@@carryeveryday910 Yes you should be suspicious of anyone. That doesn't necessarily mean that you need to take action, but yes being suspicious of everyone is a good place to start. You never really know what someone's intentions are based on appearances.
Absolutely. How many time have you seen a woman juggling two kids a cart full of groceries and digging through her purse for keys standing by her car. Don’t be that target. Ask for help out with the groceries if needed. Extra two bucks in tip is well worth it. Get those keys out and check the cell phone before you leave the store. Also will help you from not getting run over by a distracted driver addition to avoiding the bad guy with the beard a weird T-shirt.
@Shoudday Cha Do you really live in an area where that is necessary? If you avoid stupid places at stupid times you will be fine even in some not so nice cities.
She failed to even look at the vehicle next to her. A very common tatctic is for the abductor(s) to come rushing out of the vehicle next to yours when you're opening your door.
I have been trying to drill this into my daughter’s head since she goes to college this fall and will be away from me. I also tell her as she is looking around, make eye contact to see people’s reaction. Avoid walking by someone who looks like they may be watching her. But most of all I have told her to try to avoid going anywhere by herself and that she is usually safer in a group.
I'd like to add a few things: Always look under cars to spot feet that seem stationary (waiting). You'll be able to gauge by their movement if someone is loading a vehicle or waiting to ambush. Also, use the windows and sides of cars as your mirrors. Sure, dirty cars aren't much help but you get the point. There are many reflective surfaces to use to give away suspicious movement or activity. Next time you're filling up, while looking past you car, also check your 6 by looking at the reflections in your windows. Stay safe!
Good suggestions. I already use these. I always trust my gut. Here's what almost happened as I was in a Target parking lot. I approached my car looking around and noticed a young man by a BMW. I kept my eye on him as I was putting my bags in the trunk. He said to me , Hey, don't I know you?" I said, "No , I don't think so." He kept on saying ,"Yes, I think so." He was persistent with a smile on his face. During the last part of his conversation two women with a child were approaching their car two cars away from me. He started to back off with conversation but not much. I got in my car, locked the doors and left. Two months later on the news , exactly where I was , a woman was grabbed and he tried to pull her into his vehicle. She got away. It was the same description of the car and same thing saying to her, "Hey, don't I know you?' It sent chills down my back! Police said there are human traffickers in the area since it's close to a major artery and they can just quickly get away. Since then I'm even more creeped out going into a parking lot knowing what could have gone down horribly bad. Thank God it didn't.
Even as a male, I lock my doors as soon as I get into my truck. I don't wait to start it before locking them. Lock your doors before you fumble around putting keys into the ignition.
This is good advice for our senior citizens to follow. Especially as they put their groceries in the trunk of their car. I think maybe you should do more videos for our senior citizens and how to protect themselves.
I wish more women were comfortable asking someone to accompany them to the car. If something spooks you listen to your instinct and ask an employee to walk you to your car if you are leaving a store, better safe than sorry and I wager most men would be more than happy to. Guys should do it too if there is a reason, but we have the luxury of being able to tolerate a little more risk acceptance. I used to work at a gas station and once an older lady asked me to walk her to her car, of course I did. Made me feel useful and made her feel safe, win win.
All great tips. Situational awareness is so important. If someone tries to take you FIGHT LIKE HELL, if they get you in the car what will happen is far, far worse. I am a 64 yr old woman and I learned situational awareness many years ago when taking martial arts. No way will I overpower a man, but I man gain a few seconds by knowing my surroundings and being prepared to get away. Women digging in purses and phones makes me crazy. Also be sure no one is following you out. Thanks buddy.
Thank you, John. I will show this to my wife that doesn’t exist, because I’m an undesirable introvert who’s fixated on overt personal protection. Yay for that!!!
Good suggestions but two minor nits (since I am a nit wit.). Many of these situations arise unplanned. The big difference is the guy will plan on a good hiding place. Make sure when you’re clicking your cars lights that you don’t accidentally leave it unlocked. Get a good flashlight for checking out the situation. You’re best idea was when you come out of the store stop and give it a hard look around. Not only will you see what’s near where you parked, you’ll deter any body following you out of the store. My last nit, is have your pepper spray in your hand where you don’t have to fumble for it. My daughter works in a store that’s open every night. We periodically go over this stuff. These kinds of suggestions are very helpful. Good job in reminding people.
I am glad you mentioned the “Gut Response”. I call it the “Gut Feeling”. But it’s the same thing. That feeling has saved me several times. NEVER IGNORE IT!!! NEVER!!!
Consider entering your car via the passenger side door, especially when your driver door is abutted against a sketchy vehicle. Consider making a habit of locking the door immediately after entry.
Do NOT "get in your vehicle, start it up, then lock your doors". Decent advice, wrong order. Always lock your doors the instant you get in. In fact I am pressing down the the locking knob on the door while I'm still outside with the door open, as I get in. That is the most vulnerable time for attack - I want the door locked as quickly as possible, I can start the engine after that.
I aint jumping that lady. She's got killer eyes.😉 Thanks for the tips. I use most of them already and am six foot two two hundred and fifty pounds. Anyone can get jumped from behind.
I can't be the only one that runs multiple scenarios through my head all day right? If I'm not out in the desert training, then I'm most likely thinking about different scenarios while I'm tending to the task(s) at hand. Heck, I once rebuilt a complete Holley 750cfm carburetor while I concocted an entirely new training routine and set of techniques for my desert sessions. Anyone who's messed with carburetors knows that the Holley is a beast to rebuild. The crowd favorite is what I call the 'Animal Attack Drill'. Tie a large jug of some kind to an incredibly long amount of cordage. You have someone reel in the jug across the range while you take shots at this jug that inherently bounces around in a myriad of directions. The person the reels in the jug is always stationed somewhere safe as he/she pulls the jug from the back of the range _towards_ the firing line.This mimics the somewhat erratic behavior of some aggressive animals that may be charging towards you. Great for hog hunters who like to play it dangerous with proximity. Please do not practice this drill unless you have the proper backstop and always remember: "Safety first then teamwork" ~Saul Silver (Pineapple Express). Keep up the good work my friends.
mr lovell, by far and wide, you are a precise real deal, and a military hero- thank you for protecting my american freedoms! i think the situational awareness you presented was outstanding, and right on mark. i think another key element, a lot may forget in any parking lot scenario, is realizing your keys can be used defensively and offensively. when you have nothing but keys, they will work! position key in hand to be strike ready: back of key fob or key into palm of hand with key end protruding through either index and middle, or middle and ring fingers. make a closed fist and gouge! a course of rapid gouges will greatly impede, if not put down, or incapacitate an aggressing attacker. if you carry a lot of keys on a good supporting carabiner or such, dont hesitate to swing them bad boys- it would be like being pelted by a couple good size pool table balls. and, never forget to be vocal: “GET BACK! STAY AWAY! HELP!” all key words that get attention. also, great add bit with flanking car- just realize folks this tactic provides more visual, process and reaction time. dead on brother! thank you!
mike gager an obvious look into the backseat area when the lady opened the door was missed in the video. Open the door, purposefully look past the drivers seat back for unwanted occupants and then quickly enter the vehicle. If some one is there run as fast as possible. Another thing, IMO, lock the doors, and then start the vehicle. That would be my order of operation given the areas that I have had to maneuver through.
Definitely some solid advice... All the vehicle tactics and criminal psych classes that's the first thing we cover is stay aware and get in the car and go... Don't just sit there
I believe that sometimes situational awareness/being watchful can prevent problems. In fact I believe that it prevented me and my wife from having a problem once. I say believe cuase nothing really happened so it's not an exciting story. Which is fine with me.Basically we came out of walmart and we both noticed some shady looking young dude that we didn't recognize stand around up against the wall. Something about the way he looked and held himself,coupled with the fact we were both pretty sure we had never seen him before (small town thing) didn't set right with us. It looked for awhile like he was following us to our car. As the wife moved from the wheelchair into the car we were both watching close. It made us uncomfortable to the point that I turned around so I would be facing him while making sure I was standing balanced. Not threatening but ready. He suddenly turned and veered of walking the opposite way. That's my boring but truthful story.It left us both with the impression that we avoided something bad by noticing and watching him.
I've gotten into the habit of hitting the lock button as soon as I get into the driver's seat because if someone wants to jack your car, the easiest way is to get the keys from you. I also always note cars that are just idling with people in them, especially if the person is looking around and not preoccupied with anything.
Would love a video on advice if you have 2 young children that you need to strap in carseats and how to do it the safest way to avoid abductors, bad guysn etc...
Good question. Especially if you don’t have another adult to provide “overwatch”. Can the kids help look for strangers? Also, can you all get in, lock the doors and then buckle?
@@philp411 Thanks for the response! They are still pretty young. Almost 4 and almost 1. Right now I have my 4 year old get in the side that I am strapping my younger one in. Then have the doors locked while I buckle one. Then I move around to buckle the other, while only unlocking the doors to open them. That way the only open door is where I and standing and the rest are locked. I also always park right next to a cart corral so I do not have to leave the car to take a cart back. I am never sure if its safer to load the kids first, then the groceries or vice versa. I know how quickly children can get snatched up out of a cart, but then I worry about the being in the vehicle and someone overpowering me and taking the car. What would be your suggestion? Thank you!
The fact that you’re thinking about this means you are ahead of the game. It’s also going to depend on your vehicle to dictate what the best sequence would be. Getting the kids secure is probably the best bet. I’d rather fight for myself than have to fight off someone and worry about the kids in that moment. Most criminals are looking for the easiest target and the smallest amount of doubt can send them to the next mark. Keep your head up and move assertively.
Kirsten Bevill groceries can be replaced. I’d secure the children first and try to lock them in as best you can so the car can not be taken with them inside and as you’re already doing only unlock the door you need to unlock. Seems the best bet is to always keep your head up, have the kids play a “game” to look for people that are close by and lock doors as you go. You’re already a step ahead by having a plan and thinking about the best plan of action. As I said previously, if possible, I’d try to get the kids in and crawl in too, then lock the doors and secure them in the car seats while you’re locked in with them. It’s not easy to do that, especially with a car whereas a SUV or minivan would be easier. Finally, it seems contrary in some ways, but if attacked, moving away from the (locked) vehicle to draw away your attackers may be the best way to keep them safe.
One thing that I always do is back into the spot. It makes my departure quicker and safer, rather than backing out blindly... Especially if you introduce a stressor into the situation.
So important, thank you, @Warrior Poet. A preliminary check of the parking lot AND "shoppers" who may be following you out of the store/business are both on my checklist.
I read the title as, "What If You're Ambushed In the Parking Lot By John Lovell?" I'd definitely ask for an autograph!! ...By the way, it's. "YOU'RE" as in "you are", not "YOUR" as in possessive to you. ;) hahahaha!!
Don't fall for the bumper-bumper accident routine or fake cop traffic stop so keep driving until reaching a safe place to stop... btw get that rear end fixed!
One more tip from personal experience, if you are in a parking lot with no one else or few others around such as a bank after hours near an ATM try not to park somewhere where you can not drive forward or backwards, you may get blocked in. If someone looks suspicious do not assume they will keep going and pass your car as they are starting to drive past you. If anyone appears suspicious leave and come back another time.
If I'm ever anywhere and I see some suspicious characters or suspicious vehicle I just go in and seeming there's going to be a possibility Ma the force to put my hands up and do as I'm told.
Just as a note - I highly advocate that you DO NOT use your remote prior to entering your vehicle. It's very possible that this may cue carjackers or others to your parking spot as your vehicle is obviously now in play. I see it often with beggars.
Suggestion. When approaching your unlocked car be ready to lock it by having your finger on the remote lock button. Then as you enter the vehicle, just as your sliding in before your butt hits the seat, lock the door. In this way if someone takes action at that time to grab you you only need to get the door closed in order to gain a measure of safety.
One thing you did not mention is to ALWAYS park facing out. That way if you make it to your car you drive out WITHOUT STOPPING to change gears from reverse to a forward gear.
I tell MY wife to exit the store, unsling her AR, sweep the lot with her barrel and walk to her vehicle in a circular pattern. Same thing in darkness, but with her weapon light on high. If she sees anyone in the lot, "one" warning shot is acceptable.
Man I live in a complex full of shady people. The complex is covered with shady people bro. How do I avoid them? Oh I work here as maintenance. I feel they could trap me in there home. I'm not sure of what to do but get out. First finding job then move. However as things increase in price everything but the pay. Had a guy want to fight over trash literally. Another guy wants to beat his sister with big long piece of wood. People are getting crazy out here. This is calm compared to other places like Chicago. Hell wouldn't want to be there. Whats wrong with People today? May the good Lord protect us.
Best advice? Don't make enemies in the first place. If people are "ambushing you"....99% of the time, it's because you did something to piss someone off. Something significant. Maybe you slept with someone else's wife? Maybe you did something to jeopardize someone's job because you wanted to further your own career? Maybe you were driving like a lunatic on the highway and clipped someone's car and just kept going so they decided to follow you and confront you about it. Most humans are peaceful and want to avoid confrontation/violence at all costs. So when someone is seeking it out with you.....it's because you gone done fucked up. So yeah. Don't be an asshole, and people will probably not want to ambush you.
Carry and use a super-bright flashlight for checking out the area before and while you are walking to your vehicle, a rifle light or other super-bright light that shines like a police light, almost as bright as a spotlight, something like a Surefire Dual Fuel with 1,500 lumens. Expensive, but worth the money. Keep the rechargeable battery charged to the max to get the maximum lumens, and carry a couple of extra batteries (in a proper small container). When anyone else, including a bad guy, sees how bright that light is, they will know for sure that whoever is carrying it is either law enforcement or someone else trained in self-defense. Plus, they are designed to be used as striking weapons, too. Edit addition: Day or night, always put your bags of purchased items back in the store's cart and push the cart out to your car, even if you have just a few bags that you can carry in one hand. This provides two extra protections. First, you can use the push cart to keep an aggressor at bay for at least a few additional seconds, which gives you critical additional time to flee and draw your weapon. Second, it will naturally be quicker and easier for you to release the cart handle and draw and present your weapon than to release your purchase bags, since your natural tendency will be to hang on to the bags, which your automatic natural defense mechanism identifies as possessions that must be held on to.
Because I worry about being ambushed in a parking lot all the time. SO, this video addresses everything except "What if you are ambushed in a parking lot". Check that they don't have a good ambush spot.... Like that giant blacked out window SUV parked right next to you? ;-)
Well, I am never to keen on parking lots or Parking garages. If I have to go where that is the only option I park my car with the least amount of cars parked. Most people don't like to walk- I want to have a clear view of things, on my person well let's just say you are going to take your chances- I am old so I figure I can't outrun or outfight the sorts that would do such things so I make it an unequal fight. I don't fight fair, if pushed to, I am going to do what is necessary to keep myself alive and unhurt I don't care one whit about the person intent on doing me harm.
I like where your head's at with some of this stuff. I think this applies equally for men, and not just women. I have a coworker who was Navy SEAL. He always walked out with female coworkers to their cars. They'd hit the unlock button 3 or 4 times and he's jump in their cars. Kind of a watch your ass moment for the women. If you can help it, just hit the unlock button 1 time and it will just unlock the driver's door. Get in, and the first thing you do is get your eyes on the side mirrors. Know if you need to lock yourself in your car. The only thing I'd pick at is if I were to use a flashlight in a parking lot, people might think I'm a LEO, but they might also think I'm trying to break into other people's cars. Maybe just a cell phone backlight to bring it down a level. Keep up the great work!
This happens. My friend’s wife, mother-in-law, and two young children were followed about 100 miles from a mall to their home. 2 cars stopped in the street and ambushed them in their driveway. No one was hurt, but the bad guys got away with everything they wanted and were never caught! Could have been much worse!!
I had a car with 3 people pull up behind me and block me in at the grocery store, as I was backing out . 2 of them jumped out. I jumped out, drew my pistol and moved to the front of the car. They saw my gun and jumped back in their car and sped off. It happened so fast.
Get in the habit of driving past your home and looking to see if anything looks askew. When you turn around it's easy to tell if someone is tailing you.
Excellent points John! What about if the wife doenst want to carry, the Kimber pepper guns at the ready a option? Specific training video on this from the Poet Society?
She forgot to notice the black suv parked in the opposite direction on the drivers side of her vehicle. If they opened their door, it would block hers from closing. I would have gotten in the passengers side of my vehicle : )
I use my pistol mounted light when going to my vehicle at night. I am a 35 year old man and me doing this has stopped women from taking advantage of me in a dark parking lot on many occasions.
