Parking lot strategies

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Good point Tanzer. A smiley would have made that obvious. I just dont see how two people in a parking lot pose any threat at all unless you are in a place you dont belong. i get a big kick out of the internet commando's and all the "tactical" talk that goes on. if you are worried about them take a turn in the parking lot and see if they follow. If they do head back to the store. Not a situation that needs alot of "tactical" thought unless you are paraniod of every one and every thing.
 
This reminds me of when I walked into the bank with my big black puffy jacket, and a ski mask on. Man everyone was FREAKED out!!!! (True story)
 
1) Get out cell phone
2) Prentend to call police
3) Describe subjects behind you as possible fugitives you saw in a Post Office Poster
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You're going to do this because two guys are walking behind you???

As far as I can tell, neither of them have done anything menacing. Just two guys walking behind you as you leave the mall. Probably no big deal. I'm mean, this describes half the times I've been at a mall.

Stay aware, as always, and be prepared to act if it's not innocent behavior.
 
It's kinda hard to not look suspect when you're walking, and two guys are walking BEHIND you..wouldn't you have to turn around in order to see them? are you watching them?

I always watch reflections in the car windows :)
 
We've gotten off topic. Rich's suggestion is valid whether done precisely or not. Others have suggested alternate methods - shoe lace routine etc. The way I see it, the idea is the same. CWP means dropping "Condition White" 99.9% of the time. We are thrust into the responsibility to think. The macho stuff is for chumps - period. You remember that death is attached to your hip. You take care to figure out your situation. You remember the rules about knowing your target and what is beyond, and you keep your wits about you. Tactical metods are employed here - good thread. You need a brain here. The last thing you want is to shoot a groom to be who just bought an engagement ring and has it in HIS pocket so no one targets him. He may seem uneasy because he just dropped half a year's salary.

Kgcpr - sorry man, I'm quitting smoking. Right now, I could roll up some dead grass out back, roll it in toilet tissue, and light it up. Chewing this d*mn gum has the same effect as a fart in a windstorm.
 
I'd casually continue on to my unmarked black/white Crown Vic, whilst scanning for any other details that didn't look right. If they didn't stop by the time I got to my car, I'd assume they were either not following me in the first place, but I'd still keep a weapon handy.

A mall is somewhat of a public place, and it isn't uncommon to see other people traveling between the parking lot and building. :rolleyes:
 
I actually have a tactic I use all the time. When leaving the store I always walk down the row BESIDE the one I parked in, if I am being followed I can cross over to see if they follow. If they don't follow I have something between us and in the process of crossing they should have had time to pass me. If they DO follow I would cross back, this is done to see if they follow again OR if they might split up to cover both rows. If they continue to follow or split up you now have reason to believe they mean you harm and can prepare for the encounter by dialing 911 and holding your finger on the "Call" button while reaching for your weapon with your strong hand (notice I said REACHING for and not DRAWING). If they approach, turn to face them and press send and anounce you have called the police, if they continue to advance anounce you are armed and demand they stop.
 
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Does your car have the keychain "dongle" for unlocking the doors? It probably also has a panic button. PRESS IT! That's what it's there for, and it will probably work from ~50' away. I can't imagine the horn and flashing lights wouldn't discourage whoever was following you. The only downside I can think of is that now they'll know which car is yours. Still, I'd rather try that rather than pulling out the CCW until I felt I really had to, preferrably after I've gotten in the car and locked the doors. My two cents...
 
Keyless entry is nice. But from the factory, Titan comes with a nice lil feature, press and hold unlock button, and windows roll down. Release the button and window stops right there. I always liked starting the truck with remote start, then doing the window thing, makes it look like someones in the truck
 
I always liked starting the truck with remote start, then doing the window thing, makes it look like someones in the truck
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Ever find your self shouting into your keychain, "Come on KIT! I need ya buddy!" just to see if it might work? :cool: Sounds like a handy feature, but not sure how long the illusion is kept after someone actually looks in and sees empty seats :eek:


Joking aside, Tanzer said it best. Just gotta be aware when you're out and about. There are bad people in this world who intend to do bad things to others.
 
lol well I might want to add, theres 15% tinted windows all the way around, and I only roll the windows down about 5 inches. So with the truck starting, and a small gap in the window, makes it look pretty dang real.

but yes, must always be aware!!I usualy start to freak out if the people are within 15 feet of me..too close for comfort!
 
It does not have to be a garage, a mall parking lot or a big city.
I live in a town of 2500 pop. last year a 21 year old mugged an 80 year old in front of the supermarket in daylight, even after getting the man's wallet, the crackhead beat the old man badly enough he died a few months later from the lasting effects of the beating, so, it can happen to anyone, anywhere.
The reason if I have my pants on, I am armed.
You have to be watching, at least scanning the area, at all times.:mad::eek:
 
+1 drinks
CWP means condition yellow. This is NOT paranoid - not imminent threat around every corner - that's ORANGE. Condition YELLOW - awareness of surroundings. Think of it like this; You've got the Grim Reaper in a little steel bottle attached to your belt. You can't walk around without a care in the world. Nor can you go over to a punk (though you may want to) and say; "Hey, ask Santa for a belt this Christmas". Responsibility should be proportionate with power, and there's a lot of power in a Hydrashock.
 
You come out from the mall and you head to the parking lot, two males are walking about twenty feet behind you, non have made a move, your car is twenty feet away and you are alone and armed. What would be your actions?
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Just continue to my truck and stay alert as to what is going down around me. As the situation is described there is no obvious threat, just a typical trip to and from the mall, with other people walking to their cars too.
 
I'd make a 90 degree turn to walk between a couple of parked cars and get a look at them. Depending on what I saw/thought at that point I'd probably continue on to my car while keeping an eye on them and keeping other vehicles between them and me. At this point I'd probably have a hand on or near my gun.

Hopefully at this point I'd just continue on to my car in a high state of alert, get in, lock the doors, and watch them walk past to their car.

If they tried closing the distance prior to my reaching my car I would loudly ask if I could help them. If my tone and question didn't stop them things start to get tricky. I haven't seen a weapon, but two on one is in my opinion a deadly threat. However, I don't know if the police or DA will see it that way. I'd probably be hesitant to use deadly force, which in turn would make me hesitant to draw my gun. If I felt threatened enough, I would, if I didn't, I wouldn't. Hell, as much as I don't like to say it I might very well run. However, if I chose to run and they gave chase I can almost certainly say the gun is coming into play at that point, hopefully after I find a nice big van or truck to duck behind.

A lot of my action would depend on my rating of these two men as a threat.
 
If they are walking behind you at a distance of 20 feet(I know distance quickly overtaken........) and they have not made any move or acted in any manner to be intent on harming you, keep a keen eye out for them and scan the area to see any potential allies they may have waiting in the wings. If this does go down bad, aim for the closest one first, then carry on to the next.......

If not, then get into your car, see that the 2 gentelmen probably are getting into a vehicle on the same isle that you were parked on and thank God that you didn't have to do something to defend your life or the life of another that day.
 
What would be your actions?
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Continue going to my car. Perhaps tipping my head to acknowledge the men if they continue to my area. GOOD GRIEF!!!! Folks, it is a parking lot. There has been no indication of threat. If you are that scared of life, that frightened of the world, you have far bigger problems than a couple of guys behind you in a parking lot. "We have nothing to fear but fear itself" is some pretty good advice.
 
GOOD GRIEF!!!! Folks, it is a parking lot. There has been no indication of threat. If you are that scared of life, that frightened of the world, you have far bigger problems than a couple of guys behind you in a parking lot.
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Absolutely!

I think most people missed the point of the original question. You walk out of the mall, towards your car, and two guys are walking behind you... SO WHAT? This happens all the time. No one said they are carrying a gun, stick, knife, or appear to be threatening in any way. They are just walking behind you.

As you should always do, stay alert. That's all you need to do.
 
Change directions just to make sure of their intentions.

Don't listen to those who would call you paranoid for recognizing a potential threat. What are a few extra steps to insure your safety?

Please David tell us just how does that lessen ones quality of life? How is this being "scared of life"?
 
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