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I have always been fairly aware of what was going on around me, but since getting my CHL I have tried to maintain condition yellow at all times. Now I am in charge of the "security" team at the congregation I attend. I generally walk the halls, parking lot, and check doors, during services. Nothing fancy, just a presence in case something happens or to deter wrong-doers.
Tonight I was walking the parking lots. Usually I stay on the sidewalk that runs around the perimeter of the building. I can see up and down the aisles and generally have a good view of the lots. Since it is getting darker earlier, I decided to swing out into the lots and walk a couple of the aisles as it was difficult to see all the way across the lot, even with the street lamps on. I had moved into condition orange, no indication of a threat but a dark parking lot is enough.
As with many parking lots, ours has directional head-in parking with the next aisle running the opposite direction. This puts head-in cars in a straight, diagonal line. I started walking up one aisle and got a funny feeling, but I didn't know what it was at first. I stopped, trying to get a tangible grip on the feeling. What was I missing? Again, still no indication of a threat but I just felt funny. Then I realized what it was, I was walking by the back of the cars so that I had to pass the left rear bumper before I could look back between the cars. I was walking against the direction of travel for the aisle. If anyone would have been between the cars, they would have the jump on me. I immediately cut through the cars and walked so I could look between the cars before I passed off the right rear bumper.
The rest of the night continued uneventfully (thankfully) as usual.
I guess I learned a couple of things tonight or at least reminded myself of them;
1) Trust your feelings. If it doesn't feel right, stop (or run as the case may be) until you figure it out.
2) Move up conditions as situations change. Sounds like a no-brainer but I have to remind myself sometimes. We are in a "good neighborhood among good people" so sometimes I become too relaxed.
3) Positioning is very important. By moving to the other aisle I improved my line of sight, moved my carry side opposite of the likely attack direction (thereby offering my off hand to fend/block), and made it easier for me to see the driver if they were backing out (to keep from getting run over).
4) Flashlight stupid. I don't normally carry one (for many reasons we could argue about, but not here or now). But I will now, at least to services I know are going to be during the night hours. Even the lighted parking lot is still dark. I may not carry it shining around but it would have been nice to have if I needed it. I may become a full-time convert to flashlights...with time.
5) And maybe most of all...be thankful when you make it through the day and get to go home, say your prayers, and sleep in your bed.
I don't know what I hoped to accomplish with this post. Certainly most of you already know this stuff but I felt compelled to share it...for whatever it is worth.
Thanks for listening,
Trog
Tonight I was walking the parking lots. Usually I stay on the sidewalk that runs around the perimeter of the building. I can see up and down the aisles and generally have a good view of the lots. Since it is getting darker earlier, I decided to swing out into the lots and walk a couple of the aisles as it was difficult to see all the way across the lot, even with the street lamps on. I had moved into condition orange, no indication of a threat but a dark parking lot is enough.
As with many parking lots, ours has directional head-in parking with the next aisle running the opposite direction. This puts head-in cars in a straight, diagonal line. I started walking up one aisle and got a funny feeling, but I didn't know what it was at first. I stopped, trying to get a tangible grip on the feeling. What was I missing? Again, still no indication of a threat but I just felt funny. Then I realized what it was, I was walking by the back of the cars so that I had to pass the left rear bumper before I could look back between the cars. I was walking against the direction of travel for the aisle. If anyone would have been between the cars, they would have the jump on me. I immediately cut through the cars and walked so I could look between the cars before I passed off the right rear bumper.
The rest of the night continued uneventfully (thankfully) as usual.
I guess I learned a couple of things tonight or at least reminded myself of them;
1) Trust your feelings. If it doesn't feel right, stop (or run as the case may be) until you figure it out.
2) Move up conditions as situations change. Sounds like a no-brainer but I have to remind myself sometimes. We are in a "good neighborhood among good people" so sometimes I become too relaxed.
3) Positioning is very important. By moving to the other aisle I improved my line of sight, moved my carry side opposite of the likely attack direction (thereby offering my off hand to fend/block), and made it easier for me to see the driver if they were backing out (to keep from getting run over).
4) Flashlight stupid. I don't normally carry one (for many reasons we could argue about, but not here or now). But I will now, at least to services I know are going to be during the night hours. Even the lighted parking lot is still dark. I may not carry it shining around but it would have been nice to have if I needed it. I may become a full-time convert to flashlights...with time.
5) And maybe most of all...be thankful when you make it through the day and get to go home, say your prayers, and sleep in your bed.
I don't know what I hoped to accomplish with this post. Certainly most of you already know this stuff but I felt compelled to share it...for whatever it is worth.
Thanks for listening,
Trog
