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Health & Fitness

Post #4. Situational Awareness -Southern California Mall Assault

Post #4. Situational Awareness -Southern California Mall Assault

Posted by Henderson Cooper, December 12, 2013 at 09:51 pm

First, I hope you all had a full and hearty Thanksgiving and Hanukkah time.

Did you see or hear the news report?  Yes, there was one in Orange County where a woman was attacked, walking to her car in a mall parking structure. I don't make these things up.    My heart goes out to the victim.  Such attacks are mean, evil and cowardly.  But I have to say, they are avoidable. At the very least they can be made more difficult for the evil doers.

The answer is...you guessed it, Awareness!

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Officials are recommending in this upcoming holiday shopping season that women should partner up for their outings.  A good suggestion, but not often a practical one.  Everyone has challenges to their schedules with work, family, kids, and their many daily responsibilities.  Coordination for shopping may not work for many out there.

So you may well be on your own!  You can do this.

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It is your eyes, your ears and your head that will make it work for you.  First, I know you have your shopping list.  I know your fielding calls from family, friends and even the office.  But you must separate the you when shopping, from the you that is leaving the mall.  You are going from one presumably friendly and joyful place to a place filled with threats.

Heading to your car, to the transit station or just out into the environment, this is the time to change your focus.

Before walking out those revolving or sliding doors, stop!  Set yourself up for the next action.  Put the things in your hands as away as much as is possible.  Keys can and should be in hand at the ready.  Purse slung securely in your respective secure spot.  In a perfect world you would have begun this by carrying into the mall only the absolute necessary things.  Your ID, your cards, your phone, etc.  a big cumbersome purse may not always be necessary.  Having said that, that purse can be a weapon which, when wielded with skill could serve to protect you.  But that is another advanced lesson.  As was suggested in some of the news reporting it might be of some value having your phone in a position of advantage for making an  emergency call.  But you certainly should not be talking on it.  A purse slung over your arm may make for convenience to free your hands, but it also might make an easy tool for the criminal to pull you off balance. 

Before walking out those doors review in your mind where you are going. Where is your car parked, what is your path of travel, etc?  What do you see ahead of you?  Who do you see ahead of you?  Who do you see behind you or standing and watching you?  Did you make any big dollar purchases, thus giving a watching criminal the impression you might have money?   Have you attracted an admirer?  

Awareness in this case, whether you are concerned about a thief, robber or a sexual assault attacker, comes from keeping your head on your profile, your actions, your environment and what you are currently and next about to do. 

Yes, there certainly is more to this.  You should presume you are being watched from the very beginning of your outing.  But especially when you go into that parking structure.  Choose you parking spot tactically, not conveniently or by luck.  Think lighting, visibility, accessibility and the lack of hiding places for bad guys.  Pay attention when leaving your car, and when returning to it.

You can do this!  More to come, are you listening?

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