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Parking Lot Safety: The Everyday Danger Hiding in Plain Sight
The parking lot might be the most dangerous place you don't think about.
Spencer Coursen
November 10, 2025
“Full hands and a busy brain are exactly what predators are looking for.” — Spencer Coursen
What Happened
According to the FBI, parking lots rank as the third most common location for violent crime. In the United States, parking lots accounted for nearly 10% of all violent crimes, and in some areas, that number jumps to 25%.
Think about that.
The space between your car and your destination is statistically more dangerous than most neighborhoods you would never dare walk through at night.
What the Numbers Reveal
In 2023, there were 16,944 robberies reported in parking lots and garages. Millions more experienced car theft, break-ins, or vandalism, with 40% of vehicle thefts happening in these spaces. Parking lots also accounted for more than 70% of so-called “minor” crimes like hit-and-runs?
Parking lots and garages are often large with low levels of activity, making them attractive targets for criminal activity, vandalism, and other hazards. Theft and robbery can occur at any time and place, but parking facilities are more prone to such incidents than other commercial businesses.
Five Protective Strategies You Can Employ Today:
1. Park with Purpose
Choose a space that’s close to the entrance and well-lit. Avoid spots near large vehicles, pillars, or corners that could block visibility. If you’ll return after dark, park under a light or near a security camera.
2. Keep Your Hands — and Mind — Free
Predators look for people juggling bags and phones. Before leaving a store or office, have your keys in hand and your phone pocketed. Walk with purpose, eyes up, and scan your surroundings as you move.
3. Use the “360 Rule”
Before getting in or out of your vehicle, take a full look around — front, back, sides. Trust your intuition: if something feels off, step away, return to a populated area, or call for an escort.
4. Control the Space Before You Enter It
As you approach your car, look inside through the windows before unlocking it. Once inside, lock the doors immediately and start the engine before checking messages or adjusting settings.
5. Plan for the What-If
If you’re ever approached in a parking lot, create distance, use your voice, and draw attention. You don’t owe politeness to anyone who makes you feel unsafe. Your goal isn’t to win the encounter — it’s to escape it.
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Live Smart. Stay Safe.
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