I just want to remind everyone to be safe when out and about. Situational awareness is essential!! The bad guys don't take holidays and we can't afford to be distracted by the hustle and bustle.
Tonight around 21:30, my wife (Dawn) ran up to the Wawa to grab a bag of pretzels to make her pretzel salad. As she was driving through the neighborhood, she passed a vehicle that was half parked on the side of the road. Immediately after passing it the vehicle whipped out behind her and followed her up to the Wawa. Dawn noticed it but didn't really pay it much mind....at first. She went in and bought her items and then exited Wawa. At that point, she noticed the same silver/white, late model sedan, NY tagged vehicle parked a few spots from her car with a lone, young black male wearing a dark colored hoodie behind the wheel (beat that News Urinal). She got to her car but the other vehicle pulled out before her and drove around the back of Wawa. She pulled around the front of Wawa to head out towards the FoodLion. She spotted the vehicle again stopped in front of the Dollar Store. When she turned right the vehicle again immediately pulled out behind her. When she got to the end of the driveway to turn left back towards our house the vehicle continued to follow. She came 3 streets down and made a uturn to see if the guy was really following her. The second he made the uturn she called 911. He followed her again up to the Wawa. Not willing to stop, she circled back again to the Food Lion parking lot. When she passed him she made eye contact and he saw her on the phone he took off. The dispatcher told her to stay in the parking lot until LEO arrived but if the guy stopped or tried to approach the vehicle to immediately call back. She stopped (not parked) in the Food Lion parking lot and called me. I met her about 2 mins later with 31 Christmas gifts ready to be sent down this guys chimney. We waited for DSP to arrive (~20 mins later). Dawn gave him the rundown and info that she could remember. We talked for a few mins and I stated that maybe this incident would convince her to carry her own sidearm. The officer agreed and stated that he was glad I came prepared but that she should be also. He was also impressed when Dawn told him that we had discussed and trained for situations such as this. He reassured her that she did everything right and that he was assured that she was in good hands with me following her home. He also said he would cruise the area to keep an eye out for the vehicle. We thanked him and wished him a Merry Christmas and left for home.
I'm proud of her! She kept her calm, didn't panic, kept her SA, verified a possible threat and took the appropriate actions. She stayed in a well lit area with lots of people around. She even had my number at the ready in case she was confronted when she made the uturn. She was also prepared to drive to Troop 2 if the situation escalated and LEO hadn't shown up. This is why we do what we do! This is why we prepare and train to defend ourselves. Hopefully this will also finally push her to decide she needs to carry as well.
Be safe out there and tell your family you love them every chance you get.
Tonight around 21:30, my wife (Dawn) ran up to the Wawa to grab a bag of pretzels to make her pretzel salad. As she was driving through the neighborhood, she passed a vehicle that was half parked on the side of the road. Immediately after passing it the vehicle whipped out behind her and followed her up to the Wawa. Dawn noticed it but didn't really pay it much mind....at first. She went in and bought her items and then exited Wawa. At that point, she noticed the same silver/white, late model sedan, NY tagged vehicle parked a few spots from her car with a lone, young black male wearing a dark colored hoodie behind the wheel (beat that News Urinal). She got to her car but the other vehicle pulled out before her and drove around the back of Wawa. She pulled around the front of Wawa to head out towards the FoodLion. She spotted the vehicle again stopped in front of the Dollar Store. When she turned right the vehicle again immediately pulled out behind her. When she got to the end of the driveway to turn left back towards our house the vehicle continued to follow. She came 3 streets down and made a uturn to see if the guy was really following her. The second he made the uturn she called 911. He followed her again up to the Wawa. Not willing to stop, she circled back again to the Food Lion parking lot. When she passed him she made eye contact and he saw her on the phone he took off. The dispatcher told her to stay in the parking lot until LEO arrived but if the guy stopped or tried to approach the vehicle to immediately call back. She stopped (not parked) in the Food Lion parking lot and called me. I met her about 2 mins later with 31 Christmas gifts ready to be sent down this guys chimney. We waited for DSP to arrive (~20 mins later). Dawn gave him the rundown and info that she could remember. We talked for a few mins and I stated that maybe this incident would convince her to carry her own sidearm. The officer agreed and stated that he was glad I came prepared but that she should be also. He was also impressed when Dawn told him that we had discussed and trained for situations such as this. He reassured her that she did everything right and that he was assured that she was in good hands with me following her home. He also said he would cruise the area to keep an eye out for the vehicle. We thanked him and wished him a Merry Christmas and left for home.
I'm proud of her! She kept her calm, didn't panic, kept her SA, verified a possible threat and took the appropriate actions. She stayed in a well lit area with lots of people around. She even had my number at the ready in case she was confronted when she made the uturn. She was also prepared to drive to Troop 2 if the situation escalated and LEO hadn't shown up. This is why we do what we do! This is why we prepare and train to defend ourselves. Hopefully this will also finally push her to decide she needs to carry as well.
Be safe out there and tell your family you love them every chance you get.
Your life is made up of 2 dates and a dash... make the most of the dash!