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The Reality Of Police Response Time: You’re On Your Own!

Face reality and reject the idea that a quick police response time will save you. Learn the facts and start taking practical steps to prepare yourself instead.

Many people believe in a dangerous fantasy known as: "I will just call the police!".

This answer is often given in response to questions like:

  • "Do you carry a self defense weapon?"
  • "Do you have a plan for what you'll do in a home invasion robbery?"
  • "What have you done to prepare yourself for a criminal attack?"

I have known for a long time that this dangerous belief is out there in the minds of so many people. This article is my way of finally explaining why "I will just call the police" is not a good long term survival strategy in today's violent world!

Slow Police Response: When Seconds Count...

I realize it's very tempting and comforting to believe that the police will always be there to save you if you are ever in danger. Unfortunately, there are some practical reasons why this is not true and should not be relied on.

"When seconds count, the police are only minutes away!" - Unknown

This quote is meant to be funny, but it contains a very real message. You may be lucky enough to live in a city/suburb where the police response time (the time it takes for them to get to you after you have called for help) is only 2 to 5 minutes.

Many people are not so fortunate. Outside of big cities, in rural areas or farming communities, the police response time may be closer to 30 minutes!

Even if you enjoy an amazing response time of 2 minutes...

...it's still not quick enough if you are already being attacked by a criminal.

Think carefully about this:

  • How long does it take to pull the trigger on a gun?
  • How long does it take to punch someone in the face?
  • How long would it take for a criminal to reach out and cut you with his knife?

You see, when we are talking about real violence, things happen in fractions of a second, not minutes!

If a criminal is ALREADY standing next to your car window with his gun in his hand...

...the police can't help you.

In the same way, if a violent home robbery team has just kicked in your front door and is standing in your living room...

...the police can't help you.

Unfortunately, the police's main job is to investigate crimes that have already been committed. It's very rare that they are able to prevent a crime that is happening right now, unless it occurs right in front of them.

So Should I Just Give Up?

Please don't misunderstand me. I don't mean to suggest that if you are ever attacked by a criminal, the situation is hopeless!

Not. At. All.

What I am trying to say is that until the police get to you, you have to defend yourself. By simply believing that a rapid police response will always save you, you are not taking responsibility for your own survival.

The only way to have any chance of surviving a criminal attack of any kind (robbery, attempted murder, rape) is to understand that YOU and YOU ALONE are responsible for saving yourself.

If you have never really given this much thought, the statements above might make you feel:

  • Afraid
  • Hopeless
  • LESS prepared for a criminal attack

It's not my intention to make you feel that way. Instead, I want these words to EMPOWER you to use the information on this website to learn what you need to know to survive and WIN!

The News Is Full Of Stories Of Survival

While you often have to wade through some disturbing stories of defeat and victimization first, if you read enough, you will often find empowering stories of hope too.

Stories of:

  • A father saving his family from a gang of robbers by fighting them off with his handgun
  • A woman successfully fighting and escaping from her rapist
  • A mother defending her children from a violent burglar

What these kinds of stories prove is that it IS possible to defend yourself against violent criminals. It IS possible, even without the help of a speedy police force.

Should I Just Forget About The Police Altogether?

I think that would be a taking it a step too far.

I still believe you should call the police if you feel you're in danger of being attacked by a criminal. It's a good idea to make sure that SOMEBODY is coming to help you, even if you may be on your own for a little while first.

However, you should NOT even think about making a call on your phone when an attack is about to happen! If a criminal is standing in front of you with a knife, the time for dialing numbers on your phone has passed.

Now's the time for ACTION!

The only way to have any chance at all of surviving this attack is to FIGHT BACK. If you have taken the advice on this website (or any other source of good security info) and you've prepared yourself, you have a good chance of getting out of it alive.

However...

...I don't want you to think that you can only survive a criminal attack if you know martial arts, or if you have a gun.

Those things can and will improve your chances of survival, but plenty of normal men and women with no special training have not only survived but WON fights against violent criminals.

How can that be you may wonder?

Every single one of those people had a strong WILL TO SURVIVE!

Having the will to fight back despite fear is what separates survivors from victims.

There are no guarantees, of course. There are many things to learn when it comes to self defense. This website is full of information that will help you survive what may be the scariest and most dangerous situation you will ever encounter.

It's Only Going To Help IF You Take Action!

But it won't help you if you haven't actually taken any of the advice to heart. If you read about how building you strength and fitness will help you survive an attack...

...make sure you actually DO SOMETHING to improve your fitness!

It won't help you just to read about it.

The same goes for your home security. If you know that your home is lacking in many areas or that it has vulnerable points, don't just forget about them, do something to fix them now, before it's too late.

After reading this article, you may feel that I am coming across as "negative" or pessimistic.

That's not my goal at all.

My goal is to highlight the ugly REALITY of crime and violence and then suggest steps that you can take to either avoid it (best result) or to fight to survive it (second best result).

A good way to start facing up to that reality is by understanding what a rapid police response means for you (and just as importantly, what it does NOT mean).



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