Threat Indicators, Situational Awareness, and Law Enforcement Mistakes: Lessons from The Gift of Fear

Life-or-Death

Security professionals, law enforcement officers, and civilians alike must develop a keen awareness of potential threats before they escalate into violence. Often, warning signs are present, but people either ignore them or fail to act due to a lack of training, confidence, or understanding of pre-attack behaviors.

Gavin De Becker, one of the world’s foremost experts on violence prevention, explores this concept in his book The Gift of Fear, where he emphasizes the importance of trusting one’s instincts. Our subconscious mind often detects danger before we consciously recognize it—but ignoring these signals can have life-or-death consequences.

In this article, we’ll break down:

• Key threat indicators that signal impending violence

• Why situational awareness is the foundation of personal and professional security

• A real-world security encounter involving an armed individual

• Critical failures in law enforcement response tactics

• The common but dangerous mistake private security companies make by ignoring adjacent threats

• Best practices for security professionals, police, and civilians to improve threat detection and response

If you haven't read The Gift of Fear, I highly recommend it. It's a must-read for security professionals, law enforcement, and anyone concerned about personal safety. You can purchase it here: Buy The Gift of Fear Here.

Recognizing Threat Indicators: How Danger Signals Appear Before Violence

Why Pre-Attack Behavior Matters

Criminals and violent individuals rarely act without warning. Their behavior is predictable, provided we know what to look for. Some of the most reliable pre-attack indicators include:

✅ Unusual Body Language & Movements – Fidgeting with clothing (especially near the waistline), excessive scanning, sudden changes in gait, or frequently adjusting a concealed object.

✅ Lingering Without Purpose – A person loitering in an area without a clear reason, particularly near an entry point or an area of interest.

✅ Environmental Awareness & Avoidance – Actively avoiding eye contact, cameras, or security personnel while still surveilling the area.

✅ Multiple Behavioral Red Flags – A single action may not seem significant, but when multiple warning signs stack together, the risk dramatically increases.

One of The Gift of Fear’s central lessons is that our intuition often picks up on these red flags before our rational brain processes them. The mistake people make is ignoring their gut instinct and dismissing discomfort as paranoia.

A Real-World Security Encounter: Armed Individual Displaying Suspicious Behavior

Initial Observation: Subtle Threat Indicators

Recently, while providing security for a client, I observed a young male walking through an adjacent property’s parking lot, clutching a firearm inside his shorts.

Key behaviors stood out immediately:

• He adjusted his waistband frequently—a telltale sign of someone carrying a firearm without a proper holster.

• He appeared nervous and scanned his surroundings constantly, as if anticipating confrontation.

• His reason for being there was unclear, yet he lingered, pacing erratically.

When I approached and asked what he was doing, he quickly jumped into a vehicle’s passenger seat and began rolling the windows up and down repeatedly—a behavior often associated with agitation or an attempt to obscure visibility.

Further intelligence from others on the campus later revealed that he had been:

• Pacing back and forth behind trees, appearing to conduct surveillance or hide from view.

• Exhibiting nervous behavior, yet no one had reported it in a timely manner.

This delayed reporting is a significant security issue. Many people hesitate to alert security or law enforcement because they don’t want to be perceived as overreacting or causing trouble. However, waiting until a threat fully materializes often leads to preventable violence.

Security Response & a Common Private Security Mistake

Because the activity was happening on an adjacent property, I exercised strategic restraint rather than directly engaging the individual. Instead, I contacted law enforcement, ensuring a calculated response rather than an unnecessary escalation.

The Problem with Private Security Ignoring Adjacent Threats

A recurring issue in the private security industry is a reluctance to address threats outside of designated property lines. Many security officers and companies operate with a strict "not my jurisdiction" mentality, which leads to dangerous inaction.

This mindset is dangerously flawed for several reasons:

1. Threats Do Not Respect Property Lines – Criminals don’t adhere to artificial boundaries. A suspect conducting surveillance today may attack tomorrow. Ignoring a pre-attack indicator just because it happens a few feet outside of a "protected area" is negligence.

   
   

2. Security is About Prevention, Not Just Response – Many security firms operate reactively rather than proactively. They wait until a crime has already occurred to act, which defeats the purpose of having security in the first place.

   
   

3. Legal & Civil Liability – Many companies assume they are not responsible for incidents occurring outside their contract area. However, if a violent act happens and it is later discovered that security saw the threat developing and failed to act, legal liability may still apply—especially if negligence can be proven.

   
   

4. Client Reputation & Trust – Clients expect security to ensure their safety. Ignoring a clear and present threat simply because it is "not on the property" damages client trust and a security company’s reputation.

In this situation, I chose to act rather than ignore the potential risk. Had I followed the typical "not my problem" mindset, the outcome could have been far worse.

Law Enforcement Mistakes & Tactical Failures

Despite calling law enforcement immediately, their nine-minute response time was concerning given the presence of a firearm. Upon arrival, the lone officer made several critical tactical errors:

1. Single-Officer Response to an Armed Subject

✅ Best Practice: Indiana law enforcement protocol recommends at least two officers respond to any situation involving a potentially armed suspect. A second officer provides cover and containment.

2. Unsafe Approach & Poor Tactical Positioning

✅ Best Practice:

• Positioning the squad car at an angle for cover.

• Ordering all occupants out of the vehicle with hands visible.

• Maintaining a reactionary gap to prevent ambush.

3. Allowing the Vehicle to Leave Despite Probable Cause

✅ Best Practice: Indiana law states that the odor of marijuana alone provides probable cause for a search. The officer had legal authority to detain and search the vehicle, which may have revealed:

• Additional weapons

• Warrants

  
  
  
  

• Other contraband

Key Takeaways: What Security Professionals, Law Enforcement, and Civilians Must Learn

1. Trust Your Instincts

If something feels off, act. Hesitation can be deadly.

2. Report Suspicious Behavior Immediately

Delaying action gives criminals a window of opportunity.

3. Private Security Must Be Proactive

A narrow "not my problem" mindset leads to preventable violence.

4. Law Enforcement Needs Tactical Discipline

Poor positioning, single-officer responses, and lack of escalation plans create dangerous vulnerabilities.

Conclusion: Situational Awareness is the Key to Survival

This real-world case underscores critical security lessons from The Gift of Fear. If you haven’t read it, get a copy here: Buy The Gift of Fear Here.

Security is not about reaction—it’s about prevention. Stay aware. Stay prepared. Stay ahead.