Recession Causes Increase In Crime?

Recession Increases Crime?

As the economy shrinks the muggings, burglaries and thefts seem to grow. You want to be aware of the situation around you. Here are some personal safety tips that can help reduce the chance of you becoming the next victim.

Think Like A Criminal 

If it is possible for you do so try to think as a criminal would. Train yourself to think like a mugger. This will help you identify a potential criminal. And, forewarned is forearmed

As you go about your daily routine, take special notice of hiding places that you encounter. If you live in an apartment building, pay attention to walkways and entryways. Look at the landscaping for overgrown bushes that a mugger could hide behind. The same goes for your own home. Cut back any overgrowth.

Be smart and use a four-prong strategy to prevent yourself from becoming a crime victim.

Be Alert

Being alert to your surroundings is the most critical strategy to staying safe. Muggers and carjackers count on the element of surprise for their crime to be successful. Muggers hide and come up behind you or jump out in front of you to frighten and disorient you. Carjackers use the blind spot in your mirror to mount a sneak attack.

An intoxicated person is ten times more likely to be mugged than a sober person. The odds are even higher for intoxicated women that appear to be by themselves.

Preventive Action

Keep your car doors locked at all times. A carjacker will need to smash the window and try to unlock the door or threaten you to get out of the car. Lay on the horn and speed away if possible. If the carjacker reaches in the car to grab you or the door handle, bite down on his arm or hand as hard as you can. If you carry pepper spray or a stun gun, let him have it. Don't let up until he screams in agony. Remember he was going to harm you and steal your car.

Have deadbolt locks installed on all the exterior doors of your home and keep them locked.

Install window and door alarms

Stay in well-lit areas. If you park your car in an area you are not familiar with, make certain it is well-lit. If you park during the day but know it will be dark when you return, look to see if there are lights in the lot or area. Let’s just hope they work. If you come out and the parking lot is dark, see if you can get a friend to walk you to your car. Rather safe than sorry.

If you walk or jog for exercise, always carry a personal alarm, pepper spray and/or a stun weapon.

Take Precautions

• Never allow someone into your home or car that you don't know or barely know.

• Always know your escape route ahead of time. Scope it out before you need it.

• Have your cell phone or cordless phone with you all the time, even at home.

Be Prepared

Get and have several personal security items with you. Pepper sprays, personal alarms on a key chain and perhaps a stun gun or taser.

Learn how to defend yourself. Police sponsored classes are the best and most effective. They give practical and simple ways to defend yourself. Whereas, martial arts require much longer to master. It's okay to take martial arts classes for additional skills and stamina. But, learn some down and dirty skills right away.

Never give up your defensive actions. Fight with everything you have, bite and pull hair, poke the attacker's eyes, kick, scream and run. Use your pepper spray or stun gun. If the attacker falls to the ground and if you can, kick him in the face and head. Don't stop until you can get away or he runs away.

Never leave home without your personal protection products. It doesn't matter if you're going to see your mom or just running to the corner convenience mart. It's the going and coming that always presents the danger, especially if you have set routines and everyone does.