by Woody Jones
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Show Safety Requires Careful Planning and Constant Awareness
by Woody Jones |
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FIVE SIMPLE STRATEGIES FOR AVOIDING HARM |
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Fatigue, distraction, inattention to our surroundings, poor planning and disregarding your instincts are certain invitations to trouble when you're exhibiting at a craft show. Protecting yourself from crime or any misfortune means planning ahead to avoid potential problems. Know what can happen and how to deal with it. From these plans you can develop behaviors which will deter threats. Make these behaviors a habit. ... "Did I lock my car door? Sure, I always lock it. ... Should I check? Yes, always check."
Slow down
When you are rushed, bad things are likely to happen. Mistakes are made, things are misplaced, overlooked or forgotten. You being rushed is the con artist's most favored and effective tool. Whenever someone is rushing you, take control and slow the interaction.
Trust your instincts
Listen to your inner voice. It is often telling you what you need to know. If you have a suspicion that someone is trying to pass a bad check or credit card, trust your suspicion. Have a plan ready and slow down the situation. Be pleasant but firm. Tell the would-be customer that your bank's computer is down, but you'll hold the credit card number or check until the money clears, at which point you'll mail the merchandise free of charge. Shipping is less expensive than being deceived by a thief.
I've developed two slogans which, over time, have saved me:
Don't be stupid. If I do something I know I really shouldn't do, I know I'll feel stupid later.
Don't be cheap. Sure, I saved $10 by parking in that unattended, unfenced lot with no lighting, but I sure do miss that truck.
Get to know your neighbors
At every show, meet and get to know your neighbors, and watch out for each other. Set up a form of communication so that if one of you thinks you are in trouble, you have a signal to summon the aid of the other. For example, if you think you are being targeted by a thief or group of thieves, bringing another person into the situation can often foil a robbery attempt. Break down your booths together, and make a plan for not leaving booths unattended while one of you goes for your van, car, etc. Always walk with someone else when carrying merchandise to your vehicle.
Be cautious when dealing with helpful strangers
Beware of anyone who appears eager to help you unload or set up for a small amount of money. There is no way to check these people out, and they may be trying to case your merchandise to steal it later. Often, people will even steal things that have little to moderate monetary value, such as a chair or tools, but to be without either at a show can be a huge problem.
If the show doesn't have volunteers, as frequently happens, call the show office a week in advance and ask for contact information for a local church group, boy scouts, or even teenagers from the local high school to help you unload. Shows often provide this kind of referral service. Hire someone from one of these groups ahead of time.
Gadgets
Small alarms such as those found at home improvement stores can deter thieves who might target your booth at night. These motion sensor devices are relatively inexpensive ($6-$20), and will deny a thief the secrecy of going through your things. ... It might even send them running before they've had a chance to take anything.
Carry a small air horn with you, and sound it off if you are relatively certain that danger is close. This will draw attention to you and possibly send a potential attacker running. These can be found at home improvement stores, as well as marine supply and sporting goods stores. They generally cost anywhere from $2 to $8.
A camera can also deter crooks. One craftsperson, for example, noticed several people paying too much attention to her booth. She began to very obviously take pictures of them. She explained that she just wanted to take some shots of the crowd, particularly those who admired her work. They left.
Decoys
Another artist I know uses a decoy cash box. It's locked, kept out of sight (but easily found) and contains no money. If it gets taken, he still has his money, which he keeps on his body.
We all wear pouches. They are fine for non-valuables. Keep your money, credit cards and identification in a money belt under your clothes. Pouches and purses are frequently taken from restroom stall doors. Hold them or hang them around your neck.
Decoys can save your life. I carry a few dollars and an expired/closed-account credit card (or something resembling one) clipped together in my front pocket. If confronted, I would toss the money to one side, and run in the other direction.
Overnight booth security
If your work is too large to carry around, and you must leave it overnight, place it in heavy-duty plastic, metal or wood boxes. Attach these boxes together using 1/4-inch bolts (with large washers) placed through holes drilled in the sides. Place a motion sensor inside and secure them with a good lock. This will make it nearly impossible for anyone to carry your work away with them.
Don't leave the door open to thieves
How many times have you left every single door open on your vehicle when loading or unloading? This makes it very easy for a thief to target you because you appear distracted and disorganized. You are not necessarily paying attention to your surroundings. Close and lock all the doors on your van except the one you are using for access.
Stay safe in your hotel
If you pull into a motel parking lot, and something doesn't look right, trust your instincts don't stay there.
No matter where you decide to stay, don't open your door for any stranger, not even room service. If you order room service, ask the delivery person to slide the bill under the door. After you've signed for it and they have left, then open the door and retrieve your food. If the show is very long, change hotel rooms a few times in case a potential thief has noticed where you are staying.
If you are traveling with a companion, have a specific knock that says, "It's just me, let me in," and one that says, "I'm in trouble, call for help."
Handling money
If possible, use a national bank with locations all over the country. This way, you can find the nearest branch and deposit your money into your account. Some banks will allow you to transfer money from their bank to your bank for a fee.
Also remember that if you are carrying a lot of cash, make sure you have receipts to accompany the money. If you get pulled over on some desolate or country road with thousands of dollars in cash, the police will have some questions. Don't make it easy for police to mistake you for a drug dealer or some other kind of criminal.
Respect your fear
Fear is a good thing, as it tells you when there is potential danger. If you respect your fear and remain aware of your surroundings at all times, you will spend less time being afraid and more time avoiding danger.
Woody Jones is a "three-dimensional story teller" who makes animated wooden sculptures, called Mechanical Amusements. A "vocational adventurer," he has worked as a police officer and a private detective, among other things. He is a board member of the National Association of Independent Artists (NAIA).
MARCH 2000: TABLE OF CONTENTS