“I’ve never thought about this,” Scotty Bryson begins. He’s a retired Secret Service agent who shares safety tips on his social media, @scottbrysonbts. While he records this TikTok, he’s parked at an airport cell phone lot. “And it literally just dawned on me,” he continues.

He’s in the driver’s seat of his car, scrolling and laughing at random things he finds funny. “I realize, ‘Hey, dummy. You’ve got your nose in your phone.’”

Bryson puts the phone down and looks around.

Just because drivers are pulling into the airport cell phone lot, it doesn’t mean they’re picking up loved ones

In other words, a predator looking for an easy target might be driving the car that parks right next to you.

Now, he asserts, “I think 99.9% of the time, they probably are” there to pick up someone they know from arrivals.

But, the retired Secret Service agent suddenly realized, “This would be a great place…to rob someone.”

See, everyone in a parked car is waiting, bored, and more than likely tuned out. His point circles back to one of his basic, oft repeated tips: Stay alert. “Don’t be like I was just now.”

The retired Secret Service agent isn’t wrong are parking lots

According to LiveView, a crime occurs in a U.S. parking lot every 15 seconds. That’s two million a year.

And three million cars get stolen or broken into while sitting in lots. That’s not all: Alarmingly, the FBI reports that up to 10% of all recorded violent crimes also happen in parking facilities.

If you’re sitting in your car in the airport cell phone lot, or any lot, pay attention to your surroundings. Don’t bury your head in your phone. Keep your doors locked and windows up. Drive away if something feels off.