No matter how many times we see or hear a news report about someone being abducted and later found murdered, car jacked, robbed at gun point, sexually assaulted or scammed out of thousands of dollars, we still for some unbelievable reason, continue to make ourselves vulnerable to predators. We refuse to change our habits or the way we travel from one location to another. Our routines are predictable; no wonder there is an inexhaustible supply of victims. With an increase in the number of crimes being committed, we then begin crying to our elected officials for relief, but fail to see our complacency as a contributing factor. Failure to take responsibility for your own safety is inexcusable. The arm of Law Enforcement can only stretch so far and protection is not always guaranteed to arrive on time to save you from whoever it is that is trying to kill you. We need to access the areas of our lives that make us most vulnerable to becoming a victim of crime, any crime, not just violent ones. Implement a comprehensive plan designed to aid in recognizing dangerous places and suspicious behavior exhibited by shady characters. Have a strategic plan of action for self-preservation.      Ask yourself what your reaction would be if you thought someone was following you during a trip away from your home. What would you do? I know what my response to the perceived threat would be, as I take immediate action to protect myself. Grab my cell phone, call a family member or trusted friend, tell them I think I’m being followed, give them a detailed description of the individual, the car if one is involved, definitely the license plate and my location. Then will ask that person to remain on the phone with me until I reach my destination. I would also instruct them to contact 911 immediately if they hear a scream or what sounds like someone struggling.      My family member or friend would receive regular updates. The street I am on, the distance of the person following me. The call would not end unless the aggressive attacker forces me to, or I find the threat no longer exists.      That is why it is so important when leaving home and traveling to unfamiliar or even familiar places; you need to educate yourself concerning the location’s reputation. It is extremely important. What is the crime rate for the area? What types of criminal activity is most prevalent? How quickly do the police respond to emergencies? How safe is the neighborhood for its residents and those visiting? Are the people who live in the community friendly and approachable, willing to assist anyone who is lost, in trouble or just looking for information? One of the most important things to remember, not every smiling face is a friendly personality, some mask and disguise the identity of dangerous criminals who would not hesitate to take full advantage of the opportunity we present them with, to violate us, by our total lack of awareness of our surroundings and the hidden dangers we face daily. With a little effort, we can minimize the chances of someone dangerous choosing us for their prey. Take some time to examine your lifestyle, make a conscience choice to live a long, safe and happy life, free from the suffocating effects of crime.      It’s not the intention of the writer to give advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of crime. I created this page to share my thoughts as an author on the subject of crime, a daily struggle for many Americans. So many lives are lost in our cities every year from senseless acts of violence. It causes you to think long and hard about your own mortality. Then you question how safe you really are. I have often wrestled with the idea that if I played a more active role in my own safety, would it make much of a difference. I wonder, so this page is for that purpose, to address the concerns I ponder every time there is a news report about another family grieving over the tragic loss of a loved one. Could having the knowledge that certain people, places and situations pose a greater danger and threat to our safety, have helped to prevent these deaths? Could knowing how to respond offer the best hope for survival? Still I wonder, as I contemplate a course of action. I am not proposing any type of vigilante justice, the various law enforcement agencies throughout the country are trained to protect the citizens of the United States. What I am suggesting is we consider making slight changes in the way we conduct our daily routines, not to be so obvious. Change our level of awareness, be observant and recognize when something is out of place or just does not feel right. That is the kind of safety protocol I’m talking about. Feeling safe and secure, because we are busy securing our safety.