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I am looking for some tips & techniques that will help me be more situationally aware, specifically in parking lots. I find that I am surprised in that environment more often than any other. SUVs can block you from seeing someone. Putting bags into the car can distract you. Tinted windows at night can make it difficult to see people in cars. Thanks in advance for your suggestions & experience.

I dunno with 24 kids the bad guys better watch out






ya, ya I know "to four" but could not help myself.

Dad24GreatKids wrote:I am looking for some tips & techniques that will help me be more situationally aware, specifically in parking lots. I find that I am surprised in that environment more often than any other. SUVs can block you from seeing someone. Putting bags into the car can distract you. Tinted windows at night can make it difficult to see people in cars. Thanks in advance for your suggestions & experience.

I usually park away from other vehicles giving me a clear view when returning. This also helps when loading my purchases into the vehicle, I also scan the area until I'm ready to pull away. It's easy to be distracted in a parking lot.....stay alert!!

Lock your doors as soon as you get in. A lot of people let their guard down once in the car, they start it fiddle, with the radio, etc. A lot of cars don't lock until it is put in drive. You're an easy target sitting in a car.

You're learning a new habit and like any good habit you have to work at it while until it becomes second nature. Somehow the bad habits don't require as much work but that's the way it is.

There are two parts to it. The first is knowing what to do and the second is putting it into practice. There are classes and reading that can help with the first, but for the second it's doing the work. One thing that makes it easier to make a new habit is to turn it into a game. Like if you see someone you know before they see you, you get one point.

mack113 & Jihans have provided very good tips.

mack113's tip though requires a bit more walking and usually it really is just a bit. What's another 75/100 ft. or so...unless of course you're a lazy couch potato...

And, there's a further benefit - if you park where it's open you stand less a chance of door dings and it's easier to park then trying to squeeze between already parked vehicles.

Of course, I do this more remote parking technique where ever I go, but my wife usually complains with comments like: Couldn't you park any FARTHER away? (She would have me drive INTO the store if only we could...)

My tip: Keep your eyes/head constantly moving, looking all around and BEHIND you as you progress to and from your vehicle.

As to the issue of more general situational awareness:

One of my friends (and a member of this board) found "be alert" to be not very useful -- it says to achieve a condition, but doesn't give you any method for how to do so. So developed a kind of mnemonic to give one a specific way to "be alert." It is not the end-all be-all of situational awareness, but it gives a very good way to start. It focuses you on the people around you, which is where the (criminal) threat will come from. It also makes you a better witness.

Repeat after me: "Hands-Eyes-Hats-Tats-Shirt-Shoes"

Meaning:

Hands - look at them, this is where people carry weapons, if you can't see them, is that a problem?

Eyes - where is attention directed? why/? Are you being sized up? Is the person surreptituously watching you? Suspiciously looking around (as if for witnesses or cops)? You can't see eyes because he's wearing a mask? (This is a red flag ) Ignoring you? This also gets you looking at the face -- color eyes, facial hair, etc.

Hats - is the person wearing a hat? What kind? if not, what color hair? Bald? Bandana?

Tats - Does the person have tattoos? This is not really about tattoos, it is looking at the skin but saying "Skin" does not flow as well in the mnemonic. What color? Are there in fact tattoos? Can't see skin because of coat, gloves? and it is warm out? hmmmm

Shirt - Color, type, short sleeve, long? Says "POLICE" across the back? "INMATE?" Too big, might be hiding something (might be a CHL!). Again, wearing a coat when it's not really appropriate?

Shoes - What kind? can't see them because he's behind something? Is he just behind something or hiding? Is he sitting in a car? What kind of car? And of course when your eyes switch to the shoes, take a look at the pants as well.

And does it all hang together? Wearing a Spurs jacket is not too unusual, but if it is over an orange jumpsuit...hmmm. Jacket might not be too out of place, but a duster, particularly if the hands are hidden, does he have a longarm under there? One time my wife picked up on some guy because his clothes, all of them, were brand spanking new and didn't fit all that well. Didn't take long to figure out he had just been released from prison. He wasn't threatening, he was just looking for a handout at a restaurant, but frankly it gets more of my attention than some kid wearing a boy scout uniform....

My friend's favorite exercise for this is to tell you to specifically go thru Hands-Eyes-Hats-Tats-Shirt-Shoes with one hundred people in the next week. Count them, and say (to yourself, unless you don't mind strange looks) "hands-eyes-hats-tats-shirt-shoes". This is to ingrain it as a habit. Look at everyone, people walking, people across the street, people in cars (learn to look thru tinted windows, wherever you see a person.

As for parking lots specifically, I would add to learn to look thru all the way thru car and truck windows, and not get tied up in the task of putting things in your car. You have to load the groceries, or the kids, but look around before and after each bag (or kid). If you are doing hands-eyes-hats-tats-shirt-shoes to everyone as you walk out to the car, you should be looking around pretty well.

Slow down a bit to take everything in and give yourself a chance to look around and notice things. Being in a hurry tends to cause one to overlook details and even the obvious sometimes.

ELB's list is a very good one. I have a condensed version of it: When scanning, what doesn't belong? If a thing jumps out at me as not belonging.......hoodie pulled over the face on a hot day, for instance......that is when I start paying closer attention. I don't specifically think of ELB's nemonic device, but something like it. I notice tats, but I don't pay much attention to them unless they're of a certain type—gang tats, prison tats (which are pretty much the same thing), facial/neck tattooing, tattooed "tears," etc. So many decent citizens have acquired full or partial tattooed sleeves during military service that I tend not to notice the usual tribal stuff unless it is really outlandish.

I do "profile" people, but not so much on race or ethnicity as on general disposition. If someone wants me to not judge them based on their appearance, then they shouldn't appear to be criminally disposed. That's the problem with worshipping the thug culture when you're just a wannabee. Dress the part, and people will rightfully assume the worst of you. Don't like it? Stop emulating criminals.

There is some merit to the color condition codes, but it can be difficult to maintain the highest levels of alert at all times. I like Condition Yellow, which I see as simply relaxed, but paying attention. But no amount of alertness makes up for simply avoiding risk as much as possible.

With 4 kids I would bet you often have at least one with you. Instill good habits now. I don't know their ages, but if they can talk and count and know their colors they can be "extra eyes". Play a game. "how many people/red shirts/hats/etc" between here and the store - between the store and the car." Help them learn to keep their eyes open. Use others oblivion to be a teaching moment with older kids. I don't allow mine to use their phone/games in the parking lots while they are walking. They need to have eyes, hands and wits available when exposed. Not to teach paranoia, just situational awareness.

This paid off on a recent trip with other kids and moms - my teen noticed so many things (not just creepers/potential creepers) but fun sights as well that the others just missed because they were just not aware of their surroundings.

JMPHO - YMMV - use those kids as lookouts, it can be fun and teaches important skills.

I park as close to lighting and open spaces (no blind spots) as I can. I always park so that I can drive forward and accelerate quickly if I have to (best way to evade someone on foot). I always check 360 degrees as I'm walking to my car and again once I get to it before I worry about unloading shopping carts. Situational awareness is just that. Stay away from dark areas, trees and shrubbery, parking between box vans, etc. Keep your wits about you at all times. Hope this helps.

Carry on...

I park as close to the store as I can and where I have a good view of the truck when I exit the store. I also don't shop at night unless I have to.

jmra wrote:I park as close to the store as I can and where I have a good view of the truck when I exit the store. I also don't shop at night unless I have to.

I do the opposite. I generally park in an area clear of other vehicles (helps a lot with parking lot damage) and try to keep an open path to the store.

cb1000rider wrote:

jmra wrote:I park as close to the store as I can and where I have a good view of the truck when I exit the store. I also don't shop at night unless I have to.

I do the opposite. I generally park in an area clear of other vehicles (helps a lot with parking lot damage) and try to keep an open path to the store.

Too many parked cars that serve as hiding places between the store and the car for me to take that approach.

All good tips. I'll add, be prepared to put your packages down if you are approached in a parking facility. Having your hands full limits your options and increases your response time. Stand hands free, loose and ready to move, give verbal warning. Shopping carts are great for creating barriers between you and a potential attacker. The few seconds an attacker needs to clear a cart will allow you to put distance between you and the threat.