Yes, all criminal activities including murder in general is more or less increasing, but let's not live in constant fear. However, there are things we can do to prepare ourselves for the worst. What about natural disaster? We have witnessed in national news on television or cnn.com, etc. so much commotion going on, for example, flooding, mudslides, fires, earthquakes, tsunami and other natural disasters that take lives and leave many homeless without food and safe water to drink.
Noticed that after a certain area in the U.S. where disaster was major or a total destruction where it renders some people helpless without food, water, shelter, it takes the U.S. Gov't approximately 72-hours to bring relief supplies. Now there are 72-hour kits being sold in the markets today for anyone who wants to buy them and prepare for any emergency.
Some families are preparing themselves not only with 72-hour emergency kits, but also stocking up on dehydrated foods, but those need water and it is a good idea to have up to 2 weeks of water stored in homes. You need water to drink, to do laundry, to bathe, etc.
Some other families are putting an little extra money in the bank in case the husband gets laid off from his job, or becomes ill for a long period of time, or the family's appliance breaks down (chest freezer, refrigerator, washer or dryer, etc.) A little extra money for emergencies like that helps.
Last but not least and undeniably true that we cannot avoid what the Bible has prophecied. Some prophecies of the Bible have already come true and some other prophecies are yet to happen and yes, it is very scary on a global scale. If we prepare ourselves for what is to come, then we need not fear. In other words, we do not need to be afraid of those things that are forthcoming.
Also, don't go into panic buying for 72-hour kits or for food storage and buy what you like to eat. Don't buy what you don't like to eat. It would be very unwise to think to ourselves, "Oh, I'll pass on the preparation deal and if it happens to me, then I'll just find the family that lived wisely and get some food. Bad idea! College students may not be able to store food, but they can get 72-hour kits. There needs to be a balance for everyone together if we are to survive! In times of flash flooding, it may wipe away all the food storage and then what? So it is every person/family for themselves to be INITIATIVE at preparing themselves. If you have done your part, then you may be in the circle of friends whether you lost your own storage supplies or not. Expect that there WILL be people caught unprepared and that usually means you may need to share until the Gov't arrives with emergency supplies for everyone.
About crimes in many places, avoid going to grocery store or ATM at nights. Get what you need for yourselves or family during the day. THINK AHEAD AND PLAN AHEAD! What do I need for my family, and so forth and so on. There are a lot of good advice from city officials on how to be safe and how to protect yourselves. Just BE SMART!
Does anyone know the parable of the Ten Virgins? It is found in the New Testament of the Bible and it is not talking about 5 silly women and 5 wise women. It is talking about our day! There will be some people prepared and some will not be ready for what is yet to come.
There was one small city that was completely wiped out by flood. It happened so quickly. This small city was at the bottom between a hill and a mountain. Luckily, everyone got out just in time. Surprisingly, the last person brought to safety happened to be a deaf woman. Her nephew had a jeep and a friend who came along to help. They pounded hard on her door, but she was in her ripe old age and afraid to answer the door. When she peeked out, she realized it was her nephew and he was in sort of panic telling her to come with him, no time to explain. The 2 young men decided to forcefully open the door, grabbed her and got her in the back seat of the jeep and spun the wheels like mad! They quickly went up the hill. While still hurrying up hill, the deaf woman looked back and in shock and disbelief, she understood! VERY CLOSE CALL! Her home and the rest of the city disappeared before her eyes! She told her story to me and many other deaf people. The news about the destruction was on national TV and radio, but nothing about the deaf woman who was the last one out of harm's way.
The bad thing about it is that all the people had left the town! She was the last one not knowing the danger! The deaf in every city of their residence SHOULD have some kind of a get acquainted party with their neighbors in a city block or with the city officials... and HOPE these people don't forget the deaf when an emergency arises. There have been evacuation calls because of chemical spills from a truck or a derailed train. WE WANT OUR NEIGHBORS TO NOTIFY US ON THEIR WAY OUT DURING AN EVACUATION!!!!! Let's do something and get started on community awareness, introduce the neighbors and get acquainted. Sometimes a dog will wake its owner up in the middle of the night trying to warn, but dogs can't talk as good as a neighbor can. I hope we all will have good and thoughtful neighbors. You may share your thoughts or ideas on this.