Last night I stopped by the gas station at 9th and Pennsylvania Avenue, SE around 8:30 to get gas on my way home. As I pulled in I locked my doors, which I generally do after seeing so many news stories about thieves stealing purses and other valuables from the passenger side of a car while the driver is on the other side of the car pumping gas.
A car pulled into the spot in front of me, but I paid little attention to it – it had been a long day and my head was elsewhere. Then I heard the station manager on the speaker yell “Get off that car!” I turned around a bit confused and saw, out of the corner of my eye, someone jump into that car that had pulled in a few moments earlier, and the car speed away.
I was lucky. My car door was locked, which slowed the guy down. I have no idea if he would have given up right then or if he would have tried to mug me next. But thankfully, the station manager was paying attention and scared him off. In hindsight, I was not being very aware of my surroundings. The fact that no one got out of that white car to pump gas should have raised my suspicions, and I should have been looking around at what was going on around me instead of getting lost in my thoughts as I watched the numbers go up on the pump.
I was lucky and I want you all to be safe so let this me a reminder. Be smart, rather than lucky. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times. Take out the headphones and listen to the street around you. Look up, away from your smart phone screen. Lock your doors at the gas station and keep your valuables close or out of sight. And when you park, don’t leave valuables in your car. By being smart and aware of your surroundings, you are helping to make the neighborhood safer, and that is something we can all pitch in on!