|
[http://www.officialsanantonio.com/dir/insertpage_.htm]
|
|
Our family is at the center of our personal universe. Most people would do almost anything for the sake of their family. That includes protecting them from known dangers and harm. This becomes increasing difficult, at times, because we live in an open society where we share the same public places as the violent criminals. The only place where we have control over our environment is in our home. We can make our home reasonably safe by fortifying it, as necessary, to protect our families once inside. See
web page on Home Security Tips and Home Invasion Survival Tips for more information on protecting your home.
Whenever your family walks out the front door they leave that zone of protection that you have created. The secret to keeping your family reasonable safe once they leave home is to have a family security plan. To develop a family security plan you must give careful thought to the public routines of each family member and think of ways to make them safer from the violent people in the world. The best way to accomplish this is to hold a family meeting to discuss this plan and play "what if" using different scenarios. For example, what if we need to use the ATM machine, what steps should we take to make the process safer. 'What if' we need to go to the shopping at the mall, what precautions can we take while in the parking lot. While walking to our car on the street at night what if someone approaches to rob us, what would we do and how would we react.
Most people have no such family plan and have not met as a family to discuss what if situations. When or if a criminal assault does occur, the family will not prepared and will have to rely on instinct in response to the incident. But 'what if' their instincts are wrong or their reactions inappropriate under the circumstances? We read about these all the time in the newspaper or hear about them on television, for example, where a man tried to overpower a gunman, only to be shot and killed. We have also become aware of incidents where a child was walking home from school and was tricked into a car of a total stranger and kidnapped.
In the following report, I have attempted to set forth some of the most common types of criminal confrontations, in the most common settings, that a family may face in their lifetime. I suggest that you hold a family meeting to discuss these scenarios and decide what steps your family should take in response to these threats. I have offered suggestions on various options that a family may choose in response to a criminal assault. The suggestions that I offer are not the only possible response, nor do I guarantee that they will be effective in all situations. Your response to any criminal assault is highly personal and depends on the physical and mental capabilities of each family member.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHOPPING CENTERS
Shopping centers come in all sizes from the giant regional malls to the small strip-center with only a few stores. What they have in common is a parking lot. This is where your family is at greatest risk because of the "nature" of a parking lot. If you think about it, we are all strangers in a large parking lot. Violent criminals can blend in with the rest of us and get in close proximity fairly easily. Criminal predators can walk right by us and we will allow it because of the public setting. Next time you go to a large shopping center sit in the parking lot for a few minutes and observe how easy it would be for a criminal predator to approach and attack you or your family. Shoppers walk to and from their cars totally consumed by their thoughts and thinking about what they are going to do next. Watch shoppers as they approach their cars fumbling for their keys. They will turn their backs and attention completely away from those nearby to load their shopping bags into the car, and get children and infants installed inside the vehicle. Most shopping center violent crimes occur precisely at this point. The most common violent crimes are purse-snatch and strong-arm robbery. Less common but potentially more serious are the crimes of carjacking and abduction.
To protect your family in this setting the best defense is awareness. Awareness will allow you anticipate the potential danger and plan ahead for the next time you go to a shopping center. Planning includes selecting a safer time to shop (daylight) and arranging not to shop alone if possible. You can plan where to park (i.e. not next to a large van) and in high traffic areas. You can plan to scan the area for suspicious males before parking and exiting your vehicle. You can also plan not to park or exit your vehicle if suspicious males are in the area. Families should agree in advance to exit and enter their vehicle quickly and lock the doors. Families should be trained to look around their vehicle before approaching and retreat if anyone suspicious is loitering in the area. They should be trained to return to the shopping center and alert security or call the police.
Be aware and alert to predators in the parking lot
Plan when to go and where to park
Do not get out of the car if not safe to do so
Scan the area around your car as you approach it
Teach your family to enter and exit the care quickly
Return to the store if anyone looks or acts suspicious
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOTELS AND MOTELS
Whether traveling on business or pleasure with your family it may become necessary to stay overnight in a hotel or motel. Your hotel room becomes your 'home' for the night and is your sanctuary while you sleep. It is important to give some thought to what hotel or motel you select and what room you are willing to accept. The cost of the hotel room is not always a good predictor of how safe the room or property will be. There are a few rules that should apply to any hotel room you rent.
Always request a room on an upper floor, if possible. Ground floor rooms are more vulnerable to crime problems because of access and ease of escape. In a high rise building, rooms above the fifth floor are usually safer than those below, again because of accessibility and ease of escape. Criminals do not want to be trapped on an upper floor inside a high-rise hotel. High-rise buildings usually have fewer access points and is easier for the hotel staff to monitor who passes through the lobby after hours.
Hotel or motel rooms should be equipped with a solid-wood or a metal door for best protection. Room doors should have a deadbolt lock with a one-inch throw bolt. If the lock looks worn or there are pry marks around the lock area, get another room or move to another hotel. The knob lock should be hotel-style where you can push a button on the inside knob and block out all keys. This feature is designed to prevent a former guest or housekeeper from entering the room once your are inside. Hotels with electronic card-access has the advantage of being able to disable former key-cards issued to other guests. The room door should have a wide-angle peephole so you can view who is at the door before opening. Do not rely on door chains or swing bars to secure the doors when you peek out to speak someone. Teach your children not to open the door to any hotel room without knowing the person on the other side.
Make sure all windows and sliding doors are secured if they are accessible from the ground. It is a good idea to pull on all windows and glass doors to test if they are secure. Beware of balconies where someone can climb from one to another and enter through an open window or sliding door. If the windows or sliding doors are not securable, ask for another room or find another hotel.
If you are a woman traveling alone or with small children, take advantage of car valet service, if available to avoid the parking lot. After checking in ask the bellman or desk clerk to escort you to your room. After unlocking the room, quickly inspect the closets, under the bed, and bathroom including behind the shower curtain before the bellman leaves. When you find a suitable hotel that meets your standards and will cater to your needs try to stick with it or with the same hotel chain.
Always request a room on an upper floor, if possible
A solid core door with a good deadbolt lock is best
Electronic card-access locks minimize key control questions
Make sure your door has a peephole and night latch and use it
Use your do not disturb sign whenever you are in the room
Inspect the room hiding places upon entering and check all locks
Ask the bellman for an escort and use valet parking, if alone
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ATM MACHINES
ATM cash machines have been incorporated in our way of life. They offer a real convenience to those on the run but at the same time offer an element of risk. Using an ATM machine safely requires awareness and a little planning. Just because an ATM machine is open and available 24-hours a day doesn't mean it is safe to use it. Most ATM robberies occur at night between 8:00 PM and midnight. ATM robbers are usually males under 25 years of age and most work alone. ATM robbers usually position themselves nearby waiting for a victim to approach and withdraw cash. Most ATM robbery victims are women and were alone when robbed. Most claim that they never saw the robber coming. Most ATM robbers used a gun or claimed to have a concealed weapon when confronting the victim and demanding their cash.
If you or your family members use ATM cash machines on a regular basis, here are some tips that can make the process a little safer. Use only ATM machines in well-lighted, high-traffic areas. Don't use ATM machines that are remote or hidden such as being located behind buildings, behind pillars or away from public view. Beware of obvious hiding places like shrubbery or overgrown trees. ATM robbers like to have the element of surprise with no witnesses.
Get a list of ATM locations from your bank and keep it in your car. Choose an ATM that looks and 'feels' safer, even if it is a couple of miles out of the way. Try and limit your use to daylight hours. When you drive up to an ATM location, scan the area for any suspicious persons. If you see anyone suspicious standing nearby or sitting in a car, drive away. Listen to your 'gut' instinct. When you approach an ATM on foot be prepared and have your access card ready. After inserting your card and your PIN number keep an eye out behind you. If anyone suspicious or seemingly dangerous approaches terminate your transaction and leave immediately even if it means leaving your ATM card in the machine. When you receive cash from the machine put it away immediately, extract your card, and walk away.
If you use your car at a drive-thru ATM machine the same rules apply. Make sure there are no obvious hiding places or suspicious persons loitering in the area. If there are, listen to your gut instinct and drive away. Keep the car in gear, with your foot firmly on the brake, while using the ATM machine. Keep a close eye on your rear and side view mirrors during the transaction. Robbers almost always approach from the rear on the drivers side. If you see anyone approaching, drive off even if it means leaving your ATM card behind. If you are confronted by an armed robber, just give up your money without argument. The cash is not worth serious injury or death.
Only use ATM machines in a well-lighted, open, high-traffic area
Avoid ATM machines adjacent to obvious hiding places
When you approach an ATM scan the area first for loiterers
Have your card ready and leave quickly, not counting your cash in public
Walk or drive away immediately if your instincts tell you so
Don't argue with a robber, if confronted, and give up the cash
Don't fight with or attempt to follow the robber
Drive to a safe place and immediately call the police
I hope you found these ideas helpful
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
[http://www.officialsanantonio.com/ads/ls/right 120x600_21.htm] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
