I don’t always know Why, but I usually know Where

It seems impossible to make it through a day without hearing of a killing, kidnapping, or violent assault of someone, somewhere, for some reason. Numerous books, papers, and articles can speak to the psychological reasons for human malevolence.

In my life’s work, Personal Security, I have learned that the Why is not as clear to me as the Where.  

For my colleagues in the Executive Protection world, this concept is not new and will simply be a reminder: most attacks of targeted people happen in and around the vehicle. Read Just2Seconds if you do not agree with that statement.

EP professionals understand the protective strategies involved in this critical area and have spent countless hours practicing Arrivals and Departures so they will react appropriately when the encounter happens. Thanks, Jerry Parr.

For those in the Corporate Security space, you also understand the significance of these areas. You are familiar with the tragic case studies of Corporate Executives, without Executive Protection, who have been targeted in and around their vehicle: Syndey Reso (Exxon) and Charles Geschke (Adobe) are constant reminders.

This article is for people who are responsible for their own security and are being targeted. An example is last month’s killing of a Judge in Maryland who was shot in the driveway of his home - with his family inside. This sad story (attacks in the driveway/parking area) has been played out over and over again in the history of targeted violence. In further reading of the Judge’s attack, the killer had recently suffered an adverse ruling and he wanted revenge. So, he did what countless others have done, he targeted the victim at a known location. A location where the adversary has a perceived advantage.

Certainly, people are targeted in their homes or known business locations, and it is prudent to implement smart security measures in these critical areas. These visible security measures (Guards, Access Control, Fencing, Cameras, Alarms, etc.) do have a deterrent factor, but the invisible security (covert personnel, staff vigilance, hidden capabilities, etc.) are the great unknown for the adversary. This unknown can alter their attack planning - as they want to be successful.

In and around a person’s vehicle there are far fewer unknowns. In fact, there are very little unknowns at all. The important unknown is the capability of the person being targeted and their personal preparation in this critical area. The adversary believes they have the advantage, the key is to take steps to mitigate this perceived advantage.

Risk is mitigated, it is not eliminated.

Here are some things to consider when going to or parking and leaving your vehicle:

·       This will be the hardest: Avoid your routine. Change your time of departure, change type of transportation used, and if able, change vehicles you use from day to day. If those steps are impractical or impossible for you, then you must increase your vigilance when entering or leaving your vehicle.

·       Assess your driveway or parking area, if able take away hiding areas by moving trash cans and trimming back foliage - do it.

·       Install powerful lighting or seek to park in well lit areas and take away the comfort they find in the darkness.

·       Listen to your intuition.

·       Upon arrival home or walking to your car - get your mind in the moment and put the phone away!

·       If armed, have the weapon somewhere that you can retrieve rapidly, not buried in a bag, briefcase, or purse.

·       If not armed, think about keys, any type of spray, or, at least, a handheld flashlight with a high lumen count.

·       Look for anomalies, PEOPLE, in and around your vehicle and your parking area.

·       Do not create an alibi for anomalous behavior. Do not say things like: “The guy with the heavy coat and sunglasses is probably just cold (it is 90 degrees) and he is wearing sunglasses at night as he has vision issues.”

·       Project strength and awareness as you walk to and from your vehicle. Shine the flashlight in the dark areas, under and around the car.

·       Have a plan, what would you do if someone came up to you and threatened you in some way – Fight/Flight work well here – if you are physically able to do so.

·       If you are able to drive away from the situation, do it!

·       Do not go it alone – take a friend, coworker, acquaintance and walk to the car together as a group.

·       If outside the vehicle and accosted, carefully consider going with them to an alternate location. It is exceedingly difficult to physically pick up a person who is unwilling to assist and taking you somewhere else is unfavorable for you.

During my time in the FBI, I learned that people are targeted in three ways: Random, Group Association, or Individually. If you feel you are being targeted individually, I recommend you seek professional guidance from a company or expert who has a proven history in Threat Assessment and understands the unique strategies in this often-misunderstood area.