Defensive Countermeasures Institute —

As we promised in our last topic of discussion The Times, They Are A Changing, this week will address precautions that we should all be aware of when paying a visit to gas stations, quick stops and other such facilities.  Before we begin, let us point out that in terms of comparative safety, gas stations that allow patrons to pay at the pump offer a greater degree of security.  While understandably filling the tank of your vehicle does require you to step outside, you remain in close proximity of it, which affords a measure of protection and barrier against crimes of opportunity.

If you—like most—travel away from your home during days of the week, it is inevitable that at some point you will stop for one necessary commodity or another.  It may be for a tank of gas or a loaf of bread and a quart of milk.  Many times these stops are impromptu or lightly anticipated at best.  The desire is to get it done quickly and get back underway.  It is this behavior as consumers that has given enormous rise to gas stations, quick-stops, convenience stores and the like that hawk everything from lottery tickets to Elvis t-shirts.

Criminal opportunists recognize these locations as a source of quick cash with minimal risks, with some facilities so fruitful that multiple robberies are common.  With this is mind, there are some precautions that you can, and should implement if you are otherwise obligated to use one or more of these types of businesses.  Remember these simple steps with the phrase, “It’s wise to use your “I’s.”

–Inspect.  Once reaching the decision to stop, inspect the surrounding area before exiting the relative safety of your vehicle. Look for signs of abnormal activity such as individuals loitering nearby—particularly on the sides of the storefront overlooking the customer entrance.  Many times a lookout or surveillant will post themselves in these locations. Be mindful of other vehicles stopped nearby.  Watch for occupants in vehicles with engines idling or irregular parking patterns. Commit to entering only after you eliminated any outside threats.

–Inside.  Before crossing the threshold of the store, take a cursory look for activity inside. If lack of windows restricts your viewing, this is accomplished by pausing momentarily at the entrance and peering around inside.  Observe for the location of the cashier or other workers.  Do things look and feel normal? Look for signs of duress or anxiety.  Workers can give a feel for “business as usual,” and their outward disposition will often yield signs of normalcy or apprehensiveness.  Monitor the situation for other patrons who may be present or for those entering after you.  Stay alert and do not become distracted.

–Identify.  Have a plan.  Identify what it is that you need to purchase, locate it quickly and proceed to the cashier or checkout without lingering.  Get what you need and stay no longer than necessary to complete your transaction.  Moreover, just as you inspected the surrounding area before entering, the same is required of activities outside.  If no threats are present, commit to walking outside and move in the most direct manner to your vehicle.

–Instinct.  One of the most important tools that we possess that aids in our personal safety and security is instinct.  Learn to trust it.  If we sense something is not as it initially seems—in particular when focused on reducing vulnerability to crimes of opportunity—it is a good rule of thumb not to ignore it.

Too often convenience can lead to complacency. It is imperative that we adopt a mindset that allows us to maintain vigilance in all that we do.  One manner of feeding this focus is by remaining abreast of social, political and economic realities within the environments we frequent. Crime will always manifest some degree of presence within our neighborhoods and society at large.  Our goal is to anticipate its impact on personal safety and security and plan accordingly.  “Stay Safe!”