SELF DEFENSE, HOME DEFENSE, COMMON SENSE

[chief38]

This was sparked by some of the comments, articles and stories and news reports I've watched and read over the last few months.

I am a big proponent on being and staying prepared but also a big proponent on avoiding trouble in the first place. While there are times no matter what you do, trouble just comes calling and you have no choice but to defend yourself and the lives of your families, - got that. In general, I always like to think what the risk is before doing something in a certain place. If I can avoid things, sometimes that is the best way. Not saying don't live your life, just live it wisely as this is not 1955 anymore.

There are a plethora of things one can do on a daily basis to avoid a home invasion or break in with some very very simple methods. Some are: always leaving outside lights on at night (make sure they go off during daylight), motion detectors, use of timers and lighting when you are away, not letting mail & newspapers accumulate in your mail box, not having snow shoveled or foot prints in your driveway when you are away is bad. Leaving a snow covered car in your driveway for weeks at a time - no good! Try and make your home look as though you have many people living their at all times - the best you can. While it wasn't always this way - it certainly is now as times have changed!

I never tell my paper delivery person or mailman I am going away or suspend deliveries- never! I have a neighbor do those things for me. Sorry, I don't trust delivery people all that much! Even if they are relatively honest people, they can still tip off less than honest ones if not even purposely. Don't be a cheap skate - always have a light of some sort on during night time hours. The small amount of electricity they burn up is probably one of the best ways to make a home invasion or break in happen somewhere else. If you can afford something like a Ring Doorbell, camera system and alarm they are many times a deterrent also. Criminals do not like to be on candid camera! They would just rather go somewhere's else.

Last but not least, lock all your doors and windows and be prepared for the worst, but try to avoid it at all costs!

When out and about, never leave items on your dash board, console or seats that someone might want to steal. What might not be that valuable to you might be to a thief. I know this next statement might P/O some here, but I'd say to never leave a firearm in any car or truck as they are too vulnerable to to being stolen. Plus.... the gun in your car can't help you if you are not in the car. IMO, if you carry then carry it on you person.

A little common sense goes a long way in avoiding trouble. When you simply can't avoid it, be prepared as best as possible.

Too many stories in too many places about tragic events on a daily basis was the impetus behind this post. Sorry if some get offended but my intentions are good.

 

[Rustyt1953]

 

[326MOD10]

You still have a local paper that actually delivers?

 

[Breakaway500]

When Im on my property I feel very confident of my safety. When I leave I make it my goal to be as invisible as I possibly can, for my one goal is to make it home again with NO conflicts.

 

[chief38]

You still have a local paper that actually delivers?

Yes, but they don't deliver early in the morning which I like.

 

[Rustyt1953]

"Try and make your home look as though you have many people living there at all times.."

[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_NrfND5KGtk[/ame]

 

[Harmonica]

...the other thing is awareness .....I always try to recon the area where I am parking, before I turn off the engine..when I step out of a doorway, or near a parking lot, I always recon the area as much as possible
...recon if some car is following me...or if someone is following me going out of a store .....
....my daughters think I'm obsessed with security--but it is just ''second nature''' ..I'm not ''scared, or obsessed with it ....

 

[Inusuit]

I trust my mailman more than I trust my neighbor.

My wife's grandparent's pending two-week vacation was published in a company newsletter. When they got home, the house was cleaned out to the bare walls.

 

[stansdds]

In other words, unlike the vast majority of people, do not live in a foggy condition. Always be wary, always be watchful, be prepared.

 

[bushmaster1313]

I think the three best home defenses are

1) exterior lighting
2) a large dog that sounds large
3) keeping doors and windows locked.

 

[BB57]

Security cameras and a security system are both effective deterrents. They will limit the time a criminal has to commit the crime, and they leave a visual record of the crime and individuals on scene. Most criminals will just choose a softer target that poses less risk.

Even a sign in the yard, and stickers on the doors and ground floor windows are a deterrent. A thief won't know the service is inactive and will still choose a softer target.

 

[Harmonica]

I trust my mailman more than I trust my neighbor.

My wife's grandparent's pending two-week vacation was published in a company newsletter. When they got home, the house was cleaned out to the bare walls.

....just like in war, you don't want too much information to get out ...or like in the movie the Godfather,
"Never tell anyone outside the Family what you are thinking again."

 

[majick47]

If you have doors lock them, garage door keep it shut. Warmer weather if doors are open have a heavy duty security screen door and keep it locked, same with windows. Fortunately all newer cars have automatic door locks when you put the car in drive, car windows keep them up and use the heater or ac if needed. Finally stay out of the crime ridden big cities.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Not everyone can own a dog.........but......

"Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." – Jeff Cooper

Cooper's colors: A simple system for situational awareness:

This color code system is a mental process, not a physical one, and should be utilized whether or not you are armed — though being armed is always preferred. Being alert may help you to avoid a deadly threat in the first place, which is always the preferred outcome.

White

In condition White, you are relaxed and unaware of what is going on around you.

Yellow

In condition yellow, you remain relaxed, but are aware of who and what is around you.

Orange

In condition orange, you have identified something of interest that may or may not prove to be a threat.

Red

If the focus of your attention in condition orange does something you find threatening, you will shift to condition red.

Shamelessly stolen from the internet because there ain't no copyright on Cooper's colors.

If you would like expansions on each item just search for "Cooper's colors" or "Cooper's color code for situational awareness" or any similar search. Every instructor in every police academy, self-defense class, etc. ad infinitum, teaches these things.

Summary:

White - You are in idiot mode and everyone goes there so focus.

Yellow - You are paying attention to your surroundings. Try to live your life paying attention.

Orange - Your paying attention has paid off. Be ready for anything.

Red - Actual threat identified.

In active assailant (okay, active shooter but any active attacker gets you there with any weapon) situations you're in red before you know it. Run, hide, and fight come into play. But see above - if you're armed, well, good planning makes for good results.

All of that is outside of your home in most cases. But if you prepare your home properly, because you will be in the white at home but the same colors apply - - but your home tells you to skip to red FAST if you keep it properly secure.

 

[SMSgt]

Shamelessly stolen from the internet because there ain't no copyright on Cooper's colors.

If you would like expansions on each item just search for "Cooper's colors" or "Cooper's color code for situational awareness" or any similar search. Every instructor in every police academy, self-defense class, etc. ad infinitum, teaches these things.

Summary:

White - You are in idiot mode and everyone goes there so focus.

Yellow - You are paying attention to your surroundings. Try to live your life paying attention.

Orange - Your paying attention has paid off. Be ready for anything.

Red - Actual threat identified.

In active assailant (okay, active shooter but any active attacker gets you there with any weapon) situations you're in red before you know it. Run, hide, and fight come into play. But see above - if you're armed, well, good planning makes for good results.

All of that is outside of your home in most cases. But if you prepare your home properly, because you will be in the white at home but the same colors apply - - but your home tells you to skip to red FAST if you keep it properly secure.

I'm totally color blind. I guessed I'm hosed.

 

[Claymore33]

Safety comes from Situational Awareness and Attention to Detail.

 

[Kanewpadle]

First and foremost, no matter where you are, never assume that you are completely safe.

 

[Beemerguy53]

...In active assailant (okay, active shooter but any active attacker gets you there with any weapon) situations you're in red before you know it. Run, hide, and fight come into play...

My workplace drills that whole run-hide-fight mantra into us.

I told my boss that I am too old to run and too fat to hide...so my options are kind of limited.

 

[Beemerguy53]

Great thread here, Chief...thanks for starting it.

Here's my 2 cents: Never, EVER discuss what firearms you own, especially amongst strangers.

When somebody asks me how many guns I have, my answer is "more than I need, and not as many as I want"...

 

[chief38]

Security cameras and a security system are both effective deterrents. They will limit the time a criminal has to commit the crime, and they leave a visual record of the crime and individuals on scene. Most criminals will just choose a softer target that poses less risk.

Even a sign in the yard, and stickers on the doors and ground floor windows are a deterrent. A thief won't know the service is inactive and will still choose a softer target.

I disagree with "Security cameras and systems are an effective deterrent". I have seen too many crimes on video recordings! Many times criminals are not that smart! Either they are wearing a hoodie, a full face mask or other disguise or simply don't care! Sometimes they don't even realize there are cameras in the area - but lighting conditions are poor.

Security cameras simply catch the act on video - they are not really a deterrent. A woman can get raped and the act captured, but she still got raped! Will the criminal get caught and convicted because of that video? - - Probably not. I had business for many years, had break in's, cars crash into my buildings, items stolen, etc. Each and every time the police reviewed the video I was told, "sorry sir, the video isn't really clear, there are no face on shots, not decisive enough, etc." and have proved to be completely useless in solving the crime. How many times a week (on the news) do we see stores being robbed, people being shot, windows being smashed, criminals beating the **** out of elderly folks, - video's don't stop that and IMHO are at best only a deterrent to a very minor degree. Few have been punished!

Yes, I have always had video cameras - still do, but their presence is marginal at best and have proven to me many times to be mostly useless. Still better than nothing I suppose as there might be that a handful of criminals might shy away. That said, I suppose there could be some minor value - if nothing else, to see who is ringing your doorbell.

NOTE: Sometimes a video can capture someone defending themselves with a firearm, knife or other weapon and that can actually be used against the innocent victim. Hmmmm.