Murderer's Market: Don't Be A Kidnapping Opportunity
The statistics of crime are staggering, and often we hear of women being sexually assaulted, taken from one location to another to be defiled. Today’s Murderer’s Market is going to provide you with the tips you need to stay safe, and hopefully aware of the predators among us.
I am addicted to crime television. Maybe it’s because I don’t get enough fodder from my everyday world. Yet, when I am analyzing case law, reviewing the facts surrounding violent crimes or attempting to assess a matter for further investigation, I must not only scrutinize the named perpetrator’s statements, but also the evidence as provided, and keep in mind that of the how the crime occurred.
Recently, while watching Investigation Discovery a case hit too close to home. A young woman was attacked and kidnapped while shopping at a store. In broad daylight, she was taken. Unfortunately, and tragically, she did not survive this attack.
Through watching the episode, my survival tips were confirmed. To stay safe, we have to be vigilant and proactive, not passive. You can never be too safe!
Crimes combine motive and opportunity
When we are out and about, it is easy to get distracted by the cell phones, tablets, iPads, iPods, etc. and not pay attention to one’s surroundings. Although most violent crimes are committed against people known by the victim, there are the rare occurrences of individuals falling victim to strangers — those who are searching for someone to hurt, assault and potentially kill.
As the would-be perpetrator is watching you (he because women are more likely to be kidnapped and assaulted by men, more than by other women), you are not going to understand his motive or reason why he is searching for a victim. But know that he is looking for an opportunity to strike. He is watching to see if you will fulfill his fantasy, in appearance, type, movement or just in availability.
Here are a few of my tips to stay safe, when out and about at a retailer:
1. Park in well-lit areas People lurk in shadows and with limit visibility this can be a problem. One problem is parking in larger parking lots. Here it is best to park close to the store and in a well-lit area. Danger can’t then hide to ambush you in the shadows.
2. Stay safe: be vigilant No matter how busy you are, pay attention to your surroundings. If you feel that you are being watched, you probably are. If you are walking down aisles at a store and constantly seeing the same person, PAY ATTENTION. It could be that this individual is not only checking you out, but HUNTING you.
3. Speak Up If you’ve noticed the hunter, then now is the time to speak up. There are two options at this point. If you are in a store, around people, you can confront the person following you. Usually this will result in him making some excuse and leaving you alone. Because it is a situation he cannot control, as well as an unplanned scenario and he will not be able to disappear with you without being notice, he will leave. However, should you feel too timid to take a heads on approach, now is the time to tell store security, call and let family members know what is going on.
You can also request that security walk you to your car because of what you perceive as a threat against you. If no one is available, ask for the manager of the store and explain it to them.
4. Use your keys as a weapon In the parking lot, or while walking out in the open, keep your car key between your fore- and middle fingers. Just in case someone should reach out to grab you, you are prepared without having to dig for a weapon to fight back.
5. When you are at your car, then unlock it. Please do not unlock your car at a distance. It can provide the hunter with an opportunity to get to your car before you can. Instead, when nearby and when your car is fully in sight, then unlock it. Should you have bags in a cart, store your bags, and re-lock your car while you store your shopping cart.
6. If Attacked – If you are attacked, and the hunter demands that you get in the car, be he armed or not, DO NOT GET IN THE CAR. It is better to risk being battered there in the parking lot, than to be transported. Usually, and statically, if one is transported from the original scene, then it is a one way trip.
Instead, use everything at your disposal and FIGHT BACK! Never allow them to think for a moment that you will not fight back.
Use the alarm on your car to tell the world that you are being attacked, as well as your voice. Scream, scratch, kick, bite, and fight back with all that you have, because your life will surely depend on it.
Open up a can of Whoop-Ass. It might just save your life.
In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have to be so cautious, day or night, about our safety. Yet in this often violent world, it is better to be prepared than to fall victim.
What tips would you add to the list? Better yet, what can we do to be proactive to ensure our safety when we are out and about?
————– UPDATE——————
I’ve received some interesting emails to update my list, but I thought to share some of the wonderful tips here as well.
Reader Sharon D. suggested: "Have your keys in your hand before you leave a lighted area. Do not dig for your keys in the dark, especially when you get to the car. At that point you are exposed and not paying attention to your surroundings."
Also weapons – use in this order
1. Brain – you can outsmart most attackers.
2. Voice – yell as loud and is low a pitch as possible. Screaming is a weak sound, making you appear more helpless than you are.
3. Physical defense only if necessary. But if you must – use anything hard on your body against anything soft on the attacker’s body.“
As more tips come in, I’ll add them to this ever growing list!
TINA GLASNECK is a crime fiction writer. Currently working on the next book in her Spark before Dying, Series. she is researching the ins and out of the human psyche and ensuring that her characters are filled with shades of gray and maybe even have a puppy. Learn more about Tina at her website: www.TinaGlasneck.com
