Crime-Safety-Security
Newsletter
22 January 2008

KNOCK! KNOCK! WHO’S THERE? THE BOGEYMAN!
A “Push-In” happens when you blindly open your door to a monster who’d knocked, or rang your bell. “Hello! Come on in and shatter my life.”

John said two men posing as police detectives came to his door to "check on neighborhood crime." John didn't let them in. They left, and later were arrested for a series of violent home invasions.

John should’ve instead used a peephole and intercom, and then called 911 to confirm they were indeed cops before opening the door. He’s lucky he wasn't pushed-in when he did open his door. Only the criminals’ lapse of will spared him.

A woman opened her door without first checking who was there. The man at the door said he wanted to talk about Jesus. She was soon fighting for her life.

A man knocked on a door and asked to use the phone. The homeowner, trying to be helpful, told him to wait outside while she got a cordless phone. But he trailed her in and raped her.

Any stranger at your door is a potential threat. Being nice and polite exposed all three targets above to danger. All three cases began as a Scam-In (which often becomes a Push-In). The targets hadn’t had the chance to learn what you’re learning right now: never ever blindly open the door to a stranger. Period. All family members must always use a peephole (it’s even better to use an intercom as well – see Door Reinforcement) before opening the door. And then do not naïvely fall for any clever scam enticing you into opening your door. Simply tell them, “Hold on. I’ll call the police to help you. Wait right there.” Then watch them suddenly flee.

Another Push-In with a few more lessons:

Three men burst into a woman's home when she heard a knock and opened the door without thinking. She and her husband were knocked down and injured. Their children were screaming and praying.

Since then, the husband installed a chain lock on the door. She said they'd felt safe there for many years and weren't afraid because they have good neighbors.

Oh, NO! A “chain lock” is far too flimsy – far too easy to kick or crash through in a split second. It’s a false sense of security – useless. See Door Reinforcement.

OK, they “aren't afraid," but let’s hope they are learned something – now that they’ve met random evil face-to-face. Besides, being more careful is so easy. See Home Security - Overview.

And unfortunately, the “good neighbors” were useless when the family was at the mercy of vicious thugs. Though oftentimes very helpful, Neighborhood Watch (see Home Security - Good Neighbors) is no guarantee of security – they might be away, or sleeping, or whatever. You have zero control over their availability (as proven above).

But you do have total control over properly securing your home as described in Home Security Products - Intro. That – along with your entire family’s cautious behavior – is your very best crime-safety-security.

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PARKING LOT SAFETY: PURSE SNATCHING

A woman was putting groceries in her car’s trunk outside a store when a man snuck up behind her and grabbed her purse. But she wouldn't let go as he dragged her across the asphalt. Then he stabbed her three times and ran off with her purse.

If somebody grabs your purse, give it up! Keep your valuables elsewhere. See Purse Snatching at Outdoor Safety - Facing Danger and Parking Lot Safety.

Parking lots have hiding spots galore to aid purse snatchers, muggers, rapists, carjackers, and kidnappers. A predator can sit in a parked car while watching for prey, and/or sneak amongst the parked cars to ambush a target.

Always walk into a parking lot prepared for action. Hold a key-chain with Pepper Spray and a Personal Security Alarm (a.k.a. screamer or noisemaker) raised and ready, in full view – as a deterrent for predators looking for easy prey. (See Survival Options - Kidnapping for dealing with a predator with a gun.) In your car, with your keys now in the ignition, have another unit of pepper spray in your console as a back-up within easy reach.

While loading things into your trunk, have a convex mirror affixed inside your trunk lid so you can watch behind you. For extra security, have a male store employee escort you and stay until you drive away.

Also see Outdoor Safety - Facing Danger and Avoiding Carjacking.

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Think about it: the cases above likely never would’ve happened if those innocent souls had known what you’ve just learned in this newsletter.

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