Sadly, we all live in a world where on any given day we could find ourselves the victim of a crime. Crimes committed by pedophiles, rapists, and other sex offenders are commonplace in today's society, as are property crimes, cybercrimes, and crimes against the elderly. This practical and pertinent book, which draws from the author's lengthy experience as a New York State parole officer, is a survival tool that should be available to everyone. In addition to offering an entertaining overview of his career, the author offers concise guidelines for protecting against a multitude of crimes. It is, without question, a "must read" for parents, teachers, students, senior citizens, and the many others. The book is filled with several thought-provoking, true-life cases that we can all learn from. Many of them could have had different endings had the victims reacted in a more appropriate fashion. An overview of the author's career gives readers insights on how to increase their "awareness level" and ultimately develop a "proactive" protection plan that will help them better protect themselves and their children. Joe Greco is a retired New York State parole officer, with more than thirty years of experience working in the New York State Criminal Justice System. He worked closely with juvenile and adult offenders who committed just about every crime imaginable. In addition, he undertook many special assignments during his career, including supervising a caseload composed exclusively of convicted sex offenders. He was a New York State certified instructor for decades, with expertise in the areas of firearms, defensive tactics, street survival, and general topics instruction. The author interviewed thousands of offenders as well as countless victims of senseless crimes. His vast experience has given him a unique, firsthand perspective regarding how these criminals think, as well as the criteria that they use when looking for their next victim .