When information becomes protection, awareness is the first step. But awareness alone does not keep people safe. What truly makes the difference is what a person does with that awareness. In everyday life, safety is shaped by small decisions made in moments that feel routine and harmless.
As investigators, one of the most common things we hear after an incident is, “I noticed something felt off, but I didn’t think much of it,” or “I had a bad feeling, but I ignored it.” These statements are common. Awareness was present, but action never followed.
Many people believe danger exists only in unfamiliar places or high-crime areas. That belief creates a false sense of security. In reality, many incidents happen in places people visit every day—parking lots, workplaces, apartment complexes, shopping centers, restaurants, and even churches. Familiarity lowers our guard. Routine makes us predictable. Comfort creates blind spots.
Criminals do not rely on fear. They rely on patterns. They watch how people move, how distracted they are, and how often they sit in their cars scrolling on their phones instead of paying attention to their surroundings. Unsafe cell phone use is one of the most common behaviors investigators see connected to victimization. People leave work and remain parked for long periods, completely unaware of what is happening around them. The same behavior happens at malls, gas stations, and restaurants.
Situational awareness is not about paranoia. It is about presence. It means being engaged with your surroundings and willing to act when something does not feel right. Sometimes action is simple—locking doors immediately, leaving an area, paying attention to who is nearby, or trusting your instincts instead of dismissing them.
After the fact, investigators often see warning signs clearly. A routine followed at the same time every day. A distraction that created opportunity. A moment where action could have changed the outcome. These are not dramatic mistakes. They are everyday decisions that added up. Awareness without action leaves a gap, and that gap is where problems occur.
At vmgreview.com, our purpose is to inspire, inform, encourage, and empower others. That means sharing information that changes behavior, not just information that sounds good. Awareness should lead to better habits, smarter decisions, and safer outcomes.
This same principle guides Frontline Investigator Training Academy. It focuses on developing judgment through real-world experience, not shortcuts or titles. Awareness tells you something matters. Judgment tells you what to do next.
Protection does not begin after something happens. It begins with the choices we make before it ever does.
Marvin Dixon/Founder
vmgreview.com, Verifacts Investigations, and Frontline Investigator Training Academy
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