Crime on the rise...

I like to think I live in a fairly safe city but it seems I am hearing more and more of armed robbery! My bank has a freestanding ATM in a grocery parking lot which has had several reports of an armed robbery or someone just grabbing cash and running (into the nearby woods)

Have any of you taken more precautions like carrying mace or not going out alone?

I do not tend to go to the ATM but I am a little nervous about shopping after dark now...time change it is dark at 5:30!

btw: I am typically aware of my surroundings! And do all I can to be safe!

I haven't heard of anything in my area but I live in Austin and our economy is fairing better than most. When gas was so expensive I was very nervous about filling up the truck (26 gallon tank) for fear of fuel siphoning. I do make sure doors are locked, including the one to the house inside the locked garage. I don't use ATMs alone or at night. I tend to get cash at the store when I buy groceries and if I go at night I usually ask my husband to come too. That is scary bouncy!

Unfortunately the economy is bringing out the worst in people. It is a statistical fact that crime increases during the holidays, especially thefts and robberies. Watch the parking lots and don't use any ATM in a dark lot. Try to find one inside somewhere. Robbers come in all shapes and sizes, if someone looks like they are up to no good, believe your instincts.

There was actually a story on NPR this morning about whether crime gets worse during hard economic times. The short answer is that a bad economy doesn't tend to effect crime rates with a few exceptions (alcohol related offenses and domestic violence being the most notable).

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...oryId=97234406

Where I live, robberies, burglaries and the like are common enough that I always take the usual precautions.

It's true...but I think it tends toward theft as opposed to violent crimes.

Bank robberies clearly rise...it's well documented. My guess is shop lifting does as well, but it's not documented as well.

For the record, among jailed criminals, bank robbers are considered stupid...the punishment is far more severe than what they have to gain...that is, few bank robbers get much money at all, but they will serve 20 years when caught.