All you have to do is turn on the news to know that there are bad people in this world. Stories of violent crimes that take place in towns and cities across the country are tragic and heartbreaking, and yet many of us still believe it could never happen to us. As residents of Apex, we are fortunate in so many ways. Perhaps the most important of these is our sense of safety and security. If you were to drive through downtown Apex on any given spring day, you would surely find people walking up and down the sidewalks, businesses with their doors wide open enjoying the spring air. You would be hard pressed to find bars on the windows, or security guards in any of the shops along Salem Street. If you were to drive through any of the neighborhoods in Apex you would likely find children playing outside, still under a parent’s watchful eye, but able to enjoy just enough freedom to feel all grown up.
These are the perks of living in a town known for its safety. Captain Mitch McKinney of the Apex Police Department has over 23 years of service as a police officer, and strongly believes that the safety of our town is due, in no small part, to the fact that public safety is a priority to those in our local government. “Our governing body, our Council, makes public safety a priority and it is important to them,” Captain McKinney said. That isn’t the case in many communities.
But can this sense of safety and security also be what makes us the most vulnerable to becoming a victim of crime? The answer is not as cut and dry as it may seem. As safe and secure as Apex is, it is not without its issues. Crimes do occur and violence can still show its ugly head, but we are not without options. So how do we protect ourselves? Captain McKinney shared some tips and suggestions to staying safe in and around town.
Know your responsibility
The police department is here to protect the citizens of this community. But what responsibility do we have, as individuals for our own safety? Captain McKinney points out that one issue of victimization involves the expectation that law enforcement is responsible for individual public safety. “Obviously that is our primary duty, but we are partners with you, here to provide community outreach, specifically our community police officers tasked with going out and helping businesses identify safety threats, helping residents identify how they can make their homes more secure. Our officers are available to talk to anyone who comes in and asks how they can be safer and what role they can play,” Captain McKinney said.
Captain McKinney notes that there is a basic formula to victimization. You have to have a person or group of people willing to engage in unlawful behavior, they look for the opportunity to find individuals and expose them to that criminal activity. This is anything from breaking into a car, to sexual assault. We are all part of this formula, whether we realize it or not. Because of this, it is important that individuals take steps to outwit anyone that is looking to pull you into their formula of crime. “We have the resources in place, and we love every chance we have to interact with the community, that’s key to, specifically, the Apex Police Department,” Captain McKinney said. He makes no apologies when he says that while other police departments interact very, very well with their community, he believes that Apex “does it extremely well, because it is extremely important to us.” The reason it is so important is because the department realizes that this plays a critical role in keeping crime numbers as low as they are.
Situational Awareness
We all want to live in a world where we believe “it won’t happen to me.” Unfortunately, this isn’t reality. In order to protect yourself, you must be aware of what is happening around you. For police officers, they spend the majority of their time being hyper-aware of what is happening around them. They are constantly on guard looking for any criminal activity, and this can be difficult to turn off after the uniforms come off and they are just mom or dad. Captain McKinney points out that while it isn’t necessary for citizens to have this level of hyper-awareness, it is necessary for them to have some sense of their surroundings and what is going on around them. “It is important to find that balance,” he said.
With the advancements of technology, many of us are guilty of walking with our heads down checking messages or talking on the phone. While this by itself doesn’t put you at risk, it does hinder you from being able to take in your surroundings. Take a moment to notice locations and people around you. Most importantly, trust your gut instincts. If you feel like something is out of place or “just doesn’t seem right” then it probably isn’t. Take the steps necessary to put as much distance between yourself and the situation as you can.
Become part of a ‘tribe’
There is truth to the saying that there is strength in numbers. “You need to be a part of a tribe and you need to have friends that you communicate with and trust,” Captain McKinney said. When you engage in any kind of activity, such as running or biking, ask someone to join you. If you aren’t able to find anyone to accompany you, let someone know where you will be. If you have a set routine each day, make sure someone else knows your routine and will check on you if you aren’t where you are supposed to be at a given time.
This doesn’t mean you have to let someone know your every move, every minute of the day. “I don’t want people to be fanatical about this,” Captain McKinney said. “I just want them to find the balance and find a safety system for what they are trying to accomplish.”
Be prepared
The fact is, random acts of violence do occur, and they can occur anywhere. While there is no guarantee that no matter how vigilant we are that we won’t become a victim of one of these acts of violence, we can take steps to put us in the best possible outcome should violence occur. Here are some tips for being prepared:
Be sure to have a fully charged cell phone with you. A cell phone is useless if the battery is dead.
Wear bright colored clothing. A person looking to victimize you is going to think twice if you are wearing clothing that is going to attract attention or be visible from a distance.
Carry a safety whistle or a flashing light. Anything that will disrupt the thought process of the person willing to engage in criminal activity.
Make sure someone knows where you are going to be–engage your tribe.
Be sure you have the appropriate mindset. Plan out an “if this, then that” scenario. This means you have a plan and respond in a certain way.
When getting in your vehicle, take a moment to look around. Vehicles can also be a barrier if you are trying to put distance or an object between you and a would-be assailant.
Carry a chemical deterrent such as pepper spray. Be sure to check the expiration date and know how to use chemical deterrents properly. It is suggested that you test these before you need to use one. This does not mean you should spray yourself in the face! It does mean you should test the spray to be sure you know how to properly use it and you can have a better understanding of what it is capable of.
Stay as physically active as possible. This isn’t something typically associated with personal safety, however, if you are in a fight or flight situation, you have to be able to get yourself to safety.
Engage all of your senses. This goes hand in hand with situational awareness. Utilizing your senses of vision, hearing and even smell can help protect you from becoming a victim of a crime. This not only protects you, but it can enable you to help someone else who needs assistance.
Community Safety
Along with individual safety, the Apex Police Department is dedicated to ensuring the safety of our communities. Officer Kenneth Ragland, a member of the community policing division, has met with numerous Apex communities about how to better protect its residents. Many are familiar with the Neighborhood Watch programs that encourage residents to look out for their neighbors. “We currently have two neighborhood watches in town, but these days people are sharing information on sites like Nextdoor.com or closed Facebook groups,” Officer Ragland said. In addition to meeting with communities, the Apex PD partners with a non-profit group called Citizens Assisting Police of Apex (CAPA).
CAPA has several safety programs including child fingerprinting and child ID, senior alert scams, senior medical IDs, shred day and Threat Assessment Training. Officer Ragland also pointed out that the Apex PD is happy to come and speak at HOA meetings or any other organizations that are interested in public safety. In addition, homeowners who are planning to be gone for an extended period of time can call the Apex PD and request a neighborhood patrol. “We will intentionally get our patrol squads to check these places during the day and night, and we are glad to give that extra security.”
Apex is the peak of good living for a reason. The residents of Apex feel safe when they leave their homes and when they send their children out to play, and that is thanks to the men and women who have dedicated their careers to protecting each of us. This information isn’t meant to deter from the fact that we do live in a safe area. It is meant to educate and protect. It is meant to act as a reminder that no matter how much of a sense of security we might have, we must be vigilant and we must be aware in order to stay safe.
