Protect Your Family From Crime
(…and other life-saving tips)
By Thomas R. Harrier
Copyright (C) 1994 by Thomas R. Harrier
Smashwords Edition
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Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
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A PERSONAL FOREWORD
BY THE AUTHOR
Let me preface this book by stating the information contained within, is based upon my own opinions and experiences and does not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of any specific law enforcement agency or law enforcement official. What I have attempted to do in this book is to provide you with a practical guide that will teach you certain habits, which if followed will decrease your chances of becoming a crime statistic. Crime is unquestionably on the rise and it is imperative that you, the law-abiding citizen, be made aware of what the criminal is looking for and how you can minimize becoming his or her next target.
By reading my book, you will be enlightened as to what questions are most commonly asked of law enforcement officers and what this officer's responses have been and will continue to be, until a change is necessary. It is not enough to ingest what I have written here and then think this will be the gospel for the rest of time. Laws, social mores, weapons, technology and criminal's tactics are always subject to change; therefore, you must keep abreast of any changes. Not only will this keep you within the legal parameters of the law; it will also keep you one step ahead of the criminal element.
Throughout this book, I will be recommending various products that I believe will greatly assist you in making you and your family “Hard targets”. If I have recommended a specific product or company, it is because I believe it is the best offered, in terms of quality, price and performance. I do not receive any compensation for these recommendations.
It is my most sincere hope that by you reading this book, you and your family will never become a crime statistic. After all, it is with you and your family in mind that I've written this book. Study this information and put it into practice. Never hesitate to ask questions of your law enforcement officers or to ask for their assistance. Law enforcement is one of the most honorable professions in this country and every officer I know takes pride in what they do. "To Serve and Protect" is more than a saying; it is a deeply ingrained belief that police officers have willingly laid their lives on the line for and in many cases, given their lives upholding that belief. But never forget; the safety of you and your family and your right to live your lives in peace and without fear is the primary concern of every law enforcement officer in this country and it is for you and your loved ones they exist and serve.
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About the Author
Thomas Harrier is a thirty-three year veteran of law enforcement. His career started in the U.S. Army Military Police, where he was stationed at Ft. Benning, Ga. After completing his military obligation, he obtained his Associates degree in Criminal Justice from Valencia Community College and his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Then, he was hired by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department where he worked from 1981-1982 as a deputy sheriff. Leaving Los Angeles, he returned to Orlando to work as a deputy for the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. He worked full time there from 1982 through 1993, when he then chose early retirement to pursue other business ventures; however, he remained in law enforcement as a reserve deputy. While with Orange County Sheriff’s Office, his assignments included Uniformed Patrol, the Tactical Unit, the Street Crimes Unit, Community Policing and Problem Oriented Policing. He has taught thousands of other law enforcement officers in a variety of subjects, including Survival Attitude, Building Entries and Searches, Defensive Tactics, Handcuffing Techniques and Side Handle Baton. He co-developed the Vehicle Felony Stop Maneuver, which is still being taught today. Mr. Harrier was responsible for developing a weapon retention system that proved to be highly effective. He was a member of the SWAT Team for ten years, serving as a sniper and also as a rapid entry specialist on High Risk Entries.
Mr. Harrier recently retired from law enforcement, as a reserve division chief with a central Florida law enforcement agency.
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DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to the memories of Arthur "Donnie" Brown and LaRue Beauchamp Hyde, and to my brothers and sisters in law enforcement, whom every day courageously fight the good fight in their never-ending battle against the elements of crime.
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Table of Contents
1. How to minimize receiving a traffic ticket.
3. Recommended personal weapons.
4. How to minimize your home being burglarized.
5. How to minimize your vehicle being burglarized or stolen.
6. How to avoid being victimized by a "fake" police officer.
7. Pros and Cons of owning a firearm & firearm safety.
8. How to prevent carjackings.
9. Eleven items that should always be in your vehicle.
10. What to do (and not do) if you are wrongfully arrested.
12. How to minimize becoming a rape victim.
13. How to minimize a home invasion.
14. How to maximize your children’s safety.
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How to Minimize Receiving a Traffic Ticket
Just when you least expect it, it happens. You're in a hurry because you're late, you're driving 15 miles an hour over the speed limit and suddenly, your heart skips a beat. There, in your rear view mirror are the flashing red and blue lights of a police car. With a sickening realization, you know you've been caught. Your pulse increases, you start to sweat and as you pull over to the side of the road, you're praying that somehow you'll manage to get out of this fix.
Does this sound familiar? It does if you're one of those countless numbers of drivers who are stopped every day in this country for a variety of traffic infractions. If you're like the rest of these people, you're probably wondering if there is any way to minimize your chances of being issued a ticket. The answer to that question is yes. Although there are never any guarantees that any technique is going to work with 100% effectiveness, wouldn't you like to know that there are actions you can take that will maximize your chances of driving away from this scene with only a verbal warning? Of course you would and what I'm going to share with you is based on thirty years of law enforcement. It is derived from my own personal experiences and also from what I have observed of other officers, in both their accounts and actions. However, let me emphatically state here and now; this is NOT a primer on how to beat a traffic ticket once you’ve received it. Writing such an article would be a disservice to my brother and sister law enforcement officers. What this article does is create a less hostile situation, whereby the officer may choose to not issue you a citation, where they might have otherwise.
There are several important factors that must be considered here. First and foremost is the severity of the violation. Don't expect a break from any police officer if you've committed an extremely dangerous traffic violation. An example of this would be driving 25 miles an hour over the speed limit and weaving in and out of traffic during rush hour. That type of action certainly deserves a traffic ticket and if the officer is performing his job properly, you should not get a break. The types of actions or violations that this chapter is concerned with are the more routine, everyday violations. Often, whether or not this ticket is issued depends on Attitude. This is without question, the most important element in deciding if you're going to get a break or not. Therefore, let's discuss what you should and should not do from the moment you are first stopped.
When you initially see the emergency lights of the police car turned on, immediately and safely pull to the right side of the roadway, using your turn signal. The exception to this would be on a six-lane or greater, interstate highway with a large, paved median and you are in the left (inside) lane when the officer attempts to stop you. Trying to pull across three or more lanes of traffic can be extremely dangerous, so in that case, pull off to the left side of the highway, unless the officer indicates otherwise.
Next, shut off your engine and place both hands on the steering wheel, where they are plainly visible to the officer as he or she approaches your vehicle. The officer may ask you to step out of your car before he approaches you. This is for the safety of the officer. You know that you are not a dangerous criminal but he doesn't. Every year, law enforcement officers are killed during traffic stops that were based initially on a traffic violation. Therefore, to the police officer, every traffic stop has the potential for danger and there may be certain things you will be asked to do to maximize his safety. Understand this and maintain a positive Attitude. If the traffic stop is made at night, first shut off your engine, turn on your interior light and then place both hands on the steering wheel in plain sight. From that point on, let the officer direct your actions. Smile and maintain a friendly and helpful Attitude. Always greet the officer or officers with a cheery "Good morning/afternoon/evening, officer." Don't let your positive Attitude change if the officer doesn't immediately reciprocate. The officer is trying to maintain a firm but professional image and is still uncertain about you. He may or may not be also trying to intimidate you by being somewhat unresponsive to your attempts at lightheartedness, but don't let this deter you from continuing your friendly responses.
The officer will then probably ask you for your driver's license, vehicle registration and insurance card. You should always have those three items readily available so as not to waste the officer's time and yours. Once he asks for these items, if you have a firearm in the car, it is VERY important that you let the officer know this immediately and then tell him where it is at. If you don't tell him, and for example, you keep it in your glove box along with your registration, the following may happen; You open your glove box and reach for your registration, where it's next to your gun and you suddenly find the barrel of the police officer's gun stuck in your ear and a very (pick one or more; 1) nervous 2) angry 3) scared 4) all of the previously mentioned) police officer. Once you've let him know in advance the presence of the firearm, he will then direct your actions, for his safety as well as yours
At this point, one of two things will happen. Either the officer will ask you if you know why you are being stopped or he will tell you why you are being stopped. Now here comes the most important factor after Attitude. Any idea what that may be? If you guessed Honesty, you're absolutely right! Keep in mind, the police officer already knows why he stopped you. In most cases, so do you. In almost all traffic stops where I haven't made up my mind as to whether or not I'm going to issue the citation, this is the deciding factor. If the violator blatantly runs a red light or stop sign, or is obviously driving over the speed limit and I ask them if they know why I'm stopping them, I'm testing them. I'm testing them on their Honesty, their driving awareness and their Attitude. If their answer is something along the line of "No, officer, I haven't the slightest idea why you're stopping me", then this tells me one of several things. One, they're such poor drivers that they haven't any idea what they're doing and probably need a ticket just to make them more aware. Two, they're trying to lie their way out of the ticket, which isn't going to work and will only increase their chances of receiving the ticket. And finally, it's the old play dumb/innocent routine, which guarantees them getting the ticket. Now pay close attention to what I'm saying to you here. Always, always, always be honest when the officer asks you if you know why you're being stopped. Remember, HE knows why he stopped you, so don't try to insult his intelligence by saying that you don't know, if in fact you do know. Be respectful, polite and friendly. "Yes Sir, I'm afraid that I was in a hurry to get to work and I was speeding. I'm really sorry and I can assure you that I'll try to be more careful in the future but if you must write me a ticket, I'll understand." Ladies and gentlemen, friends and neighbors, if you would commit that phrase to memory (utilizing the appropriate traffic violation, of course) and be sincere and really try to mean it when you say it, this will get you out of the majority of traffic tickets. Prior to my entering law enforcement, when I was a longhaired teenager, I was stopped more times than I could count, from Florida to Michigan, for everything from speeding to running red lights and I never received the first traffic ticket. Why? I’m betting it was because I was always Honest and maintained that positive and respectful Attitude.
A major mistake some people will make is, arguing when the officer tells them what the violation is they are being stopped for. It never ceases to amaze me as to why people will try to argue this with me and deny it. I've witnessed this violation with my own eyes; I've stopped them for it and now, in a manner of speaking, they're going to call me a liar! Folks, this is not the way to win friends in the law enforcement community nor is it going to get you a verbal warning. I can almost assure you this is probably the fastest way to get a ticket that I know of. The more appropriate response here would be "Yes Sir/Ma'am, you're right, I certainly can't deny it. I was in a hurry to get to work (or whatever the reason, be honest) and I was speeding. I'm really sorry and I'll try to be more careful in the future but if you must write me a ticket, I'll understand." (Sound familiar?) Once again, this is going to demonstrate your Honesty and Attitude.
Keep in mind that police officers are human, too. Most of them are just trying to make a positive difference in life. They're not out to punish you or take money out of your pockets. They know how tough it is for most decent folks out there to make an honest living. They're only trying to make the roadways safe for you, your family and theirs and if they think this can be accomplished without writing a traffic ticket, then most officers will be satisfied with issuing a verbal warning. And what are the factors that may convince them? Honesty and Attitude. However, nothing would please me more than for you to drive safely and responsibly and never need the advice of this chapter.
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How to Avoid Being Robbed