True crime is the hottest topic right now, but it’s nothing new to me. I developed my love for true crime back in high school. I wasn’t into The Real World or Teen mom on MTV (yes, I am showing my age); instead, I would often watch documentaries on A&E and USA (Law & Order SVU). I actually did a 10th grade history project on Charles Manson. I deeply apologize to my history teacher who probably thought I was a disturbed little girl. It’s not the process of “murder” I’m obsessed with; it’s the why. How can a man or woman just “snap” or how can a child just be born a sociopath. The topic truly interests me so much. My dream job was being a Registered Nurse consultant for the FBI. I know that’s not a real job, but a girl can dream right?
Being obsessed with true crime has done more than fill my mind with useless serial killer trivia; it’s made me a better daughter, mother, and friend.
Yes that‘s right; loving serial killers keeps my family and me safe and here’s why: If I am going out for a girls’ night, I will make sure everyone walks together in at least groups of two and I make sure whomever I’m with is in their car and backing out before I start to leave myself. Did you know criminals sometimes do things to your car such as place a sticky note on your window so you will get back out of your car making yourself vulnerable for attack?
When I shop alone with my child, I always park with his car door next to a buggy drop site so I can easily put him in and out quickly to decrease time of vulnerability. When I’m alone walking out of a store, I am constantly looking around and behind because I want someone to know I’m alert and watching.
If I am meeting someone for a Facebook buy/sale, I always send someone my location and give them a time frame and if someone is available, I will call them and keep them on the phone with me so they can call 911 if they start to hear me in distress.
When we are traveling, I never ask, “Where is the bathroom?” This automatically alerts everyone in the rest stop that you aren’t from that area, making you vulnerable for attack.
When you are shopping, eating or anywhere in public, always pay attention to your surroundings. If there is a situation escalating between two individuals, you need to calmly exit the area. If you aren’t aware of what is happening around you, it may be too late to exit if a violent situation occurs.
I tell you these things not to scare you, but to teach you. There are bad people doing bad things in this world. There always have been, and you can do your part by knowing how to protect yourself. Believe it or not, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, “Violent crime and homicide rates have generally trended downward since the early 1990s. Even though the violent crime and homicide rates increased from 2014 to 2016, both rates remained at levels not seen since the mid-1960s.”
