If you think you’re safe, think again.

In the recent weeks, we have seen a string of events that make you ask yourself, “where am I safe”? In your home, work, or even a government-protected facility like a courthouse? The answer to these questions is as sad as it is obvious;: Nowhere!

Tragically, if you speak to almost anyone in any profession, they are more alert than ever in the wake of these violent events, perhaps like a rape that takes place in a 7/11 parking lot in the quiet suburbs of south St. Louis County, these are the things that should either make you hang your head, or shake it with disgust.

“Public safety is an issue that is truly lacking awareness, especially in recent years due to the fact that many families are experiencing issues with financial stability, which has caused a growing sense of hostility and desperation," said Laurent Peterson, a general transfer studies student at Meramec, pursuing her law career.

Peterson also said that in regards to public safety around the world we need to be more cautious and observant in our everyday lives.

"It is eminent that we look out for anything out of the ordinary in order to prevent future tragedies or security mishaps,” said Peterson.

But even in the wake of the ABB Inc. (Asea, Brown, and Boveri) shootings, the Nevada courthouse shooting, and the attempt to kill 279 passengers and 11 crewmembers on a Northwest Airlines flight earlier this month, very few security measures have taken place since then. President Obama has taken some initial steps to improve the security of airports, but how much further can we go? It is pretty obvious that at this point, without getting naked and walking through a metal detector, we are running short of countermeasures. The fact of the matter is we need to step up our security as much as humanly possible and drive into the minds of the security, military, and police forces of today that no matter what your position is and no matter your status, rank or location you will never be above the danger.

In the wake of these atrocities and terrors there are some good things that have taken place to counteract the violence. In the wake of the attempted bombing, President Obama has taken the initiative to update the terrorist watch list database and the software that controls it, deployed additional U.S Air Marshalls, and is in the process of increasing check-in security and processes to keep these individuals off the flight.

Detective Jackson, a veteran of the homicide division of the St. Louis City Police Department, commented by saying that the event was “tragic, but there were certain CCTV cameras in place, and security watchmen ready to report any disturbance.” While ABB declined to comment on any security changes that were made, it does seem that they gave an honest attempt to do what they could to protect their employees.

At the end of the day what really matters is that the United States and the people charged with its security need to be at the highest readiness level to assure that the rest of us can work and sleep knowing we are safe from terrorist acts against freedom, and our goverment should fight this war in a manner that is suitable