They Just Came out of Nowhere!!

Today we live in a time when we need to be aware of our surroundings. I go to work everyday and take calls regarding many different types of crimes. We read and hear on the news of all kinds of crimes, the BTK Killer, Natalie Holloway’s disappearance, I could go on and on. The city is buzzing with burglaries, sexual assaults, theft of vehicles, stalking and more.

People are overwhelmed daily, their vehicles are taken, their purses are snatched or they are assaulted in some way. Violence doesn't just come out of nowhere! Maybe by writing this post I can help you to prevent a crime in your own life or the life of someone you love. I have listed a few warning signs you might not have noticed before.

One thing to remember is criminals do not want to be caught, even habitually violent criminals usually mentally prepare themselves.. It may be a preplanned decision or an emotional reaction to circumstances, but either way there are usually warning signals.

A criminal will also try to decide if you are safe to attack. “Can I get away with it?” is a major motivation for what people decide to do or not to do. If an assailant decides he cannot successfully or easily attack you, he may seek easier prey.

Some of the ways a person may try to decide if it is safe to attack you is to approach you needing information or a small item, to distract you. While he is talking he may be getting into a position to attack or checking your awareness about what he is doing and your commitment to defending yourself. Always answer with No and insist on him keeping his distance.

An unexpected emotional blitz, like they just popped out of nowhere is another strategy which relies on you not being accustomed to dealing with extreme emotional violence. You must be willing to immediately shift into an extreme of physical violence, if you display this commitment, the attacker will often abort.

Someone may be observing you. They may never speak until they attack, but they have been watching you all along. They may follow you or position themselves out of sight, or may make their presence known and decide to attack if you show fear.

Remember a criminal wants to overwhelm you quickly and effectively, not fight you. If someone walks up to you, the closer he gets, the more chance he has to overwhelm and control. Five feet is the closest you should allow someone you don’t trust to approach, whether you know him or not. If they insist on coming closer, their intentions are not good. They may also try to approach you in a direction that traps you between a car or large object, or between you and an exit, or in a place where you don’t see him, so they have the element of surprise working in their favor. Beware of individuals splitting up when they approach you, one may circle around while the other distracts you.

Just keep in mind, you need to be aware of your surroundings, look around when you come out of a store or your home. Trust your instincts, if you feel something is not right, it may not be. Pay attention to suspicious vehicles or persons in your neighborhood or workplace, report any suspicious activity. Don’t let strangers into your home. Don’t leave with someone you don’t know. Pay special attention to where you park, try to get close to the entrance if you can. Just be aware, don’t go out on automatic, we have to be proactive, not paranoid, but aware. I hope this information helps. Take Care!!