The high crime rate has all of us concerned about our safety and well being, it seems hopeless! You, your family, and staff are not immune to these troubling times. However, we must not allow the current trend of events cause panic and insecurity, thus we must develop strategy and tactics that increase our chances of survival. We must be wise, deliberate and refuse to be victims and have a victim mind set. The methods discussed here are real and do not attempt to be politically correct. The key aim is to educate you in what’s happening in our society and present effective and efficient ways to survive the encounter. The current crime trend can cause many to believe that there is little they can do.

Crime and violence is relative and it can be controlled. We, yes you and me are not helpless and we refuse to be victims. I have developed after several years of research and teaching violence readiness and response management the following steps. These 5 steps are just a sample of a basic crime risk assessment that can help you focus and prioritize your efforts.

1. Identify what are the important assets and what needs to be protected

What is of value to you, family children, home, new phone?Identifying these will go a long way in developing strategy to protect it. Some assets like you ego and reputation are intangible, and sometimes must be swallowed to gain the advantage. This first step helps you to bring things into perspective.

2. Is your geographic location or country prone to crime and violence?

What is the crime like where you live? Be careful not to make all-encompassing statements. This should also include the types of crimes, be they crime against property or person. Are there higher levels of house breaking vs. assault? As indicated, crime and violence are relative so the region where you live may be more prone to these threats than others.

3. Where are you more at risk home, work of recreation?

Let us now in this 3^rdstep narrow this down some.To a more specific, look at your location risk, the types of threats and their impact are dependent on where you are. Also the people who frequent these locations, in some instances,like how you have complete control, in others like work and recreation there is very little or no control.

4. What times do crimes occur and are you traveling during these times?

Based on what you would have assessed thus far, you now must determine if you are in transit during these times. More importantly can you avoid traveling during peak crime periods? If not then what is the route you are taking and what is your plan if accosted during travel?

5. Are you a primary target because of your age, gender, position or race/ nationality?

Does who you are make you more of a target? Perhaps an uncomfortable question, but it is one that needs to be asked. Females, CEO, and sexual preference can cause you to become a mark for violence. You should not be oblivious to these realities.

Assistance to answering these questions will be unique to you or your business, but they will help you develop realistic and practical methods of defense. Crime reports, newspapers, and social media can also help paint a true picture of the world you live in. You must stay informed so that you know your environment.If you need any assistance or more in formulation response and mitigation strategy do not hesitate to contact me at 357-9949.

If however you are confronted with a violent attack then you must be ready to defend yourself. For clarity, a violent attack is not someone stealing your wallet or your car. These items can be replaced and are not worth fighting over. If you or a loved one are about to or being physically assaulted you must now be ready to fight and fight aggressively. Remember, if you followed the steps above then the decision to fight or flight is an easier one, both responses are viable if you know what is at stake. Here are my 5 simple rules to fighting;

1. BREATH & RELAX: Target Acquisition– Know what you are going after,eyes, throat, nose, groin, knees and shin or a combination.

2. BREATH & RELAX: Distance / Position– Be able to reach your target, note your movement and that of the attacker.

3. BREATH & RELAX: Speed / Timing– Essentially you must act quickly when the opportunity presents itself you cannot hesitate.

4. BREATH & RELAX: Surprise– DO NOT say or even hint your response, thus avoid eye contact, just do it.

5. BREATH & RELAX: Determined Action– All bets are off. Give it your all, your life DEPENDS on it.