 |
Crime Prevention |
|
Crime Prevention |
06/29/99
CRIME PREVENTION TIPS
When you're at Home alone
If you get an obscene Phone call
When you're Walking alone
When you're Driving alone
If your Car breaks down
When you Park your car
If you Return to your parked car
If you're Attacked
Keep doors locked at all times (day or night)
Install a peep hole in your front door so you can see who's there
Don't leave notes on your door, or newspapers on your porch-these advertise that you're not home
Close the drapes or blinds at night
Don't automatically open the door, have a caller identify themselves
Ask for identification from any serviceman, if you aren't' exception him or if you're suspicious for any reason, call his company to check before you let him in.
If a stranger asks for help, don't open the door, make a call for him.
If you're asked whether your husband is home, always answer, "Yes, but he's asleep, etc.".
If you return home and something is not right, don't go in , call the police to help you check the house.
Don't give your name or number to a telephone caller, ask who he's calling, then tell him he has the wrong number.
Use your initials rather than your first name in the phone book and on you mailbox.
Replace the locks when you move, so previous tenants won't have keys to your residence.
Hang up immediately. For repeated calls, blow a whistle into the receiver as soon as you know it's an obscene call.
If the calls continue, contact the phone company, so your phone can be monitored or your number changed.
Walk only on busy, well lighted streets, even if it makes the trip a little longer.
Avoid short cuts such as parking lots, alleys or parks.
Don't accept rides with strangers.
If someone in a car asks for directions, don't get close to the car so you can't be dragged in.
If someone follows you in a car, turn and run in the opposite direction from the way the car is traveling. The driver will have to tun the car around before continuing to follow you.
Wear shoes and clothes you can run in if necessary.
When returning home, have your key ready to unlock the door quickly.
Keep doors locked at all times.
Lower windows only slightly, son no one can reach inside.
Keep a full tank of gas.
Choose a well lighted, well traveled route, even if it's out of the way.
If you make routine trips at the some time every day, vary your route so people along the way won't learn your routine.
Don't pick up hitchhikers.
Don't stop to help strangers, call the police for them.
If someone follows you, don't go home. Go to an open business and call the police. Get the license number if you can.
If you are off the roadway, raise the hood, then get back in the car and lock the doors.
If someone stops , lower the window only slightly, and ask them to call the police. Refuse all other help.
If someone tries to forcefully enter your car, turn on the lights, blink your lights, and sound your horn.
Park in a well lighted area.
If parking during the day and returning at night, check for street and building lights.
Always lock the doors.
When parking in a pay lot, leave only the ignition key in the car, don't give anyone a chance to duplicate your house key.
Put valuables in the trunk.
Have your key in your hand, ready to unlock the car.
Check the front and back floor areas of the car, to see if someone is hiding there.
If possible, return to the car(s) in groups.
The most important thing is to remain as calm as you can. This won't be easy if you are attacked, but it's your first step toward escape. Then your own initiative and imagination is your best defense.
Two types of resistance can be used against an attacker, passive or active. These methods are described below, and you can choose the one you think would be most effective for you in a give situation.
Passive Resistance involves using your imagination to delay the attack while you look for a chance to escape, or to talk the attacker out of assaulting you. A rapist often has a need to degrade the victim, and passive resistance is intended to reduce opportunities to do that.
Try to remain calm, and show as little fear as possible.
Talk to the attacker, if time permits, this will help to calm the rapist and you.
Treat the attacker as a person and try to gain this person's confidence (this may cause the attacker to be less wary and allow you to escape)
Continually look for an opportunity to escape.
Choose tactics that will leave you able to try other things if a particular approach doesn't work.
If your first attempt to dissuade the attacker fails, try something else. Different approaches work on different people.
Active Resistance involves using physical force to repel the attacker. You can:
Scream - if someone is near enough to hear you and provide help.
If you're grabbed from behind, throw your head back hard against the attacker's face or throat.
Jab your elbow into the attacker's midriff.
Crush down on the attacker's instep with your heel.
Press your thumbs very hard into the attacker's eyes (try this only if you're sure you'll be able to go through with it).
Run toward people and lighted areas.
No method is foolproof, and no single method is the best one in every situation. Passive resistance may not change the attacker's mind or offer a chance for escape. Active resistance may excite or anger the attacker and cause the person to use more force than would normally be used. If you're attacked, consider whether anyone is nearby to help you, the size and strength of your attacker, and whether a weapon is involved. Use your common sense and your imagination.
©1999 Sha King