April 24 Mom/Women/Camp April

JEWISH TIDEWATER

attention to your surroundings. If you are walking in an urban environment, stay at least three feet away from buildings. Doorways and alleys are potential areas where someone can pop out. If you’re right next to the building, best case, you could likely collide with them, or worst case, become a victim. No matter where you are, maintain your SA. In a mall, a grocery store, coffee shop, be alert to what is around and always have a plan to respond to an emergency.

Know where emergency exits and restrooms are located. If you like to listen to music while out, try using only one earbud and keep the volume at a level where you can hear ambient noise.

Do not leave valuables visible from outside your vehicle. Lock them in the trunk or a rear area where windows tend to have a darker tint. NEVER LEAVE A FIREARM UNSECURED IN YOUR VEHICLE!!!

When you arrive at your destination, don’t rush in. Take a second to look inside to assess the situation. There are numerous stories of people walking right into a store during a robbery.

Once you’re finished with your business, conduct the same assessment on your way out. If you have driven to your location, have your keys out and ready. Even if you have a car that doesn’t require a key to enter, have them out. Keys can be an effective self-defense weapon, if needed, and if someone approaches you and demands your car, you are situated to toss the keys in one direction while you run in the opposite direction.

NEVER have your house keys on the same key ring as your vehicle. If someone gets your keys and they are together, they now have the keys to your house and your address somewhere in your glove box. When you get in your car, if you’re like me, it takes a minute or so before you’re ready to start the engine. So, the first thing you do is LOCK YOUR DOORS.

So, you’ve completed your errand, your work or school day is over and you’re heading home. What do you do? Practice SA. Is that car driving into your neighborhood following you or just going the same way you are? If you feel someone is following you, DO NOT DRIVE HOME. Drive to a safe location, fire department, or police/sheriff’s station. Call 911 and explain what you see. Stay on the phone with the operator. As you approach your home look around. Does it appear as you left it? If people are loitering in the area, drive on. If you are concerned enough, call the non-emergency line for your local law enforcement. If you park in a garage at your home, open the door as you approach so you’re not waiting in your driveway for the door to open. Close the garage door as soon as you’re in the garage. This will help deter an attacker from rushing into the garage while you’re vulnerable. If you park outside, take a few seconds before you get out. It is time well invested.

When you leave home, leave lights on to illuminate the perimeter. If you have an alarm, use it. Make sure all windows and doors are locked. Are expensive items visible through your windows?

SA should become a regular part of your day. No matter what you are doing or where you are, SA will help keep you safe as you are out and about.

Ari Stein makes it his business to know your business.

We are pleased to welcome Ari Stein as a partner with our firm. As a former general counsel for a corporation based in Hampton Roads, Ari has learned about the challenges businesses face every day. As a skilled litigator, Ari knows how to use that knowledge to get results for his business clients.

208 Plume Street Suite 247 Norfolk VA 23510 (757) 935-9194

stein@bischoffmartingayle.com

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