FROM A BLOG ON HOW NOT TO BE A VICTIM OF CRIMINALITY: General Safety Tips you should always follow, whether you live in a big city or a small town. 1. Don’t develop a pattern of behavior. - A pattern is what allows bad guys to plan an attack or ambush. It allows them to track your comings and goings. So they can plan when they can safely break into your apartment. - Vary the times you come and go. - Vary your routes to work, school, gym and coffeehouse - Ever notice that when President Obama goes for a run, or even travels anywhere, he never goes the same route twice? Theres a very logical reason for that. Patterns can get you in trouble. Dont have them. 2. Know your surroundings - Beware of what is normal in your neighborhood…or anyplace you frequent. - Is that a new car on the street? - Have those guys always hung out on that corner? - Knowing what is normal allows you to notice the changes. Noticing changes makes you more aware of potential dangers. Those changes will cue you as to when something unexpected might be about to happen 3. We have a gut for a reason. 99.9% of the time, going against it is bad form. The number one clue that something isnt right will more than likely come from inside of you. Your gut - That something doesnt seem ok here feeling you get in your stomach. Dont ignore it! Theres a reason we have those feelings. Theyre ingrained from primal instincts, from millions of years ago, when wed turn around and find a Tyrannosaurus Rex walking behind us, sizing us up for lunch. DO NOT IGNORE YOUR GUT. If something doesnt seem right, it probably isnt. Trust your gut. You have it for a reason. 4. Situational Awareness is your best friend. Not using it turns your surroundings into your worst enemy. - Yes, its fun to play Angry Birds on the subway. But dont you think people are looking for those who are doing exactly that? If youre busy throwing birds at pigs, or landing planes, or even reading a book on your device, the following things are happening: Youre focused almost entirely on whatever youre doing, and not on your surroundings. Youre not holding onto your device with any level of strength - Rather, youre just resting it on your hands. You cant fling birds or turn pages if youre grasping onto a device, so you dont do it. Instead, you just rest it there, just waiting for someone to grab it and run off the train at the next open stop. This isnt limited to transportation. Using your phone while walking down the street is just as bad - Its so easy for someone going the other way to focus on your device, grab it, and be in a running start while youre still like What the hell just happened? The thief is already ten feet away and running by the time you turn around and even realize whats going on. Good luck catching up and getting your device back. - In the end, I know were not going to stop using our devices in public places. That would defeat the entire purpose of the device. What we can do, though, is at least be more aware of our surroundings when we do it. Can we look up for a second after every level and just assess our situation? Thats not that hard to do. 5. Have your keys in your hands Whether going to your car, work or apartment, have your keys in your hand before you approach the door. This allows you quicker access through the door and avoids the major distraction of fumbling for keys as you reach the door. An attack is most likely to occur when you stop at a door and try to find your keys. Your head will be down and you will neither be looking around or listen for unusual sounds (like steps coming your way). Attacking a victim at this time also has the advantage of gaining access to whatever you were about to enter. Also, being hit with a large set of keys can often discourage an attack and holding the keys between your fingers and punching someone with them can make them very unhappy. 6. Small things we should all do, but rarely do. - Wherever you are, a small powerful flashlight is one of the most important things you can have. Even with something as innocent as a power outage, think of all the places you’ll be on any given day that have no outside windows to let in light…hallways, stairs, elevators. A flashlight will always allow you to find your way to a safer place. - In that same vein, don’t fall into the movie plot setup of investigating noises in the dark…that is why you have a cell phone and know how to call 911 (or just walk away) - A whistle or other noisemaker is your friend. Attach a small whistle onto your keychain. There. Now its always there. Do NOT be afraid to use it to attract attention. - Instead of yelling HELP when something goes wrong, yell FIRE! People are more likely to respond to Fire than to help. 7. Have a buddy system This doesn’t mean you always have to take a buddy when you go somewhere. It means letting someone know when you are doing something different or going someplace you haven’t been before… Also, when you plan to return. It doesn’t mean where to start looking for the body when you are kidnapped (although it does help), but it can be very useful if should you be stranded or injured in an area that doesn’t have cell coverage. You think its an exaggeration? Some very logical examples that could easily happen to you - You leave work late one night, and get stuck in the elevator, long after everyone else has gone home. - You fall asleep on the subway and wake up lost (or worse, in the yards. Ive seen it happen.) - You get in a car wreck and skid off the road, down a 200 foot hill into a ravine, hidden from sight of the road. - You get sick. Your appendix bursts. You hit your head. You name it. Know the people in your neighborhood. When Im walking to the gym in the dark at 5am, theres a homeless man on the corner of 46th Street. I bring him a cup of coffee each morning. In turn, he keeps an eye on me in the dark. Its a good trade. Do you know the people in your neighborhood? Can you call for them if youre running away from trouble? 8. Don’t look like a Victim - Victims of violent crimes like a mugging or robbery call attention to themselves by either being oblivious to their surroundings (defenseless) or by looking helpless (unable to defend themselves). - Walk down a street with your head up and looking around. Don’t hug either side of the sidewalk…especially not the inside where you have to pass close to doorways. For Gods sake, dont text and walk at the same time. Youre screaming out ROB ME! - Don’t stare (it can be taken as a challenge) but don’t be afraid to look at people (it isn’t an elevator). You can nod or smile if you’d like, but beware of offering an unintended invitation. At the end of the day, personal security and situational awareness comes down to not being clueless. I encourage you all to not be clueless. Don’t be clueless - Yes, it is a wonderful new world out there to explore. But try to pay attention to the unusual when out walking. - Has that person been behind you for a while? - Do they stop when you stop and continue when you do? - Do they look away when you turn to look at them? - The easiest thing to do is go into a public place, like a coffee shop or an eatery, and have a seat…if they stop too, you might consider calling 911 and have them check out your stalker. - The worst thing to do is continue on your way is it takes you to a less traveled area…if you can’t stop; take a longer but busier route. Stay sharp, stay aware, and stay safe, my friends. RESCUE 1
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:02:13 +0000
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