One question has followed me throughout my career.
"Why did they pick me?"
I've heard that question from victims of robberies, assaults, stalking incidents, carjackings, and attempted abductions. It's one of the hardest questions to answer because every crime is different.
The honest answer is that sometimes there is no answer.
People are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
But after spending more than three decades in the personal safety industry, I also believe something else.
Many crimes are crimes of opportunity.
That doesn't mean victims are responsible for what happened to them. They're not.
Responsibility always belongs to the criminal.
What it does mean is that criminals often make choices. Understanding how those choices are made can help all of us reduce risk.
Most Criminals Aren't Looking for a Challenge
Hollywood loves the image of the criminal mastermind.
Most crimes don't look like that.
Many criminals are looking for the easiest opportunity available.
If they can steal from an unlocked car instead of breaking a window, they'll often choose the unlocked car.
If they can enter a home through an open garage instead of kicking in a door, they'll often choose the open garage.
If they can approach someone who isn't paying attention instead of someone who's alert and aware, that's frequently the easier choice.
Criminals don't always plan every detail.
Many simply recognize opportunity when they see it.
Distraction Is a Criminal's Best Friend
I probably notice this more today than I did twenty years ago.
Walk through almost any parking lot.
How many people are looking at their phones?
How many have earbuds in both ears?
How many are pushing a shopping cart while searching for their keys without ever looking around?
Technology has made our lives easier.
It has also made many people wonderfully distracted.
Criminals notice that.
I've often wondered whether smartphones have unintentionally become one of the greatest gifts to street criminals.
They don't create crime.
They create distraction.
And distraction creates opportunity.
Predictability Helps Criminals
People are creatures of habit.
We leave work at the same time.
We park in the same section of the parking garage.
We walk the same trail.
We stop at the same convenience store every morning.
Most of the time, those routines are harmless.
Occasionally, they become predictable.
If someone wants to target a particular person, predictable routines make that easier.
I'm not suggesting anyone should live a random life.
I am suggesting that small changes can make you less predictable than you realize.
Confidence Is Visible
One lesson I've never forgotten came from watching people, not products.
Some people naturally project confidence.
They look around.
They notice what's happening.
They make eye contact without staring.
They walk with purpose.
Others appear uncertain.
They're distracted.
They're overwhelmed.
They're completely focused on their phones.
Can confidence guarantee your safety?
No.
Can it influence how another person perceives you?
I believe it can.
Criminals make rapid judgments.
So do the rest of us.
Your Instincts Matter
One thing I wish more people trusted is their intuition.
Almost everyone has experienced that uncomfortable feeling that something isn't quite right.
Too often we ignore it because we don't want to seem rude.
We don't want to embarrass ourselves.
We convince ourselves we're imagining things.
I've learned to respect that feeling.
It doesn't mean someone is guilty of anything.
It does mean your brain may be recognizing details you haven't consciously processed yet.
Leaving a situation that makes you uncomfortable is rarely something you'll regret.
Ignoring your instincts sometimes is.
Opportunity Can Be Reduced
Notice I didn't say eliminated.
No article can promise that.
No product can promise that.
Life doesn't work that way.
But I do believe opportunity can often be reduced.
Lock your vehicle.
Pay attention while walking.
Avoid unnecessary distractions.
Trust your instincts.
Know where you're going before you arrive.
Tell someone where you'll be if you're meeting a stranger.
These aren't dramatic changes.
They're habits.
Good habits quietly reduce risk.
Why I Think This Matters
One criticism I've heard over the years is that talking about crime makes people fearful.
I don't see it that way.
I think understanding risk gives people confidence.
Confidence comes from preparation.
Preparation comes from knowledge.
Knowledge allows you to make better decisions.
That's empowering.
My goal has never been to convince people the world is dangerous.
The world contains danger.
Those aren't the same thing.
The overwhelming majority of people you'll meet today are good people.
The problem is that you only need one bad encounter for your life to change.
That's why I write these articles.
Not because I expect readers to become suspicious of everyone.
Because I hope they'll become a little more aware of everything.
If paying attention causes you to notice something early enough to avoid becoming someone else's opportunity, then this article was worth writing.
What You Can Do Today
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Put your phone away while walking through parking lots.
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Look around before unlocking your vehicle.
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Vary routines when practical.
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Trust your instincts if something feels wrong.
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Keep one ear free if you're wearing headphones in public.
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Make eye contact and stay aware of your surroundings.
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Have a plan before you need one.
Key Takeaways
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Criminals often look for opportunity rather than confrontation.
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Distraction can increase vulnerability.
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Small habits can reduce risk without changing your lifestyle.
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Trusting your instincts is part of good situational awareness.
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Personal safety is about reducing opportunities for crime whenever possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are criminals always looking for easy targets?
No. Crimes occur under many different circumstances. However, many opportunistic crimes involve offenders taking advantage of situations that appear low-risk to them.
Does looking confident prevent crime?
Nothing prevents crime with certainty. Confidence, awareness, and good habits may reduce risk in some situations, but they are not guarantees.
Is it wrong to trust my instincts?
No. While instincts are not proof that someone intends harm, it's reasonable to leave a situation that makes you uncomfortable and prioritize your safety.
Related Articles
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The Biggest Lie About Self-Defense
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Why I Came Back
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Why Situational Awareness Is Your Best Self-Defense Tool
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Five Mistakes People Make in Parking Lots
About the Author
David Happe has spent more than three decades in the personal safety industry. He has served as Executive Vice President of Mace Security International, President of Fox Labs Pepper Spray, and founded Vigilant Personal Protection Systems, creator of one of America's leading personal alarm product lines. Today, he manufactures pepper spray in the United States and writes Fight Back to help people make smarter, more informed decisions about personal safety.
Thank you for reading Fight Back.
I started Fight Back because I believe good information can make people safer. If something you read today helps you avoid becoming a victim, better protect your family, or simply think differently about personal safety, then I've accomplished exactly what I set out to do.
I enjoy hearing from readers. If you have a question, a story to share, or an idea for a future article, send me an email. Many of the best topics for Fight Back come directly from people like you.
Contact me:
support@PepperSprayWarehouse.com
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Until next time...
Take Your Safety Into Your Own Hands™
David Happe
Founder, PepperSprayWarehouse.com
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