Hot wash....
There are a few "after action" lessons to be gleaned from the Sanford/Zimmerman event;
Leave it to the professionals: GZ & the board(residents) of the HOA should have got a crime prevention survey or hired a private security firm to inspect the property & suggest any improvements or crime prevention measures. Licensed, trained armed security officers(G in Florida) in marked patrol vehicles would act as a deterrent & be available to the residents in emergency situations.
Some tenants & residents are openly hostile or confrontational with private security, others are supportive & friendly. The HOA, to my knowledge, never took those steps & they had to pay for the error with a settlement offer to the Martin family.
Make it a hard target: The HOA could have set up security lights, CCTVs, signs, etc for crime prevention & security. They didnt need to turn the complex into a state prison but there are ways to deal with crime or asset protection/access control. Video systems or CCTV would have IDed exactly where Martin ran to or fled(hid) in that approx 4min period(mentioned by GZ's lawyer; Mark O'Mara). CCTVs are not perfect or fool-proof but they are better than nothing.
Plans Prevent Poor Performance: GZ(as well as many other armed citizens & license holders) lacked skill training & insight to deal with a serious threat. If you carry a loaded firearm, you owe it to yourself or your family members to know how to use it. You don't need a "warrior-spirit" or "Far East" mindset
, but you do need to know what to do when things go down & "the balloon goes up"(a phrase by Jeff Cooper, the USMC veteran & pistol instructor). Classes or in-depth training may not be available or affordable but books/videos/etc are a good resource. You don't need to be a super-ninja or DEVGRU SEAL but you should have tactics/use of force training.
Get legal: George Zimmerman didn't ask for an atty & spoke openly with Sanford LE from the very start. Many lethal force instructors & even LE academy trainers say to
not make statements or sign anything until you speak to a lawyer. GZ didn't request a atty or refuse to talk at the start.
I'll close by adding that GZ did have 2 small white lights with him(that was smart). The state prosecutor; Bernie De La Rhonda(check spelling) wanted to make that an issue but it fizzled out,
.
To have a small knife or a 2nd weapon(OC spray, defense pen, impact weapon) is a good idea.
Clyde F