View Full Version : Visual Purple and Be Prepared
Roycroft201
07-09-2006, 19:39
During the Holiday seasons and when not teaching in the summer, I work at a shop in a local Mall. The Mall is the largest one in this immediate area, conveniently located next to an exit of the Interstate, etc. etc.
When we leave the shop at night it is usually quite late and we try to leave in small groups. However, once we walk out the door of the mall, everyone goes in different directions in the large parking lot trying to remember where the car is parked (sadly, I believe it is CRS disease:( ).
So, I read 12B4S' thread with interest about Visual Purple and have consciously tried to combine it with a heightened SA . Just another example of the education you QPs share with the guests here.
So, let's fast forward to this afternoon. Of course, I have been following TR's thread "Be Prepared" and have tried to prioritize what I need to be doing.
What I didn't expect was the 'curve ball' that came at me this afternoon. While I was at work someone had slit the screen window in my bedroom to gain entry to my home. Since my house was not ransacked, the police feel that they were interrupted or were scared away before they actually could get in. All the obvious items had not been touched. However, there are other things that I have to take an inventory of and the officers will return tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, a gentleman friend came over to secure the window until I can take other more permanent steps tomorrow when businesses open.
As I thought about the many 'what ifs' that could occur at my part-time job walking to my car alone late at night, and then the numerous emotions that I have felt today due to this attempted burglary, I couldn't help thinking about all the topics that have been discussed on these forums that relate to our personal safety as civilians and that of our loved ones.
A huge thank you to 12B4S and to TR, and to all of you QPs and knowledgeable PS.com members who educate us in a multitude of fields.
This lady will sleep soundly tonight.
Sincerely,
Roycroft201
The Reaper
07-09-2006, 20:11
Roycroft:
I am greatly relieved to hear that you are safe.
I would recommend that you consider the following. It may have been a random event, and they just picked your house arbitrarily out of the many they had to choose from. On the other hand, it may have been someone who targeted you and/or your home specifically because they knew you might be home alone, had property worth stealing, or were one of the easier houses in your neighborhood to break into.
The slashed window screen, and a bedroom screen no less could have been prep work for a more sinister silent entry later while you were there. Was the window unlatched or did they break in?
Criminals are inherently lazy, that is why they resort to crime. If you were targeted, it is likely because the criminal felt that you would be an easier hit than the neighbors with the pit bill, or the one with the alarm sign, or the one with an adult male or two around most of the time, or the one with the shrubbery cut close and the nosy neighbor next door.
Frequently, criminals will case a potential target to gather info, do some planning, or even to steal keys or determine the best point of entry later by popping open other locks, chains, etc.
I strongly recommend that you do an immediate check of all doors and windows and do an inventory of any spare keys that you have. Consider adding new deadbolts on any doors with glass nearby, pin windows with bolts, and jam sliding doors with broomsticks or pins ASAP. Change your locks. Maybe you could locate and reinforce a safe room. Think about sleeping in a different room with a locked door, having another relative or friend come spend a few days, getting a dog, or just pet-sitting one, keeping your cell phone charging by the bed, along with a flashlight and a weapon (a can of OC if you have nothing else), changing your schedule to work different hours, purtting up an alarm sign or having a company install a simple system (you can usually get the installation for free if you subscribe to their service for a year), having another car park in your drive, notify the neighbors of what happened and asking them to keep an eye out, leaving all of the exterior lights on at night, asking the police to run a few extra patrols by your house, leaving the TV or radio on during the day and putting lights on timers, and asking the investigating officer to have his crime prevention officer to come visit and do an analysis of your house as soon as possible.
One of the most important things for people to remember is that if you come home and notice anything amiss like a window or door ajar that you did not leave that way, get out immediately (if you are inside already), go to a safe place, and call the police. That is what they get paid for. Do not wander around looking for the intruders. It could be anything from a neighborhood kid pranking to some well-armed people who have serious harm on their minds.
As for coincidences, I don't believe in them. Take this seriously. Better to feel foolish later than helpless sooner.
Take care, be safe.
TR
IConsider adding new deadbolts on any doors with glass nearby, pin windows with bolts, and jam sliding doors with broomsticks or pins ASAP. Maybe you could locate and reinforce a safe room. dowels work nicely for sliding doors and windows...5/8" wooden dowels fit the slot nicely and can be disguised more easily when the door is meant to be opened...
RC, I don't believe in coincidences either...and hope you will follow TR's advice to the letter.
Though I'm in an apartment on the second floor, when I'm not home all my windows are locked tight even on a beautiful day. Hell I don't even leave my door open or unlocked when I walk downstairs to take out the trash.
Glad you are okay, keep it that way.
BoyScout
07-09-2006, 21:30
Roycroft thank God you are safe.
Please take TR's and lksteve's advice. Trust me waking up to a stranger in your room is one of the most frightening situations I have ever been in. I still bare the scar from it happening to me. Please be safe.
CoLawman
07-09-2006, 22:04
Great Advice! Will add some of my thoughts via PM.
The Reaper
07-09-2006, 22:43
B:
Speaking of Visual Purple, also consider getting a SureFire flashlight for your purse and your nightstand. The G2 is the introductory model.
The light will be handy for finding things, looking around at night, amazing people, and is powerful enough to temporarily bleach out someone's rhadopsin (visual purple) and stun them long enough for you to escalate or run away.
They are great for personal defense, and can even function as an impact weapon.
HTH.
TR
Glad you are OK Roycroft201.
This brings up bad memories of a couple months back when I was visiting an upstairs neighbor. I came back in, and my bedroom door was ajar. That should have been enough hint that something was wrong but I did not have the SA. It took me 5 minutes to figure out somebody had been there! I had just finished reading The Gift of Fear, so I should have picked it up more quickly. What finally tipped me of was the absence of a pillowcase on one of my bedpillows. Only then did the intrusion sink in, and I noticed both of my laptops missing. I left and called the authorities to check out the place and make sure it was clear.
OK, so that is a bit different, as the assclowns probably watched me leave and go upstairs, ran in, and shoved the goods into the pillowcase and ran. The police said they suspected some particular kids who live nearby but couldnt do anything about it :eek: I lock the door now all the time.. even to take the dog to the yard.
One of the laptops was older and had no password protection (I replaced it with a laptop with fingerprint recognition, which I hope it the next best thing to hardrive encryption). Not to spread the paranoia, but I also lock the bedroom door from the inside while sleeping. I too am grateful for all the personal safety tips from those who are prepared.
Stay Safe.
pulque
I too am glad you are ok Roycroft. I also don't believe in coincidences. My ex, was stalked both here and in CO. There were a couple different guys. But one was from when she lived in CO, then moved down here. Up there he gave her the creeps. He found her here in AZ, six or so months after she moved. One night she came home and her house had been broken into. The only thing taken was lingere and like items. I caught one of those shmucks though, one night in a parking lot, when she was leaving work.
All the above is great advice. The wooden dowels work. There are just a few things you want to test when using them. The bright light, will definately mess with the guy's vision. Giving you the advantage of a second or more.
Roycroft201
07-09-2006, 23:40
You have no idea how grateful I am for the advice all of you have offered.
I will take any suggestions anyone has to offer. ALL of them.
Today my emotions have gone from fear, to anger, to my brain just spinning, and now I am at that 'determined' stage.......determined as in " That SOB ( or plural) is not going to do this to me again."
Tomorrow I begin applying everything you have suggested.
Thanks to all.
B
Ther ya go Roycroft. All those emotions are normal. 'determined', smarter, and prepared for the SOB/s is best. Most all of them are cowards and as TR said, they want it easy. If it isn't, they will go find another victim to thier liking. Just the same, prepare for the ones that aren't. Cover all the bases. Go outside where you live. Look around. Think like a BG. Do it in daylight and at night. Where is there cover? Are there lights? You know your place. Do you play music louder at times or the TV. Do you always take the same route home? Do you think about, instead of just using your rearview mirrors to check traffic, maybe checking to notice, if you are being followed. If you are being followed. Don't go to your home. Said BG, just might be doing a recon. Do you know your neighbors at all? I'll leave it at that.
B,
I am very glad to hear you're safe, and trust you to make the best of it as per the excellent advice here.
Talk to you soon!
I should have another look at the Be Prepared thread.
Cincinnatus
07-10-2006, 08:23
B:
Speaking of Visual Purple, also consider getting a SureFire flashlight for your purse and your nightstand. The G2 is the introductory model.
The light will be handy for finding things, looking around at night, amazing people, and is powerful enough to temporarily bleach out someone's rhadopsin (visual purple) and stun them long enough for you to escalate or run away.
They are great for personal defense, and can even function as an impact weapon.
HTH.
TR
roycroft,
This is great advice. Keep a Surefire G2 in your purse, another in your car door, another by your bedside, ... wherever you might need it in a hurry, They're inexpensive, if you look around you can find them for under $30!
Have your G2 IN YOUR HAND when you walk to your car at night (or anywhere else that you have ANY concerns regarding your safety.) As you pass through doorways, between cars, come around corners, etc., bring the hand with the light up as if you were scratching your neck, adjusting your glasses, or brushing back your hair. If you are suddenly accosted the light is already at eye level and it takes just a flick of your wrist and a push of the tailcap to temporarily blind the offender. Then strike using a 'hammerfist' driving the bezel into the dirtball's face or throat and/ or get the hell out of Dodge!
The great thing about a bright light is that it does no permanent injury, so you need not worry and second guess yourself, "Is this really a threat? What if he doesn't mean any harm?" as many of us do when confronted with a use of force situation. If someone startles you, or comes uncomfortably close, shine th e light in their eyes and move quickly away. No harm done. (Even OC spray, of which I'm a huge fan, can't be deployed as casually as a good light, but get some OC spray [Fox Labs makes good stuff] and carry it in the same manner during the day.)
Please, post soon telling us you are the proud owner of a couple of G2s, and some OC spray.
The Reaper
07-10-2006, 09:34
Cincy:
The Fox Labs is indeed some HOT stuff. It is what I bought to carry.
If the videos of it are halfway realistic, that stuff should stop a rhino.
The technique you describe for flashlight use is what we call the neck index position. It is lightning fast and you can even shoot fairly well from it.
Good solid advice! Much easier to apologize for putting the light in someone's eyes than the OC or a hollow-point.
TR
Simple Simon
07-10-2006, 10:17
Glad you are OK Roycroft, I don't post often but when I can help I will. I don't think it has been mentioned but get a pair of mens work boots and leave them by the front and/or back door. The bigger and more worn the better. This sends a message to any would-be thief "there is a big burly man that lives here" a small suggestion, but an easy one.
Michelle
07-10-2006, 15:25
Roycroft201, I am really glad you are okay.
Can you have animals where you live? I've done a lot over the years to assure my personal safety at home, but I can honestly say, there are 2 things that I have in my home that are the greatest deterrants, alarm systems and protectors, all rolled into one. They are:
(1) A Jindo;
(2) A Pit-Boxer.
A well trained dog in the house has been an immeasurable part of my home security for the last 14 years. Just some food for thought.
Good luck and PLEASE take care/ stay safe.
m1
Warrior-Mentor
07-10-2006, 15:41
Glad you're OK.
PM inbound with another technique to make you a less attractive target.
Best,
JM
Cincinnatus
07-10-2006, 20:58
Cincy:
The Fox Labs is indeed some HOT stuff. It is what I bought to carry.
If the videos of it are halfway realistic, that stuff should stop a rhino.
The technique you describe for flashlight use is what we call the neck index position. It is lightning fast and you can even shoot fairly well from it.
Good solid advice! Much easier to apologize for putting the light in someone's eyes than the OC or a hollow-point.
TR
A guy I know swears by the Fox Labs OC, he's used it a number of times to great effect. He far prefers it to whatever they were previously issued.
I tend to look at OC as "eyejab in a can" as SouthNarc has described it. If it actually shuts the BG down, that's great, but all I'm really expecting is a momentary flinch to buy me a chance to get away, or if that's not in the cards - start throwing palm heels and ax hands.
Edited to correct spelling error.
Roycroft201,
I am very sorry ot hear that this has happened to you. Having grown up in a not so nice area with some not so nice friends, I know what you are going through from both ends.
What TR said is correct. This may just have been a recon on your house. Several times a criminal will make entry into a home, get a quick layout and an idea of where the valuables are and then come back later on to finish the job.
Some other things to think about to protect yourself...
Try rearranging your furniture a little. If this was a recon attempt a new home layout is likely to throw off a returning burgler and make more opportunities for him to wake you if you are home, or discourage him if you are not.
Put some prickly plants in front of your windows. Small to medium plants that can easliy be moved from the inside in case of an emergency are still enough of an obstacle to either disuade a thief from coming in through a window, or at least warn you that they are coming through when he knocks them over.
When you go to bed at night, depending on your house's layout, leave on main light on (i.e. near a sliding glass door). This will give a potential thief less cover and it will make it easier for you to identify an intruder if they make it into your house. A Surefire G2 will still blind someone even if a light is on, especially if you have the optional 120 lumen bulb in it.
Also don't try to find clever hiding spots for your valuables. As TR said, criminals are lazy (and generally cowardly). A lot of that lounge time is spent thinking about good hiding spots. They will find them. Instead put them in the innermost room of your home. The one that it takes the longest to get to with the least outside access. If you can afford it get a small safe that bolts to the floor, or is at least 25 or more pounds. Most crooks can't run off with something like that. A lock box is useless, as they can be carried, opened later on and are a neon sign for valuables.
Hope that those tips help you some. Stay safe.
Roycroft201
07-11-2006, 23:40
Once again, I just want to say thanks to ALL of you.
All of your suggestions (here on the thread and those I received via PM) are terrific. I'm sure there are others here who may have learned something new, as well.
I have learned A LOT. It's one helluva way to get a crash course in personal safety but I am very grateful.
Thanks again.
RC201
This thread really got me thinking! I have my trusty Remington 870 Home defense, but the Girlfriend hates firearms (slowly getting her used to the Idea). Since she lives alone....and I cant convince her to keep the shotgun with her while Im going to be Away, I ordered her the Surefire E2D Executive Defender. Looks like a bad little piece of Hardware. She(my girlfriend) is pretty tiny, and I thought that my big old Mag light might be too akward. Thanks for the suggestions, It will definately put my mind a little more at ease to know that she will have a means of personal defense.
Roycroft201: Glad you are okay. Stay safe.
....I'm sure there are others here who may have learned something new, as well.
I know I did.
I know I did.
Ditto. Thanks to everyone for your ideas and lessons in SA and protection.
LibraryLady
07-12-2006, 18:53
Ditto. Thanks to everyone for your ideas and lessons in SA and protection.
I have to agree with RC201, lrd and Gypsy. Thank you for the ideas.
LL
Cincinnatus
07-13-2006, 08:44
It occurs to me that my last post tried to speak to a couple of audiences at once, and in doing so, did a poor job of addressing both.
TR,
As above, the Fox Labs stuff gets good reviews from the field. Never used it myself, but it seems to work well. Opinions of folks I know who were sprayed during class varied with some saying it wasn't appreciable hotter than other sprays.
roycroft and others new to the subject,
There are those who see OC as a sort of magical "Asshole-Be-Gone" spray. This is not the way to think of OC.
There are also those who have heard the horror stories of OC failure and think it terribly ineffective. OC failure, seems to come in three flavors;
- Incorrect use. User hasn't familiarized themselves with the unit and doesn't get OC in bad guy's face.
- Poor maintenance. OC is left in pocket or purse, nozzle gets blocked by lint or debris, unit doesn't work. Or OC isn't replaced regularly. Or OC is cold and spray just dribbles out.
- Bad guy is resistant to OC. People who are drunk, high, enraged, have been sprayed on numerous previous occasions, etc., can be resistant to OC.
So, get a dummy unit, practice spraying someone, replace regularly (once a year is recommended, get in the habit of giving yourself a birthday present each year :cool: ), check the nozzle regularly and clean with a pin if lint has found a way in. Keep it in hand when in dicey spots, buried in a pocket or a purse it's useless (have someone pretend to attack you while you try to dig out your OC - it'll be an eye opener!), and don't count on it working. Rather expect to buy a momentary "flinch" and use it to move off line, prepatory to either running away or launching a counterattack.
(Not try to paint too grim a picture with this last. The OC will probably work. I was in a class a couple of years ago with a guy who worked as an intelligence analyst for a large PD. He had reviewed, IIRC, over 400 OC uses by their officers and found that in 75-80% of the incidents the OC ended the hostilities very quickly, but the cases where it didn't work tended to get real ugly, in part because the officer didn't go immediately to "Plan B".)
As a final note, OC is available in stream, fog, foam and I think there is a name for a wider stream, but at the moment it escapes me. All have pros and cons. The stream has greater reach but must be aimed more carefully, the fog doesn't reguire as much precision in placement but can be blown off target, the foam won't contaminate bystanders (useful in clubs and in correction institutes) but can be wiped off and thrown back.
ASP makes something called a "Key Defender" and a "Pocket Defender" IIRC. These are essentially Koppo sticks with OC spray. They can be used to both spray and strike. As the button for the OC spray is in the same place as the tailcap on the SureFire the same carry and striking method will work with both. ASP offers inert spray to practice with and the units have a key ring attached, so approaching your car you can have the ASP w/ keys in one hand and groceries in the other and still be able to defend yourself more or less immediately.
HTH