3 Tips For Crime Prevention While in Public
November 17, 2011, Submitted by: Ken Tweet
Here are three survival (security) tips that are free, and won’t cost you anything. There is a caveat though, that is you may need to force a slight change in your behavior and habits.
In today’s world of increasing economic woes, more individuals are turning towards criminal behavior as they become angrier, looking for someone to blame, and may be downright desperate. You, as a ‘normal’ person, may be walking among them from time to time and you don’t even know it or recognize it.
To a large extent, the key to avoid being victimized is to simply be aware. Awareness consciously (and subconsciously) changes your own behavior such that you will be more likely to avoid dangerous situations that could escalate into violence.
Define ‘awareness’ in the context of your self-security:
- Know what is happening or has happened in your field of travel
- Look around you (and behind you) while moving (walking, driving, etc) outside your home
- Make eye contact while scanning in crowded public places
Know what is happening or has happened in your field of travel
Whether by paying attention to the news or ‘hearsay’, understand the history of the area you are about to travel in. Most people over time will come to understand where the ‘bad’ areas are in their local region – areas especially vulnerable to crime.
If you are new to the area, or if traveling outside your own area, make an effort to discover where these ‘bad’ areas are. A great tool to look for crime reports is on CrimeReports.com, which shows maps dotted with crime reports in Canada, the U.S., and the UK.
(No, they’re not an advertiser… it’s just a really useful tool)
Look around you (and behind you) while traveling
This simple behavior is more effective than you may imagine. Reason being, is that so many people do not do this, are ignorant to their surroundings, and are the first to become victims. Predators look for the weaker prey. Someone who is looking down, or who appears to be in their own little world, are prime targets for criminals.
Instead, scan around you from time to time, with your head up straight, as you walk with purpose – shoulders back, and confident. Not only might you avoid an unruly-looking gang of troublemakers, but they might avoid targeting YOU.
Make eye contact while scanning in crowded public places
Making purposeful, but quick eye contact is another very effective deterrent to a criminal. Here’s the reason… Most people purposely avoid eye contact in public places. They want to remain in their own little world, and by looking down or avoiding eye contact, they are convinced that they will remain in that cocoon. The reality is that they are entirely wrong.
Sure, that type of behavior may avoid unwanted conversation that otherwise might initiate from a stranger, but that’s about it… By occasionally scanning and making quick eye contact with others, tells any potential criminal that you are not afraid. ‘Quick’ eye contact simply means don’t stare. Staring will provoke a stranger.
Paranoia
Is this type of behavior simply a bunch of paranoia? Do you have to walk around being paranoid to avoid being in the wrong place at the wrong time? No, of course not. Granted, for some people, learning to do these simple things will feel uncomfortable at first – and they may feel as though they are being paranoid. However, after awhile, this will become part of you, just like being able to carry on a conversation with someone while driving a car. It’s no big deal…
Bolster some confidence while you’re out and about. It may unknowingly ward off a pick-pocket, purse-snatcher, or worse criminal, without you even knowing it happened!
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Some other things to be aware of:
Be aware of someone hanging around a natural chokepoint that you are walking towards. Like a gate or doorway. This forces you to walk close to them and at some point turn your back to them.
Watch out for the unusual cheerful or talkative individual that approaches you and asks for help, directions, money, or has some strange story. Some criminals are very good at appearing friendly and are trying to get you to lower your guard. Best advice is to either say nothing to them or say you cannot help and continue walking while staying as far as you can from them.
Avoid walking between two people walking towards you. Two men comeing towards you and they separate to allow you to walk between them doesn’t make sense. Walk against the building or fence so no one can walk on that side.
When approaching strangers protect your strong side. If you are right handed or have a weapon in your right hand pocket then walk so that people pass you on your left.
Watch people as they pass you using your peripheral vision to make sure they don’t turn behind you with the intent of harming you. Use windows or other reflective surfaces to keep an eye what’s going on around you.
If you are being followed enter a public place. If nothing is available move towards light and people. if neither of these is possible stop, preferably at a spot with some protection for you back and turn to face them. Obviously be ready if they intend to do you harm this may preciptate it. On the other hand most criminals prefer to suprise their prey so this can be the best defense.
Unless you are a cage fighter or black belt you cannot fight two people. If two people are targeting you this is condition red and you need to act fast. Go to a house where people are home, go to a public place, move with other people.
I say always carry some sort of weapon, whatever you can carry legally. Be prepared to use that weapon also. Criminal scum have a sixth sense about them that they seldom attack someone that carries a weapon and is fully willing to use it. Whenever you hear of a victim it is almost always that the person was unarmed. Sometimes you hear of a criminal slime attacking someone that is quite prepared for such an attack, and this is news to everyone’s ears as it more often than not turns out that there is another criminal filth off the streets. When someone has a weapon they walk differently, they look like don’t mess with me. Everyone remember, you are better off defending yourself and hurting some criminal than this garbage hurting you, or worse.