Has Situational Awareness Ever Saved You?
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Onward Allusion
New member
No, not boulder dash. The reality is that it depends on where you are. If one can believe the FBI statistics, violent crime decreased in the 1st half of 2011. However, I want to point out that supposedly unemployment has dropped as well. If one were to dig deeper, one will understand that there are a lot of numbers that go under-reported and/or misclassified.
In any event, here's a link to the 2011 1st half FBI stats.
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/uc...jan-jun-2011/data-tables/table-4/table-4/view
Just glancing at the numbers it looks like top-tier cities are lowering crime rates but smaller cities are increasing.
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
Onward Allusion said:
"Combat zone...."
"Becoming grim..."
Boulder Dash.
On the whole. violent crime is down from high levels and is not increasing. "This" locality or "that" locality not withstanding.
I am addressing the assertion that "The situation in urban America is becoming grim. It's becoming more and more like a combat environment.", which is absolute rubbish. Nonsense.
Gotta love that American Muscle ... man what great cars!!!
Still have it? I still have mine (Pontiac Firebird). My wife says I'm clinging to my youth ... yea, so?
Just one case where it saved my bacon. Came out of the garage one night late and found a kid going through my stuff. I yelled at him and as he took off and gave chase. Very weird feeling, kind of surreal and my legs went rubbery. Took me all the way down the driveway and across the street before they were solid again (body chemistry must have finally evened out) and it takes a good deal of effort to keep aware of your surroundings. Caught the kid about 2 houses down. He gave me the 'I'm sorry, all I took was this flashlight, I'll never do it again sir' lines. I checked is bag and indeed all he had was my flashlight. At this time I could see 2 shadows approaching from the NW. The kid again said 'I'm sorry, please mister' and I took the flashlight and told him to get lost. He took off running and as I started home met up with the other 2 who kept coming towards me. They handed me a line of have you seen a kid steeling? They had some stuff taken from them too. I'm sure all 3 were together. I kept the tough image up and just said yea, he took off that way. They very phony like said lets get him and took off running. It's one of those feelings but I'm sure all 3 were together. Had I not seen the other 2 coming I might have held the one kid and called for the cops but 3 on one, I don't think my Karate is that good. Maybe, but I don't want to find out over a flashlight. Last time I ever left the garage open (goes to show you good neighborhood doesn't mean squat).
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My small city does not report the actual crime stats according to one of my old patients who was chief detective. They kept two separate lists. The real version and the reported version. He told me if people knew the real stats, there would be vigilantes on the streets from such anger.
Long way of stating I seriously doubt the dropping crime stats. If that is true, why do they keep building new prisons and keep filling them up at an alarming rate? Go figure, crime is down, but they keep convicting more and more criminals. How does that happen?
Cities compete against other cities and crime stats are one of the determinants if folks will move or start a business in that area. Like many things in govn't, they plain and simply lie.
I see a lot of shootings here in the Omaha area but they are almost all gang related and in one main part of town. A few down south but almost all are in a 2 mile radius.
No need to panic tho. Todays media is so hungry for a story they will come up with some and embellish it to the point folks hide in their houses in fear.
Sure there have been isolated acts of huge badness but it isnt an every day situation.
I prefer to belive most folks are good at heart and will behave as they are treated. Be nice and they are nice. Is my opinion only, others may feel differently and thats OK.
No need to panic tho. Todays media is so hungry for a story they will come up with some and embellish it to the point folks hide in their houses in fear.
Sure there have been isolated acts of huge badness but it isnt an every day situation.
I prefer to belive most folks are good at heart and will behave as they are treated. Be nice and they are nice. Is my opinion only, others may feel differently and thats OK.
230therapy
New member
Yes! Both times I noticed them very early on and stopped the encounter with a "NO!" and the universal open hand "Stop" signal. One location was in front of the video store and movement to the far side of the car was easy. The other location was at a gas station when I was pumping gas. I could have been easily pinned between the car and gas pump.
The trick is to "keep your head on a swivel" and watch reactions. If they are looking at you and react, then you've been selected!
See John Farnham's Quips.
The trick is to "keep your head on a swivel" and watch reactions. If they are looking at you and react, then you've been selected!
See John Farnham's Quips.
JustThisGuy
New member
Wierd timing, this post.
Just a few days ago I had to go quite some distance to a not-so-great part of town to pick up something that could not wait till the next day. I had just enough time (and fuel) to get there. Leaving their office, I had to gas up at the nearest gas station as by that time, I was sitting just over empty. I usually fuel up at 1/4 tank but that time the remaining fuel did not get me there and back.
As I was fueling in this part of town, a car pulled up on the other side of the gas pump and a young woman got out. She approached me and said she needed money for gas. I reached into my pocket and gave her the bill on the outside of my folded cash, which I knew to be a $5.00 bill. I did not take out all my cash, keeping the remaining bills in my pocket.
She started cussing at me saying she needed to fill her tank and that I was a cheapskate (modified wording). While I was struck at her total lack of gratitude, I quickly swiveled my head and glancing over my right shoulder I noticed a rough looking young male approaching me from behind.
I quickly swept back my jacket and put my hand on the grip of my Sig Sauer P229 and moved to a more defensible position.
She yelled to the young man "Don't mess wit' him he got a gun!" and they both took off in a very big hurry.
Lesson learned. Now I refuel at 1/2 tank.
Just a few days ago I had to go quite some distance to a not-so-great part of town to pick up something that could not wait till the next day. I had just enough time (and fuel) to get there. Leaving their office, I had to gas up at the nearest gas station as by that time, I was sitting just over empty. I usually fuel up at 1/4 tank but that time the remaining fuel did not get me there and back.
As I was fueling in this part of town, a car pulled up on the other side of the gas pump and a young woman got out. She approached me and said she needed money for gas. I reached into my pocket and gave her the bill on the outside of my folded cash, which I knew to be a $5.00 bill. I did not take out all my cash, keeping the remaining bills in my pocket.
She started cussing at me saying she needed to fill her tank and that I was a cheapskate (modified wording). While I was struck at her total lack of gratitude, I quickly swiveled my head and glancing over my right shoulder I noticed a rough looking young male approaching me from behind.
I quickly swept back my jacket and put my hand on the grip of my Sig Sauer P229 and moved to a more defensible position.
She yelled to the young man "Don't mess wit' him he got a gun!" and they both took off in a very big hurry.
Lesson learned. Now I refuel at 1/2 tank.
aarondhgraham
New member
I dunno,,, but lack of it got my fanny whupped & robbed,,,,,
There I was,,,
Sittin' in a bar in Tae Jon Dong, South Korea.
I had Yobo's to the left of me,,,
I had Yobo's to the right of me.
But was I scared?
Hail no!,,,
But I wasn't aware either,,,
'cause when one lifted my smokes,,,
I chased her out the door and ran into her "friends".
Who then proceeded to happily whup my hind parts,,,
And rob me of all my valuables,,,
Along with my manly pride.
Alcohol and Condition White seem to go hand in hand.
Aarond
There I was,,,
Sittin' in a bar in Tae Jon Dong, South Korea.
I had Yobo's to the left of me,,,
I had Yobo's to the right of me.
But was I scared?
Hail no!,,,
But I wasn't aware either,,,
'cause when one lifted my smokes,,,
I chased her out the door and ran into her "friends".
Who then proceeded to happily whup my hind parts,,,
And rob me of all my valuables,,,
Along with my manly pride.
Alcohol and Condition White seem to go hand in hand.
Aarond
aarond, "yobos"? Can't say as I ever heard that one afore!
As to the OP, more times than I can possibly relate. A real hairy experience in South Africa, which my own stupidity got me into, another in downtown Kiev, another in a small town in Brazil, another in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. That's not counting the times here in the states.
As to the OP, more times than I can possibly relate. A real hairy experience in South Africa, which my own stupidity got me into, another in downtown Kiev, another in a small town in Brazil, another in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. That's not counting the times here in the states.
compglock17
New member
Situational awarenes has saved me time and again! Its more than just knowing where you are and who's around. Weapons availability, improvised weapons availability, cover/concealment locations, entrances, escape routes, facing the room, hands, hands, hands, and of course..... CY6!
Stevie-Ray
New member
Once for sure, two times probably, and countless times arguably. I've relayed both these here before, but once at an ATM, which faced a main thoroughfare by the way, at night, 3 guys suddenly appeared on the sidewalk walking behind me. One seemed to be getting too close and I spun around, throwing my jacket back and gripping my Kimber. His exaggerated step toward the sidewalk and back to his friends told me he was up to no good, though he was giving me a what's your problem look. They continued down the sidewalk and I finished my transaction.
Another time I was biking at night past a rather large dog sitting unrestrained on his front grass when I heard his owner murmer get im! I put my hand on my G26 and yelled BIG F-IN MISTAKE! The dog hadn't gotten much more than several steps before he was called back. This time I reported it, but since I couldn't give them an address they said they wouldn't do anything but drive by.
Another time I was biking at night past a rather large dog sitting unrestrained on his front grass when I heard his owner murmer get im! I put my hand on my G26 and yelled BIG F-IN MISTAKE! The dog hadn't gotten much more than several steps before he was called back. This time I reported it, but since I couldn't give them an address they said they wouldn't do anything but drive by.
There are too many neighborhoods in my community that were once safe, but are no longer--especially (but not limited to) at night.
Personally, my first concern is what things are like in my community. There has been NO violent crime drop where I live. It's still a fairly safe place to live, but home invasions have increased. So have robberies on the street where the wrong car drives by, spots a victim, and assaults them (or murders, as has been the case, also).
Use to be I could go to a carwash, or a day night teller (especially, but not limited to, at night) without being overly concerned. Hasn't been that way for a long time in the world of decreasing crime you allude to.
Doesn't matter if the crime rate increases or decreases slightly. There's more crime than there used to be in MANY places. Not just border states.
I'm curious to know about these communities you refer to where the crime rate has been decreasing for years.
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Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
Violent crime has been on the decline as a nation wide average for years. "Your" town may not follow the trend.
Regardless, that's not even the point. The person to whom I was responding said that situation in American cities is "grim" and they resemble "combat zones".
Argue crime rates and find exceptions for sake of argument all night long, "grim combat zones" is asinine.
Here are some charts that get the point across:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_the_United_States
Notice the peak in the early 90s with a steady decline ever since.
Regardless, that's not even the point. The person to whom I was responding said that situation in American cities is "grim" and they resemble "combat zones".
Argue crime rates and find exceptions for sake of argument all night long, "grim combat zones" is asinine.
Here are some charts that get the point across:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_the_United_States
Notice the peak in the early 90s with a steady decline ever since.
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You know, I have to jump in here to agree with peetzakiller. I'll accept as a given Alaska444's caution about crime statistics being understated. Still, it would appear that violent crimes are falling, even if the actual levels of crime are higher than reflected in the FBI statistics. I think most of us have presumed that to be the case, given the manifold incentives to under-report violent crime.
But to the point, the idea that American cities, overall, are "grim" and "combat zones" is risible. I believe that was the point.
Oh, and the worst American urban crime I ever knew was New York in the 1970s. While New York may be a hell-hole for gun owners (or for any American), it's a better place, violent crime-wise, than the mid-seventies.
But to the point, the idea that American cities, overall, are "grim" and "combat zones" is risible. I believe that was the point.
Oh, and the worst American urban crime I ever knew was New York in the 1970s. While New York may be a hell-hole for gun owners (or for any American), it's a better place, violent crime-wise, than the mid-seventies.
Perhaps, but there are sections in every major city where the crime rate is extremely high, the danger for the people who live there is very high, and the danger for a person who'd inadvertently enter the area is extreme.
There are sections in the same cities where gunfire can be heard on a nightly basis, and even during the day. There are places where people sleep behind sandbags, or put children in the bath tub to protect them from stray bullets.
How assinine is it to refer to places like that as "combat zones" when I know, for an absolute fact that many LE officers refer to them as the very same. And no, I don't mean the whole city, unless maybe you refer to Oakland Calif., or Detroit after they won (or lost) a big sporting contest. At least the down town sections and rapid transit.
THE POINT:
If he'd said every major city has it's war zones, then he wouldn't have been so extreme. Just a little where some cities are concerned, and on the money with others.
By referring to the whole cities in general, then yes, rather extreme.
Except maybe DC, that has a per capita casualty rate that exceeds that of our troops fighting in a WAR ZONE called Afghanistan!
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PADefenseTrainer
New member
I live in the "Yellow Zone"
It's hard to know for sure. But at least a few.
I'm a big believer in the Jeff Cooper Color Code
It's hard to know for sure. But at least a few.
I'm a big believer in the Jeff Cooper Color Code
- White - Unaware and unprepared. If attacked in Condition White, the only thing that may save you is the inadequacy or ineptitude of your attacker. When confronted by something nasty, your reaction will probably be "Oh my God! This can't be happening to me."
- Yellow - Relaxed alert. No specific threat situation. Your mindset is that "today could be the day I may have to defend myself". You are simply aware that the world is a potentially unfriendly place and that you are prepared to defend yourself, if necessary. You use your eyes and ears, and realize that "I may have to shoot today". You don't have to be armed in this state, but if you are armed you should be in Condition Yellow. You should always be in Yellow whenever you are in unfamiliar surroundings or among people you don't know. You can remain in Yellow for long periods, as long as you are able to "Watch your six." (In aviation 12 o'clock refers to the direction in front of the aircraft's nose. Six o'clock is the blind spot behind the pilot). In Yellow, you are "taking in" surrounding information in a relaxed but alert manner, like a continuous 360 degree radar sweep. As Cooper put it, "I might have to shoot."
- Orange - Specific alert. Something is not quite right and has your attention. Your radar has picked up a specific alert. You shift your primary focus to determine if there is a threat (but you do not drop your six). Your mindset shifts to "I may have to shoot that person today", focusing on the specific target which has caused the escalation in alert status. In Condition Orange, you set a mental trigger: "If that person does "X", I will need to stop them". Your pistol usually remains holstered in this state. Staying in Orange can be a bit of a mental strain, but you can stay in it for as long as you need to. If the threat proves to be nothing, you shift back to Condition Yellow.
- Red - Condition Red is fight. Your mental trigger (established back in Condition Orange) has been tripped. "If "X" happens I will shoot that person".
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and also agree with peetzakiller. Contrary to some who believe we are "under siege", in a "combat zone", I don't see it this way. Using buzz words to get a point across is sensationalism. Been to a few combat zones and they didn't really remind me of any US cities I've been to 
As for situational awareness saving, unless there is a specific threat, how does one know if they have been "saved" by their actions? Because someone follows me, and I turn in a different direction, was I "saved"? Do I know the intent of the follower to classify it as a legitimate threat? Hell, If I was walking behind someone and they put their hand on gun, I'd take off too! Just curious as to how some classify a legit threat.
As for situational awareness saving, unless there is a specific threat, how does one know if they have been "saved" by their actions? Because someone follows me, and I turn in a different direction, was I "saved"? Do I know the intent of the follower to classify it as a legitimate threat? Hell, If I was walking behind someone and they put their hand on gun, I'd take off too! Just curious as to how some classify a legit threat.