“The prudent are always sincere, but not always frank and open. They are reserved in speech; and never rashly, nor unnecessarily, obtrude opinions concerning things or persons.”
Adam Smith
Recently, a home-owner standing in his front yard yelled at a local delivery-driver, demanding that the delivery-driver slow down. The driver abruptly stopped, exited his vehicle, approached and confronted the elderly home-owner, and ultimately struck him in the face with a fist. The home-owner had to be subsequently transported to a hospital and later died of his injury. The delivery driver, who has an extensive violent criminal background (and was “free on bond)” has been arrested and charged.
Observations:
1) UPS and FedEx delivery-drivers are trained employees of well-respected businesses, have established routes, are uniformed, and drive well-marked vans. However, the vast majority of assorted other lower-level delivery drivers are “sub-contractors.” They are not full-time employees. They wear no identifiable logo, drive privately-owned vehicles (usually bearing no identification), work for cash, and are poorly vetted. Many are transients, illegal aliens, and some are bad actors (as we see). They circulate around neighborhoods on a daily basis.
2) Proximity to your home does not guarantee personal safety. VCAs are not repelled by property-lines, decorative fences, “nice neighborhoods,” warning signs.
3) A green or orange “safety-vest,” even a hard-hat, signifies nothing! Anybody can get this stuff.
4) Be weary of “drama.” Sudden, close, unsavory confrontations can wax physically violent with little warning, particularly when they involve unstable people. Being the one who initiates/invites such confrontations is usually not in your best interest, and precipitously telling other people just what you think about their conduct opens the door to dangerous interaction.
5) However, when an offensive confrontation comes your way (through no choice, nor invitation, of your own) be always prepared to de-escalate, disengage, and separate, or otherwise take action(s) necessary to preserve your good health.
6) Go armed, even when in familiar surroundings. Staying always discreetly armed is prudent. When you need to resort to deadly force in order to protect your life, you may have only seconds to process information and take appropriate action. There will be no time to retrieve necessary kit that is not already with you!
“Measure yourself against the enemy before declaring war. Who fail to hunt foxes should stay clear of elephants!”
RN Prasher
/John
