As a former LEO, I understand my view of the world is tinted a bit differently from yours.
I have seen a world of people, circumstances, attitudes, and hatred that you cannot fathom. I don’t sneak around like a spy, checking my mirror, changing routes to work, or draw a gun when I hear a car backfire. I am just a bit more aware of my surroundings and the people nearby than most folks.
Most of my friends are still LEO, and I read a good bit and keep abreast of developments in technology, crime, anti-crime, criminal tactics and so on. I simply know and have learned things you don’t/haven’t and I act on that knowledge as I go through my day.
I’m not Jason Bourne leaving carnage in my wake as I go to Piggly Wiggly.
I’m just aware of the possibilities that we all face, and plan for them accordingly.
I’m a gadget freak, and an emergency preparedness guy by nature. After being hit or hit and run in my truck a few times, I put cameras front and rear. Now when shit happens, I have evidence instead of “my side of the story”.
And, frankly, after having been burglarized twice - shame on me - I added more layers to my security system. Any security person will tell you that layers are the key. A fence, open yard, no bushes by the house, motion-sensing lights, and a monitored alarm system are pretty much standard. Big dogs are great. Mine are tiny!
I live in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA. While the crime rate is highest in Atlanta, it is still quite high in the surrounding counties, and I’m in one of them. I’m only 15 miles or so, as the crow flies from downtown, so it’s not exactly far and away from the epicenter.
Criminals casing houses or the elderly to rob later are not limited to my neck of the woods at all. It’s one of the most common ways thugs assess where to come back to.
A quick google check of robberies and home invasions in Atlanta will give you an idea of our problem. It’s not Compton or Johannesburg, but we have issues area-wide. Katrina refugees spiked our stats, and illegals from south of the border make up an enormous percentage of the criminal activity and arrestsin our county.
As a past victim of assault, burglary, and theft, I have decided to mitigate the possibility of further incidents in a pro-active manner, and have taken many precautions to that end.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go put some more lime in the trick-or-treater pit out back. Little bell-ringing bastards are starting to smell with the warm weather we’re having…