Please be advised that we are MOVING! ***All orders placed from 08-Feb-2025 to 18-Feb-2025 will be processed upon restoration of our shop. Thank you for your support and understanding. #staycrafty
-True North Tradecraft Dismiss
Protecting yourself from pick pockets to escaping a foreign country as it’s collapsing, you will learn how to observe – exploit and disrupt.
The world’s most unpredictable environments aren’t always overseas—they’re often the streets we walk every day. Urban Movement, designed by renowned unconventional security specialist Ed Calderon, is a deep dive into the mindset &methods of staying one step ahead wherever you are.
Blending street-level criminology with field-proven tradecraft, this course reveals how to see the world through the eyes of a threat actor—whether it’s a pickpocket, scammer, or violent criminal—and use that perspective to sharpen your own situational awareness.
What You’ll Learn:
Environmental Exploitation
Criminology
Technology & Tactics
Surveillance & Counter-surveillance
And much more
Whether you’re a civilian traveler, a law enforcement professional, or a military operator, Urban Movement equips you with an adaptable framework for navigating uncertain environments.
Why Take Urban Movement?:
This is not a course about theory—it’s about experience. By training your perception, sharpening your decision-making, and practicing deception from both sides, you will learn to see the world differently. You’ll walk away with a heightened awareness, unconventional problem-solving skills, and the ability to adapt in dynamic, unpredictable environments.
More than a class, this is a mindset—a way of seeing the invisible patterns in the urban landscape, and learning how to move through them
Through all the chaos that we have been through in 2024, we look forward to the possibilities of 2025.
2024 brought with it many challenges for True North Tradecraft. Challenges and triumphs. We are humbled by all of it, and by your support, and are looking forward to some pretty great things on-tap for everyone.
In review of the year past, lets take stock of what we managed to accomplish:
We released our third book – Gut Checks & Go Bags;
Launched audiobook versions of two of our books;
This past year, we ran several seminars. We had a slew of people through, teaching Disaster Preparedness, Personal Safety & Security, along with Covert Entry.
We had the privilege of teaching Covert Entry to the RCMP ‘H Division’ ERT.
We were guests on CTV’s The Social, to discuss personal safety.
We were guests on several podcasts (incl. The Collective IG, The Secure Dad and The Distinguished Savage);
We exhibited at the National Women’s Show;
We were featured in an article in the Epoch Times, discussing preparedness;
We had a great trip through Europe and dropped several scavenger hunt NFC tags and shared safe travel tips along the way;
We did some cool collabs – more to come;
Launched our “SETEC ASTRONOMY” and “You Can’t Handcuff the Wind” stickers;
One of our articles were featured in Covert Entry Magazine Vol. 2.
…and so much more behind the scenes to deliver to everyone.
2025 will have some big things in store for everyone, including:
Training will be kicking up again, starting with two (2) seminars in February 2025 (see sign-up links in the Webstore);
A new book will be coming out in the New Year…we will be launching (sign up to the newsletter for early drop info);
We will be streamlining and cleaning up our website, webstore and inventory; and…
We will be moving. Yes, we are removing in the Spring. This will expand our ability to create content AND to host small-scale training in-house.
Didn’t get what you wanted for Christmas? Sign up for a class. Buy a book (or all 3) and gear up.
As we end off the year, tie it off nicely by setting yourself up for success in 2025. Join us for training, starting in February, and invest in yourself and the insurance that comes with building capability and cultivating resilience.
We will be atBooth # 907 (Approximately bottom-centre. See floor plan below).
We will be talking about personal safety & security, disaster preparedness and empowerment through resilience. There will be exclusive show specials, book signing, demos and releasing upcoming training opportunities.
We were interviewed in a recent article about preparedness by The Epoch Times.
Though clearly not all of my discussions were included in the final article, I would add that the message I want to convey to everyone is one of cultivating resiliency – through building mindset, knowledge, skill, supplies and community.
Keep things reasonable, keep things focused and know that while you can’t be prepared for EVERYTHING, you CAN be largely prepared for ANYTHING. Being prepared is not some crazy thing (it’s not about preparing for a zombie apocalypse), but rather to build a level of self-reliance to weather tough times (such as bad weather or unforeseen circumstances) when regular resources are facing compromise or interruption.
We are pleased to announce that that due to popular demand, our book, Negative Space: A Guide To Personal Security, is now available as an audio book on Audible and iTunes.
After receiving many messages and emails asking for an audio book version, we took the leap and had the audio book produced to make it even more accessible. It is available as a download from us directly, through Amazon/Audible and iTunes as well (links below).
Our first event of 2024 will see us hosted by Full Spectrum Defence in Kitchener, Ontario.
In this joint 1-day class, we will be delivering an introduction to counter-custody and restraint escape while knife defence will be delivered by other instructors.
See the link below for more information and to sign up. See you there! #staycrafty
Oftentimes, having a security camera system at your residence (whether you are an owner, renter, or traveller) can be beneficial in supporting your security posture as well as your general situational awareness.
Check out this video on our YouTube channel where I talk about how to set-up a quick, simple, inexpensive and effective security camera system.
When you add some solar-powered motion-activated lights, proper placement and some thought and effort, you can really leverage a few dollars and have something which will get the job done.
On Tuesday, June 18th, 2019, I appeared on the CTV Morning Show in Ottawa.
I was asked to comment on the shooting incident the day previous in downtown Toronto during the celebration festivities of the Toronto Raptors’ NBA Championship win. Estimates placed the crowd sizes at 1.5-2 million. It was just huge.
Even when staying at really great digs, always remain vigilant.
There is a lot to be said about ensuring your safety and security where you hang your hat while travelling. With Summer approaching and vacations being planned, take some time to include your safety and security considerations into your trip planning.
Not everyone who goes on vacation goes with a “tactical” mindset. You don’t have to be an operator or security specialist to be vigilant of your environment, you just need to be informed and proactive. To that end, we’re adding more tips and info for you in addition to our previous travel security posts. (You can read them through the links at the bottom of this article.)
Prior to your travel, procure some local maps (if you’re a member of CAA they give them to you as part of your membership, or use Google Maps and print them off) and learn the location of your accommodations in relation to local hospitals, police/fire/ems/military stations, friendly embassies/consulates, transit routes, banks.
Get yourself a transit map and ask/research how to use the local public transit (cash, tokens, PRESTO card, etc.) Find out if you can purchase them at the front desk upon arrival. If you do find yourself using public transit, sit yourself in a position so that you can see the driver/conductor and they can see you.
Do your research. Read the local news and weather reports (you can use Google Translate or an extension on Chrome and translate the entire page) to get a feel for where you will be. This allows you to make informed decisions on travel plans. Don’t forget to check for travel advisories on the Government of Canada site here and the Department of State site here.
Learn a few words in the local language where you’ll be. It can help you get what you want/need, understand what locals may be saying about you and can aid in making you seem less like an “ignorant tourist” to the locals because at least you’re trying to fit in. Simple words like “please”, “thank you”, “excuse me”, “bathroom/wc”, “how much?” and “do you speak English? (French, Spanish, Croatian)” can be very helpful.
Part of my Every Day Carry (EDC)
Pack and carry appropriate emergency supplies. Anything you can’t take with you on a plane should be sourced locally as soon as possible upon arrival. You can identify locations (drug and hardware stores, department stores) prior to arrival or from hotel staff.
Always have multiple methods of payment available to you, as well as emergency back-ups. Example, if travelling to, let’s say, Italy, consider the following:
Credit Cards (VISA and Master Card preferred over others);
Debit card (PLUS or CIRRUS network-enabled);
Euros (local currency, primary);
Euros (local currency, emergency reserve);
US Dollars (readily accepted worldwide, emergency back-up cash);
Mini gold bars (very optional, but may be worth a look depending on where you’re travelling to or through).
Remember: CASH IS KING – but if you lose it, you’re screwed.
At your accommodations:
Take pictures of everything that you may need reminding of – hotel address, parking spot, taxi/Über driver ID, street signs or intersections, pictures of your credit cards (front & back), travel documents and travel itineraries.
Ask the front desk if they have dedicated security. If so, ask about the local areas to avoid. If you’re in more private accommodations (like an Air BnB) ask your host about safety concerns in the area.
If your room has an adjoining or connecting door, ensure that they are locked and that you have some method of securing it or enabling an early-warning alarm. (Remember, locks only keep honest people honest.)
Use your Do Not Disturb sign and deadbolt at all times when in your room and don’t answer the door for unanticipated visitors.
Employ a secondary method of securing your door, such as a door wedge, the “fork method” (view an example HERE), or a door wedge alarm. *NOTE: don’t secure the door in such a way as to prevent your escape in the dark in case of fire or other emergency.*
Use a single garbage bag in your room to collect all your refuse from your trip. This will help control your “information footprint”. A lot can be gleaned about you from your trash. In some countries, the information left in your room is used by criminal elements to target tourists for victimization. Be sure to dispose of your trash at a different location to minimize your exposure. If you have a rental car, sleep as close to it with your keys near you. In an emergency, you may be able to activate the alarm on the car to draw attention. (Thanks to Ed Calderon of @edsmanifesto for the tips. https://edsmanifesto.com)
It is now, before you set out into the world, to learn the necessary skills to keep you and your loved ones safe. Learn first aid, combatives, survival skills (including restraint escape, urban evasion and lock picking) to give yourself the best chance of surviving hostile situations.
Wherever you go, stay vigilant, be respectful to all but maintain awareness, stay crafty and always have an escape plan.
Very excited to have my work featured in Tactical Solutions Magazine, the official publication of the International Tactical Training Association (ITTA) based in Chicago, IL.
The International Tactical Training Association (ITTA) is always on Mission to provide members with advanced tactical and technical programs of instruction formulated and directed by a core council who possess extensive Law Enforcement and Military experience. We seek to transform, keep you ahead of the curve, and one step ahead. Semper in ViaITTA retains a broad spectrum of instructors with Special Operations backgrounds and current post 9-11 operational and instructional experience. We are here to transform, keep you inside the loop and one step ahead with best practices, hard learned lessons, and disruptive technologies.
You can go directly to the issue and article here. Be sure to check out their entire website and read their other publications for fantastic content.