They drove by, saw me but missed the turn…….

I was taking inspection pictures of the outside of a business in a horrible part of town. To make it worse my car was in the shop so I was in my daughters shiny blue Mini Cooper S!

The car obviously did not belong in the neighborhood and in fact stood out in a way that I did not like. It was the car I had to use that day.

It was winter, had my heavy coat on with my conceal carry weapon in one of the outer pockets. When working I had started to carry routinely.

My daughter asked why I carry, I explained that I have in the last year done 8 inspections where there had been a shooting or murder within 2 blocks of where I was working within the previous week and on two occasions within 24-48 hours of my visit.

Back to my “incident”. The low rider Suburban was rolling down the block at a good clip when the driver looked over and saw me, I was looking that way because I heard the vehicle. He stared at me for a second whipped his head to the right said something to his buddy as he took his foot off the gas. He tried to slow down but fortunately he missed the only turn into the parking area as he and his friend stared in my direction.

Then he sped up and hung a left about a block away. My spidey sense was tingling! It was pretty obvious they were going to come back around and make sure I was not lost and see if I needed any help. I unzipped the pocket I kept my gun in, took the safety off, sprinted to get my final picture and sprinted back to the car.

I knew they had two busy intersections with traffic lights to navigate. Zipped to the parking lot exit, wanted to go right-but that would be the direction they would be coming from, so I turn left and let the turbo do it’s thing! As I crested the hill where they had turned left to circle around, I looked and saw them turning onto the street in my rear view mirror. 30 seconds and two turns later I was getting on the highway. Success! No issues never drew my weapon.

Situational awareness. It’s the difference between a man who is prepared and can act and someone who makes themselves a victim. It is being aware of your surroundings and taking note when something seems out of place. It also means listening to your gut and crossing the street with your girlfriend because of the guy or two you see a block or two down heading your way.

Do you notice where the exits are when you go into a public venue?

Do you notice the obnoxious drunk and automatically give a wide berth so as not to deal with his ignorance? Can you tell when two people are arguing when one gets ready to throw a punch?

Do you notice the drunk guy getting into the woman’s “space” and how uncomfortable she looks? Do you figure out how to help her?

Provide and protect these are some of the responsibilities that come with being a man.

Edmond Burke said, “all that is necessary for the triumph of evils is that good men do nothing.” We have an obligation to stop harassment and violence not only against women and children but other men too.

Situational awareness is why some people survive horrible murderous or violent events. The body has three responses, fight, flight, or freeze. Those that freeze are added to the body count. Those that are situationally aware and have good quick decision-making skills –knowing if they should fight or flee- are more likely to survive in many situations.

Pay attention and don’t keep your head down looking into your phone. Be aware of what is going on around you. Use your phone to call 911. Intervene if needed, remember that woman being harassed by the drunk is someone’s daughter.