1       50% of attacks are within one mile of the victims’ home – if not actually in it!

2       Most encounters will occur in low light conditions or complete dark.

3       A – Most burglars are opportunists. This is in complete contrast to the glamorous movie style brainiac that is normally presented on film. The thief who can circumvent security systems, cameras, watch dogs, trembler alarms, motions sensors, and observant home owners is mostly a myth. Most just happen to wander past your home and see the garage door open and figure, “I’ll give it a shot.” Or brazenly walk up to the front door, or back door, and try it…voila.

B – He is also more likely to be a repeat offender; if not for breaking and entering, then for a full spectrum of other crimes all the way up to rape and murder.

4       Home invasions are on the rise. Worse yet, some are being perpetrated by well organized gangs, yes, gangs, and by the time you have reacted to the door being kicked in, half a dozen strange men are in your house and have control of your family.

I know some of you are thinking that only happens in rough areas – right? Well, consider this for a moment:

If you, as a gang member, were going to risk being shot and killed by an armed and angry home owner, wouldn’t you consider the, “risk versus reward” philosophy? Jail time for a cheap “low” reward house will be the same as an expensive, “high” reward establishment.

It might be a bit scary to think about, but ignorance in this case is NOT bliss! You aren’t safer just because you choose not to think about it – you just make your reaction to an event such as this a whole lot slower, should it happen.

I just want you to consider the possibility and plan accordingly. Do not freak out. Living in fear doesn’t help – in fact it hinders.

Instead, aim to live in a moderate full-time state of awareness, or “in the yellow” as a close friend of mine, Monica, likes to say (this is based off Jeff Coopers color code system discussed in an earlier Blog and taught at my seminars).

Consider the possibility it could happen, although the chances are it won’t, and then if it does, you have a plan for staying in one piece. You may only need to implement your plan once in your lifetime – but if you do…boy will you be glad you had one to implement!

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/7262824/ – check out this story as an eye opener….

The list of ways criminals would make you a victim is endless, or could be, and a little research on your part can pay dividends in shortening the list.

Talk to your local Police Departments – whether officially or off the record. Ask the guys working the front lines, too. Not some PR “person” being paid to keep the panic to a minimum in the community by withholding pertinent information.

FYI – most authorities run on the premise that too much information shared with the general public will cause panic. So they tend to err on the side of too little information. They think we’ll all start running around like headless chickens the second something goes awry. OF course, I don’t expect you to curl into the fetal position the second an alarm bell sounds. But I would like you to know what the alarm bell is ringing for, (research your area) and apply the appropriate pre-determined response.

Not panicking is still a long way from reacting the right way! 

A great thing to do (and I’ve done this myself) is a ride along with a cop from your town. Do yourself one favor, listen more than you talk – you’ll learn more.

We have some of the best trained and best equipped first responders in the world – the world!

But first responders are never there first. It isn’t their fault; they just can’t be everywhere at once. Take 9/11 for example – it was ordinary citizens in nearly every case that had to face the threat first, and alone. First responders will get there as fast as they can, believe me. But in the time it takes them to get on scene, you could be in a world of trouble…

This is especially true if you haven’t prepared mentally for the fact that it might be YOU that has to respond first, whether it is in your own defense, or with first aid to save your own life or the life of a family member.   

None of this information is to try and scare you, although unfortunately, sometimes it takes a good dose of fear to get people to become pro-active in their own security and well being. I’m trying to make a realist out of you: Someone that has considered some of the most likely possibilities, made some loose plans, informed their loved ones of their roles and now has a plan ready to be put into effect.

Or better yet, a few plans! LOL.

To borrow from Gavin De Becker (and all of his books should be required reading in my opinion) –

“Every woman is a target. Not every woman needs to be a victim!”

Cheers, Terry