a. Not everyone sitting in the hotel lobby has a room or is there to see someone – they could have walked off the street to get a cup of coffee, or they are there for one of the oldest scams in the book.

b. Once they find out your room number –they (Already watched you check in and remove your things from your car) –

i. They will wait for you to leave in the morning – then wearing either workout or sleep attire they will walk up to a new person at the front desk which is ALWAYS different than the one who checked you in – and tell them they either just got breakfast and are holding a food tray or just worked out and locked their room key and their ID in there room could you please give me another - then they will give the desk clerk YOUR room number and name because you were so loud when you checked in everyone heard your name – and have access to your room.

Although I was impressed with the entire class, one point made by Jeff Mehring, Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare’s Regional Director of Security, made a real impression on me and the entire class.

Mr. Mehring said that although it is necessary to check on a person’s wellness following a stressful or traumatic incident, it is not a good idea to ask them if they are okay. When people are obviously not okay, the more appropriate question should be, “How are you doing?” or “How are you holding up?” This point is illustrated by Gary Klugiewicz in this video.

"The verbals are so important that we often forget every scenario starts with verbal communication. I have talked to a few of the people from Iowa already and they are working to implement some of these practices as soon as they can. After taking the refresher courses with other instructors and now being an instructor myself, I always learn something new in every class. The shoulder lock is a great modification of the push-pull drills. It can be taught to anyone.

"I have a great story I am going share soon about my sister being in the art education program at UW-Milwaukee and how dangerous her teaching environments can be.  In short, she works in some known hostile environments. My sister is all of 5'2 and 120 lbs and was scared to death of having to student teach at some of these places. She came to me to ask for advice and within 2 hours, over a period of 2 weeks, she was able to drop me to my knees or get out of dodge efficiently.

"She told me a month into her student teaching she had to use a sweep and disengage and never was sitting anything but yellow to orange while in her chair. She thanked me for this training and education, but this is a thanks to you and your staff as well. I have been in security for 4.5 years so I have been using these techniques for a good amount of time. I am grateful I can help train and educate people in a work place, and my own family to keep them and others safe."

Thanks again,
Stephen Sobottka

a. Just recently within a few months ago, I want out to my car after being in the hotel room for a few hours to get something I needed; when I got to the parking lot there was a man on his knees looking under the car next to mine –

b. When he saw me, he quickly jumped up and said, ”Sir I am just trying to get that 5 dollar bill blowing between the two back tires

c. When I asked him if it was his money he said no – but if you ever need a few dollars this is one of the best places to check for a quick buck!

Dave Young
US Fighting Systems
dyoung@vistelar.com

Also demonstrated was the more intrusive physical intervention tactics available to security personnel to overcome violent subject resistance.

This class demonstrates that all defensive training needs to combine both verbal and physical skills. Participants came from multiple disciplines that ranged from medical to mental health to security officers. One of the greatest benefits of the class to the participants was the opportunity for the different disciplines to work together as a team and to see their very difference perspectives. For more information you can contact me at gklugiewicz@Vistelar.com.

How do you get a classroom full of adults to stop talking with one another and focus on the instructor?

Here, Verbal Defense & Influence Associate Tony Pinelle shared one of Dr. Karen Huebner’s class management tactics from her Purposeful Teaching Program. He did this during a recent course at St. Joseph's Hospital in Milwaukee, Wis.

The tactic consists of the instructor raising there hand to signal the end of a breakout drill or break. As the students see the raised hands, they complete their sentence but not the paragraph that they may be saying and then raise their hand. When other students see the raised hand, they in turn end their conversation and come back to their seats.

In a matter of moments, all hands have been raised and the class is ready to resume. Pinelle related an application of this tactics in a non traditional classroom setting that showed how universal this tactic can be.

For more information about this and other Purposeful Teaching concepts, please check out Dr. Karen Huebner’s website at www.PurposefulDevelopment.com.

2. Some thieves wait for that 2-3am quick park in the front and while you leave your car on to QUICKLY check if there are any vacancies so they can get a QUICK peak in your car or even take your car

3. Be smart, alert and always stay aware of your surroundings – even going from your car to the front lobby area of the hotel.

Dave Young
US Fighting Systems
dyoung@vistelar.com

(Mary for Doc)

1. Make sure you remove any maps you may have from view also any trash –

a. If I look in the back of a car parked in a hotel and see nothing but fast food and coffee cups scattered throughout the car then this tell me you are a visitor; an some visitors travel with all of their belongings with them – so I might have a closer look at the car and what might be inside.

b. Do not leave your suitcases or bags in the back seat – this will provoke curiosity, when in fact you are trying to deter their curiosity

Dave Young
US Fighting Systems
dyoung@vistelar.com