Communication for Increased Security

©Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved. Claire Leigh Huckfeldt.

Strengthening communications to be effective could be a good investment of time for each citizen's own life. Reading recommendations of 'what [words; phrases] to use' is good but reading recommendations of 'what [words; phrases] to avoid using' probably results in high valued security.

One phrase you could avoid using is, "I don't know."

Using "I don't know" has resulted in people getting arrested, terminated from employment, and evicted.

Answering or explaining, "I don't know" could flag the listener to [wrongfully] think that the speaker is ..

• not educated
• not aware
• a cohort in crime or an accomplice to a crime
• vulnerable

Good replacements to the reply or explanation "I don't know" could come from the listed examples or from your own planning:

• "I was driving, but I wasn't involved in the incident."
• "I experienced a burglary [crime]."
• "The neighbor is new: I have not met him or her yet."

• "I want to verify my address first as I want you to have the full correct data. It's a new address schema in a new city." Acting kind and explaining as if it's NO BIG DEAL, is a good strategy'.

Victims sometimes have to have time to gather their thoughts.

The reaction "I don't know" could be a result from years of Wars, attacks, crimes, threats, programming or other abuse. Criminals and culprits like victims to sound unsure and to have no answer … so victim(s) cannot easily think of and use words to report criminals or culprits quickly.

Police, Fire, Sheriff's and additional authorities like to collect data, so always having a plan of what words you use to answer or explain is probably a perfect way for you to secure your life's path as you planned it.

Planning and delivering a phrase such as, "I was just ____ [driving to school; walking northbound; crossing the street on the crosswalk path; experiencing interference with my ability to drive ]" could tell the listener or authorities that you're …

• aware of what's going on
• stating that you obey the law; you're a good citizen
• specifying somebody else is the guilty party, not you
• having a regular routine
• being professional

In additional words, authorities or listeners may think that your specific statements lead to positive thoughts...that you're on the crosswalk [not in the middle of the road]; you know what a 'crosswalk' is; you're a citizen [not a criminal; not a culprit]; or you have a weekly trip to the grocery store. That type of 'effective communication plan' can help you manage your own life and fame in your community and on-record with authorities.

Source of 'Communication for Increased Security' is the author's mother, who became known as Cathie McCormick of Denver, Colorado and South Dakota. The author has had 10+ years interviewing and problem solving experience as a Business Analyst and Computer Programmer for all levels of government.

©Copyright 2021. All Rights Reserved. Claire Leigh Huckfeldt.