View from the cop: Crime & punishment
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AJC.com > Metro > View from the cop > Archives > 2006 > February > 21
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Part 2: Common sense, being alert
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
More advice on how to avoid being a crime victim (see previous post):
Personal protection
— Think about where you are going and what time you’re going to be there. Don’t just decide to go to the ATM after dark when you can do it earlier.
— Don’t use walk-up ATMs, especially after dark.
— Don’t walk in areas you are not familiar with for instance, after events such as concerts, games, etc.
— Safety in numbers. Go somewhere with a friend.
— Don’t wear loose clothing and secure you purse using a shoulder strap. Tuck the purse under your arm.
— Keep your money and credit cards in your front pocket so that if you’re robbed of your purse, you won’t lose as much. Better yet, the smaller the purse, the less it attracts attention to someone who wants to steal it.
— If someone pulls a weapon and demands your purse or wallet, give it to them.
— When you get to your car, get in and go. Don’t hang around talking on the cell phone or whatever else that can wait.
— I suggest that you buy and carry pepper spray. Get the good stuff that shoots about a 10-foot stream. Have it in your hand when you’re in an area that leaves you vulnerable.
— Have it discreetly on you as not to advertise it.
— Don’t be afraid to use it.
— If you use it, it takes a couple of seconds to hit the membranes. Use a lot of it, not short bursts of pepper gas.
— Don’t abuse the would-be attacker while he rolls around on the ground. Call the police.
Personal attack
This is the hardest part of prevention to give advice on because it involves the possibility of deadly force. Women particularly are targeted for sex crimes that often result in injury or even death. It’s easy to tell people what they should do in an event of a personal attack but most advice is given in the best case scenario which is rarely the case.
Having some prior information and doing some advance (recon) can make the world of difference. Fundamentally, the rapist needs to get the victim from a public place to a private place to commit the crime. It could be a car, or a side street, a stair well in a building or in your home. Never assume this can’t happen. Think about what you’re doing and where you’re going AHEAD of time. Don’t get yourself isolated or walk alone in the city or in places you’re not familiar with, especially after dark.
Never accept rides and watch what you accept as a drink from a stranger. We see many cases of victims who were drugged. The last thing they remember was accepting a drink from someone they didn’t know or just met. Check the Web for more advice. Go to any search engine and type in PERSONAL PROTECTION and pick up some tips you probably didn’t know.
Above all, use common sense and don’t be afraid of inconveniencing yourself to change a schedule or habit for safety’s sake.
