Photo by John Robert Taylor
Ever feel vulnerable because of where you are instead of what you’re doing? Or extremely safe in a place other than your home that’s open to the public? Well most could answer “yes” to both questions…if they really thought about it. Here are some places that I believe may be safer or more dangerous based on design.
Fuel Stations
Many of us in law enforcement refer to fuel stations as “stop and robs” for good reason. Many people are robbed at them. In my article on avoiding robbery, I referenced a true account in which I feel two individuals were plotting to rob me at a fuel station.
Gasoline must be purchased so fuel stations have to be frequented by anyone that drives and/or owns a vehicle. As you pump fuel not only do vehicles (including your own) block your line of sight and provide optimum concealment for anyone that wants to sneak around, but there are also distractions. Unlike the lights and entertainers Sin City is famous for, these distractions are “in your face” literally. Your situational awareness is diminished via television screens, voice boxes, and rotating posters mounted to the fuel pump! In addition, some of these advertisements provide more of the “vision-blocking” concealment I mentioned earlier. If you can help it, visit a pump station that has slimmer pumps and wider lanes. This will increase the scope of your view and your situational awareness along with it. In addition, try to place yourself in a position in which escape into the grocery mart is possible. You would more than likely be trapped if under attack and you flee to your vehicle.
voice advertisements and posters
Photo by John Robert Taylor
Stairwells
This may be the third time I’ve mentioned stairwells as a safety hazard. Their soundproof and tucked away design is probably for fire prevention and utility purposes. I have a strong belief that if something built for utility is not safe for the public. My only remedy for making stairwells safer is taking one that is very visible and heavily populated. In any metropolis, one structure customarily has a “safe” stairwell…courthouses. Most courthouses I’ve seen (and I’ve seen quite a few) seem to have too few elevators. Packed with individuals rushing up and down them hoping to make it to court in time, the courthouse stairwells are heavily populated. There’s a mixture of violators trying to be on their best behavior, countless law enforcement personnel, attorneys, and concerned relatives. So, unless you’re in a courthouse rushing to pay off that fine, or in an office building that is not accessible to the public (which still may be dangerous), try to avoid the stairwells.
Photo by John Robert Taylor
Sin City Crosswalks
Clark County and the municipalities within go “above and beyond” to make crossing the street safer. Some places do not heavily mark the crosswalks and proactively enforce the laws requiring motorists to yield to pedestrians. In addition, I really enjoy the “no-waiting” above ground crosswalks on the Las Vegas strip. I believe the crosswalks here in Vegas are far safer than those possessing faded paint and a vandalized sign.
The Casino floor
It bothers me that a few incidents have lingered when casinos have an immaculate record for safety on their gambling floors, lounges, and clubs. Earlier I asked if there was a place other than home where you would feel extremely safe. When I have felt safer from violence, other than my home, I was in a casino. I don’t gamble (not to offend those who do) but I do enjoy lounges and I “clock in” tons of hours sitting beside my mom when she visits and plays slot machines. Sometimes when bored in that situation, I conduct personal safety research checking the length of time it takes before a member of the casino staff or a security guard walks by. As far as the general staff is concerned, the longest time was 53 seconds. Concerning security, the longest time is 4 minutes and 19 seconds. You shouldn’t let your guard down anywhere. However based on design, some places are relatively safe.
Whether intentional or not, some places are safer or more dangerous simply by design. These are just a few. Feel free to share any you’ve noticed.
{Originally posted on LLV Facebook page}
Environment is only one aspect of safety. Many people put down their guard too easily.
Gas Pumps: Always lock your doors and keep your purse/valuables out of view. Don’t take your purse out with you, only enough money or the card you need to pay for the gas. Keep your key in your pocket so a would be jacker won’t see you as a fast target. Although holding mace in one hand while you pump with the other is extreme, it will send a message that you are NOT EASY.
Stairwells: I agree, these are intrinsically unsafe spots, but human beings are usually NOT as patient as trolls and more likely your would be assailant followed you into the stairwell instead of just sitting there waiting for that once in a day passerby. So pay attention to who is following you while you are walking BEFORE you chose to go a non-populated and very isolated route.
Cross walks: Keep in mind that even when you are in the right, how can you sue if someone hits you and you die? Look both ways and speed up your pace as you walk. Don’t feel entitled to walk through speeding traffic (especially at night) as if there’s this sci-fi forcefield that will stop an errant car before it flattens you.
Casinos: Be mindful, security wears guns and all you need is to be around when a weirdo starts stuff with them. Most deaths in casinos are from stray bullets. About thievery, casinos are the number one place for pickpockets. Make sure your purse is zipped shut and the flap is over. Keep your purse on your lap when you are at a machine NOT in the slot between machines, most machine bays are back to back and someone from another isles can reach through and grab before you are the wiser. While you are at the tables, make sure you do not keep any money/valuables in your back pockets and sling your purse over one shoulder so it hangs in front of you not to your side…. See More
It’s awareness that keeps you safe. I’ve been here over 15 years and have never been mugged, jacked or accosted. Pretty safe here if you just stay mindful and not set yourself up to be an easy target.
I agree that situational awareness is highly useful skill, in Las Vegas, and in every urban place in America — but as a rule — this is a very easy city to be safe in and practice active living enjoyment — A couple of points, probably less then 1/3 of active security in casinos (or anywhere else) are armed. Stray bullets in a casino — I can think of exactly two such instances in the last decade in Las Vegas.
But I think you might enjoy reading some more of John Robert Taylor’s crime safety tips — kindred spirits and all of that. Here’s a list of those articles….
Mark
Hi Heidi,
Phenomenal tips!!! Thanks for the comment and congrats on having such a high level of personal safety! Just a few more things…
For stairwells or any potential danger area…If you “tail check” at the entrance, you still may have gone far enough for an assailant to display a weapon and force you inside. I would urge anyone to consider possibilities over probabilities. Yes it’s true that most people attacked in stairwells may have been followed. But even if the chances of an attacker lying in wait is a single digit percentage, that’s enough to consider traveling the stairs with others or even showing up a few minutes early to wait for an elevator.
Since safety is paramount, casino security guards are rarely armed on the casino floor. Regardless of who possesses a gun, they’re bad news in a crowd. Casino’s apparently prefer to get a “problem” into an area where innocent bystanders are not likely to be harmed. You will notice, that when they actually have a problem they form a small perimeter around it and keep it moving to the nearest exit even if they are struggling or arguing with the disruptive subject. Most armed felons flee from authorities before shooting at them (thank goodness). In the rare occasions that an assailant has opened fire in a casino, armed security and law enforcement did not take long to respond. In the recent past when armed subjects have displayed a weapon when confronted with security on a casino floor, they (security) have backed away from the subject keeping the safety of bystanders (and their own) in mind. Outside, law enforcement and security could re-establish contact with the armed subject having used surveillance to monitor his or her location. So with that in mind it is likely that exterior security, meaning those that are near the casino floor but not on it, bicycle guards, and security supervisors are armed. I must say that I have never seen better security than the men and women who work the casinos in Vegas.
I also agree that situational awareness is a huge deal and I mention it frequently in some of the other articles to which Mark linked in his comment. It’s true that walking around with pepper spray in your hand makes you appear a lot less vulnerable. However I’ve always believed that a person should reveal a weapon only when they are prepared to use it. In addition, understand that some self defense tools (check out my article called “Self Defense – Tools of the trade”) are only distractions and should be followed up with another technique, preferably what I call the “Nike Defense” (running to safety). Criminal offenders I have personally encountered, have been briefly distracted, but continued to assault or resist officers after being sprayed. Let me add that we use OC Spray which is more potent than pepper spray. If potential attackers already see something in your hand, they have an idea of what to expect if and when they attack you. If they have a superior weapon, they may attack anyway. Keep them guessing. They may be the type that is unaffected by pepper spray but the surprise may be enough to facilitate escape. Violent crime prevention is not an exact science, but it might be better to use situational awareness and positioning as a deterrent and keep self-defense tools readily available without “showing your hand” to potential attackers. Violent criminals have claimed that they would rather attack someone who appears to have their mind elsewhere over someone who seems to be more aware of what’s around them.
Thanks again for the comment. You listed some great tips!
John
UGH!I wrote a really long reply to your article but my internet cut out and I lost it all! Oh well, just wanted to tell you that it was a great article! Great job!