Surveillance & evasion

WITH the continuing wave of violent crimes against women in mind, I would like to share some thoughts on combating these despicable acts. The focus is on getting women to avoid violence.

Survival depends on two basic ideals: minimising the threat and maximising your options.

For a crime to be committed 1) the perpetrator must have intent, 2) he must have the capability and 3) there must be opportunity.

Effective surveillance means not doing this: looking for your car keys or using the phone while in the car park. You would be too distracted to notice any threat. — Starpic by AZLINA ABDULLAH
We have no control over the first two; we can only strive to minimise the chances of being attacked. Crime prevention begins before and not during the attack. Basically, you should avoid putting yourself in a compromising situation.

Here are some examples:

# Before driving off on an errand, or returning home late, do you already have the route mapped out in your head? This is important because if you’re lost, you’re vulnerable.

# Do you regularly check that your transport is in good order? Being stuck on a deserted road at night because you’ve run out of petrol or your battery has gone dead is not forward thinking.

# Before leaving on a long trip, do you charge your mobile phone, inform friends of your route and your ETA (estimated time of arrival), etc? Are you registered with a reputable automobile association like AAM?

# Do you scan your immediate vicinity before pulling out?

# Do you routinely check your mirrors to see if you are being followed, especially late at night?

Always think ahead and be prepared.

The strategic phases of defensive preparation can be summarised as SERE or Survival, Evasion, Rescue and Escape. We’ll talk about the first two this week.

Surveillance

Always be aware of your environment — who or what may constitute a threat, if there are potential weapons you can use, their proximity, escape routes, etc. For many of us, this is the most crucial phase. A danger avoided is a danger overcome.

Here are questions you need to constantly ask yourself:

Is your car parked in a dark spot?

# Is there a suspicious person nearby, loitering around or sitting in a car, or worse, van?

# Are you being followed?

# Is the area deserted?

# Are you walking directly to your car, thus potentially revealing your intended destination to all?

# Are there surveillance cameras around, and are you in plain view of them?

# Has your car alarm been triggered?

# Is your car alarm working? Does it have a panic or alert button close at hand?

# Do you have mace or a pepper spray? Is it in your hand? Do you know how to unlock, aim and operate it within two seconds?

# Have you asked any of your friends to follow you to the car?

# If no friends or family are present, do you ask for a security officer to escort you?

# Are you fumbling with or searching your handbag at the car park, or chatting away or messaging on your mobile, oblivious to your surroundings?

# Where are the exit points of the car park? Which do you use? Which is the best exit if you need to escape on foot?

Always be on your toes. For example, if at a party alone, do you leave your drink unattended, allowing someone to tamper with it?

If you’re going jogging, do you ascertain that it is in a safe area? Do you carry a short stick, handphone and mace with you?

In short, always consider likely threats and your options.

# Walking away from your car if there is a suspicious character loitering nearby, or in another car.

# Apologising to an offended party due to a spilt drink or clumsy elbow at a party so as not to cause a fight.

# Requesting for assistance from a security or law enforcement officer if you feel threatened.

# Driving off to a police station after being nudged or hit by another vehicle instead of getting down to view the damage. This is very important. If you need to talk, wind down your window a little, but be ready to drive off at anytime.

It must be stressed that in most situations, it’s better to break contact than to stay.

Don’t be a hero and don’t be casual. If you feel that you might “freeze” and panic, try to 1) visualise various situations and how to react effectively, 2) attend related workshops and practise evasion scenarios either alone or with friends and 3) take self-defence classes.

A few other examples of threat evasion:

# Keep your car doors locked while driving.

# Don’t get into a car and fumble around; immediately lock the doors, scan the area and drive off.

# Avoid high-risk areas at night.

# Alter your travel routes whenever possible.

# After withdrawing money from the bank, proceed immediately to a safe location. Don’t go off for a cup of tea and leave the cash in the car.

# Change your locks if your keys are stolen.

# Clutch your bag tightly; don’t let it swing loosely.

# Walk against traffic (so you can see approaching vehicles) and hold your bag on the inside.

# Steer away from suspicious vehicles.

# Though it might seem rude, do not assist with directions or enquiries from a vehicle that has suddenly pulled up beside you. Let the driver ask a man or group of people.

The moral here is: better to run away and live another day.