It starts with awareness

As Hurricane Erin worked its way off the coast, many in the Lowcountry were breathing a collective sigh of relief knowing that the concern for personal safety and destruction of personal property is no longer present. People learn this information from a news source they have a degree of trust in. But what about daily safety? What about personal security? Where does the awareness come from?What is the source of trustworthy information?

Being safe is relative, there is no state of absolute safety. There is no tool or app that one can utilize that will guarantee 100% safety. However, there are things that people can do that will make them safer. That is the goal.

Many newcomers chose Bluffton and Hilton Head because they wanted to leave areas of the country that felt unsafe. Yes, the weather helps, but there is something very nice about living in a part of the country where crime is relatively low.

As nice as living in the Lowcountry is, it is unwise to think this is some present-day utopia and that random crime only happens in other places. That would be naïve. It is best to be prepared, but not paranoid, about personal safety.

The first step in personal safety is awareness. Everyday read something that provides trustworthy information about crime. Make a mental note about crime trends and pay particular attention to news stories about random violence. Random violence is easily described as: wrong place - wrong time. In reading those stories, take a moment to think about personal decision making. What would be the best decision if faced with such a situation? Usually the answer here is flight – leave the area.

When leaving the relative safety of the home and going out into the world, awareness comes from the human body and the body’s amazing senses, mostly sight, sound, and smell. Unfortunately, there is a real impediment to the use of these senses, and it is the distraction device – what is also called the smart phone. Everyone has one and everyone spends too much time glued to them.

The device takes away sight - as all focus is drawn to the little screen. It takes away hearing - when the headphones are shoved into the ears. Even if you aren’t using headphones, it draws your hearing towards the speakers and away from your environment.

It has not found a way to override smell, yet. The device provides dopamine and humans love it.

The content captures the mind and personal safety is diminished. It is impossible to drive around Bluffton and not see folks glued to the device – which is now illegal by the way.

Beginning Sept. 1st, 2025, South Carolina’s Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act prohibits drivers from holding a mobile electronic device while behind the wheel, including for talking, texting, watching videos or browsing. The law still permits hands-free calls, voice-to-text messaging, navigation or audio apps, reporting emergencies and use while parked.

It’s not just drivers and runners that need to put the phone away. People walking to their cars in parking lots, in parks and at playgrounds need to be present and aware of their surroundings.

So, first step of personal safety, put the phone away, get the head up, eyes focused and hearing unimpeded.

It is not easy, but it can be done and your safety will be increased.

James Hamilton is a nationally recognized executive protection expert and former FBI Supervisory Special Agent. With 18 years at the Bureau, he created its Close Protection School, served on the Director’s detail, and continues to advance protective security worldwide.