by M.B., Survival Blog:
(Continued from Part 2.)
There isn’t room here for detailing all the things to look for to see trouble coming, but violence does not usually consist of a bad guy leaping out of the bushes to attack someone. More commonly, the assailant looks for a way to get close to an intended “mark” and to size them up for their suitability as an easy victim. The idea is to gauge your reaction, and to see if it’s safe to victimize you. Marc MacYoung calls this “the interview”.
TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/
The criminal interview may be as simple as asking for change, or for the time, or some other seemingly innocent request. It can also be much more threatening, depending on what the potential assailant believes he can get away with, or what he believes is needed to get what he wants. At the link above, MacYoung describes multiple forms that a victimization interview can take. He strongly advises the defender to “fail” the interview, by showing traits that identify you as difficult to victimize, such as alertness, confidence, and a willingness to defend yourself.
Crime and violence take many forms. Every confrontation must be dealt with as a unique event, but seeing the situation as it’s developing gives you options in your response. This gives you the chance to take action to potentially avoid the situation, rather than walking blindly into an ambush with your head down and your mind on your phone.
Normalcy Bias
Normalcy bias is the idea behind the phrase: “That couldn’t happen here.” Something happens, and a person denies that it’s happening, even though they may have seen―or heard―the warning sign that could save them. Several times I’ve seen a television interview after a shooting incident, and someone says something like, “I thought it was fireworks,” or “I thought it was a car backfiring.”
No, it was gunfire. Normalcy bias can cancel out awareness and can get you killed. If I’m out in public and hear a loud bang! ―or several of them―I’m scanning for the threat while seeking cover, and then heading for an exit. I’ll risk embarrassment if it turns out I’m wrong about the sound. I’d rather be embarrassed than to just sit there and hope for the best. Besides, I know one thing: it’s never a car backfire. How many times since the 1970s ended has anyone actually heard a car backfire? Around here, we only hear fireworks around the New Year and on the 4th of July. On the other hand, I’ve heard gunfire―at varying distances―several times in my life and know that it can sound very different from one instance to another, depending on distance, caliber, buildings, tree cover, etc. The risk of ignoring it is too great, however.
AVOIDANCE
“Don’t go to stupid places;
don’t associate with stupid people;
don’t do stupid things.”
— John Farnam
Former Marine and legendary self-defense guru John Farnam’s words of advice echo through my head on a regular basis. They’re not a 100% guarantee of a trouble-free life, but I know of many people who got into serious trouble by violating one, two or all three of Farnam’s rules. These three rules are a very good way to approach the topic of avoiding trouble, once it’s been identified—or it seems likely.
“Stupid” Places
This will vary depending on your locale, but there are some “old favorites” that many people will recognize as bad places to be if one wishes to avoid trouble. One of the biggest is large crowds where alcohol and/or drugs are being consumed. The late and sorely-missed “Ol’ Remus” of the sadly-defunct Woodpile Report put it simply: “Stay away from crowds.”
Large gatherings are a frequent starting point for mass casualty events, such as mass shootings or stabbings. Street parties, Spring Break events, large, out-of-control house parties, etc. are great places to avoid, if you desire a trouble-free life.
Among “classic” places to avoid, we should never forget parking lots, gas stations, and convenience stores. These are all frequent hunting grounds for predators, especially at night. When people talk or write about a certain business bringing trouble to an area, it’s likely that most of the “trouble” occurs in the parking lot. Walking to—and getting into—a vehicle is one of the most common situations for a person to be targeted for victimization. People often have items in their hands and things on their minds, making them much more attractive to human predators. They’re also opening up a vehicle, which is probably the most valuable moveable object that many people will ever own.
Another “stupid” place to avoid is inside a parked car. Even a locked car with the windows up is incredibly easy to breach and is not the safe place that many people seem to feel that it is. We all see them, often on a daily basis. People get into their car—maybe starting the engine—and then get lost in their cell phone. This happens, day or night, in parking lots and parking garages, even in “sketchy” areas. One of the primary goals in a dangerous situation is to “get off the X,” meaning to get out of the area that’s been targeted by an enemy. Sitting in a parked car—oblivious to the outside world—is definitely a “stupid” place. Get in, start the engine, and get moving.
