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Section IV
Basic Counter Measures and How To Employ Them
As we move into actual counter measures we will describe basic common sense practices. These can help you become more aware of your surroundings both indoors and outdoors and help promote personal safety in general. If you are aware of what is going on around you, you no longer appear to be an easy target. If you observe in all directions as you leave your home or office and walk to your destination with your head up, eyes looking casually around and do so with confidant posture, you send messages to anyone watching you. To the potential mugger you say that you are not an easy target and will not be preyed upon. To the possible surveillance team, whom you might just spot, you say that you might be aware that you are under surveillance and this can indeed make them think they might be spotted or they might think you already have spotted them. Either way they can't be quite certain and their job becomes more difficult.
The Do It Yourself Detective
I suppose there is always the possibility that you may not want the surveillant to know you are on to him, perhaps to give misinformation, but that again approaches the level of sophistication of counter espionage.
Once again our purpose is to help you become aware of someone spying on you and hopefully you being able to do something to discourage it.
We begin at the beginning with a basic stake out and the
possibility that someone might be sitting outside your home watching activity there and most likely with a plan to follow you throughout the day.
A very basic precaution would be for you to take note when you arrive home, at the end of your day, of any unusual vehicles parked in a position where your house could be watched without interference. Look for very plain, darker colored non-descript cars with unusually dark windows.
Surveillance vehicles are usually the type that do not stand out and are not likely to be noticed or remembered. The bright red Ferrari of a famous PI in Hawaii was sexy, but about the worst vehicle imaginable for actually doing surveillance. Perhaps if 95% of the vehicles on the road were flashy, red sports cars he might have had a chance.
Look for the Toyota, Taurus, Nissan or perhaps a Pontiac Grand Am. Midsize vehicles not large luxury vehicles. The type that is quick and maneuverable and usually has pretty good gas mileage is favored.
Some private investigators use larger vehicles that resemble unmarked police cars, but the problem with them they are frequently spotted because they look like unmarked police cars.
I personally like medium size sport utility vehicles like Ford's Explorer. this type of vehicle is comfortable to sit in for long periods of time (in fact you can sit all the way in the back and with blacked out windows and a sunshield the vehicle looks empty) it is quick and does well on fuel. Also they are so common you could go crazy picking out which one belongs to your operative.
