http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/519240-a519257-t4.html
This week in Plantation, Florida, Olivia Kerr Day drove frantically toward the police station as a soon to be killer pursued her. Despite calling 911 and driving to the doorstep of the police department, she was gunned down in warm blood. Her boyfriend had also called 911 while tailing the two vehicles with his own. He gave descriptions, routes of travel, and details of a man with a gun chasing Ms. Day. A police officer exited the station in time to fire a few rounds toward the man who fired his own bullets into Ms. Day. This scumbag took her life and his own life before police were able to dispatch him. She knew him for three weeks. He cut meat at a grocery store where she shopped.
Many naive Americans take comfort in the assumption that police are there to protect us. Having served in law enforcement I can confidently opine that police presence may deter a crime or respond after the fact; however, police are seldom able to protect someone during a crime in progress. If you do not believe me, ask Ms. Day. Her screams on the 911 tape and her statement, "I'm stuck! He's about to kill me!" wrang prophetically true.
Similar incidents occur each hour throughout the country. What can you do?
This week in Plantation, Florida, Olivia Kerr Day drove frantically toward the police station as a soon to be killer pursued her. Despite calling 911 and driving to the doorstep of the police department, she was gunned down in warm blood. Her boyfriend had also called 911 while tailing the two vehicles with his own. He gave descriptions, routes of travel, and details of a man with a gun chasing Ms. Day. A police officer exited the station in time to fire a few rounds toward the man who fired his own bullets into Ms. Day. This scumbag took her life and his own life before police were able to dispatch him. She knew him for three weeks. He cut meat at a grocery store where she shopped.
Many naive Americans take comfort in the assumption that police are there to protect us. Having served in law enforcement I can confidently opine that police presence may deter a crime or respond after the fact; however, police are seldom able to protect someone during a crime in progress. If you do not believe me, ask Ms. Day. Her screams on the 911 tape and her statement, "I'm stuck! He's about to kill me!" wrang prophetically true.
Similar incidents occur each hour throughout the country. What can you do?
- DO NOT ASSUME Police can protect you
- Make plans to protect yourself
- Develop situational awareness
- Be calm and try to think ahead in the face of danger
- Always have access to a "neutrlizer" such as a gun, tazer, etc.
- Train...Train.....Train some more
- Seek professional assistance in developing a plan -- many law enforcement agencies offer this service, as well as private agencies such as KNM, Gunsite Academy, etc.
- Speak clearly and as calmly as possible when describing the situation to a 911 operator -- this saves precious time and they can help you plan your actions
- Practice acting under duress -- Run as far as you can as fast as you can and then practice actions which require thought and dexterity (i.e., dialing a phone number, reciting something memorized, or working math problems) -- this helps you learn to think clearly under duress/stress
- If your local gun range allows, do some pushups, situps, or other physical activity just prior to shooting a target. This will give you an idea of how you shoot while "winded." You can practice accordingly
- Keep yourself phyically fit
In short there are many ways we can practice being prepared. For more tips, shoot me an email at knmconsultinggrp@aol.com
Copyright 2008 KNM Security and Risk Consultants
Disclaimer: KNM is not a law firm and does not render legal advice or engage in the practice of law. KNM Consulting and its employees shall have no liability to any persons or entities with respect to any loss, liability, or damage alleged to be caused by the application of information or opinions expressed in accordance with a consulting contract, its website, blog, or via complimentary marketing survey reports (MSR’s).
