Security Expert Warns of Rising Risks from Routine Behavior and Distraction

Keith Fowler, founder and operator of Lion Shield Protection, has released his outlook on personal and community security for the coming year, highlighting a sharp increase in opportunistic incidents tied to routine behavior. According to Fowler, people are moving faster, multitasking more, and paying less attention to their surroundings, which accelerates how quickly small mistakes turn into real problems. Recent data supports this shift, showing that 41% of home break-ins occur without forced entry, often due to unlocked doors or poor routines, while 27% of theft incidents involve vehicles, frequently from items left in plain sight. Over 60% of people admit they check their phones while entering or exiting their homes, and nearly 70% of adults still have no basic emergency plan. Fowler states that people often assume risk looks dramatic, when in reality it looks quiet and fast.

Fowler identifies common errors in security practices, noting that many individuals rely on tools while ignoring habits. He observes that people trust alarms, cameras, or apps but skip the basics, and no system fixes poor awareness. Predictable routines, unlocked vehicles left unattended even briefly, and ignoring subtle warning signs are frequent mistakes. Fowler adds that people often mistake familiarity for safety, explaining that being comfortable in a place does not make it safe but rather lowers one's guard. This reliance on technology over fundamental vigilance is a critical flaw in current approaches to security.

Looking ahead, Fowler expects three pressures to increase over the next year: response times, personal responsibility, and accountability. Key indicators include police response times increasing by 15–20% in many urban areas, property crime rates rising in over half of U.S. counties last year, and emergency services being increasingly stretched during peak hours. Fowler warns that help may take longer, meaning individuals need to be more self-aware and prepared. Despite these challenges, he emphasizes that consistency wins, with simple habits done every day beating complex plans that never get used. Basics like locking doors every time, clearing vehicles, pausing before entry, scanning environments, and keeping emergency contacts accessible remain effective. Fowler notes he has watched people avoid problems simply because they paused for three seconds, underscoring that such small actions matter significantly.

Fowler outlines three scenarios for the year ahead to guide preparedness. In an optimistic scenario where conditions stabilize, he recommends establishing a simple daily safety checklist, reviewing home and vehicle routines weekly, and sharing emergency plans with family members. In a realistic scenario where incidents remain steady and response times stay stretched, best actions include changing routines regularly, reducing distractions during transitions, and keeping valuables out of sight with plans written down. For a cautious scenario where incidents increase locally and response delays grow, he advises heightening situational awareness in public spaces, adding redundancy to emergency contacts and meeting points, and auditing habits monthly to correct gaps immediately. Fowler stresses that none of these steps require fear but rather attention, urging individuals to choose the scenario that best fits their environment and act now. He concludes that safety does not come from luck but from habits, reinforcing the importance of daily, consistent practices over reactive measures.