This presentation will make you aware of some of the dangers created by the criminal element in our society. It will show you how to avoid certain kinds of situations that present a danger to your safety. And it will give you some options if you ever find yourself caught up in one of these dangerous situations.

1. PERSONAL SAFETY
SPONSORED BY
COEBURN POLICE DEPT
CREATED BY H. STALLARD 12/07
hstallard@yahoo.com

2. STAYING SAFE IN TODAY’S WORLD
Danger comes at us from all directions.

3. Danger, Will Robinson, Danger!

4. STAYING SAFE IN TODAY’S WORLD
This presentation will make you aware of
some of the dangers created by the criminal
element in our society.
It will show you how to avoid certain kinds of
situations that present a danger to your
safety.
And it will give you some options if you ever
find yourself caught up in one of these
dangerous situations.

5. PERSONAL SAFETY
Is just that…PERSONAL
YOU are the ONLY one who can keep yourself
safe.
The police can’t, the fire department can’t, a
full time bodyguard can’t.
You must realize that you and you alone are
ultimately responsible for your own safety.

6. PERSONAL SAFETY

7. LOOKING AT PERSONAL SAFETY FROM
TWO POINTS
Staying out of danger.
AVOIDANCE
Getting out of danger.
SELF DEFENSE

8. AVOIDANCE
The best way to avoid a dangerous situation is
through awareness.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
Know who is near you and who is moving
toward you.

9. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Walking or Jogging
Avoid dark areas.
Avoid going alone.
Swing wide at corners or alleys.
Tell someone where you are going and
what time to expect you back.

10. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Walking or Jogging
Walk facing traffic so a car cannot pull up behind you
unnoticed.
Cover up expensive looking jewelry.
If you think someone is following you, check by
crossing the street to see if he follows.
Carry a possible weapon…walking stick, keys,
pepper spray etc.

11. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Vehicles
Have your keys ready…don’t waste time beside vehicle.
Look in the back seat and floorboard before you get in.
Lock the doors as soon as you get in.
Beware of vans beside you. You can be pulled into one
easier than a regular vehicle.

12. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Vehicles
If you are approached…get in fast, lock the
doors, do NOT roll down windows.
If someone or something looks suspicious
or makes you feel uneasy, go back inside
and get someone to escort you to your
vehicle.
Learn to trust your instincts!

13. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
While Driving
You are most vulnerable at red lights, stop
signs, getting into and out of your
vehicle.
Keep doors locked and windows up.
Keep valuables out of sight.
Don’t roll the window down far enough to
allow someone to reach in while you are
stopped in traffic.

14. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
While Driving
If bumped …DON’T GET OUT…drive to a
place with people.
If stopped…DON’T ROLL DOWN WINDOWS
OR GET OUT.
If someone tries to flag you down, drive on
until you come to a service station, or
somewhere busy, and call the police.

15. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
While Driving
Do not pick up hitch-hikers.
After dark, park in a well-lit busy place.
Look around before you get out.
Trust your instincts, if something feels
wrong or you feel uneasy pay close
attention.

16. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Public Restrooms
Use the handicapped stall when possible…the door
opens out and can’t be shoved against you while you
are in the stall.
Don’t set items in the floor…set them on the plumbing
behind you or on the toilet paper dispenser.

17. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Pocketbooks and Hip Pouches
If it has a shoulder strap…DON’T PUT IT OVER YOUR
NECK.
If someone grabs your bag, let it go. If you hang on, you
could get hurt.
Carry your bag close to you with the clasp facing inwards
and KEEP it closed.
Carry your house keys in your pocket.

18. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Pocketbooks and Hip Pouches
If you are chased…throw it down to see if they want it or
you…everything in it can be replaced.
Wear hip pouch so snap isn’t behind you.

19. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Elevators
Stand with your back to the wall as close to the door as
possible.
Don’t let someone get behind you if you can help it.
While in an elevator, if an uncomfortable situation
arises, do NOT press the Stop or CALL buttons!
Press several buttons for upcoming floors and exit as
soon as the door opens.
Make eye contact with a lone passenger…get a good
look at them…let them see that you can give a
good description of them

20. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Home Alone
Don’t open door to strangers…if they want to use the
phone DON’T invite them in…offer to make call for
them.
NEVER tell anyone you don’t know that you are home
alone.
Don’t give keys to workmen or tradesmen, as they can
easily make copies.
Never hide an extra key under a mat, in a flower pot, or
in any other easily accessible place. Criminals know
all the hiding places.

21. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Home Alone
If someone is breaking in…call 911 and go out a back
way to a safe place.
If you see signs of a break-in at your home…don’t go in,
call the police and wait for them outside.
The criminal could still be inside…even if they have left ,
you could destroy valuable evidence by going in
before the police.
If you are selling your home, don’t show people around
on your own.

22. DANGEROUS SITUATIONS
Despite everything you’ve done to prevent it,
you find yourself in deep trouble…
What do you do now?

23. DANGEROUS SITUATIONS
Unless you’re built like Arnold…
Or know the moves like Bruce and Chuck…

24. DANGEROUS SITUATIONS
Your best option is to disengage and get away.

25. SELF DEFENSE

26. SELF DEFENSE
Self-defense is about effectively ending an attack,
quickly and with minimum damage to yourself.
Self defense isn't about empowerment, personal gain,
winning, revenge or teaching those who have hurt
you a lesson.
If you have those motivations, then you aren't
defending yourself, you're fighting.
And if you are fighting, you are just as guilty of
misconduct as your so-called attacker, because you
are both operating from the same selfish motives.

27. SELF DEFENSE
Active resistance is intended to distract or temporarily
injure your attacker to create an opportunity for
escape.
To do this you need to ATTACK vulnerable targets on
the body.

28. VITAL AREAS TO ATTACK
There are three (3) vulnerable areas on the human
male body (two 2 on a female) that you can attack
without any knowledge of martial arts or fighting
techniques.
EYES
THROAT
GROIN

29. VITAL AREAS TO ATTACK
EYES
Any hard pointed object can be used to
attack the eyes.
Keys, your finger, a pen or pencil, etc. with
a straight in jab or a rake across the eyes
should give you a chance to get away.

30. VITAL AREAS TO ATTACK
THROAT
The same objects used on the eyes will
also work on the throat.
In addition you can grasp and squeeze with
your hand but a hard straight in strike is
best.

31. VITAL AREAS TO ATTACK
GROIN
The groin can be attacked with your hand,
fist, elbow, knee, shin, or foot.

32. WEAPONS
Some people carry weapons such as guns, knives, or
spray chemicals to ward off attackers.
Unless you are trained and not afraid to use these
weapons, they can be very dangerous.
The attacker might be able to turn them against you.
Also, some weapons cannot legally be carried, so
check with local law enforcement authorities.

33. DEADLY FORCE
In Virginia, the use of deadly force is justified
ONLY
when your life or the life of someone else is in
immediate and imminent danger.
You must be able to prove that it was actually in
danger and not that you just thought it was.
Deadly force is that force which is intended to
cause or that carries a substantial risk of causing
death or serious bodily injury.

34. IF YOU ARE ASSAULTED
The more details you can give to the police, the
better the chances that the perpetrator will be
caught.
Try to observe characteristics like sex, age, height,
weight, race, prominent or unusual features, and
color of skin and eyes. In addition, noting identifying
characteristics such as scars, tattoos, clothing, limps
and traits of speech are all very helpful in finding the
culprits.

35. IF YOU ARE ASSAULTED
Note behavioral characteristics: How does this
person act? Worried, mad, confused, drunk? What
was his speech like? Did he have an accent? If others
were helping, did they use nicknames? What were
the interactions with the other offenders? Was a
particular person in charge?
Make notes while it is still fresh in your mind.

36. PERSONAL SAFETY
REMEMBER
Your safety is in your hands…
The way you think,
The way you act,
The situations you put yourself in …
All determine how safe you are.

37. • COEBURN POLICE DEPARTMENT
• 114 FRONT STREET
• 395-2111
• CHIEF SCOTT BROOKS
• sbrooks@townofcoeburn.com