Self-defense is a priority. I guess people assume that with it being fall and thus close to Halloween and horror season that it's somehow appropriate to do these things, but I feel like it's one of those things that needs consent. If I go to a haunted house, that's on me and I anticipate to be frightened. These people just going about their daily business get the daylights scared out of them and it could potentially be very traumatic for someone in a way that the prankster can't anticipate and it can do harm to one or both parties.