We have talked about situational awareness all over this platform. In all of our strengths and in our weaknesses, we have shared both the good and the bad. I had an experience today when I needed to go to the mall with my son. As I entered the mall, I looked for the “go ahead and shoot me signs” and I did not see any. Then as I walked through the mall, I kept a good visual on what was around me and behind me. I got to the store we needed then I noticed that one of the restaurants in the mall was available and I was intrigued to find out the information. As I walked over to it, I spotted a security guard stuck deep into his phone not paying attention to anything but his phone. He was not even looking up to see where he was going. I gave him a good look over and continued on. A couple minutes later a man in a suit with an earpiece walks over by me and takes a good look over me and tries to be not obvious. Through the couple shops I stopped at I continued to see the man in the suit here and there. After picking up the wife some chocolates we left. I was curious of why said suit was watching me like I was a concern. I was wearing a Carhart jacket with a Marine Corps emblem on the back. Okay yes, I was carrying but I carry inside jacket pocket with no printing possible. Might I add that I was wearing a Quantico, VA FBI Academy T-shirt. I really hate going to the mall unless I really have to.
Now about the restaurant. I was thinking of having everything fried and call it April 20.
Yes, that does seem odd. Maybe you were being too aware, looking around and noticing what was going on. I have mentioned in prior posts that while on vacation I am often asked if I am a LEO. That happened again on this last trip. The only thing I can think of is that I always pay attention to what’s going on around me.
In Lima last year, I was in the large main square and there was a large police presence of numerous police agencies and an assortment of private security all over the square. What I did not see was any criminal activity nor anyone I needed to pay attention to. At one point an officer noticed that I was scanning and smiled and nodded at me. I assumed she must have thought I was LE, too.
One other interesting thing was there were dogs roaming around, appearing to be strays and there was an officer hanging around acting like she was just looking at her cell phone. I noticed that she would do a slight finger motion and the dogs would immediately change their actions. Another in my tour group that was former LE also noticed that.
DON’T ADVERTISE - this is like going to a bar, wearing a yin-yang kung-fu symbol on a T-shirt! I’ve seen vehicles plastered with firearms-related STICKERS, too. REMEMBER - we’re headed to summer, now - when all the kooks come out of the wallpaper.
Todd30, at my local mall they have a sign posted of the rules while you are in the mall. The print is about 1/2" and it’s posted about 10 foot high just inside the doors. About rule number 13 is NO FIREARMS. There’s about 17/18 rules listed. I’m wondering, who looks up to about the ceiling and reads a book on how to act in the mall.
I don’t mind when people notice me looking around and being aware. First if they are thinking about doing something stupid I will most likely change their mind about me . Second if they are not up to anything bad then they are being like me.
