My father used to say to me, “Nine times out of ten you can think your way out of a situation or react accordingly. There may be one time where you can but hope and pray that doesn’t happen.”
Bad things can happen anywhere, at any time, and to anyone. And I am NOT blaming anyone for being a victim and if you’ve done that, go to Hell. But here are a few things I’d like to share with you that might keep you out of trouble:
Be aware of your surroundings and your situation all the time. When you’re out and about, note where everyone and everything is at. Try not to get distracted by your phone or anything else. Crime can happen anywhere at any time, even in broad daylight on a crowded afternoon. Be aware and if you feel like something isn’t right or seems off, get out of there. I’ve done this a few times and though nothing has happened, I wasn’t going to take chances. I think people have the gift of intuition and that’s it worth developing. Or as my father would say, always listen to your gut.
As an Uber driver, I’ve been asked if I’ve ever had a situation where I didn’t feel safe. The answer is no. But I will tell you I have been in areas of the city that looked rough and are known to be rough. In these places I like to say I don’t stick around for autographs- I just pick up or drop off my rider and move on. I’ve been out in the boonies miles from civilization all on my own and yes, I’ve seen a fair number of horror movies so I know not to stop driving for anything.
In the car I keep a can of Lysol in the cup holder beside me. Perfectly innocuous object, and practical in our germ-filled world. But that perfectly normal object can be used as a weapon if needed. First, it makes a good can of mace to spray in someone’s face. I guarantee if you give someone a full shot of Lysol in their face they’re not going anywhere. Also, it comes in a big metal can that could put a dent in someone’s head if you hit them hard enough with it or bust their nose depending on your aim.
I saw a video recently showing what to do if someone grabs you from behind in your car. Lean your seat back to where they’re pinned down then grab your Lysol and your phone, spray Lysol in your attacker’s face before you hit the pavement and find a good hiding place to call the cops. Most attackers aren’t going to expect you to fight back so use that brief moment of surprise to hurt them enough to get away.
Another thing I do as a driver when I’m picking someone up is having my car in a position to drive off, not facing a dead-end, cul-de-sac, or a wall if I can help it. If asked, I would say it’s just convenience and getting the ride going without having to turn around but in reality, it’s also a safety pre-caution. Because think of it like this: if someone, or a group of people are coming up behind you and you think they’re up to no good, you can hit the gas and get away.
If someone does come at you with a gun or a knife, cooperate with them. Do whatever it takes to keep them from pulling the trigger or coming at you. Things like money and cards can be replaced- you can’t. While you’re staying calm, try to commit every detail about the miscreant to memory, like any scars or tattoos, what they’re wearing, what they’re saying to you, what type of weapon they’re using. These details are important to the police and you might give the cops the one thing they need to nab these miscreants and throw them in the clink. Also, if you are a victim of crime there are resources available to help you through the police department and victims’ advocate groups.
If you watch the tv news, you might think the streets are being overrun by criminals. They’re not. Yes, there are areas with higher rates of crime but the people that live in these areas aren’t all criminals. The vast majority of people in this world are good people so don’t let the bad ones ruin things for you as my father would say.
Just stay alert, be cautious, and always think and focus on keeping your shit together.
Michelesayre.com 