A chilling question hangs in the air: why is violence against innocent Americans escalating? The sense of unease is palpable, a growing fear that something fundamental has shifted, leaving communities vulnerable.
Recent reports detail the quiet release of nearly 7,000 individuals with criminal histories into communities, without notification to federal immigration authorities. Among them are those accused of horrific crimes – rape, murder, and even terrorism – a revelation that fuels the growing anxiety.
Greg Shaffer, a seasoned security expert with two decades in the FBI, including six years on the elite Hostage Rescue Team, believes the answer lies in a dangerous combination of systemic failures and individual unpreparedness. He’s witnessed firsthand the consequences of both.
While hesitant to engage in political debate, Shaffer insists the surge in violence isn’t random. He points to increasingly lenient bail reforms and the decisions of judges who repeatedly release dangerous individuals back into society, creating a cycle of escalating risk.
The evidence is stark. A New York City subway rider violently shoved onto the tracks by a perpetrator with over 50 prior arrests. A young woman in Chicago doused in gasoline and set ablaze by someone with a history of 70 arrests. A Ukrainian refugee fatally stabbed on a train in North Carolina by an individual with a lengthy criminal record. These aren’t isolated incidents.
“These career criminals are not being held accountable,” Shaffer states bluntly. “They’re being deliberately put back on the streets.” He doesn’t shy away from a disturbing possibility: that some actors are actively seeking to destabilize the country through violence against its citizens, and that those enabling it should face consequences.
But Shaffer emphasizes that awareness and preparation are equally vital. He stresses the critical importance of “situational awareness” – a constant, vigilant assessment of your surroundings. Being caught unaware, he warns, can be deadly.
He advocates for mental rehearsal, practicing responses to potential threats. Just as we’re taught to “stop, drop, and roll” when our clothes catch fire, we must develop ingrained responses to violence. The body, he explains, will react based on what the mind has already prepared it to do.
“The body cannot go where the mind has never been,” Shaffer writes in his book. Without a pre-planned response, fear can paralyze, turning a potentially survivable situation into a tragedy. Rehearsal transforms instinct from panic to action.
He offers a stark example: learning to recognize the sound of gunfire. Many initially mistake it for fireworks, but training the mind to identify the true sound is the first step toward escape. “And when you recognize that gunfire,” he urges, “get off the X—get the hell away from the gunfire.”
In a world increasingly fraught with danger, vigilance isn’t paranoia; it’s a necessity. It’s a proactive step toward safeguarding yourself and those around you.
