Crime fighters like Spider-Man don’t rent themselves out as personal bodyguards, but occasionally they’ll volunteer their services for the right person. Say the mayor is hosting a big political rally and city officials are worried about his safety. This opportunity is too good to refuse-you’ll be preventing crime and boosting your rep at City Hall. Here’s the catch: The job will require you to spot threats before they materialize. It’s a skill that’ll serve you well, whether you’re babysitting a VIP or simply going about your plainclothes life. With some help from former Secret Service special agent Brian Helbing, here’s a guide to spotting nefarious ne’er-do-wells.
Step 1: Be alert for alertness.
The next time you’re out in public, take note of how many people pay absolutely no attention to what’s going on around them. Generally speaking, there are two types of people who take note of their surroundings (when getting out of a car or walking into a lobby, for instance): cops and crooks. The rest of the population seems to have tunnel vision. Therefore, if you notice someone being especially attentive-looking over their shoulder or scanning their surroundings-they may be a threat.
Step 2: Look for unconscious adjustments.
Most criminals don’t use holsters for their guns, so as they walk (especially going up and down curbs or stairs) they’ll tend to unconsciously grab the weapon to keep it in place.
Step 3: Look for outward signs of anxiety.
When most people get close to a dignitary (like the president) they’re bug-eyed with excitement, smiling ear to ear, and reaching out in hopes of touching a piece of living history. Either that, or they’re fumbling with a disposable camera. So if someone looks especially serious, focused, or worried-if they’re sweating a bit too much, or they’re fidgety-that person deserves your utmost attention. This applies to your daily life, too: Someone who’s about to commit a robbery or violent assault is usually chock full of adrenaline, and might display symptoms like heavy breathing, hard swallowing, trembling hands, and dilated pupils.
Step 4: Watch the hands.
No matter how ugly, no matter how sinister or menacing, a facial expression never killed anybody. When the president works a “rope line” (a barrier that keeps the crowd back), his bodyguards constantly order onlookers to take their hands out of their pockets. Until people learn to shoot guns with their toes, hands should always be your first concern-whether you’re protecting a VIP in your costume or waiting in line at the bank in your street clothes.
