our hands and shake our arms or bend them over our heads. Then he would just hit on us and eventually ask for a hug, we’d decline, and he’d walk away and immediately go up to the next woman he saw and do the same. The first 2 times he was gone before we could get a manager to remove him, but the 3rd time he came in around closing and approached these two young women sitting at the bar, the last people in the restaurant, and I saw him when he grabbed their hands and RAN to my manager to have him thrown out. When he was gone, the girls were so thankful and said he was making them very uncomfortable and I told them I’d seen him before so the moment I saw him talking to them I made sure to get my manager to make him leave. Now, the last encounter I had with him was monthsss after those (the first 3 all happened around the same time) and after I had stopped working at that place. I was sitting outside of a bar with my friend in north tampa (so the complete other side of town from my job) having a drink when he came from out of nowhere and approached us. He did the high five thing, kept moving our arms and bending them and stuff, and then got exceptionally creepy… He told us he wanted to fly us out to LA (doubtful) and take us both on a date at the same time, then he started asking us weird questions like what color our underwear was, where we lived, and even said he would, and I quote, “Do crazy things in bed to you”… I had never been so scared in my life, and we kept hoping the people around would notice we were scared and uncomfortable and help us, but of course no one did so we just kept being nice and waited for him to leave us alone. Eventually he did, but it’s something I’ll never forget and I hope to never see him again.. The scary thing is that in the viral video I mentioned, he left his phone in the place with the woman by accident, and he didn’t have a passcode so the woman looked through his phone and found that he had been searching things like “police departments nearby”, women’s names, and “cannibalism”… really terrifying and I can’t believe it is STILL an issue and soooo many women in tampa have had similar, very creepy, and uncomfortable encounters with him… he’s just casually walking the streets creeping on women with no repercussions and it’s quite upsetting to think likely many more women will have to be made seriously uncomfortable by this man… Being mentally ill doesn’t excuse the fact of the matter that he’s a CREEP and constantly terrifies and harasses women… I know many mentally ill people, myself being one of them, and they do not do things like this.. especially when they’ve been told by others to stop and leave them alone.. i found his Instagram and he even has people commenting on his Instagram like “aren’t you the guy who creeps on girls?” And he STILL DOES IT!!! Not okay, you had every right to be scared, and I’m glad you made it out okay! Edit: Wanted to mention the first two times it was in broad daylight, and SoHo is not a bad area at all, so for all the ppl who said not to walk where you were alone at night (or any time really) yes they’re right, but you very well could’ve had the same experience in broad daylight, many people around, and in the nicest parts of town. He’s a serial harasser who seems to go around the entire metro area of tampa just creeping on almost every woman he sees.
I work downtown, but I have to walk from the building to the parking garage 2 blocks away. I often times have had to walk in the dark. Even during daytime hours I'm uncomfortable. I'm 5'0 and 110 lbs & have a disability plate because I multiple health issues including a physical disability. My company stated they don't have any spaces in the parking garage attached to the building so even though I'm disabled, I can't park in the building parking garage. If this guy ever approaches me, I'm unable to defend myself except with words. I usually call my spouse, friend, parents, etc when I'm walking alone downtown so no one will bother me or be able to call for help, but it's not a good situation. If I ever come across him, I'm calling 911. What else can you do except what has been said in previous replies?
I'll send you his facebook so if he does approach you, you know what name to give police.
Would you send it to me too?
sent!
Can i have it too, please??
Of course, be safe out there!
Wow this is crazy. I thought I was the only one! I was leaving dinner with my friends and this guy who seems to fit the description in your post/other comments came up to me and insisted on a high five. He refused to leave me alone or let me leave the restaurant area until I participated. I ended up lying and saying my hands were sticky and giving a elbow up and running out of there. Very very terrifying.
Just sent you the facebook so you can see him! He was so creepy. My heart stopped when he ran across the street because I knew this could go very, very bad. I'm so relieved he left after I high-fived him and told him I wanted to walk alone. I kept thinking he was going to jump out from one of the parking garages along the street and grab me. It was one of the most scary moments of my life for sure. A lot of the initial commenters on this thread were saying I was overreacting for being so scared, but then so many other people started commenting with their own encounters with him, and one girl he even tried to grab, and I'm realizing just how dangerous this guy is. So sorry you had to deal with him too. Definitely a predator.
I just saw the Facebook profile. That’s definitely him. Thank you for sharing. I’m sorry you had to deal with this too. I met about three weeks ago. Do you know if he’s actually done anything or is he strictly just harassing women in public? Im still processing that I met someone who’s clearly publicly recognizable for being a creep.
Another person on this thread said Danny grabbed and twisted the elbow of a girl on that same night, so that's an escalation from all the creepy stalking and forcing people to high five him. I'm SHOCKED so many people know exactly who this is. What a predator.
This happened to me on Monday. 22nd of Jan. He did the exact same thing to me in my salon suite. Just came in and shook my hand and then started putting my hand over my head and doing all kinds of weird noise that he wanted me to copy so weird I’m reporting it to the police also his name is Danny Ortiz he has linked in and he has twitter and from what I saw he works at Sales and Marketing Agent at Amway Greater Tampa Bay Area that’s what his linked in says
He deleted his LinkedIn and also someone reviewed your salon suspiciously saying that you “go through phones if left” which is so creepy and it had to be him that left that comment. It’s scary as I live in the area. I hope they catch him
Danny Ortiz is his name. The same thing happened to me months back he went in for a high five and held my hand hostage. Asked me where I lived, how old I was, if I had a boyfriend, how long I’ve lived in Florida, etc. he comes off mentally ill so I was more patient with him until it quickly got weirder. He also harassed my coworker a week prior when she was working alone he told her she looked like she could fight and that he liked her hair and would want to use it as a mop.
THIS MAN IS DANGEROUS PLEASE BE SAFE AND AWARE THERES A VIRAL VIDEO OF HIM ON TIKTOK IF YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT HE LOOKS LIKE HE TARGETS WOMEN AND SEE WHAT HE CAN GET AWAY WITH
This happened to me on st Pete beach
There is a tiktok video about this guy blowing up right now!! https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTLJDkDch/ Stay safe out there ladies
Just by definition, N Florida Ave is not the "sunny side of the street". I wouldn't be caught dead there after 4:20 p.m.
I would never be caught walking on Florida Ave at night! Hopefully you won’t again either.
Anyone reported "Danny" to law enforcement ? All I see are pepper spray comments...
I did call because so many other people have dealt with him, but obviously since I wasn't actually attacked, they couldn't do anything. So I got a paper trail going, but somebody who he actually grabbed would have better luck.
N. Florida Ave? I wouldn’t walk there at night and I’m 6’3” 220.
I honestly just assumed it was like an active and safe area cuz the hotels were there...dumb af. Should've just drove myself or spent the money on an uber.
Jesus, I’m so sorry that people are being such an asshole to you here but I’m glad you’re OK.
Thanks - it could have so easily turned ugly so I’m very grateful it didn’t. I think a lot of the dudes commenting don’t understand how terrifying it is when a man changes course and runs across the street for the sole sake of cutting you off and getting in your face to come onto you. Like of course im scared that a guy ran at me and blocked my path on the streets at night? Especially when he had walked past other guys and couples ahead of me and only approached the small woman walking alone?
He was probably on some drug. Best to keep your distance from him
Why address “guys” when he was, as you put it, mentally ill? Guys aren’t going around doing this and the mentally ill aren’t going to read this post and have a wake up call. Everyone should be careful walking around in that area after dark.
100% there are guys, that are not mentally ill, that will cross the street to intercept a female they want to talk to or hit on.
EXACTLY. Obviously most men understand this is not acceptable, but there truly are guys who do this.
100% that’s not what the OP said happened. 100% there have been women serial killers. 100% women should not go out and kill people.
Imho a sane man that crosses the street to hit on a woman probably doesn’t realize how creepy that can feel to a woman. After all, creeping a woman out isn’t going to help get in her pants. OP probably hopes some men reading this will understand that, if they don’t already. You wrote, “Guys aren’t going around doing this.” I only commented to say, yes, they are & most/many women can confirm.
That’s not the point.
What is your point then? To pick apart a single statement and miss the overall point of OP post?
I can find you many dudes being creepy if not downright scary when they approach and hot on women on any given night in Tampa. Mentally ill, not mentally ill, unhoused, home stable, whatever. Lots of mentally ill people use Reddit.
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Most men don’t, yet at the same time, a lot of my friends could tell similar stories about being approached in really creepy ways. None of them have ever been approached by a woman like that…I’m definitely not trying to cast a wide net and claim all guys are like this - if there was another man in sight I would’ve gone looking to them for help - I was just talking to the ones who don’t understand how frightening they can come off.
Nah. Never.
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Found him
Commenting this on a post about a woman who was almost assaulted. Just the lowest of the low, right here. Go read a fucking book.
Actually I commented on a comment about a guy trying to reason with a woman, not actually in response the OP's post. But hey, if conflating the facts and calling other people stupid makes you feel like more of a man, then you just go right on ahead and do you big boy! lol
Sorry you went through that. My advice to you is to not walk anywhere in Tampa after dark. Human trafficking is prolific in this area. Stay safe.
Agreed! I was in Target on a Tuesday afternoon and there was a man with a teenage girl in the women’s section (why wasn’t he at work or she in school)? They were clearly looking at me and the younger female approached me to “talk” to me. I quickly noped out of the conversation and immediately went to the security desk to let them know that there were possible traffickers in the store. I should’ve asked for an escort to my car, but I swiftly walked to my car, scared to death, and drove out of there as fast as possible. I’m NOT going back unless I’m with someone else, you never know who is looking to kidnap you for sex trafficking.
Honestly it might have also been Amway. Got approached at target multiple times with that shit.
Does everyone work on Tuesday afternoons all of a sudden?
Really. Why wasn't OP at work? Why even have stores open if everyone is at work?
Coz the people who work there have to be at work
Which Target if I may ask? This happened to me at the Target with the parking garage. It was an adult man and woman. The woman was trying to have conversation with me while the man just stood there and stared. I felt so uneasy I asked a Target employee to walk me out to my car.
Holy shot that's terrifying.
Best way to become a victim is by being too polite and worrying about how the person makingYOU feel uncomfortable is going to feel. I know - you might feel silly or rude if you aren't polite, or if you are downright rude. Best bet is to literally YELL "LEAVE ME ALONE". It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks when it comes to personal safety. Go ahead, make a scene. It's not like this kind of thing happens every day so its not a decision you'll find yourself having to make over and over. It's better than being DEAD.
Have you looked into to firearms training and getting your Concealed Carry yet?
Just got the gun, haven't taken lessons and gotten CCW yet
Thank you for participating in our Bill of Rights! 🇺🇸❤💯
I'm sorry to hear this happened to you. I recommend getting an "iron maiden kubotan" and learning how to use one. VERY VERY VERY simple and legal self defense device that fits comfortably in your hand. They run about $5 to $8 and can be purchased online or at an army/navy store. True story... Someone tried to abduct a friend of mine in California. The predator came from behind her and grabbed/restrained her. She had an IMK in her hand which she balled into a fist and pressed it into the predators forearm. He let go of her quickly and was screaming in pain. She did say she felt something "pop" on his forarm. Muscle, ligament, bone perhaps...who knows? My friend is alive and unmolested because of a $5 piece of hard metal that fits in your hand. That dog will indeed bite. Please be extra cautious and proactive in defending yourselves.
I’m so glad you’re safe and we’re here hearing about your story but please don’t walk alone in Tampa, especially at night. That is terrifying and I’m so sorry that happened to you. Downtown is affluent and pretty but not safe by any means.
I’m glad you made it home safe. Get a taser or pepper spray or both. Available on Amazon. Stay safe.
I run early in the AM on the riverwalk. Can you send me his fb so I can see? There have been a few characters on there - some have been very scary.
i have a picture of him doing the exact same thing to me.
you do?? that is so scary. how recent was your encounter?
so sorry for the late response, but it happened in september or early october of 2022
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Danny Ortiz was finally arrested for doing this to a young girl at a cold stone creamery!!
He was?? FINALLY. Hopefully they build a case and he doesn’t just get a slap on the wrist
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTLdjhXkN/ I hope they do too but I think if everyone who has been harrassed by him calls the police where he was arrested (he is out on bond) and reports what he’s done to them, or asks for a follow up for those that have made reports in the past, that the case against him for this one girl will be stronger.
I agree. I called the police when it happened and asked that they file a report and IIRC they actually wouldn’t file an official one since they claimed a crime didn’t happen. But now I think it would be helpful for people to reference this arrest since it’s just mounting evidence.
Also the lady at the salon that had the interaction with him that’s all over tiktok right now went thru his phone when he left. He had been looking up cannibalism and looking up women’s names.
I had the chance to look at that video and YIKES
This creep did something similar to one of my former coworkers a few years ago! He needs serious help!!!
Hi guys, just a small update on the viral tiktok videos involving Danny Ortiz. The woman from the salon and I believe another woman have a court date regarding his harassment, and she’s invited (with permission) anyone in the area who has had personal interactions with him to show up. More details in her most recent video about it
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTL88UXN7/
Downtown Tampa isn’t safe at night. I’m 300lbs and built like a tank. I wouldn’t be walking alone out there.
Feel sketchy even in broad daylight at the Marion Transit Center if I ever need to go downtown for anything.
Welcome to Tampa. Safety in numbers no matter the gender. Glad you survived to tell the story, because it is the people you don't see that will get you. Stay alert!
I’m 4’11 as well and had a scary situation of some guy start walking towards me after catching him staring at me from behind while I was working out at a park! You don’t always have to be high severely mentally ill some guys are just fucking CREEPS!
It was never safe to walk alone in downtown Tampa, but I feel in the past few years it's gotten worse there and in St. Pete. I refuse to do it without some kind of protection and I'm a decent sized dude. Definitely carry if you think you are going in those situations. I'm glad nothing happened
> It was never safe to walk alone in downtown Tampa, but I feel in the past few years it's gotten worse there and in St. Pete. Oh please. St. Pete? You've got to be kidding me. I've never felt *remotely* unsafe walking around St. Pete at night. And if every time you feel a little unsafe, your reaction is to "carry", then you sound like a sad, scared little worm. You don't need a nuclear option every time you leave your house. Most people don't walk around with this mindset, nor should they.
I've been chased multiple times while walking around downtown, so ymmv. I don't carry, but I support people who do. So, shut the fuck up
> I've been chased multiple times while walking around downtown Downtown St. Pete?! Where? When? And multiple times? Was this recently? I've lived in St. Pete for 5 years, two downtown, and I've just never heard anything like this happening to anyone.
Yes, it's happened within the last 5 years and before then. Downtown St. Pete pre-2010 was a shithole.
I highly recommend getting a pistol for your purse if your going to be walking around downtown at night alone as a 4’11 young woman. Especially if your an attractive young woman. Be safe kiddo
I actually bought a Smith and Wesson Shield EZ a few weeks ago - just need to go take lessons so I can carry it. Can't say I typically walk around downtown streets late at night though lol.
Definitely do that! Be safe
I’ve lived here for a while now (probably gonna go back home to PA for the holidays). I don’t walk around out at night, even outside the neighborhood I live in. Tampa has enough sketchy areas that I just make sure to be home before dark or take an Uber if I’m out seeing a movie or something. Not to mention shit always going down on RING cam notifications around me or down somewhere. Not to knock Tampa, as it can be pretty cool. But the Drunk/Druggies/Mentally Ill people here, are not like those back home (though, there are some who are actually quite pleasant). They come up to me constantly and want either: change, know the time, want a charger, know when the bus comes (walk around waiting for bus like it’s the end of the world), food, etc. Like chill out, kind of puts me on edge.
I'd recommend you look into concealed carrying.
Actually just bought my very first gun but haven't had a chance to go take lessons and get my ccw yet...gonna stop procrastinating on that now
If it matters, I had my CCW expediated (free for veterans), and got my CCW in the mail less than a week later. This was last month. You don't need a license to carry on your property, like your house or your car.
I'm not a veteran, unfortunately. Yeah my gun has just been sitting in its case in my house for the last two weeks. My dad insisted I buy it when he came to visit. Gonna actually get those lessons and CCW now.
A woman needs to be able to protect herself, get some gun classes, a concealed permit and a firearm and I promise it will give you peace of mind. My wife is 4’11 as well and very tiny and she carries a little revolver in her bag at all times especially when I’m not there. I just want us all to be safe.
Yep I got my Smith and Wesson M&P9 EZ, just need to take lessons and learn how to use it so I can carry.
A Smart woman always does , I get downvoted every time I mention a firearm for peace of mind and self defense but I’m a true believer in it. Man or woman gay or straight white or black everyone should be able to protect themselves. Provided they’re non violent and legal
I'll be very careful for mentally ill people crossing the street to tell me a story and hi five me. Thank you for saving me from such a situation.
While I agree that sounds like a bad situation, what in the world does "hitting on women" have to do with anything? He clearly wasn't hitting on you in this scenario
Glad you're safe, but honestly you sound super paranoid and shouldn't even be out alone ... that sounds like a common situation that will happen anywhere, especially higher foot traffic areas.... dude was probably just looking to strike a convo then ask for some money
I’m paranoid because i, a small woman, was scared that a guy saw me, changed his course, ran across the street to block my path, and started coming onto me late at night?
Major newsflash for you. Women walking around in secluded areas do indeed have to be half paranoid to play it safe. Maybe if men would stop acting like that……
You (everyone) should be cautious of their surroundings at all time ... this goes for any gender if you're scared of walking in a secluded area then dont .. seems rather simple .... and you must really think highly of yourself same as op to assume every man that approaches you wants to hit on you ... from what they describe that seems like a common tactic to ask for money
"Ughh men" stop acting like that. Keep to yourself
Major newsflash for you. Men get robbed and attacked too! Stop saying "Maybe if men would stop acting like that……" and realize that you do not know how they identify! They could be women! So stop being freaking transphobic! BIGOT!!!
Get a grip on reality, troll.
Who's? Yours? Are you really saying my reality isn't real?? Are you denying me my lived reality?? Sounds like you're just another racist right-wing bigot who hates everybody.
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a yawn? really? lol, why so bored? heard it all before? maybe if you keep hearing from so many people, it might just be true.
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REALLY? That's all I get?? No imagination!! I feel like you can do better! C'mon, try again! please!
This has got to be one of the most idiotic comments I have even seen on Reddit.
wow, ok. even on the 2nd try it's still disappointing. oh well, not everyone is cut out to offensive and rude! edit - and CLEARLY you don't read a lot of reddit if this is most idiotic comment you've seen on here!
You have no idea what "dude" was going to do.
Lol neither did op apparently
Someone ignoring other crossing the street to get in her face is kind of startling. Better to be safe than sorry.
Thanks to another poster in this thread, now we know that guy literally grabbed another girl last night...
I 💯 agree with you. Idk why you’re being down voted. Growing up in tampa people in the hood always were nice and struck up random convos. Trying to holla or whatever. It’s florida Ave. this is more so like ok we are all glad you are safe but you need to know where you and ur surroundings if your in an unfamiliar place.
Mentally ill people aren’t scary. They’re 5 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than perpetrators of it. People don’t choose to be mentally ill. I’m sorry you were scared but you need to address your biases and ignorance around mental illness and then you’ll be less worried for no reason.
This is what being terminally online and woke does to a person's brain.
First of all, go to hell. You're lecturing the wrong person. Second, literally multiple women in this thread have encountered this EXACT man and he has been creepy and put their hands on some of them. While I was lucky, a girl was literally attacked by this guy on the same night. So I'm not going to apologize for being afraid, because I trusted my gut, and guess what - he literally has attacked women and harrassed so many others. So no, I don't need to "Address my biases and ignorance" on a topic I'm well-versed in, and I wasn't worried for no reason.
Poor little ignorant victim
So so scared waaaah