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Recently my friend was telling me about an incident when he was driving down Baltimore city. He was driving home from a party when he noticed a vehicle tailing him - the same vehicle following him every turn. He said he was so scared that he didn't want them to see where he lives, so instead of driving home he kept driving in circles.
Since I know have had similar experiences I wanted to share some tips.
First of all, if you are followed NEVER go to your home or place of residence. I'm glad my friend was using his head. If you suspect a vehicle is behaving aggressively or has been tailing you for a long time, make 4 right turns (this tells them you are going in circles and you are aware they are following you) and if they still following you, drive near your closest police station. NEVER make eye contact with your pursuers.
ALWAYS drive with your car doors locked - this seems plain and simple, but you'd be surprised how many people don't do this. I've heard one time when someone hijacked an old man and forced him to drive the car. The person just walked into the car without people suspecting a thing. If There was an instance in the city where someone tried to open my car door when I was stopped at a red light.
NEVER park in remote areas. Park as close as you can to the store. If possible park under a street lamp.
When driving in the night, never stay an extended time at red lights. Observe the lights opposite yours so you can start moving off earlier. If you see suspicious persons walking towards you while you are parked do not hesitate to cross the red light (especially at night where there is little traffic. I do not even like to stall at the lights during the day. Criminals are becoming more bold.
Be vigilant against traps. This happened to me once when I was driving down an alley. I had spotted two cars in front of me double-parking and causing a road-block and the car behind me was intentionally blocking me as well. I knew instantly this was a trap, luckily I was able to spot an opening and used quick thinking to escape.
Avoid becoming a sitting duck. If you are in your car parked, turn your headlights OFF.
Never ask for directions. I know the city like the back of my hand, because I drive through every single day for school.
NEVER pick up strangers or hitchhikers. Do not even stop.
Keep your GPS out of sight. Even the stand. Recently someone broke into a girl's car at my school because they saw the GPS stand and assumed she had the GPS in the car. They took her GPS and iPad.
Use code words. Me and my brother have code words for my parents based on the type of situation we might be in.
Try to keep your t.v on when you are in the house. Even if you are busy and not watching t.v, keep it on. The noise alerts potential burglars that there is someone in the house. Last year there was a string of burglaries in my neighborhood. The burglars had killed an elderly man's home when he was there alone because they didn't expect anyone to be in the house.
Since I know have had similar experiences I wanted to share some tips.
First of all, if you are followed NEVER go to your home or place of residence. I'm glad my friend was using his head. If you suspect a vehicle is behaving aggressively or has been tailing you for a long time, make 4 right turns (this tells them you are going in circles and you are aware they are following you) and if they still following you, drive near your closest police station. NEVER make eye contact with your pursuers.
ALWAYS drive with your car doors locked - this seems plain and simple, but you'd be surprised how many people don't do this. I've heard one time when someone hijacked an old man and forced him to drive the car. The person just walked into the car without people suspecting a thing. If There was an instance in the city where someone tried to open my car door when I was stopped at a red light.
NEVER park in remote areas. Park as close as you can to the store. If possible park under a street lamp.
When driving in the night, never stay an extended time at red lights. Observe the lights opposite yours so you can start moving off earlier. If you see suspicious persons walking towards you while you are parked do not hesitate to cross the red light (especially at night where there is little traffic. I do not even like to stall at the lights during the day. Criminals are becoming more bold.
Be vigilant against traps. This happened to me once when I was driving down an alley. I had spotted two cars in front of me double-parking and causing a road-block and the car behind me was intentionally blocking me as well. I knew instantly this was a trap, luckily I was able to spot an opening and used quick thinking to escape.
Avoid becoming a sitting duck. If you are in your car parked, turn your headlights OFF.
Never ask for directions. I know the city like the back of my hand, because I drive through every single day for school.
NEVER pick up strangers or hitchhikers. Do not even stop.
Keep your GPS out of sight. Even the stand. Recently someone broke into a girl's car at my school because they saw the GPS stand and assumed she had the GPS in the car. They took her GPS and iPad.
Use code words. Me and my brother have code words for my parents based on the type of situation we might be in.
Try to keep your t.v on when you are in the house. Even if you are busy and not watching t.v, keep it on. The noise alerts potential burglars that there is someone in the house. Last year there was a string of burglaries in my neighborhood. The burglars had killed an elderly man's home when he was there alone because they didn't expect anyone to be in the house.