SITUATIONAL AWARENESS and Project an Image of Confidence

If you don't have Chuck Norris, your dog, your gun, or your pepper spray, you can still Project an Image of Confidence and exercise Situational Awareness to avoid becoming a victim. This web content seems useful...When you are about to be approached by a suspicious stranger...think about this...(link below)

Often an armed robbery can start with a simple question, as "Hi, do you have the time?" Or "Can you spare any change?" Or, "Do you have a light?"
Anytime a stranger comes up to you and asks a question as he approaches, or as you walk by, go on alert status.

If you're asked for the time, don't look down at your watch or fumble in your pocket for your cell phone, where the time is kept. Instead, look directly and confidently at this person, step backwards or detour widely around him, and without breaking eye contact you can bring your watch to eye level and then give the person the time.

What a robber is trying to do is create a momentary distraction; if he can distract you for a moment it shows this robber that you're not prepared for a robbery. However, by you stepping back and not breaking eye contact, while speaking assertively, you show this robber that you are prepared and have some street smarts.

Give the person the time and then continue on your way, keeping a watchful eye on them as you walk away.

In this instance a crook may be likely to let you go by, deciding for an easier target.

Know Peak Robbery Times
Because the winter months mean more people shopping at night, these are a peak time for armed robberies, according to reports.
During the summer expect robberies to most often take place between the 8pm and 3am hours. With that in mind, should you really be shopping or going to the gym or running errands that late at night -- specifically when you live in a major city? Lower your chances of being robbed by planning your weekly errands with robberies in mind and when criminals are most likely to strike.

Watch for Loiterers
Robbers will typically loiter more often than they'll strike from a hiding place in the dark. If you see someone up ahead loitering -- and it looks like the perfect spot to mug someone -- turn around and head for a nearby store or public place; you can wait for a group of people walking by in the direction you're heading and join up with them (so you're not walking alone) or you can simply call a taxi. Let the store owner know you think someone may be after you and they're likely to let you hang out until the taxi arrives.
Avoid being jumped by someone hiding on a nearby porch or alley by walking near the road, while walking against traffic. (Robbers may also drive up in a car. If you're walking toward traffic, rather than with your back to traffic, they won't be able to take you by surprise, giving you a chance to make an escape).

Avoid taking public transit in the late evening and early morning hours; there are likely to be less or no other people around on public transit during those hours and you increase your chances of being mugged.

Credit to: http://www.secretsofsurvival.com/survival/armed_robbery.html

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