NORTH FULTON: Making eye contact makes an impression

The better part of crime prevention involves the “perception” of what you want to protect.

For example, I’m only about 5-feet-11-inches tall, so as I approach, there is no real intimidation factor. (I hate to admit that.) That all changed after I started wearing an eye patch and a Viking helmet. Perhaps at night, at a party or something, this would not be such a big deal, but showing up in a police car to handle a bar fight —- well, I think I command a presence!

Eye contact is something that can speak on your behalf. Do this: The next time you’re at the mall, as you’re walking along, look at people as they approach you —- especially when there aren’t too many other people. As you cross into that “personal space” of the person approaching, look them in the eye.

That’s the easy part. As they look up and at you, continue to look at them. Don’t smile, don’t nod, just look at them as you walk by. It is uncomfortable, but you can bet they’ll remember it longer than if you tried that half-smile thing where you just tighten your lips and glance at them.

Here’s how this all works:

When two people come into range or in contact with one another, a message is sent from each. Don’t show any submissive vibes but instead be assertive. Look the person in the eye, as opposed to looking down to the ground as you pass. Hopefully you’ve got your pepper spray and/or Taser, whatever, in hand, hidden, but in hand. There’s nothing wrong with that.

Are you being overly paranoid? I don’t think so, but a little paranoia is a good thing when you’re out and perhaps in a vulnerable situation.

I’m not saying have the AR-15 shoulder-ready with a few hundred extra rounds strapped across your chest. What I’m saying is that if something were to happen, the bad guy will always look for the best opportunity and you won’t have time to “reach” for something. Trust me, if it happens, it will happen quickly. Don’t leave that up to someone else. Prepare. Give him the “look.” It says: “I’m not afraid of a little eye contact.”

You can upgrade that to “I’m-crazy-and-well-armed” or “the-voices-are-telling-me-to-clean-my- guns” look. (There are many variations.) All the “look” is doing is showing some assertiveness. Maybe that person entertained thoughts of following you to the parking lot? The “look” may discourage that. Who knows? Crime prevention results are often hard to gauge because in most cases, you’ll never know if you deterred someone.

Even for men, in public don’t fall into the “submissive nod” thing. Most men, if they do acknowledge another man passing them, will nod and look down when they pass someone. Don’t do that. If you pass and you’re going to acknowledge another male, you want to be the Alpha not the Beta male during that brief time.

Here’s what you do: look at them as you pass, nod up, and then look ahead with that sort of squint on your face like you’re Steven Seagal in that Sprite commercial. If that doesn’t get you respect, try the eye patch and Viking helmet.

> Steve Rose writes ajc.com’s View from the Cop blog, featuring crime reports and more than occasional humor.