Is AMERICA SAFER? This is the headline of the NBC program, "DATELINE" for today, Sunday, September 12,2004. It is also the subject of a book by Pulitzer Prize winning author, SEYMOUR HERSH, who has written about the failures of our safety procedures, after 9/11, 3 years ago yesterday.

I would also include that question when looking at a news story I received today from YAHOO! news, that states, "Crime in America is in a Steady Decline". The story says that research shows that crime has been in a steady decline over the past ten
years, with 2000-2001 showing decreases overall, and 2002-2003 showing a lessening of violent crime. However, MURDER is not included in these statistics. It is a completely separate category.

As the owner/chief instructor of a business that teaches people to develop a plan of safety, based on educational research, most people would think I would try to dispel this story in order to perpetuate my business. Far from it. As a victim of crime, twice
in my life, I'm more than happy to hear it. Ecstatic would be somewhat descriptive.
However, I would ask you, the people reading this to ask yourself the question, do YOU feel safe?

If you hesitate with your answer, you've already answered my doubts, and probably your own. Noted authors and Police investigators, SANFORD STRONG and J.J.BITTENBINDER, have both stated that when you read statistics like the ones in the UNIFORM CRIME REPORTS, from the FBI and the JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, you should ADD 25-40% because of UN-reported crimes. I would also suggest that crime, like everything else in the world, has taken advantage of better technology. In a period as short as 5-10 years ago, who would have thought you could steal someone's identity with a couple of computer keystrokes? How about abducting a child from their home without a face to face meeting, just by using the Internet?

Have you checked out some of the ASSAULT weapons available to criminals(and to the general public in a few days when the ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN expires), who use cell phones and computers with encryption to mask their intents? Let me mention a couple of recent court cases that fell apart and put criminals back out on the street. The names O-JAY and (allegedly)KOBE BRYANT come to mind, not to mention the local DETROIT case against supposed TERRORIST CELLS located here.

Flimsy intelligence and procedures may have allowed these possible criminals to walk away. Any of you watched "AMERICA'S MOST WANTED" lately? Over 800 felons captured by Public involvement, YET, there are still MANY they haven't
caught from YEARS before, who are still out there, STILL committing crimes while on the run from the law. What about Domestic Terrorism in the form of people like TERRY NICHOLS? I attended a Anti-TERRORISM training with Professor GARY DILL, last year at Master WES DEES TAE KWON DO school in DAYTON, OH. This former Military Intelligence agent, who currently trains Police and Government agents, alleged that our government is basically RE-acting, not working from a PLAN to keep us safe. In teaching those of us in attendance, he stated that WE needed a WHOLE different
mind set on how to handle Terrorists, should we find ourselves in such a situation. Mostly because the public is TOO D**M complacent, and both criminals and terrorists have PLANS to take advantage of it.

I don't know about you, but that gives ME pause for concern. I was asked a couple of years ago, on our local DETROIT FOX-TV affiliate, WJBK-FOX 2, if I wasn't possibly encouraging paranoia in the public? My response was I am trying to create a PRO-ACTIVE awareness in the public, for the purpose of PREVENTION, making them "HARD TARGET'S", as J.J.BITTENBINDER calls it, and it is awareness, with planning, such as having a dog in your yard or home, who will sound an alarm when his territory is violated, that they fear or at least, avoid most.

With planning, I suggested, you could make yourself, and your family safe from crime, and maybe the horror of having a fire in your home(anyone ever heard of the
crime of ARSON, sometimes used as a way to COVER other crimes?). If you would like to read an excerpt from SEYMOUR HERSH's book, go to:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5961797/

For more information on crime safety, go to:

http://www.ncvc.org

or
http://www.sanfordstrong.com

and locally in the Metro Detroit area:

http://www.preventcrime.net

Again, I urge you to share this with friends, family, co-workers and associates. For those of you who are Martial Arts/Self Defense Instructors, please make this info available to your students. As instructors, you are in a unique position to make an educational difference, as is often encouraged by my mentor, Dr. TERRANCE WEBSTER-DOYLE, and Master TOM CALLOS. I believe if we start teaching at the school(Elementary, Middle and High )level these concerns of safety, including respect for women, non-violent conflict resolvement, and Life skills of Crime Safety Planning and Awareness, we can have a REALLY significant effect on crime reduction, and safety from Terrorists concerns. THANK YOu for taking the time to read this, BE SAFE, and BE WELL!