No. Crime is not a feature of every day life even though the nightly news might make you think so. Most crimes are committed because of opportunity. If you stay alert to your surroundings, lock you car, keep purses and packages hidden, and lock your home; you are unlikely to become a victim. If you live in a gang area with frequent drive by shootings, stay inside your house. Bank robberies are only frequent during major recessions and depressions. Bank robbers are desperate and will be caught.

Criminals report that they choose crime victims who are distracted or disorganized. The victim made herself the target. Women and the elderly are more likely to be targets for crime because they are smaller in stature and they are not expected to be able to defend themselves. While women are most fearful of being raped, rape is not that common. Domestic violence is the most common form of assault on women and unfortunately, is more common than reported. Amber Alerts help law enforcement find missing children quickly; their publicity makes the public believe that child abductions are more frequent than they are. Most child abductions are by non-custodial family members.

To avoid rape stay away from isolated areas, stay on main roads and well lit streets, and keep one hand free to call 911 on your cell phone or to strike at the attacker. Walk in pairs or in groups; this is particularly necessary for the elderly. Walk with confidence and check out your surroundings. Body language broadcasting self confidence is less attractive to criminals. Many victims of car jackings or rape came from the mall with both hands stuffed with packages and failed to notice the man standing on the sidelines inappropriately dressed wearing a long black coat and staring at them while they walked alone across the parking lot.

Crimes against property are the most common and unfortunately, the hardest crimes to solve. The burglar sells the stolen property quickly so is less likely to be caught in possession of the stolen goods. Lucky for law enforcement, thieves who are caught tend to return to the crime scene to retrieve lost wallets or cell phones. Thieves may also take pictures of themselves with stolen cameras and place photos on stolen computers. If the camera is recovered, the thief can be identified. Victims have hacked into their stolen computers to find photos of the thief and the location of the stolen computer.