Close Encounters Of The Dangerous Kind

We've all done it.  We're all guilty of it.  And it could put you in danger.

It's not paying attention.  I'm not talking about in the classroom or in an hours-long meeting.  I'm talking about when you're out and about shopping, walking or doing anything that would require you to be aware of your surroundings.

That point was hammered home this week when a group of men tried to grab a metro woman around 10:30 Saturday night while she was loading groceries in her car after shopping at Wal-Mart.  After screaming for help, the men only got away with her purse, according to a police report and surveillance video obtained by News 9.

Police always warn us about keeping an eye out and paying close attention when we are out and about.  Usually those warnings come during the Christmas rush, when thugs are looking to snatch purses from women near shopping centers.  But those caveats are quickly forgotten the other 11 months of the year.  One veteran police sergeant told me his wife never pays attention to her surroundings.