Assaults on women in parking lots

[BonnieB]

I watched a documentary about Walmart last night and got really jumpy. Now, don't get excited, this is not a Walmart-bash. It's a parking lot bash.

I made this separate thread because I think it's slightly different from the wonderful Mrs Kitty carjacking thread.

There was a whole segment on how people are carjacked, kidnapped, assaulted, you name it. And that's after the victim has spent her money inside. Apparently, they mostly try to grab you when you're loading your car and getting back in.

The documentary made points about parking your car pretty far away from the door, so that no one can sneak up on you. Parking close to other cars seems to be the greatest risk. So, if I deliberated parked far away from the door, and came out to see two cars parked right next to mine, I call security right? Too soon for 911 because there's no threat?

Before anyone asks, I've applied for a CCW, but don't have the license yet.

Apparently, stores mainly use the parking lot cameras to detect union activities out there, if they monitor the cameras at all. At worst, they are used to identify the BG's who raped and killed you.

I go to Walmart (again, not bashing them in particular), for ammo about once a month. I don't like to shop there for much else. I only go there in broad daylight, park in a separate but not lonely area, never with guns in the car, and am highly cautious. What better victim than a middle aged, middle class lady with lots of ammo which probably means a decent car and a gun or two.

It's making me jumpy enough that I want to bring a friend with me the next time I go, to stand by the door, see me safely into my car, and then I'll go pick her/him up. It's also making me jumpy enough to pay the extra buck or two per box and buy ammo at my local gun dealer or range.

What do you all think? These parking lots seem to be "boutique shops" for carjackers seeking a victim. What else can we do to keep safe in these idiot parking lots?

[Steyrlp10]

Bonnie, you're not being paranoid. I'm chiming in because I think along a similar path.

In this case, it's my local Safeway. There have been a number of purse-snatchings/knockdowns of women in broad daylight there. In one case, it was a few minutes before I stepped out of the car with my teenaged son. Some poor lady with her 2 daughters had just exited the store when a "kid" ran by her, grabbed her purse, and knocked her down. I was approximately 25 yards from her because I park in the next country to make sure I can see everything around me (not admitting that other drivers would suffer if I had to back out of a space, mind you - lol)

This was a Sunday and from their clothing, it looked like they had just come from church. All I could do was call the cops and give them a brief description of the kid who ran down the hill to what I believe was an awaiting car (freeway entrances there) and try to give her some comfort. I felt bad for the daughters -- freaked out and crying, poor kids. They looked to be about 8 and 5 maybe. The mom didn't want medical, just her husband. Her phone was in her purse, so I gave her mine to call her husband.

We waited together until the husband drove up. What a mess! Not sure how much the Safeway cameras were able to pick up, but you're right -- it's for after the fact

[savannah]

It is a sign of the times and I think a wakeup call about carrying a purse. It may be time to leave the purse and carry your ATM card or credit card in your pocket. Even with a CCW if someone is purse snatching, you do not have the cause to shoot the jerk. Now if you feel threatened, that's another story. Generally, purse snatchers are cowards that pick on the vulnerable. Parking lots, at night are just not safe for most women who are alone unless you have the self defense techniques you need to defend yourself.

[Bugguts]

I am pretty aware of what is going on around me in parking lots but even I have been caught off guard in Target parking lot before. As is my habit, when I get in my car, the first thing I do is lock my doors. I've done this since I started driving 25+ yrs ago. Well one day I get in my car, lock my doors and look over my right shoulder to back out and as I start to back out someone slammed on my driver window. Startled the Hell out of me! I stopped and turned to look and there was a black guy glaring at me and motioning for me to roll down my window. I cracked it about an inch and he yelled at me "You locked your doors!!!" Ummm yeah? And he yells "It's because I'm black isn't it??" And starts slamming on my door. I laid on the horn and dialed 911 on my phone. It had nothing to do with him being black. He could have been purple, green, white or red and I still would have locked my door. He ran off and once I calmed down I talked to the police and drove home. This was before I was carrying but it startled me enough that it got me thinking. I am just glad my kids weren't with me. I don't want my kids to witness me being a victim ever and unfortunately it is just getting worse no matter where you are. I was relieved when Riley told me he did not want to trick or treat this year because it just isn't safe. He's going to help our neighbor with his haunted house. The little girl killed in CO this week just puts a point on it.

[Steyrlp10]

Bug, glad it turned out ok for you. I didn't have a guy hit my window, but I don't like people coming up from behind me when I'm loading the groceries either. Just not cool, you know?

In my case, this was when I had my Lab with me. She's the daughter of our K9 and like most family dogs, very protective of her humans. She was laying on her stomach in the back of my Suburban. I was slightly turned when she jumped up, snarling at this guy she saw approach me from my left. All you could see is spit flying and fangs from my baby girl.

He ran off screaming and cursing at both of us. The world is just full of bad opportunists who think we're easy prey...

[kel-tec-innovations]

Watch your surroundings. When I enter a walmart I pay attention to loiters and people that seem to be out of place. Warm night with jackets or sweaters or roaming around, leaning on walls near front entrance casing people.

Once those are established you know who to potentially keep an eye on.

People asking for change or anything say no and keep walking. I dont allow them to close the distance. They want to read your body language, what your carrying, and if you take your wallet out its a chance of snatching or worse when your distracted and looking down they attack. A local person in my area got his car stolen when picking up his kid at school. A man approached him while he was waiting in his car picking up his son. Man ask what time it was, guy looks down at watch, looks up gun in his face. So don't get distracted.

Have a pepper spray or taser in pocket ready to go. If it makes you more comfortable have it in your hands. Since you parked further your at a good start to be able to see if someone is following you. When loading your car and someone approaches, ask what they want before they get too close. Usually you can tell, depending how good you are at reading people on their intentions. Tone of voice, body language etc.

If you act scared they know your scared and prey on you. When your confident well aware of your surrounding they know your not an easy target and wait for someone easier Stay alert.

May have grammar/spelling error. Typing on phone

[vision1214]

I stopped carrying a purse a long time ago. I put my DL, concealed license, credit cards, money and medical cards in my pocket......and my gun on my side. When I am loading my groceries, I have my back to the car and face the parking lot...putting one bag in a time and stop after each bag to look around. If anyone is watching, they know I am aware of my surroundings. The best defense, is a good offense....Forever known as D&O. Take nothing for granted even if you are in the best part of town

To Bonnie, if something doesn't feel right, ask for a security guard to escort you out to your car and wait for you to get inside and locked in the car! D&O

[Bugguts]

I've actually thought about giving up my purse and just getting a thin wallet. Medical card, license, CCW, base ID and ATM card. I seem to notice my purse getting in the way more and more and I hook my keys to my belt and my phone in my pocket so it is really not necessary.

[savannah]

I stopped carrying a purse a long time ago. I put my DL, concealed license, credit cards, money and medical cards in my pocket......and my gun on my side. When I am loading my groceries, I have my back to the car and face the parking lot...putting one bag in a time and stop after each bag to look around. If anyone is watching, they know I am aware of my surroundings. The best defense, is a good offense....Forever known as D&O. Take nothing for granted even if you are in the best part of town

To Bonnie, if something doesn't feel right, ask for a security guard to escort you out to your car and wait for you to get inside and locked in the car! D&O

I can't sayi go to this extremes by any means, but I am very aware of my surroundings. I would find loading groceries with my back to the car difficult.

Being overly worried day to day, for me, would be exhausting. That being said, I don't shop at nights alone and I won't go into a mall parking lot alone at night.

Being aware is very smart and I work much harder these days at doing just that.

[kel-tec-innovations]

Stores like Lowes and home depot helps load your purchases, I wonder if walmart offers this service.

[Bugguts]

I know Raleys has bag boys/girls who always offer to help me out but not Target and never Home Depot. I get accosted by Mexicans every time I go there. If I am bringing out paint supplies, wood, flooring, gardening supplies etc, I always get them approaching me and asking if I need labor. I stopped going there now and when we are dong projects I make my husband go.

[kaligaran]

I posted this on another thread in here a month or two ago but it seemed appropriate in this thread too..

Sorry for the dup if any of you saw my last post:

I am of the opinion that many bad guys/oportunistic criminals will see a small woman as a vulnerable target due to size and strength so I do try to always be aware and able to not only avoid situations where something bad could happen but also to be able to properly defend myself should the need arise.

Back in 1998 I took a unisex self defense class taught by a SWAT team instructor for the city. A few things he harped on which I will never forget and have made a conscious effort to practice daily.

Most people are oblivious to their surroundings. When walking out of a grocery store or work or wherever watch people as they go and most likely you'll catch yourself making some of these same mistakes: Most are on the phone, looking down, fumbling for their keys, etc. Not really paying attention to the world around them.
Always make sweeping glances around and if you see someone, make brief eye contact. The instructor had told us that most potential attackers look for the oblivious victim to get the drop on them and by just making brief eye contact, it can dissuade a potential attacker because now you can identify them. I have never verified the validity of this claim but to me it makes sense. If you do any people watching, you really see that most people seem to be completely unaware.

Another thing I do is ALWAYS walk away from cars in parking lots and corners of walls, buildings, etc. My partner thinks it's fun to try to hide and jump out and scare me which he does on a regular basis for some reason. However, I know it's frustrating b/c 99.29% of the time he's spotted and the tactic fails. It doesn't make me jumpy at all and I don't mind b/c I feel that it's a good training exercise. If I'm ever caught off guard, that was a fail on my part.

[vision1214]

I can't sayi go to this extremes by any means, but I am very aware of my surroundings. I would find loading groceries with my back to the car difficult.

Being overly worried day to day, for me, would be exhausting. That being said, I don't shop at nights alone and I won't go into a mall parking lot alone at night.

Being aware is very smart and I work much harder these days at doing just that.

It is not that hard at all. I have an SUV - I open the back hatch, pull the cart up and sit down, putting one bag in at a time. I have to use a cane because of nerve damage in both legs and arms. I am a sitting duck to most attackers. Woman with a cane - easy pickins. Nope, I am aware, I do things differently because of that cane to let them know, I am watching. It will be their mistake to take me for granted because of that cane. I go to a lot of "extremes" at times but so far, I have made it home safe and sound without having to pull a gun. It is a D&O sort of thing.

[9mmepiphany]

BonnieB, I'm going to try to make it out to the Sacto shoot, at SacValley, at the end of the month.

If you remind me, I'll show you some easy steps you can take to increase your comfort zone...it is easier to demonstrate than describe

[oddjob]

Its not just women. In Stockton there are robberies every day. One of the Stockton Officers told me they average about 5-10 armed robberies every day. I'm sure more than a few are in parking lots.

One of the more popular methods is the suspects ask the victim what time it is. When the victim looks at their watch they get sucker punched. Some take the cell phone and throw it away to give them more time to get away.

Lots of good ideas here....Pepper spray is not too bad to carry.

If you go shopping try to go with others....groups are always a deterrent. As others have stated ask for an escort from the store.

Better yet state you have an injury to your arms, wrists, shoulders or whatever and need assistance placing the items in your car. That will get a faster response than a "security" escort.