Respecting The Law

One of the more interesting relationships you’re going to have is the one with local law enforcement. You’re going to want to establish some sort of relationship with the local constabulary for a number of reasons, even if it’s pure self-interest. Local law enforcement will sometimes offer free self-defense classes, security checks, and other services, all keyed to making sure that you’re protected. On top of that, being a known quantity may help reduce response times and give the police an excuse to be lenient.

Training & Protection

Some jurisdictions offer basic self-defense training. This doesn’t mean that you’re going to be some sort of martial arts expert after training, but you should be able to disable your attacker long enough to get away. That should be all you need. Instruction should also include instruction in various non-lethal weapons, such as tasers and pepper spray. Some precincts will offer discounts on various weapons and other accessories, such as whistles. Some precincts will also offer basic firearms training, although it’s better to go to a private range for advanced training.

They will also offer some tactics training, usually geared towards escape over defeating a potential attacker. They may also include basic legal advice on the differences between various types of assault, as well as how to use your smartphone for your defense. They will also offer legal advice on other weapons, pointing out local laws on which self-defense weapons are legal and illegal, and possible punishments for carrying said weapons. They may also offer to show you how to set up your home or apartment so that you will be able to defend yourself more effectively while creating obstacles for attackers.

The Cynical Side to Volunteering

You also want to become a known quantity to the police. Police tend to protect those they know with a little extra vigor; this is because the police community tends to be insular, so there’s a tendency to protect those they know. This means that if the police know you, they may react a little faster when you need help and work a little harder to find your attacker. This means that volunteering for various police-related charities is not a bad idea. While it may be a little cynical, this is also a win-win for all sides: You get a little extra security, and the police get a little extra help when they need it.

Oh, and bringing cookies to the station never hurts.

Being A Lawful Citizen Is A Good Thing

You also need to understand that being a good person has its advantages as well. This just means that you need to keep your nose clean, obeying the law as much as you can. If you have anger management issues, you should also think about getting counseling. If you’re a mean drunk, you may want to cut back on drinking. Besides helping you get along with others a bit better, having a reputation as a “nice person” is not without benefits. This doesn’t mean you have to hold back on giving your opinion or even protesting, just that you need to seriously debate breaking the law (the most effective protesters are the ones who respect local laws). All of this helps your reputation with local authorities, and that’s definitely a good thing.

However, this is not a license to be a “karen.” A lot of women will assume that being a law-abiding person who volunteers for a lot of police functions gives them the ability to either ignore the law or, worse, become a law unto themselves. They find out, over time, that their relationships suffer, and it’s just a matter of time before karma catches up to them. Police also hate it when someone calls them a lot to report nuisance crimes or non-crimes; they hate it when they’re weaponized for use in a personal fight. So obey the law, but don’t let it go to your head.

The best possibility is to become a good person for its own sake. Remember that you can have a problem with the police, but keep it respectful. Take advantage of any training available and develop a relationship with the local authorities. Do so, and you will have an added feeling of security.