Good luck to you in the future...
Well, my daughter is grown now and has kids of her own. She also imparts the same type of message that she has learned well herself -- that there are criminals out there and that you "take measures" to protect yourself and avoid criminal activity by smart choices.
And that's what I do, too.
A person doesn't eliminate crime or criminals that way. Not at all. The criminals are still there, the crimes are still being done.
No..., what happens is that you shift the crimes away from yourself -- and onto others, who happen to be more foolish than you.
And, for those who don't "get it" -- no this is not an "absolute" solution, in terms of minimizing the risks by smart behavior choices that one makes for oneself -- but then again -- I think most FReepers recognize that fact anyway -- as that's why FReepers are "also" into protecting themselves by way of being armed, doncha know -- for those very few times, when smart choices and "behavior" doesn't quite "cut it" and you encounter a criminal anyway...
Just a heads up...the doncha know is really annoying.