At our Lunch and Learn program on Wednesday, March 19th, we learned about what steps we can take to protect ourselves from those intent on doing us harm. Our speaker, Stan McCauley, from the Washington City Police Department was engaging, interesting and educational as he helped us think about how "Keeping Safe Begins with ME." He reminded us that predators are everywhere and may not "look" like the usual suspects. They may choose to act according to a plan or merely on the spur of the moment once a seemingly 'easy' target is identified. Stan enumerated various ways to avoid being on their radar.

Primary to enhancing your personal safety when out in public is Be a Hard Target Have situational awareness.

  • Walk with confidence at all times.
  • Have your head up, scanning the area. Staring down a predator projects strength.
  • Keep one hand free so you can be ready to act.
  • Make eye contact with people in passing - don't 'hide.'
  • Be prepared to cause a scene by talking LOUDLY or YELLING to draw attention.

If you are accosted or may be in the process of being robbed, do all you can to avoid being taken to a secondary crime scene. Give the predator what they want. A 'thing' can be replaced, a life cannot. Although a predator may brandish a weapon, there is a 50% chance you will escape with your life, but it will be your decision whether to fight back. If you choose to fight, project confidence as much as possible. Use everything and anything at your disposal - your voice, a key held strongly and protruding between your fingers for use as a weapon, your fingernails to claw and scratch and kick, if able. If you are being attacked, you will be aided by your level of Aggression and Violence of Action. Nothing will be off the table.

Stan also talked about keeping ourselves safe in our homes by:

  • Locking doors and windows and lighting rooms to indicate someone may be home.
  • Installing and using an alarm system.
  • Adding a level of protection by owing a dog
  • Knowing your neighbors and counting on them to watch out for you and you for them
  • Keeping weapons in you home IF you are properly trained in their use and care. (Utah law permits use of force or deadly force in defense of habitation, vehicle, or place of work.)

He also told stories about how scammers invade our personal space and emphasized our need for constant vigilance, so we are not taken in by a tall tale or lured into participating in schemes intended to deprive us of money or goods. If it SOUNDS too good to be true, guaranteed, it IS!!! Check it out before agreeing to a request by a stranger or a junk mailing.

While we believe we know the basics of protecting ourselves, one can never hear too often about the steps we can take to help ensure our safety. Most often now in our society, perpetrators attack and rob and intrude to secure money and goods to feed a drug habit and may not take "no" for an answer. Your best protection is being Prepared, not Paranoid. Travel in well-lighted areas, take a friend, have home or car keys ready, try not to be distracted, be aware of your surroundings and in that awareness, TRUST YOUR GUT FEELINGS. KEEP SAFE!

If you would like to listen to the audio from the presentation, it can be found here. The video of the presentation is available on our YouTube channel. The handouts from the presentation can be found here.