I don't think you have to go through life paranoid, but I do think as women, we need to be aware - aware at all times. My sister was kidnapped and raped in broad daylight. Taken from a parking lot at her doctor's office. As a result of that, I have taken many self defense courses, mace courses and target practice - I owned a gun for many years. I always lock my doors to the car - even during the day. My house doors are always locked. It drives my husband crazy, but he wasn't in the picture when the incident happened with my sister....it can be extemely traumatic. I live in San Ramon, CA and the new thing here, is for theives to follow women home from the grocery store and while unloading bags from the back of the car, they enter and steal your purse, etc. We have Neighborhood Watch and the police keep us posted with what the new trends in scams are. I am surprised at how naive I can be sometimes - and watch those door-to-door sales people, lots of them are casing houses to come back later....