Most of us know to have our situational awareness game on point while visiting unfamiliar areas, but what about familiar places? Places where normally there is little or no crime? Places that have security guards? Places like the mall? Yes, the shopping mall is familiar, but is it safe? The truth is that criminals see malls as soft targets: with the vast parking lots, people carrying extra bags that make them vulnerable, and the constant parade of people more interested in a Facebook status update than their immediate surroundings…. it is actually a crime rich environment, despite all of the security cameras and guys on SEGWAYS with a badge.
Here are our 2 TOP TIPS while shopping at the Mall:
1. Situational Awareness
Be aware at all times – where you are, who is around you and what is going on. Get an idea of the the layout of the mall before you start shopping, and become familiar with the exits. Have an actual plan for a meeting place should you become separated with your friends or family. Lastly, keep you heads up, off the phone, ESPECIALLY in the parking lots. Walk confidently and avoid wandering aimlessly, most bad guys avoid people that APPEAR AWARE OF THEIR SURROUNDINGS!
2. CARRY A GUN
Get properly trained and refuse to become a victim. You have the right to protect yourself, and no one is going to warn you the day that they are going to attack you that it is coming. It is up to you to be prepared and armed. Even if you choose not to carry a firearm, there are plenty of alternatives that will give you a fighting chance, from TASER to Tactical pens and Pepper Sprays.
Watch this video from Kevin theTacDaddy and learn more about your personal safety at the mall:
When traveling to the mall or any other public place, keep in mind that in many of these places you can become a soft target very easily: an unsuspecting shopper busy fiddling with bags, keys, cell phones, and other distractions. Take these tips above and get an advantage on the streets, one that many of the bad guys will avoid.
Do you have other safety tips you want to share with us? Sound off in the comments below!
UP NEXT: Why I Choose To Carry A Gun
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Need Is never the question…Yes is always the answer.
Exactly. I carry at church for that reason. When taking the class for my license, a 40 year veteran of the police force said; “If your going to carry, you should always carry.”
Sorry guys, the video was useless. All it showed was pretty pictures of a mall. Didn’t even cover the dangers except in sub-titles. There is another issue that should have been covered. Most malls that I know of are posted with no weapons signs. We all know that criminals don’t care about signs (actually criminals welcome those signs as they highlight the mall as an easy target!). I for one avoid posted malls. They lost my business the moment those signs went up. In this litigious society what mall owners risk is being sued by victims of violent (weapons) crimes for not allowing self-defense nor providing adequate security to keep the bad guys out of the mall and the surrounding parking lot in the first place.
Yup!
Visit IronWordRanch.com for a more complete exposition on this subject.