They See What They Want to See

Guffaw in AZ write some interesting security posts.

http://armedlaughing.blogspot.com/2011/06/hormone-laden-world-of-private-security.html.

This got me to thinking about two things, my buddy, Dirty Al, and the not so subtle art of looking for repossession vehicles.

People see what they want to see, and they don’t want to see what makes them uncomfortable. Given some plausible reason, they don’t want to become involved.

In recent years, Al has worked as a security guard. His office, and home, for a few years was a ¾ ton, extra cab Ford pickup, with a large self contained camper. Somewhere along the line he acquired large magnetic signs for the doors reading "SECURITY". In practice, the guarding and security was provided by “Princess”, a wonderful Golden Cocker Spaniel. She would alert Al to situations requiring him to get off his ass and actually do something. Al got tired of paying to park in campgrounds. He found putting his SECURITY signs on the doors allowed him to park nearly anywhere without being bothered. Being his nature, he pushed it to the point he was parking in police department lots.

Doing repossession work requires walking around areas “looking”. Many areas are leery of, or hostile to, strangers. My “uniform” is a hard hat, safety vest, a laminated ID Card with my picture on a neck chain, a plastic clipboard that holds papers and drafting tools, several official looking computer printouts and a camera. The ID identifies me as an insurance investigator. Rarely am I asked what I’m doing and only once have I been turned away. Since I’ve done insurance reports it isn’t too difficult to be convincing.

Posts by others over the years have pointed out how easy it can be for criminals and terrorists to survey an area without interference. I don’t see that changing.

No computer for a few days; another road trip.