| Please give me your undivided attention. This is the | | | | seem inconvenient, but if you have to toss your |
| level of awareness you need to detect and react to | | | | keys, you have only lost the key to your car instead |
| a potential threat. As you get ready to leave the | | | | of the key to your home. Consider carrying a |
| mall, make sure you have all of your treasures. If you | | | | flashlight. Bad guys hate the light. |
| can, put them in one hand. Now is not the time to | | | | If all is well, cross to your car and put your packages |
| get on your cell phone. Wait until you are locked in | | | | in the trunk and get into the car quickly. Lock the |
| your car. | | | | doors and look around the area. Did you remember |
| As you emerge from the mall, visually find your car. | | | | to look in the back seat before you got in? Do not |
| That's it, right under the light. Look at the area. Is | | | | roll down the windows until you are clear of the |
| there any one loitering around the parking lot? Is | | | | parking area. Your slow speed makes you vulnerable. |
| there anyone around your car? If there is, go back | | | | If you are approached as you head toward your car, |
| into the mall and ask security for an escort. You just | | | | go back into the mall. Do not respond to pan |
| might do a little more shopping. | | | | handlers. If you have pepper spray, now is the time |
| If the coast is clear, walk on the opposite side of the | | | | to display it and warn the person. Be prepared to use |
| parking row as your car and watch and listen. Is | | | | it if they threaten you. You do know how to use the |
| there anyone or anything that just does not seem | | | | spray, don't you? If you have a Taser, get ready to |
| right? If there is, go back into the mall and get that | | | | use it. You do know how to use it, don't you? |
| escort. Walking on the opposite side of the parking | | | | These measures may seem extreme, but they |
| row does not telegraph which car you are going | | | | quickly become second nature if practiced. You can |
| toward. This approach also allows you to look under | | | | make the choice not to become a victim. |
| and around your vehicle as you approach it. | | | | Remember: Do not rely on anyone else to keep you |
| Take out your keys before you leave the mall. Have | | | | from becoming a victim. |
| your car keys on a ring by themselves. This may | | | | |