The sugary doughnut I munched on, filled with whipped cream, engraved a memory in my mind that day. That memory would remind me of how individuals can possess bad intentions. It all started when my family and I were on vacation in Daly City, Calif. In no way did I imagine a troubling situation could arise at Serramonte Center, the shopping center near where my family grew up. 

My other relatives who lived in Daly City included my aunts, first cousins with my father, and his siblings. My siblings and I met up with two of my aunts at the mall. When we exited the mall, I decided to ride with them to our relatives’ house. However, when we were heading to their car, I saw my father’s sister running towards us and yelling “run.” 

It was not until my aunt told us a man was pursuing us that I realized we were in danger. That very man initially spoke to my father and asked where T-Mobile was, saying he lost his phone. My father recognized the man’s other motive, and my aunt picked up on it, too. Following this, I felt great appreciation for their awareness of their surroundings. 

Through experiencing this, I learned the importance of being aware of suspicious individuals; it is essential in any location, even one in which you feel comfortable and safe. This is reality. 

It is beneficial to be sharp and wary of individuals you don’t know because being oblivious will only endanger your safety. A statistic from NamUs states that in the United States, about 600,000 individuals go missing every year. The number of missing persons increases per year, but there are ways to prevent yourself from being one of them.

A must is to talk about safety measures with your family and friends. My family and I were able to escape from our pursuer because my family took notice and took action. It pays to know what you should do if there is an emergency and to communicate clearly with those around you.

Acknowledging one’s surroundings is the number one key to identifying any suspicious activity. If you are concerned by someone who is lurking nearby, proceed to a crowded area and find a friend, as pursuers may find people in groups daunting or risky. Another thing one should do is notify the authorities, which my family and I unfortunately did not do. 

But what if you do not want to be keen on your surroundings? Focusing on the world around you can cause stress, and if it does, you can ease up. So remember, when you are eating ice cream at a parlor or a sugary doughnut like the one I ate that day, just be aware and ready to act if anything ensues.