Be safer by being aware of your surroundings

Criminal usually rely upon the element of surprise. Those potential victims, however, who are aware of stalking criminals well before their attack, will have a better chance to avoid the attacks or to flee from them.

Criminals prefer to victimize individuals, for example, who are:

1. Daydreaming.
2. Impaired by alcohol or drugs.
3. Wearing earphones and listening to music.
4. Talking or texting on a cell phone.

There are times, however, when it is safe and healthy to be totally absorbed in pleasures such as a movie, a daydream, or a song. When in a safe environment, such as at home and among friends, less environmental awareness is appropriate and restful. A safe environment is similar to the green light of a stoplight.

When there is danger in your environment, however, these dangers should bring about caution similar to the way a yellow light provokes caution at a stoplight. Examples of possible dangers in environments might include:

1. A stranger walking in your neighborhood between midnight and four a.m..
2. A stranger who is continually driving slowly around your neighborhood.
3. A stranger sitting in a parked car in your neighborhood for an extended period of time.
4. A person loitering in a parking lot and not moving toward a store or toward a car.

When a danger is imminent, the situation is similar to the red light of a stoplight. To avoid becoming a victim, you should take action. Examples of such imminent dangers might be:

1. A stranger who is fast approaching you as you are about to open your apartment door and to enter your apartment.
2. A creepy person on the street who makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck, and who is rapidly closing the distance between him and you.
3. A drunken stranger who is without laundry and who is loitering in your apartment laundry room.
4. A person who is not a customer and who is loitering around the pumps of an inner city gas station at night.
5. A strange person who is pushing all of the buttons at the buzz in panel of your apartment building.
6. A strange person who attempts to follow you into your apartment building after you buzz yourself into your building.

The above are just a few of the situations that call for awareness to avoid becoming a victim. What situations can you add? Please comment below.