This month, as part of our view from the top series, we had Detroit’s Chief of Police James E. Craig come in to talk with us about public safety. He shared his compelling stories and life journey to being Detroit’s Chief of Police. In the afternoon we spent time learning some self-defense tactics from My Tactical Advantage. Through this refresher on public safety I began to recall the countless tips my former-Oakland Police Officer brother gave me before I left from home.

Soft Targets vs. Hard Targets

There is a difference between being an easy victim of crime and being a difficult victim of crime. These things may seem obvious, but it’s when we let our guard down that a criminal will make their move.

Signs you are a Soft Target

1. Distracted on your phone. Texting, talking, or holding your phone openly makes you are an easy target, because you are not paying attention to your surroundings. Plus that phone you are holding is evidence you are carrying at least one valuable.
2. Walking with your head down.
3. When your hands are full.
4. With a laptop bag, backpack or purse not securely strapped across your body.
5. Stuff in your car. It’s too easy to leave things in your car, but any bag, clothes, envelope or even loose change can be an opportunity for a desperate individual to break in.
6. Unfit. Health is important because if you look like you run slow they will be more likely to pick you over the young buck with defined biceps.

Signs you are a Hard Target

1. Walk with your head up. It’s important to remain confident and walk with a purpose in the direction you are heading. Being approached by a stranger is not the time to hide in your shell; you need to act as if you are not afraid.
2. If you are wearing a backpack or purse with straps, when possible strap it across your body. A loosely strapped bag is easier to grab then a securely strapped backpack.
3. If you feel comfortable with it, carry something to defend yourself. A pen, pepper spray, a key between your knuckles, anything is better than nothing.
4. Talk on your cellphone with purpose. Sometimes you feel safer when you are talking to someone on the phone. If so, talk with your head up and if someone approaches you share with him or her where you are located. “Yea I’m almost home, I’m on the corner of blank and blank”
5. Leave NOTHING in your car. It’s too easy to think, o I have nothing of value in my car, but 2 dollars in change is enough for some people to break your window and ruin your day. Also a stranger has no idea what is the bag in your back seat it could be nothing or it could be a jackpot of college books and a laptop.
6. Use a car bar. Some people are smart and leave nothing in their car, but even then your car is valuable and someone could take that! Use a car bar and don’t be ashamed. I’d feel less bad if I looked silly having a car bar on my car in a safe neighborhood then having my car stolen with my car bar resting in the back seat.

Now this doesn’t cover everything, but it is a start and hopeful it will make you a little more aware of your surroundings the next time you are out.