Follow-home robbery is not really new but there seems to be an upsurge in cities. It’s exactly what it sounds like. Criminals target someone in public, at a store, bank, or mall, and follow them home. Exiting your vehicle can be a vulnerable time, especially at home where you generally feel safe. Usually it is robbery but it can be kidnapping, assault, or worse. Robbery is usually the plan.
Know that this is not a random thing. Robbery is based on a few things. What you look like speaks volumes. Wearing expensive jewelry, and expensive clothes can set off alarms. I’m not saying you should dress like a homeless person but most people can spot someone flaunting their wealth. You don’t need to dress like you’re going to a show opening going to Target! You may become the target! If someone looking to rob sees you buying expensive electronics or jewelry that may catch their eye. Profiling happens and do your best to not fit that vulnerable profile. Remember your situational awareness. Being more aware of how you shop and who might be watching can help. Get that game console box in a bag quickly. Maybe see if that upscale store might have a bag without their logo on it. Or bring a garbage bag with you to put the bag and item into. Take note of who is watching or near you when you check out. Have you seen the same person watching in another store? Trust your feelings. They are usually right. You don’t have to be paranoid, just aware. If you know you’re going to buy an expensive item plan your trip. Watch where you park, choose day instead of evening or night for your purchase. Shop for just that one thing so you are not carrying high dollar items around to stores or through the mall. Better yet, buy expensive things online and insure them.
If you see the same person several times in different places, and then see them following you as you leave, call 911. Let the operator know concisely what your concern is. Tell them the details of this person watching you and where you saw them. Tell them that they are not shopping but observing.
The “following” part of the “follow-home” is not that difficult to detect. First, do not go home. Try to determine if you are really being followed. Go around a block. If the car is still behind you, you are being followed. You could also go into a parking lot and park for a minute. When you leave after only a few minutes in a parking lot and the same car is behind you, you’re being followed. Call 911 immediately. Tell the operator you believe you were followed from a public place. Give a description of the vehicle and how long you’ve been followed and that you’re concerned about safety of yourself and children if they are with you. Ask to meet an officer or drive to the police station. If the bad guys work together one can follow you in the store and the other, follow you home. If you know this, always be careful leaving your vehicle. If you have a garage, drive into it paying attention no person came in with you, then get out of the car after the garage door closes. If you can’t use your garage, clean it out, get organized and get your garage back. If you don’t have a garage, make sure you look all around you when you park. Look for unfamiliar vehicles, people sitting in running cars, or anything else that would be out of place. If somethings not right, drive away. If a car blocks you, ram it or go across the curb or lawn. Call 911 as soon as you’re out of the area and report everything in detail.
Banks can also be an issue. If you make a withdrawal, go straight to your office or business, or your home. Parking lots can be some of the most unsecure places you can be. Have your head on a swivel when getting in or out of your vehicle. Also, know that if you drive an expensive car, you could be a target. Be aware that carjacking is on the rise.
Remember these things:
Be aware of your surroundings in and out of public places. Be careful with what you buy and how you carry it.
Be extra careful and aware in parking lots.
Watch who is behind you in traffic.
Do not got home if you believe you’re being followed.
If you have a garage, make sure it is usable and secure.
Keep moving in your vehicle if something seems wrong.
Call for help if something seems wrong.
Being safe is not difficult, it just takes paying attention and doing things the safe way.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Know that this is not a random thing. Robbery is based on a few things. What you look like speaks volumes. Wearing expensive jewelry, and expensive clothes can set off alarms. I’m not saying you should dress like a homeless person but most people can spot someone flaunting their wealth. You don’t need to dress like you’re going to a show opening going to Target! You may become the target! If someone looking to rob sees you buying expensive electronics or jewelry that may catch their eye. Profiling happens and do your best to not fit that vulnerable profile. Remember your situational awareness. Being more aware of how you shop and who might be watching can help. Get that game console box in a bag quickly. Maybe see if that upscale store might have a bag without their logo on it. Or bring a garbage bag with you to put the bag and item into. Take note of who is watching or near you when you check out. Have you seen the same person watching in another store? Trust your feelings. They are usually right. You don’t have to be paranoid, just aware. If you know you’re going to buy an expensive item plan your trip. Watch where you park, choose day instead of evening or night for your purchase. Shop for just that one thing so you are not carrying high dollar items around to stores or through the mall. Better yet, buy expensive things online and insure them.
If you see the same person several times in different places, and then see them following you as you leave, call 911. Let the operator know concisely what your concern is. Tell them the details of this person watching you and where you saw them. Tell them that they are not shopping but observing.
The “following” part of the “follow-home” is not that difficult to detect. First, do not go home. Try to determine if you are really being followed. Go around a block. If the car is still behind you, you are being followed. You could also go into a parking lot and park for a minute. When you leave after only a few minutes in a parking lot and the same car is behind you, you’re being followed. Call 911 immediately. Tell the operator you believe you were followed from a public place. Give a description of the vehicle and how long you’ve been followed and that you’re concerned about safety of yourself and children if they are with you. Ask to meet an officer or drive to the police station. If the bad guys work together one can follow you in the store and the other, follow you home. If you know this, always be careful leaving your vehicle. If you have a garage, drive into it paying attention no person came in with you, then get out of the car after the garage door closes. If you can’t use your garage, clean it out, get organized and get your garage back. If you don’t have a garage, make sure you look all around you when you park. Look for unfamiliar vehicles, people sitting in running cars, or anything else that would be out of place. If somethings not right, drive away. If a car blocks you, ram it or go across the curb or lawn. Call 911 as soon as you’re out of the area and report everything in detail.
Banks can also be an issue. If you make a withdrawal, go straight to your office or business, or your home. Parking lots can be some of the most unsecure places you can be. Have your head on a swivel when getting in or out of your vehicle. Also, know that if you drive an expensive car, you could be a target. Be aware that carjacking is on the rise.
Remember these things:
Be aware of your surroundings in and out of public places. Be careful with what you buy and how you carry it.
Be extra careful and aware in parking lots.
Watch who is behind you in traffic.
Do not got home if you believe you’re being followed.
If you have a garage, make sure it is usable and secure.
Keep moving in your vehicle if something seems wrong.
Call for help if something seems wrong.
Being safe is not difficult, it just takes paying attention and doing things the safe way.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
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