'Tis the season to be careful

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Dec, 1996

The holiday season is an active time for everyone - including criminals. The festive mood and decorations may lull you into a feeling of safety, but, as you join the herds of shoppers in stores and malls, you need to be aware that there are predators around you choosing their prey.

To a greater degree than you think. the decision whether or not they will select you as a target is in your own hands, according to Beverly Hills, Calif.-based security expert Paxton Quigley. "If you've ever watched `Wild Kingdom,' you know that a lion doesn't just make a beeline for the nearest antelope to attack it." Instead, she says, the predator first surveys the herd unobtrusively to select his prey. His ideal victim won't be paying attention, won't be looking around, and might be grazing with its head down. The prey's unawareness lets the predator move close without being noticed, and its apparently weak survival instinct tells him the victim will be an easy target.

"Remember that 90% of our communication with other people is body language. Serial killer Ted Bundy stated that he selected his targets based on whether they were alert and aware of their environment. If they were. he would look for someone else." To send a message to the predators that you would make an undesirable "hard target," Quigley recommends these strategies: * Be visibly alert and survey the environment constantly. * Walk purposefully with an erect. confident posture. * Carry a fanny pack or a shoulder bag with the strap crossing to the opposite shoulder and the opening turned inward towards you. * Do not wear expensive-looking jewelry. * Carry very few or no packages. Instead. ask the store to deliver your purchases to the loading dock where you have them put into your car-a service available at most shopping malls. * Wear comfortable walking or running shoes. Women should leave their high heels at home.)