At the train station, at a park, at a mall, etc. I notice some folks sit with their smartphone held out in front of them with their fingers, head down focused on the screen, almost like they’re in prayer. Certainly not always paying attention to surroundings... It would seem easy to run up, grab a phone, and take off. Or, to be assaulted.
Some folks are lucky it’s only a crime of theft. Not paying attention, not watching who is around you, not being suspicious of those you don’t know, and assuming you’re somehow safe at all times is a formula for a much worse crime.
You’re right. My usual parking lot tactics include sunglasses - allows you to be looking around (not just checking out the opposite sex) without giving away your scan or who you are paying more attention to. Keep your weapon hand free, or at least be ready to drop whatever is in it. If you sense heightened danger, pay attention to that. You may want to have your hand on the weapon. Have your keys ready. Remember usually one push of a remote unlocks only the driver’s door, don’t push twice and unlock all. Check the back seat before entering. Use mirrors, window glass etc. To look for reflections and catch movement in your blind spots. Walk down the center of the lane, gives you more room to react if someone is hiding behind a vehicle. When you park, pick the part of the lot covered by cameras. Criminals look for that too and are less likely to be there. As one security expert told me, at my age it is a virtual certainty that by now I have been targeted or at least evaluated as a target many times. The fact that I haven’t been involved in an incident in a parking lot is probably due to the fact I don’t look like a very attractive target. Don’t make yourselves an easy mark. You don’t have to be paranoid, just aware and ready.