What’s your defensive prep?

[WestKentucky]

Real life scenario that I face daily. It’s different than most jobs but seems like a fun thing to see how others set themselves up for success. I might even see some things I want to change.

My new job is mostly on the road in a delivery truck. Some days it’s a full size cargo van, some days the items are too big for the van and I drive a 14ft box truck. Another guy works with me but we don’t see each other except in passing most days. The scenarios on the road are impossible to really do much with other than to generally be armed with a concealable weapon we are comfortable with and can shoot adequately. The part that seems interesting is the short time at the warehouse…

The warehouse is roughly 2000 sq ft. It’s in a rough spot with little access and less police presence, but still it’s fairly quiet. It’s cheap and there isn’t much else with big tall bay doors so moving isn’t a realistic option.

The main part is roughly 30 by 60. We have a garage type door and a man door at the front. Restroom in the back corner, shelves along the back wall with old crap accumulated over the years, and spare parts for the vehicles. We park the box trucks side by side in the back leaving about 3 ft between the front bumper and the shelves along the back wall. Between the trucks and along the right wall there are about 3 ft walkways. Along the left wall is more like 5 ft to give easier access to the restroom. We get our morning shipment and bring it back to the warehouse to sort out. Generally we back in one of the small vans and get ready to go quickly and that guy leaves, then the other guy backs in and loads the rest and we are gone for the day. The sorting and loading process is generally about an hour, and the other guy is generally leaving as I get there because we pick up from different vendors at different places. He gets back first and starts sorting while I’m driving in. There is a desk up near the man door at the front where we do minimal paperwork and sort out our delivery tickets.

So that’s the gist of the business at the warehouse. How do you protect yourself in this sketchy part of town? The building is pretty secure but not enough that I’m comfortable leaving guns there.

 

[chamokaneman]

Carry your CCW. Don't leave it there.

Sounds to me like you're most vulnerable coming and going when the garage door is open. Leave it closed as much as possible and be extra vigilant entering and exiting. It almost sounds like you can do a certain amount of over-watch for each other coming and going as well.

 

[JFrank]

A couple quick questions please.

Is there anything in the trucks worth risking your life over ?
Are you getting paid to risk your families livelihood ?

Does your employer assume the financial responsibility of a defense Attorney ?

 

[WestKentucky]

A couple quick questions please.

Is there anything in the trucks worth risking your life over ?
Are you getting paid to risk your families livelihood ?

Does your employer assume the financial responsibility of a defense Attorney ?

Self employed… so I guess if I need defense counsel then I’m paying for it. The stuff is just automotive parts. I basically haul from a vendor to body shops fixing wrecks.

 

[WestKentucky]

Carry your CCW. Don't leave it there.

Sounds to me like you're most vulnerable coming and going when the garage door is open. Leave it closed as much as possible and be extra vigilant entering and exiting. It almost sounds like you can do a certain amount of over-watch for each other coming and going as well.

We can, but there are often times when it’s only 1 of us there. He is leaving as I’m coming in usually, so our time where both are there is quite limited. Generally 5 mins a day when we are both there. We do close the door when we can.

 

[chicharrones]

Always carry when legal to do so. Keep the truck keys and your cell phone on you. Be aware of surroundings.

I'd never consider leaving weapons in a building that wasn't owned or rented by me. I sure wouldn't feel compelled to protect auto parts that I didn't own. I'd feel more compelled to protect my own truck, but I'd let insurance handle a drive off theft if I had left the keys in the truck cab.

As a traveling tech I work in shady areas and nice areas across Texas and sometimes beyond. When I'm at one of our offices, I'm always at the warehouse side of it. The offices are in a strip type industrial park. I may get there before 7am and I may leave after 8pm, I'm almost always alone if I'm there before and after normal business hours. I keep my vehicle locked and the overhead garage door closed/locked if I'm not loading up equipment, parts, or tools. Our front door is buzzer opened with a burglar bar gate behind it.

Things have gotten weird at our office occasionally when it's dark. Our company got broken into years ago around 5am, with my boss chasing them off as he used to go in early. A neighboring company got held up by several bad actors that stole several company leased vehicles while the vehicles were being parked inside for the night. Another neighboring company got broken into overnight. These two other companies are in our same building, one shares a wall with us, the other is maybe 75 yards away.

All companies have changed their security set ups after these incidents. Our company does not keep weapons on the premises, but a couple of us do carry concealed.

 

[jmorris]

I would have at least photoelectric/buzzer alerts to let everyone know when anything comes into or out of the building.

Wifi cameras that send alerts to your phone like the Wyze and Tuya will send a video of someone pulling up my drive before they reach the house.

That bit of extra time would be quite valuable if it were someone with ill intentions heading our way.

 

[Kleanbore]

Yep--motion sensors, too

 

[lemaymiami]

As others have said, stay armed when
possible (with whatever allows you to do your loading comfortably, making sure you’re properly concealed). Make sure you have a way to exit that warehouse if needed (crooks can have your goods or your truck - make sure your insurance covers potential losses). As an upgrade, a video that covers your front gate and loading area with a small buzzer or bell that alerts you to anyone’s approach.

As you can guess your life and your partner’s life are what’s important - not your property. It will be your choice whether to withdraw or stand and defend… Me, I hope I’m smart enough to avoid an armed confrontation but in the past, when I was younger I stood my ground and as a cop did what needed to be done (only once in 22 years did I fire a single shot…).

By the way, be smart and never tell anyone about your security measures- not even the businesses close by. If they’re ever needed you want it to be a surprise…

 

[Speedo66]

Situational awareness is your best friend. In a neighborhood like that it must be practiced continuously.

 

[lemaymiami]

Forgot to mention. A simple concealed kill switch on any vehicle is very effective security, and costs very little to install. In the “on” position you can’t start the vehicle. Start your truck or car then turn the kill on. Drive it all day long but every time you turn it off it can’t be started again until you re-set the switch. I consider it standard gear. If I’m ever ‘jacked I hand over the keys and leave the scene before they find out they’ve been had…
For commercial vehicles, make sure your personal keys are always kept separately…

 

[Meeks36]

Do not leave your carry piece in the truck! I worked as a vendor in down town Atlanta. Boss man had $1500 and his pistol stolen from truck. Only did that for a few weeks. To Sketchy carrying someone else’s money. And some times large sums.

 

[Hangingrock]

Avoidance of stupid people, places and things as a life style.

 

[Barry the Bear]

I carry a .357, Cold Steel Espada Large, and two speed strips daily, I have taken a backup gun class for snub nose revolvers and no it's not the best choice but it's the most practical for me, I am in trade school while working retail on the evenings. I do have a cheap fixed blade in the truck and a shovel but those are typically utility use and not intended for defense.

 

[GBExpat]

Automated garage door opener, yes? Mandoor always securely closed except for brief period as required?

If my partner was out when I pulled my truck in, I would make a careful sweep inside after the door rolled closed, before getting back to business.

I would have an understanding with my partner that when we are there together and one of the doors is opened, "work" stops and the focus is on the door and immediate surroundings until that door is securely closed.

 

[Palladan44]

While on the road, I always lock the doors.
I like to leave enough space between me and the car in front so I can escape if needed. Curbs are always fair game. Always gun in the holster on person, never in the glove box. (I admit to having had a glove-box "truck gun" for many years, just don't anymore. Mr John Correia has convinced me not to)

 

[westernrover]

Forgot to mention. A simple concealed kill switch on any vehicle is very effective security, and costs very little to install. In the “on” position you can’t start the vehicle. Start your truck or car then turn the kill on. Drive it all day long but every time you turn it off it can’t be started again until you re-set the switch. I consider it standard gear. If I’m ever ‘jacked I hand over the keys and leave the scene before they find out they’ve been had…
For commercial vehicles, make sure your personal keys are always kept separately…

Kill switch? Just drive something that's too intimidating for anyone to jack:

 

[hdwhit]

Sorry, but not about to describe my defensive preparations (including electronic surveillance and/or counter-measures) on a forum my potential attacker might also read.