Crime is everywhere, unfortunately. We are all, for the most
part, always dialed into our phones or computers making it appear to be
everywhere all the time. That’s what it could be or has it always been that way
and we just didn’t have up to date access to reports 24/7 before all this
technology. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to always be aware of your
surroundings, no matter where you are.
What sparked this blog? I was skimming through Facebook and
saw an article, “Written by a Cop,” but didn’t have who actually wrote it. The
article does have great tips to keep yourself safe and out of harm’s way so I
really to use it. I did some digging and found it on Snopes. Great,
right? Well the good thing is that Snopes says it’s true and false. In no
particular order, here are some tips I pulled from the Snopes article with what
to actually do or not do:
-
The article says that your elbow is the
strongest point your body has and if you are in a position to use it, throw
that elbow. Though your elbow is pretty strong, you knee is stronger. If you
are an MMA fighter, and/or if you are an expert in self –defense, then
absolutely go to battle. If not, it’s suggested to use this as a last resort.
-
When you get into your car after shopping, lock
your doors and leave. Hanging around,
responding to text messages or emails, looking for gum in your bag, etc...,
isn’t a great idea. Especially if you are in a parking garage, where there are
lots of hiding places for those with not good intentions. Oh and always have
your keys out and ready to unlock your vehicle, instead of rummaging through
your bag on the way or once you’re at your vehicle.
-
Speaking of parking garages, is it safer to take
the stairs or the elevator? There’s not as much traffic, usually, when taking
the stairs so they can pose as a place for a predator to hide out. BUT, taking
the elevator can be unsafe as well. Most of us choose the elevator over the
stairs so there are more people flowing through them, making them a bit more
public. When you’re in a situation where you just don’t feel right about someone
that may be entering the elevator with you, don’t get in the elevator. It’s
best, in any situation, to always, always be aware of your surroundings.
-
Don’t walk to your car looking at your phone or
digging into your purse. Look where you are going, so you don’t trip and fall
but also to be on the lookout for someone with bad intentions. Look in your car
before you get in it. Paying attention could save your life.
-
While you’re paying attention to your
surroundings, make sure you change up your routine. Most of us are creatures of
habit and have our days planned out which usually makes life easier but that
could also make it easier for a predator to strike. Change is good.
There also was a recent post, also on Facebook, about a
woman at a mall in the DFW area that witnessed suspicious behavior that
involved a couple who started out by simply complementing the woman’s young
children. The older couple quickly made the woman feel uneasy, as the couple
continued to watch her children play at the indoor playground at the mall.
Being conscience of her surroundings and clearly being monitored by the couple,
she gathered her children and left the mall. As she attempted to walk out to her
vehicle, she did notice the couple, along with a couple others pacing around a
van, with the side door open and in a position to where they’d be able to
easily drive away. She did report it to the mall security and waited for the
van to leave. For whatever reason, the woman felt as if maybe it could have
been a human trafficking ring and felt the urgency to get the word out. What
better way than to post it on social media to help with awareness. Within the
comments of the post, some of her friends posted they had noticed similar
activity at that mall and another mall in the DFW area, all moms of young
children. That’s alarming. There was also a law enforcement officer that stated
malls in general have high amounts of reported crimes, especially trafficking.
Malls have seemed to be the place for them to frequent for victims. With that,
again, always be aware of your surroundings, keep a close eye on your children
and report anything that you feel is not right. I will take safe over sorry any
day.
Click 2 Houston posted an article in 2014, stating
that Houston was ranked the No. 1 city in the United States to have the most
human trafficking victims. They also reported that FBI records from 2013 have
California ranked the No. 1 state with the most reports for human trafficking and
Texas ranked at No. 2. Reading this definitely
made me uneasy.
Always be aware of your surroundings, day and night. If
something feels amiss, turn around and look for help. It is not worth it.
For more information on Human Trafficking, click https://traffickingresourcecenter.org/
or call 1-888-373-7888.
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