Terrorism in our world?

With recent events occurring in Boston, one has to wonder whether we are seeing a shift in the very nature of our society.  We are shocked to see such things in our neighborhoods, but as we look around us we see that events like the marathon bombing are much more common place in other countries and areas of the world. Even within our own country, there are regions or cities where violence has become a part of daily life.

In 2011 the National Counter terrorism

Center reports that there were over 10,000 terrorist attacks worldwide.  In those attacks 12,500 people died and 45,000 others became victims to varying degrees.  50% of those affected by terrorism were civilians and in 2011 we saw an increase of 40% in the number of attacks occurring in the western hemisphere. 

Though the statistics are telling, they do not reveal the nature of the effects of a terrorist event.  They do not describe the lives changed, the effects on individuals, friends and extended families. These events change lives forever.  Plans made, and futures anticipated are abruptly halted in an instant.  Some become handicapped for the rest of their lives, others become permanent care givers, while still others are faced with burying loved ones and losing the valued association which they anticipated would go on for many years.  What we are shocked by in our country, is an everyday occurrence in other areas of the world. In some countries, citizens live with the sound of explosions, sirens and gunfire every day.  In areas of our own country homicide and violence is a daily way of life,too.

The deadliest and most common tool in the terrorist’s arsenal is the Improvised Explosive Device (IED).  It is generally made of military grade or other explosives and is built to cause the maximum human damage.  As we saw in the Boston attack, IEDs can be made from simple devices found at home and powered by explosives created from common chemicals found in our communities.  Anyone can make one with plans found on the internet, and everyone has access to the necessary supplies.  As the nature of our societal values continue to decline, we can expect to see more events like this in the future. 

As responsible members of our communities we need to be aware that terrorist events will be planned and perpetrated by those who have not learned to value life and who are stupid enough to think that sending a message in this manner will accomplish something worthwhile. Fortunately, we are not totally defenseless against these idiots, but in order for us to make an impact, we must change how we view our surroundings, and we must be prepared to take action. 

Most of us travel through life wearing Pollyanna’s glasses.  Failing to recognize that we live in an increasingly violent world makes us more prone to the violence we would avoid.  So let me suggest the following:

·         Take off the Pollyanna glasses.  Especially if you are visiting a big city or an area seen as a potential terrorist target.  Start looking at your world as potentially violent and be aware of your surroundings.  Evaluate what you see, and use common sense in your evaluations.  It’s not normal for someone to walk into a place, put down a backpack, package or briefcase and then leave.  Packages aren’t usually delivered to a bathroom stall, under a bar stool or in a public area.  It’s not normal for people to be overly nervous in a crowd, especially if they came into the crowd of their own free will.  Winter coats aren’t usually worn in the summer and bulges under someone’s clothing can be seen if you look and some are not the normal consequence of the insanity workout. 

·         Look at people.  Many of us go through life looking down or past people in public places.  Look into their eyes, at their faces, their clothing and evaluate what you see.  Simply looking at a gremlin can make him disappear, or want to.  Knowing he has been seen and that someone paid attention to him may prompt him to delay his planed scheme or maybe even abandon it altogether.

·         Stop being politically correct. If you see something, say something.  We are too, often worried about what others may think if we say something.  We’re afraid of being called a Gladys Kravitz .  Gladys could have been a hero in Boston, if she would have had her nose in the bomber’s business and pointed his actions out to authorities.  Speak up.  Law Enforcement would rather check something out, to find it can be explained away as innocent behavior, than to respond later, after the fact, to an event like a bombing or other terrorist act.  

Life today is not safe.  It will not be safe in the future and if our society continues down its current path it will likely become much more dangerous.  As our societal values diminish and the number of valueless gremlins multiplies, the danger we live in will similarly increase.  We have three choices; adapt and become more aware and more willing to offend someone by reporting their strange behavior, hide and don’t go out in public, or become victims.  Nothing guarantees our safety.  Simple things can definitely give us an edge.

Staying Safe in an Unsafe World

With the tragic events recently occurring in Newtown Connecticut, it becomes prudent for all of us to revisit the importance of planning for the potential of violent incidents occurring in the workplace and in other public areas.  While some believe assault weapons are the problem, I don’t agree.  To quote Jeff Cooper, "The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally it can be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by propaganda, they can certainly be corrected by good men with rifles."

In our society today, with the increase in the portrayal of violent acts becoming an hourly occurrence on our television and movie screens, and with even more frequent displays available to us in video games, it is likely that we will continue to see morally deficient members of our society acting out.   Unfortunately, life has always been a dangerous venture, and it is getting even more dangerous with the decline of morals in our society.  So what do we do?

First recognize that we live in a potentially violent environment.  Often the victims of violent events fail to immediately recognize that they are in danger.  Their first thought is, “This can’t be happening” or they ask, “Is this real?”  In a crisis failure to recognize danger and act immediately, can result in you becoming a casualty.  So first we need to understand that violence happens in our society every day.  While we can hope it doesn't happen in southern Utah, over 25 years in law enforcement has taught me that everything that happens elsewhere, eventually happens in southern Utah.
 
Second, Pay attention to your surroundings.  The best way to avoid being a victim is to be gone when the bullets begin to fly.  Violent actors look for easy victims.  They select easy targets and when you fail to recognize a threat in your environment you become an easy target.  Take the time scan your surroundings and look at people, especially their faces and hands.  Look at what they are wearing.  Certain behaviors, types of clothing, and objects are symbolic dangers.  If they look nervous or angry, if their clothing doesn't fit the season, or seems to be concealing something, recognize it, pay attention to what they are doing and take action if necessary before they get too close.  

Last, have a plan.  Ask yourself, “What would I do if I was confronted with violence?”  Think through escape routes, barricades, and the potential defensive tools available to you.  In a crisis, almost anything can become a weapon if you need it bad enough.

Your plan should involve escape and evasion as your first option.  The only two friends you have in a violent attack are time and distance.  Put enough distance between you and the threat and you have additional time to react, escape or be rescued.

If escape is not an option, then hiding is your next best option.  Lock yourself in the most secure room you can find.  Use everything at your disposal to barricade the entrance and keep quiet.  Notify law enforcement and turn down your phone or other devices that might give away your position.  If you are too hard to get at, a criminal may likely look for an easier target.

As a last resort, you may have to fight to survive.  As you think through possibilities, you should resolve that if necessary, if your life is in jeopardy, you will fight.  Your fight might just save you and others.  If you are not carrying a weapon, look for potential weapons, including chairs, tables, shelving components, anything which can be used to deter an attacker.  If you are forced to fight, you must fight with all your strength, using everything available to you.  It is likely that you will surprise the gremlin if you fight back.  Most degenerate personalities don’t expect you to attack them.  Use that surprise to your advantage.  Be quick, determined, ruthless, and don’t give up until the fight is over.

I hope none of us is ever involved in a situation like this in our lives.  In today’s world, there is a real possibility that you will either be a victim of a violent crime or know someone who is a victim.  With a little planning, crisis rehearsal, and awareness, you can potentially limit the damage to yourself and others.  Remember, Preplan now, Escape first, Hide if you can’t escape, and Fight if it becomes necessary.  Be safe.