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The Vulnerability of Attack: Surveillance—the Common Denominator

Ever wonder why criminals are often so successful at their trade? There are a number of reasons, but one stands out above all others—they watch and plan their attack at your most vulnerable moment.  They conduct surveillance on their targets. Here are a few things to consider to help you prevent a potential attack.

Surveillance precedes attack. A kidnapper abducts a business traveler in a foreign country; an attacker sexually assaults a female runner on an isolated jogging trail, and a tractor-trailer load of electronics is stolen from a truck stop parking lot.  These three incidents are examples of very different crimes but they share one common denominator—the perpetrators all conducted surveillance on the target prior to the attack.  Surveillance on selected targets can be long term or short term and can be conducted by one person or by organized groups and gangs. Targeted surveillance can even be done remotely through technology.  Obviously, not all crime is committed by professional criminals and not all surveillance is well-planned. However, surveillance around the target almost always precedes attack.

Predictability creates risk. Patterned behavior is predictable and oftentimes, to our detriment, the majority of human behavior follows a pattern.  Our daily patterned or routine behavior might include the route we drive to work; the time of day we work out at the gym; and the jogging trail where we go for that long run.  Even the favored truck stop of the long haul driver.  Predictability of our actions gives an attacker the ability to commit his crime at a time and place of his choosing, creating the maximum opportunity for success with minimum risk of detection.

Knowledge creates a defense. The knowledge that surveillance precedes attack and that predictability creates risk gives us simple and cost effective tools to enhance our security.  Criminals conducting surveillance will likely observe several targets before selecting one.  The target presenting the highest likelihood of success will be selected.  The simple act of being aware of the possibility of surveillance and maintaining a posture of alert vigilance will deter an attack and cause a criminal to seek easier targets.  As well, including an element of unpredictability in our activities can be enough of a deterrent to a criminal to make him seek another more predictable target.  When we combine awareness of people around us, remain alert to potential surveillance, and seek to introduce unpredictability into our everyday schedule—decreases the chances we will be a target for a criminal and dramatically enhances our security.

Learn to think like a pro. Ask any law enforcement officer or security professional and they will tell you, the threat of risk is never far from consciousness.  Through years of training and practice, these professionals are unconsciously alert to their surroundings and to the people within their environment.  It isn’t necessary to live in fear of attack, but practicing simple awareness of your surroundings will become second nature over time.  With conscious practice, the act of awareness will become your unconscious state of mind – you will, in fact, think like a pro and dramatically enhance your security.

Kathy Leodler Chief Executive Officer Email:kathy.l@rampartgroup.com Phone: (360) 981-2703 PI License #3555

Paul Leodler Executive Vice President Email:paul.l@rampartgroup.com Phone: (360) 981-3397 PI License #4180

We at Rampart Group are committed to your security. Call 1-800 421-0614 or contact us today with your security or investigative needs.