How to Avoid Crime While Parked

How to Avoid Crime While Parked

Avoiding Crimes When Parked
Buy at Amazon

I want to share a short article on how to go about how to avoid crime while parked.  A parked vehicle, specifically an unattended vehicle is a magnet for theft.

I went to a sponsored a workshop in Memphis.  We were to plan how to respond to a catastrophic earthquake on the New Madrid Fault-line.  The hotel was a fancy downtown establishment with valet parking and a fenced parking lot.

Responders from all over Middle and West TN came in there marked emergency response vehicles.  They were mostly from sheriff departments and state law enforcement.  33 marked police vehicles were broken into during the first hour of the conference.  This happened in broad daylight in a fenced valet parking lot.

Certainly, it was Memphis.  Most importantly, and I did notice a five pointed crown (gang sign) tattoos on the hand of the lady assigned to help us in the conference room.

Theft and Vandalism

  • Wherever possible, provide each dwelling with its own locked garage within the property boundaries. Locked garages outside the boundaries or well-lit and visible common car parks are the next best thing.
  • Where private garages are not feasible, carport or driveway parking is preferable to group parking away from dwellings.
  • As a general rule, underground or multi-story car parks should be avoided.  They are a breeding ground for vandalism and crime.  If they already exist, limiting entry points and providing them with sturdy locked gates could minimize danger.  Each resident could be provided with a lockable garage in their own space, with robust, vandal proof metal doors.  Alternatively, users can be provided with a secure lock or a plastic keycard, which operates electronic doors.
  • Grouped car parks should be avoided in high-crime areas. If they cannot be avoided, they should be within view of some dwellings.  Additionally, garages should be equipped with sturdy gates or tilt doors.  The car park should never be sited near a dark alleyway.
  • Likewise, open car parks should be small and within view of dwellings.  Visitors’ car parks should be clearly identifiable, well lit, and visible from dwellings.

Rape, Assault, Robbery

To make car parks safer, planners should provide direct access from parking areas to the entrance of dwellings.

  • Car parks should be no further than 60 meters from dwellings.
  • Parking areas should be have lights.   They should also free from shrubbery.
  • Electronic entry control devices should limit access to enclosed parking.
  • Similarly, if it is desirable to limit access to dwellings, make sure access via car parks is monitored as well.
  • Additionally, high crime areas may need advanced technological surveillance.  An example of this is an infrared unit which detects the presence of intruders by body heat.  The unit automatically switches on all lights in the car park and turns them off after 15 to 20 minutes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you can’t really stop crime when you are not around, but with proper planning you can surely reduce it.

Weaving a Handle for a Messenger Bag Using the Portuguese Sinnet

How to Weave a Handle Using the Portuguese Sinnet

DIY: Messenger Bag Handle
Buy at Amazon

Being an EDC (everyday carry) kind of guy, especially one that’s a fan of MacGyver and 24, it should be no surprise that I normally carry a messenger bag.  I know its not the coolest thing in the world for a guy to carry a purse.  Even if it has such nifty names as Jack Pack or Bauer Bag.  My lovely bride calls it my murse a lovely portmanteau of Man-Purse.

I used para-cord to create a simple Messenger Bag Handle using common para-cord weaving techniques.

I bought my Bauer Bag at a local Army Navy store for about $20. It’s an Israeli Paratrooper Bag.  I just started shoving things inside.

What is in my Messenger Bag

I have a collection of Altoids tin kits inside for sewing, medications, various small repairs, and on occasion a small survival kit.  A small knife sharpener, lighter, electric tape, batteries, USB drives, Leatherman, screwdrivers, gun bore light, flashlight, sharpie, pens, a garbage bag, and tissues. On the occasion I am not going to work a Taurus 85 fit in as well.  It also holds my various papers and lesson plans.

I like the bag; it is pretty study and well designed.  Unfortunately, the strap leaves a lot to be desired.  It is small and bunches up.  Being a shoulder bag, it can be awkward to fetch it out of the car.

Being in a DIY mindset the other day, and having a lot of para-cord left over from the neck knife project I decided to fix it.  I then happened upon an Instructable for installing a Portuguese Sinnet handle on a bag exactly like mine.

Here’s the link for the Instructable if you want to check it out: Instructable on Making a Portuguese Sinnet Handle

This was way easier than I imagined, and it’s the same knot they use to make those para-cord bracelets that sell online for $20.  as well as gun slings and belts.

The only thing I changed when following this Instructable was that instead of using two foot long pieces of cord, I used a single piece that was about 3 feet long.

Process for weaving the Portuguese Sinnet Knot

The process is pretty simple: double the rope around one of the loops in the bag and then make the knot over and over until you get the length you want, loop the ends around the other ring and pull them threw the center of the knots using some thread you braided in the sinnet.

This is exactly the same process for making a para-cord bracelet with a jig.  The only difference is that instead of a jig I used the metal rings on either side of my bag to hold the ends of my cord.

 

Modification of the Cold Steel Bird and Trout Neck Knife

Modification of the Cold Steel Bird and Trout Neck Knife

New Neck Knife
Buy at Amazon

Recently while working outside I misplaced my neck knife, it was a CKRT Neck Peck.  This was a huge loss for me.  I really like having a neck knife, its easy to carry, and always there.  I do know that there is a lot of tactical questions about a neck knife.  Questions come mostly from those with a ground fighting perspective.  However,  my opinion come from a middle aged fat guy that works from a desk.  I doubt I will be ground fighting near as much as I will be cutting open amazon.com packages….

My Favorite Neck Knife was Discontinued

What made the loss so painful was that I could not get a replacement.  In its infinite wisdom Columbia River Knife and Tool has discontinued the Neck Peck knives.  I was forced to find a suitable replacement.

After searching online and in a couple different stores I decided on a Cold Steel Bird and Trout.  I did not come out of the box as sharp as the I wanted, but it sharpened easily.  What I really love about it is the finger ring on the handle.  Being able to dangle it on my pinky while performing tasks is nice.  That will keep me from setting it down in the woods and getting it lost in the leaves (like its predecessor).

Turning a Good Knife into a Better Kit

While searching online for good neck knives I found a couple of you tube videos about mini survival kits that were attached to different models of neck knives.   I must admit I like the idea, but its more important for me to have my neck knife small and concealable rather than have a EDC (everyday carry) wilderness survival kit.

Something I did like with the survival kits was the flashlight idea.  So I purchased a small blue led light (I think it was a photon microlight), and while I was at it, I also decided to install a sailcloth needle with about 10 ft of mono-filament line since it takes up almost no space and adds negligible weight.

First I added the sewing needle, then I electrician taped the light over the sheath.  For added security, I ran the chain through the flashlight so it would not be able to fall out.  I then used a Ranger Band (cut up bike inner tube) to waterproof the sheath and electrician taped it tightly to the sheath.

You Must add Para-cord

Next I took out the innards of some para-cord and used a stiff wire to thread the ball chain necklace in the center of the paracord.  I did this mostly for looks but in deference to the idea that somebody may try to choke me to death with my chain, I did it in two sections after putting the chain on the knife sheath so that it can break at the clasp, or at either hole of the sheath.

Lastly I wrapped about yard of 7 strand para-cord around the handle.  While this makes the knife easier to hold, and gives me some cordage, it does tend to overcome the friction fit of the bird and trout sheath.  Unlike the Peck, which had a raised dot that “locked” into a dimple in the sheath, the Bird and Trout relies on friction only.  This makes it extremely easy for the knife to fall out of the sheath.

Still Not Done

Since I have been planning on experimenting with Kydex sheaths for some time, I am going to have to make a new sheath that has a more positive lock on the knife.  If Cold Steel’s sheath held the B&T better, this would be a near perfect knife for my usage.

How to Avoid Violent Crimes

How to Avoid Violent Crimes

Avoiding Violent Crimes
Buy at Amazon

Avoiding Violent Crimes is something that takes awareness and common sense.  A mindset that enhances personal safety takes effort and constant vigilance, but it is not the same as acting all barney fife.

Col. Jeff Cooper had the right idea when it came to avoiding violent crimes when he established his color codes. You can gain a lot from learning to stay aware and ready to act without being on edge and paranoid.

In  the article below, you can get some great tips on how to avoid being the victim of a violent crime.

Sexual Assault

  • Use initials instead of first names on mailboxes and phone listings.
  • Avoid remaining alone in an apartment laundry room or parking garage.
  • Never admit on the telephone or at the door that you are alone.
  • It is risky to accept a ride home from someone you have just met.
  • If you decide to physically resist assault, remember that your goal is to incapacitate the attacker long enough to run to safety and get help.
  • If you have been a victim of sexual assault, call police immediately. Do not bathe or change clothes or you may destroy evidence.

Robbery

  •  Avoid carrying valuable items or large amounts of money.
  • Always think ahead. For example, when traveling at night, have your keys ready to enter the house or to start the car.
  • If you are confronted by a robber, the best advice is to cooperate.
  • If you resist, there is a greater chance that you may be hurt.

Bank Machines

  •  When using an automatic bank teller, always be watchful of any suspicious people around you.
  • The chances of being robbed at night are much greater, especially if you are alone.
  • If you find someone waiting and watching outside in the area of an ATM machine, do not use it. Leave the area and report the incident to the police immediately. You could save someone else from being a victim of crime.