How to Protect Yourself From Violent Crime, Homicide, and Property Crime

According to the FBI, in 2008, the U.S. violent crime, homicide, and property crime rates were 454.5, 5.4, and 3,213 respectively, per 100,000 population. Not taking into account the city you live in, your personal demographics, or how you spend your time, this means that the odds of becoming a victim of a violent crime or homicide are roughly 0.46%, and the odds for property crime are 3.21%.

You NEED to take this seriously, because there are simple steps you can take to decrease your personal risk. It is essential that you understand how to protect yourself, your family and your property if presented with a dangerous situation. See below for two simple lists (by no means exhaustive).

How to Protect Yourself from Violent Crime and Homicide

• Complete at least an introductory self defense class - I have been taking Krav Maga for three years now, but five 1-hour, weekly classes at any reputable school can be fun and make an amazing difference in your overall safety. Bring a friend, and you can train together.

• Carry some type of self defense product with stopping power - Many people don't want to carry a gun or knife, and for good reason: These are expensive, often difficult to carry, and can end someone's life. Technology has advanced, and Tasers, Stun Guns, and Pepper Spray are inexpensive, easy to carry and inconspicuous, cause no permanent damage, and generally have MORE stopping power.

• Carry a personal alarm - In addition to a product with stopping power, personal alarms serve as a HUGE deterrent for would-be attackers. These fit on your keychain and, often times, have conveniences such as a flashlight.

• Evaluate how and where you spend your time - Make smart decisions that don't put you in dangerous situations: Avoid certain bars, park under street lights, don't walk the city alone, lock your doors and windows, limit your alcohol intake. Consider the many small decisions you make on a day-to-day basis that could affect

As a final note, notice that the title of this article is "How to Protect Yourself From Violent Crime, Homicide, and Property Crime," not "How To Avoid Becoming a Victim" or "How To Not Get Attacked." This is intentional: While there are many important decisions you can make to avoid dangerous situations, you should never think of personal safety as things you're NOT doing. Make choices, take steps, and DO whatever it takes to protect yourself, your family, and your property.

How to Protect Yourself from Property Crime

• Have some type of self defense product with stopping power accessible - Many people don't own a gun, and for good reason: These are expensive, dangerous to have in the home, and can end someone's life. Technology has advanced, and Tasers, Stun Guns, and Pepper Spray are inexpensive, easy to use, cause no permanent damage, and generally have MORE stopping power.

• Install some form of home security system - Some people like having fully automated security systems. The important thing with a security system is that it has an alarm of some type, because these are great deterrents. You can get simple home alarms to place in windows etc.... I know some people that don't have a full system, but put the ADT sign outside as a deterrent-I don't know how ADT feels about this, but I hope they're happy to help deter criminals. Don't rely on the system calling the company or 911; response times average around 30 minutes. Cameras are great to have, but they are useful only for assigning liability after the fact. The safety of you and your family is the most important.

• Evaluate where you choose to live - Consider the type of neighborhood you move into: Look up crime statistics in your neighborhood using local government websites. Consider the type of building you move into: Houses, apartments, and condos all have different risks to consider which must be considered on a case-by-case basis. Consider the local school system: This is one of the best indicators of the safety of the neighborhood. These considerations become even more important as you purchase a home and/or have kids.

As a final note, notice that the title of this article is "How To Protect Yourself From Crime," not "How To Avoid Becoming a Victim" or "How To Not Get Attacked." This is intentional: While there are many important decisions you can make to avoid dangerous situations, you should never think of personal safety as things you're NOT doing. Make choices, take steps, and DO whatever it takes to protect yourself, your family, and your property.

Stephen Buller is a practitioner of Krav maga.
He is Owner and Operator of Protechtion which aims to provide people with the necessary knowledge and technology to protect themselves, their families, and their property.

Protect Yourself.

Edmonton police chief wants to focus on violence behind high homicide rate

EDMONTON - Facing mounting pressure over the highest homicide numbers in the country and headlines screaming "Deadmonton," Edmonton's police chief is unrolling a long-term plan he hopes will curb violence and make the city safer.

Rod Knecht told reporters Monday it's difficult to prevent homicides, but he's hoping to come up with more ways to fight crime generally over the next five years.

"There is no simple or easy way to stop homicides from occurring in the short term, particularly without a single cause," Knecht said before meeting with Mayor Stephen Mandel to discuss his violence reduction strategy.

"Many are fuelled in the immediate by alcohol, drugs, power issues and/or extreme emotion. The solutions will be multi-faceted and require a holistic approach."

Specifics of the plan are to be released Wednesday, but Knecht did reveal that its objectives include reducing the severity and frequency of violence and the fear it spawns. Areas to be focused on include drugs and alcohol addiction, drug trafficking, weapons and "social disorder."

There are 33 homicides on the books so far this year in the Alberta capital, compared with a total of 27 in all of 2010. Calgary has had only four. Canada's largest city, Toronto, has had 27 homicides. Winnipeg has 24.

The situation prompted a Calgary media outlet to mock its northern neighbour with a recent front-page headline: "Deadmonton."

And the hot-button issue has turned political, becoming fodder for some candidates vying to be the leader of the Alberta Progessive Conservatives and the next premier.

Former health minister Gary Mar and former justice minister Alison Redford sparred last week over crime-prevention program funding. Former deputy premier Doug Horner joined the mix Monday, denouncing Mar for attacking Redford.

"As Albertans we should all be concerned about what is happening in Edmonton," Horner said in a news release following Knecht's announcement. "We need to get a handle on how this problem has developed and invest the time, money, and people to tackle the problem."

Knecht said he has met with government officials and social agencies since he became chief in June to discuss what can be done.

"We have been presented with a very complex situation that requires a variety of initiatives and we cannot address this problem alone," he said.

Knecht explained traffic officers can even help target criminals where they're most vulnerable — behind the wheel — while they're speeding, running lights or spinning tires.

"We know that criminals have to move from A to B. They have to move their product."

Edmonton is still a very safe city, Knecht added, and he plans to put more officers on the street as a more visible reminder of that.

The mayor met in private with the chief for more than an hour to discuss the strategy. Mandel later said the force is doing "a heck of a good job" and everyone needs to work together to make the city a safer place to live.

"We need to do a better job as a city," said Mandel. "This is just not the police's responsibility. It's all of society's responsibility."

He said the plan won't be an instant "cure-all," but residents should notice change in three to five years. In the meantime, he doesn't like describing Edmonton as the murder capital of the country.

"You look at the glass half full or half empty," he said. "I look at a city that's lowered it's crime rate by 20 per cent and it's violent crime by seven per cent.

"This is a great city with a great future."

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