Sniper Awareness in the DC Area: Tips on Surviva;

Forwarded Email | 11 Oct 02 | Unknown

[texson66]

This was forwarded to me from a friend at work. I cant verify the writer's credentials, but I thought some guidelines for us in the DC area might be inorder.

Do any other FReepers have other safety tips?

[Demian]

Thanks, I was looking for this.

[Centurion2000]

Move .... DC sucks anyway :)

[RightWhale]

Bohannon was talking about this last night. He has a radio talk show, kind of on the liberal side, but he also served in Vietnam. He said that when he bought gas last time he passed by the usual place and went to a station where there is no line-of-sight. He is also avoiding being an isolated target as far as reasonably possible.

[texson66]

Concur on the suckiness of DC; Talk my CINCHouse into it please! I couldn't!

[CobaltBlue]

Thanks for the tips, they are excellent.

My own two cents:

I am presently buying gas only from stations which do not have clear lines of sight far away, and when I pump gas I am keeping my body between the car and the pump. Paying with credit cards right at the pump.

I am driving the kids to school and picking them up from school. The drop-off/pick-up point comes through trees behind the school, no long clear line of sight.

I am keeping the window shades down.

I am shopping at malls with parking garages (e.g., Tyson's.)

When I am in an exposed area, I walk quickly but take a circuitous route so that I am not exposed to a clear line of sight.

Most important, I kiss my children and husband every time we say goodbye, and when I walk in public, I pray.

[lexington minuteman 1775]

helpful info.Thanks!

[Demian]

Carrying around a digital camera can be very useful.

[null and void]

Do any other FReepers have other safety tips?

Safety? No.

BUT: Carry a camera or camcorder at all times. If someone near you is shot/you hear a shot/crack/whizz take a 360° pan of the surroundings even before you render aid.

If possible do two full pans, you MIGHT capture an image of the sniper. The double images will help highlight anyone bugging out...

[Dog Gone]

The biggest thing in anyone's favor is that there are about four million of you and the odds against you being the next victim are practically nil.

[Freedom2specul8]

Maryland watch ping

[templar]

Wear camoflage. It makes it harder to get a good sight picture. This sniper is going after the best shot, so make yourself less than the best.

[Mat_Helm]

Gas Station Fill Up: Wear black at night and cabelas camo during the day. Throw smoke before exiting the vehicle and use a bb-gun to shoot out overhead lights at night. Use credit card at pump and use lock handle while filling and stay in motion. Empty clip from CAR15 into air 180 degress opposite side of car before making egress to vehicle after tank is full.

[Grut]

Interesting. Has it occured to you that the real sniper might write just such a letter as a way of controlling the greatest number of people?

Even if the advice given is good, enough people would ignore it that he wouldn't run short of targets... but it would let him control many people he'd never get a chance to shoot at.

[discostu]

I wouldn't do that. Standing there spinning in place presents too tasty a target, you just might inspire the guy to go for a two-fer. Cover first, film later.

[palmer]

Sounds like you're from DC!

[nutmeg]

FYI

Stay safe, DC-area FReepers...

[null and void]

Wear camoflage.

Military of hunter's garb might make you stand out a bit.

For this purpose any clothing with a pattern that helps break up your outline would help. A plaid flannel shirt, floral print, or bold stripes for example. "Urban" colors: concrete greys, sooty browns, dull yellows can help you merge into the background.

[El Sordo]

But the rest of us were having so much fun.......

[null and void]

Good point. If you are off axis odds are good he'd never see you, being focused on the target and escape. Still, you're right, better to duck behind some cover or concealment and "periscope" the camera.