Are High End Shopping Malls A Target Rich Environment For Perpetrators?

Are you a high end target for the criminal mall perpetrator? You might want to examine yourself and your holiday shopping habits before you hit the mall this Friday. Then watch this video to learn just what criminal predators are looking for as they prey upon unsuspecting women at high end shopping malls across America. Be sure to review the mall personal safety tips at the end - tips we already KNOW yet it never hurts to remind ourselves of how important personal safety is during the holiday season.

As the Holiday Season officially kicks off on Black Friday, November 27th, it is imperative that women especially consider their personal safety while they are at the shopping mall, as they approach their vehicle in the mall parking lot, as they drive home, and when they are at home.

We normally think of the holiday season as a time of thankfulness, joy and giving unto others. Yet, there are predators who are preying upon vulnerable, unsuspecting women who will be victims of their criminal acts. This video depicts a stark reality of what may be on the mind of a "criminal predator - perpetrator" who will have no qualms about attacking, hurting, and even viciously murdering women in order to get what he wants!

It is up to women to realize that these types of crimes are happening and to proactively protect yourself and your family wherever you are. If someone is planning to attack you in the shopping mall, don’t make it easy for him to do so. Be alert, be aware of your surroundings, have your keys ready and carry some type of Pepper Spray, Mace, Personal Alarm, TASER, or Stun Gun for personal protection. Noise is one of the biggest deterrents so if attacked make as much noise as possible! (Personal protection @ www.thepersonalsecuritystore.com).

Courtesy of MSNBC.com

Be sure to watch the full video show of Terror At The Mall by CLICKING HERE.

Here are 2 articles on Holiday Personal Safety when shopping at the mall and while in the mall parking lot

Remember, Stay Aware…Stay Alert…Stay Alive!

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Mall Parking Lot Safety During The Holiday Season

Black Friday is on November 27, 2009 and officially kicks off the holiday shopping season. Your safety and security while out shopping, enjoying the holiday festivities, and entertaining should be high on your priority list.

With the number of personal assaults, carjackings, robberies, home burglary and home invasion robbery crimes increasing at this time of year, it is imperative that you consider some personal safety strategies as you enjoy this special time of the year.

Here are some personal safety tips for staying safe as you leave the mall and head to your car in the mall parking lot. Keep in mind that this is where potential criminals may be hanging out waiting for unsuspecting victims.

It’s important to be alert as you are shopping and to notice if anyone seems to be "eyeing you" or following you a little too closely. If you are shopping in a highend store buying high dollar gifts, you may be a "target of opportunity" for the would-be criminal perpetrator. Crank up your intuitive antenna a little this holiday season. Times are tough for many people and turning to crimes like personal robberies in easy locations - like the shopping malls or mall parking lots - are on the rise!!

Please pass this information on to other women you know. Thanks.

7-Safety Tips For Mall Parking Lot Safety During The Holiday Season

1. Be aware and alert to your surroundings at all times as you are going to your car. Notice who is hanging around the parking lot - especially at night. If you are talking away on your cell phone and not paying attention to what’s going on around you, you are exactly the person the perpetrator is looking to attack. You may think you are aware, but in reality you aren’t. You may not be able to respond to a person attack as quickly if you aren’t clearly paying attention. A young lady with arms full of packages and bags trying to find her vehicle is the criminal’s ideal "target" Especially if she is alone talking away on her cell phone. Be fully aware and totally alert as you walk to your car.

2. Have your keys in your hands and be prepared to use your them as a weapon if you are assaulted or attacked. Your keys can be a good weapon to ward off an attacker if used appropriately. Another secondary weapon would be to carry pepper sprayor mace on your keychain. If you carry personal protection, know how to properly use it and ensure you are following local laws in your area. A personal alarm with a 130 decibel alarm combined with a flashlight is another excellent protection device that would alert anyone nearby that you need help. If you are shopping at night, this would allow you to see inside your car and illuminate UNDER your vehicle as you approach. If there is someone underneath the car, he might not have the strength to hold onto your leg or ankle from such an awkward position. (However, in a severe assault if someone tries to slice one of your achilles tendons before you realize he is there…you may not be able to walk). Walk to your car with confidence, be prepared, and have some type of personal protection.

3. As you near your car, only unlock the driver’s side door with your remote. If you have a newer car, you can probably unlock your car from quite a distance away. Wait until you are fairly close to your car before unlocking the door and then only unlock your side. When you press the remote button more than once, it will unlock all doors. Don’t give a lurking perpetrator the ability to quickly enter the passenger side of your car.

4. Before getting into your car (especially at night), check to make sure there is not someone hiding inside. As mentioned a dual personal alarm with a loud siren and built-in flashlight will allow you to check inside your car at night. Many people are not in the habit of locking their car doors making it extremely easy for a predator to get inside your car and wait for you. Get into the habit of always locking your doors when exiting your car.

5. Don’t leave your valuables unattended. This is a great time for the criminal to rip off your packages or your purse. If you’re trying to get a baby strapped into the seat, look around to see who is nearby. If it looks okay, get your child strapped in and then put your valuables in the backseat or trunk. Always be looking around and monitoring the situation. You don’t want to give someone the ability to force you into your car OR the trunk because you were not closely paying attention. Remember these creeps are opportunistic -don’t make it easy for them!!

6. If you’re going to be shopping for awhile, be sure to wear comfortable shoes…and that’s not high heels. If you are attacked as you head to your car, you may not be able to get away quickly if you have on 3” high heels. Nix the heels for some comfortable shows. Think safety first.

7. Avoid parking near large vehicles or shrubbery or up close to a building – especially if you are by yourself. If you are walking out to your car alone late at night to an unlit area covered with shrubs, you may become a target for some predator looking for an easy prey. If you can’t find a parking spot and have to park there, come back before it gets too dark and move the car closer to the entrance. Or you could have the mall security walk you to your car. When returning to your vehicle, be leery of large vans or utility type vans with sliding doors parked right next - almost too close - to your drivers side of your car. If your gut tells you this doesn’t feel right, go back into the mall and have security escort you out to your car. If you decide to get in without security, do so from the passenger side but make sure you lock doors immediately upon entering and exit the parking lot right away. Remember to listen to your intuition - your gut!

One thing that I would like to encourage women (and men) is to take some type of self-defense training or personal safety awareness training. Knowing the right techniques and strategies to protect and defend yourself in a personal assault, attack, or carjacking may very well save your life.

There you have it - simple Personal Safety Tips for holiday mall shopping that can keep you safe…and alive!!

Remember..Stay Aware..Stay Alert..Stay Alive!! Happy Holidays!

For all your personal protection needs - i.e., Pepper Spray, Mace, Stun Guns, TASERs, or the 4 n 1 Emergency Tool, go to www.thepersonalsecuritystore.com.

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7-Holiday Safety Tips To Know When Leaving The Mall

This article was written back in April 2008 but I thought it was worth bringing back for the holiday shopping season. With all the excitement and holiday festivities it is easy to become unconscious to what is going on around us. The criminal perpetrator is looking for that one person who is not paying attention to either steal their purse or wallet, rip off their holiday packages, or violently attack them. Staying alert and aware this holiday season will help you maintain your overall safety - whether shopping, at home, or wherever you are.

Have you noticed how unconscious some people are (especially women - and young women) when they leave the shopping mall or even the grocery store? This holiday season - like none other - we should be especially observant and aware of all the people we come into contact with - especially at the malls, shopping center, and the parking lot areas with our holiday packages in hand.

Here are some quick safety tips for staying aware, alert, and safe when leaving the shopping mall and making your way out into the big parking lot areas where criminal types can hangout and just wait for their victims. I have highlighted in red additional information that a friend reader, Larry Kaminer, passed on to me. Thanks Larry. Please pass this information on to other women.

7-Safety Tips To Know When Leaving The Shopping Mall

1. Ladies don’t be talking away on your cell phone not paying attention to what’s around you. If you have your cell phone, ipod or mp3 player hooked to your head, you’re not really paying attention to what’s going on around you. And that really is important, especially if you are going to your car way in the middle of the parking area by yourself. This is exactly the type of person the predator is looking to attack. Be fully aware and totally alert as you walk to your car. Read more

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Murder In A California Parking Garage - Stay Aware, Stay Alert, Stay Alive!

Woman Stabbed To Death In Parking Garage

CENTURY CITY (CBS) ― Police searched today for a man who stabbed a Camarillo woman to death in the parking structure of a Century City high-rise office building.

Pamela Fayed, 44, had her throat cut in the garage at 1875 Century Park
East about 6:35 p.m. Monday, according to police and coroner’s spokesman Ed Winter.

The suspect was described as a male in a black, hooded sweatshirt and
blue jeans who may have fled in a red sport utility vehicle, Los Angeles police said.

Read the full story at: http://cbs2.com/local/Bloody.Century.City.2.782252.html

Just (2) postings ago I had talked about Parking Garage/Mall Parking Safety Tips. Two of the most vulnerable places for an attack or assault to happen is in a deserted parking garage or a shopping mall parking lot late in the evening. If you use city parking garages, be aware and be alert at all times. Read more

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