John Palmer, August speaker at "Men's 710 Second Tuesdays" breakfast fellowship, explored issues of personal security and safety in one's home and life. John's focused message, drawing on his experience in law enforcement, noted that there are only approximately 1.22 police officers for every 1000 people in the United States. While most residential burglaries take place in three to eight minutes, response by police officers averages 17 to 28 minutes. The typical thief is long gone by the time police arrive. The issue thus becomes, how can one safeguard one's self and possessions?
One's Self. Safety begins with taking care of one's self. In emergency the prolonging of life can be enhanced by a couple simple activities. If there are chronic health problems, a health data medallion can be obtained and worn. EMTs and other health professionals can save critical time by ascertaining information from such medallions with the result that health emergencies can be addressed more quickly and efficiently. If a home emergency occurs, whether health related or safety and security related, a household may use a strobe light such as the "Fire Fly" to help emergency vehicles identify a dwelling in the middle of the night. People that possess unused, old, "disconnected" cell phones can assist neighbors without cell phones, by donating them or giving them to a neighbor with no cell phone service. The 9-1-1 emergency function will continue to work with those phones, even when they have been officially "disconnected." In case of personal attack, the elbow is the sharpest part of the body and can be used effectively when being attacked, but flight, i.e., running from danger, is the best wisdom. John notes, "If a wallet or car keys are being demanded, throw them as far as you can and flee in the opposite direction--there is only a 4% chance of being shot successfully by the assailant." Avoid remote places like stairwells.
Personal Vehicles. The most important prevention thing about crime in and around motor vehicles is to be aware of surroundings. To discourage the stealing of automobiles, cars should be parked where they can be readily seen from such short-term stops as restaurants. Since 46% of all stolen cars were taken because of keys left in the car or actually in the ignition, keys should always leave the car with the driver. Even if a car is only taken by juveniles doing a joy ride, typical repair averages $4600. A simple steering wheel lock is a practical discouragement. A piece of opaque tape over the vehicle ID number by the windshield is a special disincentive for thieves of higher end vehicles.
Victims. His presentation explored problems experienced by women and men. John noted a number of behaviors that women (and men, in some cases) could utilize for their personal protection. Since victimization is most common in or near parking lots, special attention to personal safety issues should be foremost when approaching personal vehicles in lots. When leaving a car, a person should note where the car is parked so that it can be found easily on return. Any receipts from shopping should be put away before returning to the automobile. Women may want to carry pepper spray, and not the weak 1% solution used by letter carriers for animal protection, but the heavier duty 20% solution which is carried by 99% of all law enforcement officers. Pepper spray is effective in more cases than the earlier generation spray, Mace. If suspicious people are near the car on return, the woman should return to the store and request an escort to the car. In the case of the purse, do not wrap any strap around the neck to discourage being pulled down by an attacker grabbing that strap. Avoid doing lip stick and cosmetic tune-ups in parking lots. Women tend to be helpful--they need to be very careful of ploys which prey on their helpfulness. Yes, and what about being kidnapped and going for a ride in someone's trunk when your car is being heisted? Kick out a tail light and get your hand through the opening and wave hard! It works.
Home Protection. Over one third of all homes can be entered, robbed, and exited in less than eight minutes. Thieves may be discouraged by some simple things: "Be Aware of Dog" signs; dog paraphernalia such as bowls, chins, collars lying in porches; use of home security services or devices such as the "Guardian" which trigger emergency alerting. There are no safe hiding spots in homes for valuables. Fire safes are often taken whole--minimally they need to be bolted down to the floor to be effectively protected from thievery.
Former FBI Agent John Palmer is a resident of Gulf Shores and volunteers with Metro Crime Prevention of Florida (1-800-771-7477). He is available for programs in home safety, identity theft, and rape prevention.
