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BE AWARE OF A NEW SCHEME USED TO ATTACK WOMEN.
Involves putting a paper under a windshield wiper.
From Lieutenant Tony Bartolome C.P.D.
You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. Then
you lock all your doors, start the engine and shift into REVERSE, and
you look into the rearview mirror to back out of your parking space
and
you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window.
So,
you shift into PARK, unlock your doors and jump out of your car to
remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view.
When you reach the back of your car, that is when the car-jackers
appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off!
Your engine was running, (ladies would have their purse in the car)
and
they practically mow you down as they speed off in your car.
BE AWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USED.
Just drive away and remove the paper that is stuck to your window
later, and be thankful that you read this email. I hope you will
forward this to friends and family...especially to women! A purse
contains all identification, and you certainly do NOT want someone
getting your home address. They already HAVE your keys!
Detective M. Bledsoe
Montgomery County Sheriff's Office
One Criminal Justice Dr.
Conroe, Texas 77301
(281) 577-8948
Here are some other tips from Northwind:
In the Raleigh area, there was a guy with a mask stalking people as they
prepared to use ATM's. He managed to sneak up on a dozen people. Avoid
ATM's at night. Even during the day, as you approach an ATM, look for
hiding places a bad guy might appear from. If the particular ATM looks
unsafe, go to a different one.
If you have a remote door or trunk opener, don't use it until you're
within about 20 feet. It lets predators know the direct line you are
going to be walking in, and exactly where you are going.
As you near the car, have the keys already out and in your hand. Don't
wait to get up to the door then fumble through your purse for the keys.
Keys themselves can make a good little weapon, as can many things.
I found an extremely small Harley wallet and rarely bother with a purse
unless I'm going somewhere that wants me to dress better. If you do
have a purse and drive a car, make sure your windows are rolled up and
doors locked at intersections, particularly if there are people walking
across the street.
Before you get in the car, take a quick glance behind the seats to make
sure there is nobody in there waiting for you.
In Florida, during the late 80's, the bad guys would intentionally rear
end a car then do all kinds of bad things when you get out. They were
mostly targetting rental cars.
Jogging and hiking: It's terrific to get out and enjoy nature. Hop on
the scoot and there should be a dozen different places you can go
within a short ride. Locking your bikes front forks will discourage
most thieves from lifting it into a van or pickup truck if you're going
to be away from it for over 20 mintues. Don't go to the same place every
day at the same time and take the same trails, but do go to the
different places often enough that you will become familiar with them.
Find places that allow you a little privacy here and there as you hike
along, but avoid places that are too far off the beaten path.
Walking neighborhood streets at night: If there is little to no traffic,
walk in the middle of the road rather than on the sides where there are
hedges and other hiding areas. Walk with friends if possible.
Dogs: Dogs are womens' best friend. Even small dogs can alert you if
someone comes in the yard.
Guns: Some people don't believe in guns, but since the bad guys have
guns, and I do not have children, it is a good choice for me. Gun
safety is important for every gun owner. A gun can be a single womens
next best friend besides a dog. When Foulwind is out out of town I
sometimes get creeped out. If worried about home invasion, the best
weapon is a 12 gauge shotgun with the shortest barrel. Just point and
fire. Pistols with the best stopping power are 40 calibre and 10 mm. 45
calibre has even better stopping power but a strong kick. 9mm is
subsonic so bullets can go right through someone rather than knocking
them down, so it's not preferred. Pistol Prices: between $350 and $600.
Shotgun is better than pistols because pistols require aiming which
unnecessarily makes you a larger target. A 12 gauge with pump action is
fine and you can usually find a suitable one for under $250. (I also
like my 12 gauge flare pistol).
Never point a gun at a person unless you intend to use it.
Trimmed hedges: Hedges close to the house can be pretty, and having
privacy is good, but hedges can make for hiding places. Bad guys choose
house where they can quickly slip into a yard and not be seen by
neighbors. Fences are great, but if you have fences that your neighbors
can't see into your yard, the bad guys look for this.
Knives and other hand weapons: Never bring a knife to a gun fight. Know
where your best knives are, and don't keep them all over your house or
apartment.
Have a plan for home invasion: Examine how a bad person would likely
enter. Make two plans. One in case you are trapped in the house, and
one for getting away (which is always preferred). If your house is
built in such a way that escape is not quick, you might need a good
plan for getting trapped in. Figure out what room to use as your safe
room. Don't rely on locks inside the house unless they are just used to
slow down an attacker while you escape. If you have no children in the
house, your best situation might be a room at the end of a hallway and
a loaded shotgun. If you hear a window pane break, or the door forced
open, listen, call for the invader to identify themselves. Position
yourself in a crouch so that you are a poor target, have the doorway
act as a shield, with the shotgun barrel pointing down the hall. If an
unidentified stranger starts coming down the hall, if they have a knife
or even a pistol, the shotgun is going to win. Make sure the safety is
off. You have to be ready to use it.
Honking horn, screaming, other noises: Lots of bad guys are habitual
offenders. They don't want any attention and will often flee if you
raise a ruckus.
Self-defense classes: learn the essentials, then learn even more. Learn
the parts of the anatomy to attack. Get into a mode where you follow
through with at least one more injuring blow. You might have to
seriously injure the attacker. As soon as you know you can cleanly make
a getaway, do it. In some cases, you might have to follow up with
another blow to make sure you have time to get to safety. Don't hang
around. If you are well-trained and have credentials, doing damage
beyond what is reasonable for you to get away might call for
self-restraint or you could get yourself in trouble. If that's the
case, it is best to deliver one good crippling blow, then make your
escape.
Violence and Abuse at home: If it's happened once, it will probably
happen again, and there is no need to hang around waiting to find out.
Every woman and child needs a planned place to go where there is
safety, even if it is to get away from a screaming/yelling verbally
abusive situation. It's not fair to children when parents argue at the
top of their lungs. If you're in a situation like this now, you should
make a getaway plan for the kids and yourself, and make an arrangements
with nearby relatives, friends or neighbors. Kids should have a signal
of some kind (rather than having to quickly write a note) for their
parents and you should talk to them and tell them it's okay for them to
slip out the window and go to the safety point. The mom can then check
in with the kids, see the signal and know to also go to the
pre-arranged safety point. If you live with a violent or extremely
abusive person, get to safety. If the abuser is looney, you may need to
have a secret safehouse to go to. There is no reason to put up with an
abusive or violent situation. Money and fear of being destitute is the
worst reason to stay in an abusive situation. We all need a strong
sense of self-worth.
Telephone: When people call you, out of courtesy they should always
identify themselves first. At home, don't allow them to talk you into
identifying yourself first. Get on the do not call list. It works.
Identity Theft: Get a shredder and use it! It would also be good if your
mailbox is easily seen by you and your neighbors.
Pepper Spray: Don't trust it to be effective against a human attacker
unless you aim for the eyes. Works on dogs if you are walking through
neighborhoods, (aim for the open mouth) but the best thing to do is put
something between you and their teeth. (I was a letter carrier for 6
months and never had to use pepper spray...I was attacked once and did
not have to pepper spray. The mailbag is think and worked good enough
that the dog saw no opening and walked away. I love dogs and would
never pepper spray unless I really had to.
Mace: Not easy to obtain so I don't know much about it.
Whistle: Loud police whistles are handy for just about any emergency
situation.
Beach: Go with a friend if possible. I've gone to deserted beaches and
walked for miles by myself, but at the time I was in excellent physical
condition and had years of extensive self-defense training. If you're
going to the beach by yourself and like to take long walks, get a loud
police whistle and wear it like a necklace.
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