PARKING LOT SAFETY AND AVOIDING ATTACKS

I have read many articles recently of people getting attacked in parking lots while getting into their parked vehicle. The attacks included kidnapping, rape, murder, robbery and multiple thefts. I believe a basic overview of awareness techniques is required for our readers and anyone who is interested in learning how to spot and avoid potential on coming attackers.

Move with a purpose when you are in public. Know where you are going and how to get there fast and efficiently. Be as discreet as possible so as to not draw unwarranted attention to yourself. Keep your eyes up and make sure that everyone around you knows that you are aware of your surroundings. Make brief eye contact (don’t stare down anyone like John Wayne). Say hello but don’t engage in conversation if someone is in your personal space bubble. Walk with your head up, shoulders back, and make yourself appear as confident as possible. Hopefully you learn some self-defense measures, be it weapon or weapon-less defense techniques. If you have not learned self-defense then at least appear as if you had.

Keep your phone in your pocket or purse when in public and keep your hands as empty as possible. Make sure to keep any purse or bag as small and as close to your body as possible. If you have to carry shopping bags keep them in your weak hand so you can still fight with your strong hand if needed. Always wear shoes you can fight or run in. Keep an emergency whistle or small air horn in your bag with (Safety Products) a self-defense weapon (IT DRAWS BETTER ATTENTION). Don’t assume others will help because they usually won’t. FIGHT FIRST as it is YOUR life.

Look for things that do not add up such as loiterers, drunkards, gangs or groups who do not seem to have a legitimate purpose to be in that area at that time. Avoid those people if possible, however, if you cannot avoid them then ask a store worker or security official to walk you to your vehicle. If you have a self-defense weapon then keep it legally concealed until you have to use it. Issue a prompt loud warning just before you deploy that weapon.

When you get to your vehicle, do not waste time or get distracted. Look at your surroundings in your immediate span of control for any imminent threats. Pan handlers or adjacently parked vehicles with people inside them. Always question their motive and just give yourself the best angle of attack or escape in case things get sticky with those too close to your proximity. In law enforcement we call this “Position of Advantage”.

Place your bags in your trunk, get in your car and go as expeditiously as possible. I mean you don’t have to “DUKES OF HAZARD IT” but just move fast, particularly when you feel uneasy about something. That is you’re built in SPIDEY sense telling you something is wrong. Too many times I have heard women say that they knew something felt wrong but they continued to engage their phone or put on their make-up before they got attacked. Listen to what your instincts are telling you. JOIN OUR A.G.E.N.T PROGRAM for more useful information like this.