"Random" Crimes? Think Again!

[chopper180]

This is something I wanted to share with you, as it gives a different perspective on "random" crimes.

Several years ago, I was taking my CCW class. The class was taught by a retired NYC/NJ detective who now works in the personal security field. One of the subjects that came up was "random acts of violence". Here's his take:

Very, very few crimes are random. The only thing random about it is the victim. When the criminal gets up that day, he knows where he's going, who he's looking for, and what he's going to do when he finds them. For example, the BG already knows that he's going to the mall in the nicest part of town, in this area of the parking lot, looking for a woman alone, driving a nice car, carrying a purse. Once he finds someone that fits his victim profile, he'll put his plan into action. The only thing he didn't know is who the victim would be. It's up to us to do everything we can to not fit his profile.

Like I said, this was several years ago, but it's stuck with me, as it offers a different perspective. I try to keep this in mind when I go out, even if it's just to the grocery store. You truly never know.

 

[dayid]

That is a flowing undertone in the book "The Gift of Fear" which I would recommend anyone carrying concealed reads. There are some anti-gun tones in the book, but the overall idea of awareness and instinct are quite useful.

 

[wishin]

I can't help but agree with the OP. Never really gave it much thought.

 

[mnrivrat]

To me, situation awarewness is more than just real time observation . It includes a pre-plan of where I am going and what I might/can encounter . This becomes part of your nature , not something you have to pick up and put on each day.

When we speak of people in condition white , that is basicaly what is meant. A person who gives no thought to what is out there that can harm them.

The recognition that criminals can, and do, pick victims by using a profile is part of being aware. The detective makes a good point !

 

[shenandoah]

I agree, at the other end, truly good people are the easiest to victimize, redacted. The one's who stop and help a stranger, the ones with the jumper cables, the ones the panhandlers hit on. I guess I'm not that good, I profile constantly, in my job, on the street, I wouldn't stop for a stranger, but I would call authorities to help. I have known people that were robbed, assaulted, and even murdered, they all fit into the 'condition white' profile and they were all good people minding their own business when the act went down. So that's why I say I'm not that good....I'm not evil, but I've seen enough of it to know to be ready and I may still get hurt, but it won't be because I wasn't prepared.

 

[TehK1w1]

I'm gonna have to agree with dayid, and recommend "The gift of fear" by Gavin de Becker as a must read to everyone. He gives great insights into criminal psychology and behavior, and has a lot of good advice on how to predict violence.

 

[stromhammer]

I have to agree. Violent crime is a process.
Here is a good article explaining how it develops. http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/five_stages.html

I practiced Judo for many years and taught Judo as self defense. The first point I would try to make with a new student is that the most effective form of self defense is "avoidance". If you want to learn self defense so you will feel safer hanging out on a street corner in bad part of town at 2 in the morning, you should re-evaluate your lifestyle first.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Very, very few crimes are random. The only thing random about it is the victim.

Then such crimes are indeed random from the perspective that matters. No doubt the bad guys just don't spontaneously find their behavior to be involved in a random criminal activity with no forethought what-so-ever of committing the crime.

 

[ferretray]

Then such crimes are indeed random from the perspective that matters. No doubt the bad guys just don't spontaneously find their behavior to be involved in a random criminal activity with no forethought what-so-ever of committing the crime.

Thus, If you know what type of behavior the enemy (Criminal) will be engaged in, you are "Ahead of the curve" in dealing with it.

 

[Southern Rebel]

Then such crimes are indeed random from the perspective that matters.

Double Naught, I don't understand what perspective you are seeing. If the criminal isn't acting randomly and your own actions, behavior, manner of dress, etc. affect the odds of you being chosen as a victim, then the concept of randomness is truly elimated for both perpetrator and victim.

 

[Mainsail]

Read The Five Stages of Violent Crime. There's nothing random about it. While I'm sure there are cases of "impulse crime", it is not the norm.

The Five Stages of Violent Crime:
Crime and violence are processes that take time to develop. The attack is not the first step, the preliminary triangle must be built. There are five distinct stages that are easily identified:

1) Intent
2) Interview
3) Positioning
4) Attack
5) Reaction

EDIT: I see Stromhammer already linked it.

 

[jcs271]

The book entitled "The Gift of Fear" should be read by everyone.

If you have a daughter, buying this book and literally reading it with her could be one of the most important things you ever do.

I spent 25 years as a "big city" cop and now am a sitting judge, I'll say that the authors insight into criminal behaviour and mind set is incredibly accurate and so well explained that you can easily understand it.

You will not regret purchasing this one!

 

[rlp]

Good stuff by all and the book is on the list. I myself have always had this mindset, rightly or wrongly. I mean no one any harm but do not assume the same by others and this has always been the case. It is second nature and basically auto pilot to know where not to park or be. A friend asked me once, 'how come you always have to sit with your back to the wall and facing the door when we go somewhere'? I just smiled and realized it was what it was.

 

[BullfrogKen]

There is very little about victimizing people that is random. The entire process is quite deliberate.

 

[Fred Fuller]

The entire process is quite deliberate.

And the key word IMHO is process. While some crimes may seem spontaneous, and a small number actually are, most of the time there is a deliberative process going on in the mind of the criminal, subtle clues to which can be seen and understood by those paying attention to what is going on around them.

We preach SA or situational awareness to the point it is sometimes a rote concept- this level of detail is what situational awareness is really all about. What we are looking for when we are being situationally aware are the 'tells' or minor nonverbal clues that we are being evaluated, sized up, considered as victims.

And what we should be working to do is to fail the victim selection process. Our apparent awareness of a potential predator's evaluation (that is, our awareness- and will plus ability to resist- are also apparent to the would-be assailant) of us as to our suitability as a victim is often all that is necessary to avoid any further approach. It's an interesting level of nonverbal communication, and one we should all work to improve our abilities to manage.

jmho, ymmv,

lpl

 

[Fremmer]

most of the time there is a deliberative process going on in the mind of the criminal, subtle clues to which can be seen and understood by those paying attention to what is going on around them.

We preach SA or situational awareness to the point it is sometimes a rote concept- this level of detail is what situational awareness is really all about. What we are looking for when we are being situationally aware are the 'tells' or minor nonverbal clues that we are being evaluated, sized up, considered as victims.

I guess I had never really thought about SA from this perspective. I typically scoff at someone lecturing about how we need to constantly be at some color of awareness all of the time. Thanks, you gave me something to think about.