Situational Awareness Sure Helps!

Bulldog Custom Gun Leathe · #1 11-23-2009, 03:18 PM

First off a little about my background, I’m a 34 year law enforcement veteran. I’m still on the job, and live and work in a rather high crime rate area. Throughout the years while away from my home I maintain a keen awareness of my surrounding both on and off the job. I’m pretty much in condition yellow most of the time. I’m also armed whenever I leave my home.

A situation this past weekend has caused me a evaluate the need to be armed at home even if it’s just to take the garbage to the street, or grab a breath of fresh air.
I had walked a lady friend out through my garage to her vehicle parked in the street.
As I started to walk back towards my open garage, my peripheral vision caught the headlights of an approaching car. I live on a major thoroughfare, so a passing car is something that usually goes unnoticed. What did grab my attention was the driver cut the headlights while still traveling down the street.
The car quickly pulled over partially blocking my driveway.
I quickly moved into my garage, quickly pressing the button to close the garage door.
As the door was coming down, I observed subjects exiting both the drivers and passenger’s doors heading towards my driveway.
After I was sure the door was closed, I ran up and grabbed a pistol. I heard the slamming of car doors and the vehicle sped away.
I’m convinced that I would have been a victim of a crime of opportunity, most likely, armed robbery, home invasion or worse.
The opportunity presented itself to a couple of scumbags just driving by.
As much as the incident shook me up, I’m glad it was I and not some other unsuspecting citizen. Living in condition yellow, helped me quickly realize that danger had presented itself and allowing me to safely retreat, grab a pistol to take further action if necessary.
I investigate violent crime for a living. I never gave a second thought to the possibility of being a crime victim myself. I sure consider it now.

500KV · #2 11-23-2009, 04:18 PM

That situation could have had a bad outcome for sure Bulldog. Glad everything worked out well.
I'm becoming more code yellow oriented myself since home invasions, drive-bys, parking lot muggings, et al. have become an every day occurrence here.

I've even started carrying, or have one within easy access when I'm cutting grass or raking leaves.(outside and not within easy reach of the house or garage).
Some would call this kind of thinking paranoia but when it's happening everywhere, even churches, I call it preparedness.

Makes you wonder what, if anything, is going to stop it.
LE can catch them but courts, sometimes for obvious reasons, turn 'em loose.
Really can't see it getting any better that's for sure.

Bawanna · #3 01-20-2010, 10:41 PM

You are absolutely correct on the situational awareness and preparedness plan. I carry without thought mowing the lawn etc etc etc. I use to put my gun in a ziplock bag in the shower. Now thats border line paranoid but I'm nearly deaf without a hearing aid so in the shower I'm vulnerable. Probably to late if I'm attacked in the shower but at least I had a plan feeble as it might have been.
Glad Bulldog was paying attention and avoided bad things happening.

medezyner · #4 01-21-2010, 05:31 AM

Your heighten sense of awareness cut short what sounded like some SHTF. Through years of martial arts training and defensive pistol training the code yellow can become second nature. It takes effort, time and practice but this awareness of environment will someday save your life. Over the years I’ve sounded like a broken record trying to instill this in my kids. Now I have a son ready to start his LE career and his Dad still bending his ear about situational awareness. It’s getting more difficult to sneak up on him like Kato does on to Clouseau, so maybe it’s paid-off! Glad to hear all turned out well.

wyntrout · #5 01-21-2010, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bawanna45cal

You are absolutely correct on the situational awareness and preparedness plan. I carry without thought mowing the lawn etc etc etc. I use to put my gun in a ziplock bag in the shower. Now thats border line paranoid but I'm nearly deaf without a hearing aid so in the shower I'm vulnerable. Probably to late if I'm attacked in the shower but at least I had a plan feeble as it might have been.
Glad Bulldog was paying attention and avoided bad things happening.

Hey! I'm glad that I'm not the only one to think about vulnerability in the shower... or the bathroom. Did you ever notice that bad stuff always happens when someone's in the shower... going back to Psycho. It almost never fails that one of the central figures in the movie is being stalked or something and just after a close call she/he gets in the shower... next thing you know the the bad guy... or thing is attacking her/him.
I was short a gun for the bathroom until I got my PM9. I retired my TPH to the bathroom and like you did, I certainly have thought about doing putting it in a ziplock bag in the shower... many times.
When I take the trash out at night, or move the water hoses while watering the yard at all hours of the night, I will put on a gun IWB and if needed carry a light. I finally got something that gives me a little protection as well as a light... or rather a little light (LEDs) and a lot of protection -- a 1,000,000-volt stun gun/flashlight. I need the light to set the hose timers. I've tried my 50k stun gun on myself and once on my agreeable daughter -- just a quick tap of the button. There's no way I'm trying this thing. Everyone I've shown it to has nearly jumped out of their skin when it discharged -- impressive -- especially when they think it's just a flashlight. It's a great deterrent just firing it for less than a second -- longer is harmful to the device. Longer than a split second will bring anyone to their knees and helpless. I feel better with the gun, but I still need the light.
Situational awareness is something you have to practice all of the time. That one time you weren't paying attention is when the SHTF. Like the Boy Scouts -- "Be prepared". I don't know what the Girl Scouts motto is... "Would you like to buy some cookies..."?

It ain't paranoia if they are really out to get you! And if you're not ready, you may not have the luxury of 2020 hindsight later.

Wynn

mx5fan · #6 01-21-2010, 10:06 AM

Bulldog,

Thank you, your post as it is a reminder to all of us to be more vigilant and mindful of our surroundings and any unusual activity as a potential cause for concern.

deadhead1971 · #7 01-21-2010, 10:25 AM

If they did not drop somebody off but got out of the car and then back in, then they were up to no good.

I am in code yellow too most of the time. I was not in any danger in this recent situation, but I maneuvered to the best position to deal with what unfolded.

I was in a grocery store checking out. I noticed a guy sitting on a bench near the front door inside the store. As I was handed my receipt and turned to head out the front door, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that the guy stood up as I passed and followed me. Inside the store about 10 feet from the door, I stopped and turned to the right side to make him pass me which he did, and I went out behind him. Immediately as we existed the store, he turned completely around and asked for money which I declined. I think I was armed with a Ruger 380 LCP. Being behind him, I was in a better position.

Longitude Zero · #8 01-21-2010, 11:44 AM

Always pay attention...Never drop your guard...Always have a plan.

jstringer · #9 03-06-2010, 11:36 AM

I was at the grocery checkout a while back. Noticed the guy in front of me had nothing to check out. Had the "look" too. Hate to say that but, whatever.

Anyway he just got cigs but I was glad I was "aware" if you know what I mean.

I try to keep aware, to look around especially when exiting a mall etc.

I get after my wife about it. She just doesn't look around or notice stuff. I pulled right up by her in my truck as she was loading stuff in her car one day at her work and she didn't even see me.....
I don't know how to get her to be more aware of her surroundings.
Anyone else have the same problem with your spouse? Fix it somehow?

johnatw · #10 03-06-2010, 12:55 PM

J**
I have the same problem with my wife, she never looks where she is walking, constantly stepping in pot holes, dog dukey, running into those trailer hitches that stick out from the bumpers, etc. I have no solutions, but wonder how come she noticed my new shotgun the very day I bought it and put it up??????