Safety at the Pump

 

 You have heard the story before. A woman pulls up to a gas pump and hops out of her car to quickly fill up her gas tank on her way home from work. While pumping her gas, she pulls out her cell phone and sends a quick text to a friend. Then she hops back in her car and reaches for her purse to put her credit card back and notices that it is gone! How could this have happened?

Let’s analyze the scene. The victim in this fictitious scenario made herself an easy target for any thief lurking nearby. To start with, she left the driver’s side window of her car down. Never leave any windows down or unlocked when pumping gas and always take your keys with you. Next, our victim left her purse and valuables on the front passenger seat in plain view. Never leave your wallet, purse, or other items of value in an unlocked car. Lastly, the victim used her cell phone while pumping gas which meant that she was not paying full attention to her surroundings. Limit distractions when at the gas station. You are only there for a few minutes. Minutes that can make the difference between you leaving with everything you came with, or perhaps having to call the police to report stolen valuables, a stolen automobile, or worse an assault on your person.

Online searches reveal countless stories of this offense across the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. It is a common occurrence locally and across the country. But this type of crime is preventable. The next time you get gas, there is one simple thing you can do to protect your valuables and life so that you are not the next victim. Lock your doors!

Be safe,

L.J. Follow me on Twitter: @CrimeDoc1213

#gaspumpsafety #personalsafety #crimeprevention #crime #ljsamuel #deardiary

Note: Stay tuned for details on Self-Defense Workshop tentatively scheduled for the end of January 2015.

References

American Petroleum Institute. (2014). Staying safe at the pump. American Petroleum Institute. Retrieved from http://www.api.org/oil-and-natural-gas-overview/consumer-information/use-energy-safely/.

National Crime Prevention Council. (2014). Gas station theft prevention. Retrieved from http://www.ncpc.org/topics/home-and-neighborhood-safety/gas-station-theft-prevention.

Zurko, R. (2013, August 8). Sliders at gas stations: Women targeted by sliders while pumping gas. The Examiner. Retrieved from http://www.examiner.com/artice/sliders-at-gas-stations-women-targeted-by-sliders-while-pumping-gas/.

Work Out Like Your Life Depends on It

In the continuing theme in looking at ways to reduce our overall personal victimization, today’s post looks at the interaction between exercise and self-defense. There is some research that suggests that females who play sports are less likely to be victims of crime (Harder, 2007; Taylor et al, 2012). Those women that were victimized as a child (ex. physical or sexual abuse) are more likely to enroll in self-defense classes (Brecklin, 2004). Furthermore, females that exercise more frequently tend to have higher self-esteem, are more assertive, and are more self-confident (Harder, 2007). A study of female students from a western university found that those that played on a varsity sports team were “three times less likely to report victimization than non-varsity athletes” (Harder, 2007). As I highlighted in the Personal Safety Tips in my December 16, 2014 blog post, there are practices we can all engage in to reduce our chances of becoming victims. Self-defense classes teach women (and men) techniques to protect themselves against violence or some other harm or injury. Reputable classes are taught by a law enforcement and/or martial arts expert. After taking a self-defense class, one must not be reckless. I am in no way suggesting that a woman can beat up a male attacker after taking a class, so please do not get over-confident!  These classes do however give you more awareness of your environment and different situations you may be placed in when you are alone. The key is to be alert, know your surroundings, and to recognize warning signs to avoid danger.

So, the next time you hit the gym, work out like your life depends on it.

Be safe,

L.J. Follow me on Twitter: @CrimeDoc1213 #selfdefense #workout #crime #victim #violenceagainstwomen #ljsamuel #deardiary

Note: Stay tuned for details on Self-Defense Workshop tentatively scheduled for the end of January 2015.

                                                                Works Cited

Brecklin, L. (2004). Self-defense/Assertiveness training, women’s victimization history, and psychological characteristics. Violence Against Women, 10 (5), 479-497.

Harder, N.R. (2007). The roles of exercise habits, gender stereotype of exercise, and self-esteem in sexual victimization (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest. (3380304).

Taylor, M., Matthew, J., Wamser, R., Welch, D., & Nanney, J. (2012). Multidimensional self-esteem as a mediator of the relationship between sports participation and victimization: A study of African American girls. Violence and Victims, 27 (3), 434-452.

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanza!

The holidays are a time of joy but they can also be a time of sorrow. Please keep in your thoughts and prayers those that are grieving and going through difficult times. Enjoy your family time and as you move from house to house dropping off gifts and enjoying all the season delights, please be vigilant in your activities.

This past week, the world lost two New York Police Department (NYPD) Officers to senseless and irrational violence. God bless the souls of Officer Rafael Ramos and Officer Wenjian Liu who died as they served their community. Vengeance is not ours. Not everyone means us well but I believe in the inherent good in people. Use this time to slow down and reflect. We are all brothers and sisters whether black, white, red, or yellow. We are all connected whether we are wearing blue, white, a fancy suit, or rags. Let’s do better now, and in the coming year. Reflect. Ponder. And act accordingly in love and kindness.

Peace, love, and blessings,

L.J. Follow me on Twitter: @CrimeDoc1213

#Christmas #holidays #peace #NYPD #family #ljsamuel #deardiary

References

Moore, T., Eisinger, D., Parascandola, R., Tracy, T., & Schapiro, R. (2014, December 21). Two NYPD officers ‘assassinated’ while sitting in patrol car in Brooklyn by gunman who boasted on instagram about ‘revenge’ killing cops. New York Daily News. Retrieved from http://www.dailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/cops-shot-brooklyn-sources-article-1.2051941.

Shopping While Distracted

On Friday, November 28, 2014 at 1 o'clock in the afternoon of Black Friday, Ms. Odila Orozco was walking down a Bronx street with her 3-month old son strapped to her chest as she made her way home. Unbeknownst to her, a robber was waiting nearby watching her, calculating his attack. When Ms. Orozco passed him, he turned around, ran full speed, and kicked her in her back knocking her to the ground on top of her baby! The thief took her cell phone and ran off. This incident was caught on video and is horrible to watch. Thank God both mother and baby were alright and were not seriously injured.

When I viewed the video some things stuck out. Ms. Orozco had a shopping bag in her left hand and her cell phone in her right hand. She was speaking on her phone engrossed in a conversation and did not see the criminal lurking next to her because she was distracted. In addition, her precious baby boy was strapped to her body so they were a lot of moving parts. Now let's be clear. I am not blaming Ms. Orozco for what happened. I am merely making some observations so that we can all be more vigilant in our day to day activities and engage in practices that reduce our chance of becoming victims.

There is a lot of excitement this time of year. Between the shopping, Christmas parties, and family gatherings, it is easy to get distracted. Throw alcohol into the mix and it is easy to see how one may forget their regular practices as they navigate around their cities and towns. Your personal safety and life are more important than a $30 sweater or some big sale. Slow down and pay attention to what is going on around you. We can all play a bigger part in reducing victimization and looking less attractive to criminals on the street.

I leave you with these tips on personal safety:

1. Pay attention to your surroundings. 2. Walk in well lit areas. 3. Scan the street and make a mental note of what and who you see. 4. Try and stick to familiar areas. 5. NEVER walk down the street talking on your cell phone (or listening to music on headphones). 6. Try to walk with others as there is strength in numbers. 7. Let friends and loved ones know where you will be. 8. If you are drinking, ensure that you have a sober buddy with you. 9. If you're out shopping, try to carry packages in one hand so you have a free hand. 10. If you're scared, ask a security officer to walk you to your car. It is ok to ask for help and to put authorities on alert.

Remember, criminals are looking for vulnerabilities. The minute you let your guard down they will pounce. Pay attention and reduce the distractions so that you can get home safe and enjoy all the fun the holidays have to offer.

As always, be safe,

L.J. Follow me on Twitter: @CrimeDoc1213

#personalsafety #victimization #victim #crimeprevention #selfdefense #ljsamuel #deardiary

Note: I will be hosting a Self-Defense Workshop the end of January 2015. Stay tuned for details!

References

Stepansky, J. (2014, December 2). Woman with 3-month old child in chest carrier kicked in back by mugger in Bronx: NYPD. New York Daily News. Retrieved from http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/woman-toting-baby-chest-carrier-kicked-back-mugger-article-1.2029519

Protests: Aimless Walking or Organized Action?

On Friday, December 5^th, 2014 William Bratton, the Commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD) was asked his opinion of the ongoing protests in reaction to the grand jury decision not to indict the officer responsible for applying the lethal chokehold that killed Staten Island resident Eric Garner. The Commissioner responded by saying that people are going to get tired of “marching around aimlessly” (Jorgensen, 2014). Excuse me? I expected more compassion from the leader of the largest police department in the country. NYPD has over 40,000 officers and has always been heralded as the national model for training, technology, and responses to use of force. But it is also the same department that has been the catalyst for protests in the 1960’s, 1970’s, 1980’s, 1990’s, and now the 2000’s. Why? Because it appears as though they are playing by their own set of rules. There is nothing aimless about the revolution that has spilled out from the borders of New York City across the country and around the world. Just turn on CNN and you will see people protesting in Chicago, Miami, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Oakland, Washington, D.C, Toronto, and London. Yes, people are in fact tired but this fire for justice is being done in an extremely organized and peaceful manner. People are tired of injustice. They are tired of innocent people being gunned down with no consequences. We are tired of families being torn apart and most of all we should all be tired of a justice system that is fractured and applied unevenly based of the color of your skin or the number of zeroes on your bank statement.

As Dr. John Kinney says “if you don’t believe and expect change, you will be an obstacle to change.” So let’s use this as a teaching moment. Now is not the time to stop. The organization and sophistication of the protests has been impressive. So too are the faces in the crowd. It has been a long time since there has been so much diversity and solidarity on one issue. Feelings about the injustices within the justice system have moved from a local issue to a national issue and is now firmly on the global platform. Respect each other in the community and within the police. Be mindful of your words for they can incite hate and hate begets violence. Use your tools in a constructive manner (education, government, policy, grassroots organizing, and social media) as this is everyone’s issue. So what is my response to whether protests are aimless marching or organized action? March on…left, left, left, right, left.

Be safe,

L.J. Follow me on Twitter: @CrimeDoc1213

#protest # peace #love #justice #ericgarner #icantbreathe #NYPD #ljsamuel #deardiary

References

Jarrett. T. (2014, December 5). Protests against decision not to indict in Garner’s death continue. NBC News. Retrieved from http://www.nbc.news.com/news/us-news/protests-against-decision-not-indict-garners-death-continue-n262606.

Jorgensen, J. (2014, December 5). After huge demonstration, Bratton expects Eric Garner protests to ‘peter out.’ New York Observer. Retrieved from http;//www.observer.com/2014/12/after-huge-demonstration-bratton-expects-eric-garner-protests-to-peter-out/.

Kinney, J. (2014, December). A Change is Going to Come. Sermon presented at Metropolitan Baptist Church, Washington, DC.

Sanchea, R. & Prokupecz, S. (2014, December 4). Protests after. N.Y. cop not indicted in chokehold death; feds reviewing case. CNN. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/03/justice/new-york-grand-jury-chokehold/.

Source of photo: azcentral.com