Get out of your bubble

Some of you live in Baltimore City, so you know what it's like to hear gunshots, police sirens, and hopefully you have a slightly greater appreciation to everyday safety awareness.

However, most of our members live in Baltimore County, in Pikesville, Owings Mills, and alike.  Places not typically high risk or beset with criminal activity.  Most of you walk around day in and day out in complete ignorance to what is happening around you.  Lulled by comfort and a sense of safety that could not be further from the truth.

I do not mean to alarm you, but reality is over the past month there were various homicides, some no more than two blocks from our training facility.  Home invasions are on the rise.  Assaults on teens, women, and the elderly are also increasing.

So what do you do about it?  Well, the obvious answer is: you train. You prepare.  You burst that bubble you are living in and begin paying closer attention to your surroundings.

How many of you walk alone at night?  How many of you park in dark areas?  How many of you walk to your cars (alone and in a dark area) staring at your cellphone too busy sending a text message to notice the would-be purse snatcher?

Here are a few simple tools you can use:

• Make sure you are always acutely aware of your surroundings.  If the hairs on the back of your neck are rising, listen to what your senses are telling you.  Stop and evaluate.  Maybe you should change your course.
• If you have a cellphone, dial 911, but don't press "send".  In case of an emergency all you have to do it hit one button.  You don't even need to talk, police will find you.
• Fight or Flight?  Fighting may not always be the best option.  Sometimes putting as much distance between you and your attacker is a better option...just as long as they are not faster than you.
• Remember the difference between a primary crime scene and a secondary crime scene.  never let someone move you or take you to another location.  Even from your back yard into your house.
• Make yourself less of an attractive target.  Don't wear expensive jewelry, or show your large wad of cash.  Have a potential attacker thing that the person on the other side of the street is a more worthwhile target than you.
• If you must fight remember that the best thing to strike at is not what you believe would make a better attack for you, but rather what would make a more devastating hit to your opponent.
• Use weapons of opportunity, like keys, belts, your handbag.

• Be a good witness.  If you were a victim of a violent crime try to memorize as many details as you can about the event and your assailant.

Stay safe!  Be aware!  Come train!

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein

Masada Tactical, LLC

www.MasadaTactical.com