Proper distance is vital. The reactionary gap is real. If you fail make peace with getting cut...

An example of how fast a person can close ground with a knife.
byu/187uchiha inFirearms

If you fail to maintain a proper reactionary gap when approaching an unknown person then you better make peace with the idea that you're gonna get cut, shot, stabbed or even body slammed if your opponent is skilled. This ain't just for LEOs either. From what I'm seeing on the net from the big cities civilians better up their game or at the very least pick the locations they frequent EXTREMELY carefully. Your family members exist in the good ole days of normal and ignore/don't want to see the dangers. They aren't ready. Are you?