This is Why You Should Always Be Aware of Your Surroundings

To those who know me its no secret that I'm into true crime. Documentaries, shows, podcasts...I consume it all. Some might call it morbid but today it may have saved my life.

My morning started off like many others with a stop at the Speedway on Gull Road and Nazareth in Kalamazoo for some coffee. There were several people inside, none of which seemed sketchy or, how I like to put it, gave off a bad vibe. I paid for my items, walked back to my car where I noticed a man who was just inside in the car next to me. He didn't look up at me. He didn't acknowledge me at all. Nothing to worry about, right? I got in my car and headed to the station.

The KFR studio sits at the end of a road surrounded by a neighborhood. At 4:30 in the morning traffic is rare so when I saw the headlights turn in behind me my true crime riddled brain said...hey this might be a problem. When the car continued to follow me into the KFR parking lot I immediately was on high alert. I stepped out of my car, pulled out the bat I keep in the back seat and made it clear that I was aware of his presence. Thankfully, Dana was already in the studio, which you can see into from outside when the lights are on, and he stood up to come outside. The car quickly pulled a u-turn and sped off. And you guessed it...it was the car that was parked next to me at Speedway.

The car was an older model buick, tan, 4 door. The man was a slender white male, glasses, about 5'7" or 5'8" with about shoulder length brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. He was wearing khaki pants, sneakers, and a blue jacket.

I don't work in law enforcement. I'm not an expert in any sense. But, these are the things I do to constantly keep myself safe, which as a woman I'm unfortunately required to do. Have your keys in your hand as you walk to the car. Make sure you have people who know where you'll be and when. Try to park in a well lit area. And just always be ready to defend yourself.

Sounds extreme, right? I'm aware. But, I would rather be called paranoid and extreme then to end up as the next tragic news story.

Ladies, in fact everyone, PLEASE be aware of your surroundings. It could save your life.