We've all been there. You know, going about your typical day, doing everyday things, and then suddenly you have that strange feeling that you are being watched or, even worse, you are being followed! For most, that is all it is…a strange feeling. When it happens to me, I laugh it off while thinking of Rockwell's famous 1984 song "Somebody's Watching Me." I love the opening to the song when they sing;

I'm just an average man with an average life; I work from 9 to 5, hey hell, I pay the price
All I want is to be left alone, in my average home; But why do I always feel Like I'm in the Twilight Zone?

But what if the feeling is accurate and you are being followed? It happens for a variety of reasons: bad breakups, stalkers, criminals looking to target unsuspecting victims, and the list goes on. I have covered various topics in my blogging that have addressed the need to remain vigilant. I know it sounds like I am suggesting we maintain a certain level of paranoia, but it is precisely the opposite. Hypervigilance is a state of awareness. It is being alert and aware of the activities and movement of people around you. Burglars often case their targets before they strike. Professional thieves will spend as much as two weeks or more watching the inner workings of a neighborhood as they develop an execution plan. I also wrote about the recent trend called "Jugging." This is where suspects stake out banks, cash machines, or other high-cash areas like casinos and then follow their victims to their next destination. They strike when they see the victim distracted or unaware of their surroundings. While you're busy juggling your keys, cell phone, and other items, they move in for the score. Jugging occurs because we are at the lowest personal and social awareness level.

Raising your level of awareness is achieved through a conscious effort to do so. It is a practice that makes for perfect play. As a former law enforcement officer, hypervigilance was engrained in each trainee throughout the training process. It was a skill that had to be mastered, or you did not pass field training. We were strict because lives depended on it, especially the officers' lives. In recent years, attempted ambushes on officers have increased, and every officer must maintain this skill for survival. For the average person, life is becoming more dangerous. Burglaries, robberies, and theft are all on the rise. With fewer cops on the frontline and a broken economy driving crime rates, it is hard to say that things will change. It is up to each one of us to hone our skills.

What should you do if you are being followed? How would you know? Do you have a plan? The first step in knowing if you are being followed is to be aware of the vehicles around you and the position that they maintain while you drive. You should not see the same vehicles around you for an extended drive. Cars are always moving. They speed, they change lanes, and they turn off. To check if you are being followed, there are several things you can do:

• Drive slower than all of the other traffic. Anyone not interested in you will eagerly speed around you. Look for any vehicle or vehicles that are willing to remain behind you.

• Pay attention to those vehicles that pass you. Note the make, model, color, or even the driver. If that vehicle suddenly reappears behind you further in your travels, note it as suspicious behavior.

• Remember, juggers will use two or more cars to follow you home.

• Make an abrupt U-turn and see if anyone does the same. Make another if you see a car following. Two U-turns will usually flush out a follower. 

• Turn down a road that is not heading to your destination. Make sure you are not driving into any dead ends, but use side streets to isolate the number of vehicles. While one may follow on the first turn, the statistical odds of a person going to the same place you are going drop significantly with each turn. 

• Sudden stops on the side of the road also work well. Do so only when safe, but pull into the storage lane and see what the other vehicles do. If you see brake lights on a vehicle attempting to slow, it could be because they did not expect you to stop, and they instinctively react to your stop. If someone pulls up behind you, get back into traffic. 

So you used some of these simple tricks and have now determined that you are being followed…what now? First, do not drive to your home or destination. Going to your home or final destination was the original goal of the bad guys following you. Instead, drive to a police station, local government building, locations with known security, or areas that are highly public and well-lit at night. As long as you are mobile, you are safer. Next, call 911 or get the attention of a police officer. Whatever method you choose, make a good, conscious decision based on all the factors you see and feel. Just don't panic. Panic reduces your thought process, and it makes you vulnerable. 

So let's say that you are not being followed closely enough for you to be sure. Sometimes tracking equipment is used to keep vehicles close without having to tail them directly. In this case, many private investigation companies here in town provide scanning services. You can also do your own. They sell inexpensive signal detection equipment that you can use to scan your vehicle. These devices need to be relatively close to the source of the signal, so you may have to lift the car to get underneath, and you may have to reach down and around the engine compartment to scan all possible areas. Obviously, the more you spend on a unit, the better the results. But a private investigative company may charge several hundred dollars for such a service, and you can buy fairly decent equipment for that price. It is an option. 

Around your neighborhood, you have the advantage, and never forget that. You know who belongs and who doesn't if you are vigilant in paying attention to your surroundings. Knowing when someone doesn't belong becomes much easier to identify. When in doubt, call the police. It is better to know for sure than to find out your instincts were right later. The police always like solving crimes before they happen; it is so much easier. 

There is no secrete sauce to safety, just common sense and practical application of proven techniques and best practices. Safety begins with awareness. It applies to every facet of your well-being. Boss Security Screens will continue to cover the topics that concern you. Feel free to submit a request, and we will do our best to address your question or concern in future blogs. While making that call, why not request a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our security screens representatives; it will be easy. We are always here to help.

Until next time, be safe and remain vigilant!

Written by,

Michael Johnston

Chief Security Advisor at Boss Security Screens

*The author is a paid consultant and product representative for Boss Security Screens. The information provided in this blog does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials are the author's opinion and for general informational purposes only. It is recommended that you consult an attorney, certified trainers, or licensed providers before acting on any information provided. This website may link to other third-party websites. Such links are for the convenience of the reader and are not endorsed by the author. 

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