Good evening Folks. I hope that all are doing well and staying safe. Please be forewarned that this tip is longer than usual but I do want to cover some items that are hopefully of interest to us all.  Topics this morning include three home invasions that occurred between May 7 and May 11 in Pinellas County, an offer that my wife as well as many of you received and safety tips for ladies.
 

HOME INVASIONS
 

Home invasions must be gaining new popularity as a form of entertainment. There were three between May 7 and May 11 in Pinellas County. That seems like some kind of record for this area. So far all the scumbag perpetrators are still out there.
       The first one was in Clearwater about 11:00 PM May 7, 2002. This event resulted in the shooting death of the homeowner. The May 14, 2002, St. Petersburg Times article had the headline "Barely awake, she saw shooting." The victim's wife fell asleep watching TV. She awoke and saw a man holding a gun to her husband's head. The scumbag with the gun demanded money and the homeowner gave it to him and pleaded for the gunman not to hurt his wife and sons. He was then ordered to the front door. The homeowner apparently tried to disarm the home invader but was shot twice in the chest and died at the scene. This may have been a revenge act because the victim had captured a burglar in his home two nights earlier. There is a simple rule in security. It is always easier to keep them out than throw them out! Layering of your home defenses definitely slows down the intruders. The layering consists of fences, removal of cover and concealment, security li! ghts, glass protection, good doors, security locks, cell phones and alarm systems. Of course, skilled good citizens with firearms and a plan are the best last defense!
       About 10:40PM May 10, 2002, in Clearwater, a 17 year old female was in her apartment and heard someone knocking on the front door. She opened the door and in an effort to understand what the guy was mumbling, opened the door and leaned out to enhance communications. Wrong Move! The scumbag grabbed her by the throat, stuck a handgun to her throat and forced her back into the apartment. The girl's mother heard the commotion, entered the living room and yelled at the intruder. He then exited and was observed running from the scene with another man. The girl never did understand what he wanted but she learned this - DON'T OPEN THE DOOR STUPID! A very high percentage of home invaders gain entry through either ruse or subterfuge. This is an excellent example. Fortunately neither the young woman nor her mother were seriously hurt. We don't have to open our doors to strangers! We are neither the Welcome Wagon nor the Information Booth!
       About 12:30AM May 11, 2002, in Pinellas Park an intruder armed with a shotgun apparently entered a home via an unlocked door. This scumbag pointed the shotgun at the resident, threw him to the ground, stole a necklace and ran off. The shotgun and stolen property were found in the area but the search continues for the scumbag. This is very simple - Keep your doors and windows locked! If you have an alarm, use it! If you do not have an alarm, get one! Dogs are also great early detectors if they are barkers. Surprisingly enough, most burglars state that they are more concerned with little yappy dogs than big attack dogs. It's the noise factor that fits in with my cockroach theory of criminality. The key to survival is early warning so that you have time to react and respond appropriately.

 

CONCEALED WEAPON BADGES
 

This is a neat concept. My wife just received another offer of this super deal! For just $75.00, she can have her very own "Gold Tone Badge" featuring a "Multicolor Seal," ID wallet (Badge Carrier) and a year's membership in the organization that promotes the badge. Yeah, right! I can just see Jane getting pulled over for driving too slow (I can't get her to speed since her 1982 speeding ticket!). She then whips out her very own ID with her gold badge (gold badges are usually reserved for detectives, sergeants, etc.). She then spends the next hour or two trying to explain to the nice police officer that she is not a scumbag and was not trying to impersonate a police officer! In my opinion, neither a good idea nor deal. Just a quick reminder folks. You must have photo ID along with your CWP. It is state law!

 

12 TIPS ON STAYING SAFE...FOR WOMEN
 

George M., student and friend, sent this to me. The information makes sense and includes many points that I have previously addressed both in class and during Stay Safe Streets Seminars. Pat Malone has an excellent reputation in self-defense matters and victim avoidance. Pat conducted a personal safety workshop. These tips are based on George's notes during that presentation.

1. The elbow is the strongest point on your body.  If you are close enough to use it, do so! (No half measures here!)

2. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back taillights and stick your arm out of the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

3. The three reasons that women are easy targets for random acts of violence are:
a. Lack of Awareness - You MUST know where you are & what's going on around you.
b. Body Language - Keep your head up, swing your arms, and stand straight up.
c. Wrong Place, Wrong Time - DON'T walk alone in an alley or drive in a bad area at night.
d. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit there and do their checkbook, make a list, etc. DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you for the opportunity to get in the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go. AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.
e. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: Be aware: look around you, look into your car, under the car, at the passenger side floor and in the back seat.
f.  If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door.  Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars.
      g. Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall or business and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out. IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY.  (Remember that just because you are paranoid, they may really be out to get you!)

4. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs.  (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot)
a. Do not get on an elevator if there is a weirdo already on there.  (Of course scumbags don't always look like scumbags. Remember Ted Bundy!)
b. Do not stand back in the corners of the elevator. Stand near the front by the doors and be ready to get off or on.
c. If you get on the elevator on the 25th floor, and the Boogie Man joins you on the 22nd, get off the elevator. Wait for another elevator.

5. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN!
a. Police make only 4 of 10 shots when they are in ranges of 3-9 feet due to stress.
b. The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times.  And even then it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. (Bend at the waist and run like Hell away from his gun hand. If he misses with the first round, the odds are that the others will go high right due to recoil!)

6. Women are always trying to be sympathetic. STOP IT!  It may get you raped or killed or both.
a. Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well-educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, arm sling or limp and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle. Next victim please!!
b. A woman came out of the mall and was walking to her car when she noticed 2 older ladies in front of her. Then she saw a police car come towards her with cops who said hello. She also noticed that all 8 handicap spots in the area were empty. As she neared her car she saw a man a few rows over calling to her for help. He wanted her to close his passenger side door. He was sitting in the driver's side, and said he was handicapped. He continued calling, until she turned and headed back to the mall, and then he began cursing at her. In the meantime, she wondered why he didn't ask the 2 older ladies, or the policeman for help, and why he was not parked in any of the empty handicap spots. As she got back to the mall, two male friends of hers were exiting, and as she told them the story, and turned to point at the car, the man was in the back seat, and quickly moved back to the front and sped away.  DON'T GET CAUGHT IN THIS TRAP.

7. Tips that may save your life if you are in a violent situation:
       a. REACT IMMEDIATELY.  If he abducts you in a parking lot, and is taking you to an abandoned area, DON'T LET HIM GET YOU TO THAT AREA.  If you are driving, react immediately in the situation, and crash your car while still going 5 mph (I prefer 30-40MPH ! You should be wearing a seat belt but he won't).  If he's driving, find the right time, and stick your fingers in his eyes. He must watch the road, so choose an unsuspecting time, and gouge him. It is your ONLY defense. While he is in shock, GET OUT.  (This sounds gross, but the Alternative is your fault if you do not act. Rape and homicide are also gross. Besides, he is a scumbag and deserves it!)
b. RESIST.  Don't go along with him: run if you are able.  DON'T EVER GIVE UP! You DO NOT want to be transported to a crime scene.  (And you surely do not want to be transported FROM a crime scene.)

8.  Always keep your distance when walking past strangers on the street or in dark areas. (Distance is life -- reaction time is critical. Don't worry about offending him or her!)

9. GET A CELL PHONE! There are packages for $19.95 a month that allows you to program only 911 into the dialing out program.  (This is an alternative for parents who say it is too expensive for their kids to have a cell phone.)

10. BREAK DOWNS:
       a.  Make every effort to avoid this by ALWAYS keeping your car in good working order. (File a trip plan before you leave)
b. If your car breaks down and you have a cell phone: LOCK YOUR DOORS. Then call for help.
c. If you don't have a cell phone: (shame on you!) Keep a blanket, warm clothes, a pair of boots, and a flashlight in your car always, for emergencies.
d. If it's noon on a business day in a populated area, you may want to put your hazards on and walk to safety. (Situational)
e. If it's 2 a.m. near a populated area, put on your warm clothes, and walk to a lighted area. You are a perfect target if you are sitting in your car when it's broken down. Predators search the highways for easy targets like you. (Situational)
f. If you're on a desolate road (such as I4): walk away from the car (in your warm clothes) and go to some bushes, or some area AWAY from your vehicle. It will be cold, and uncomfortable, but you DO NOT want to stay in your car. There are no psycho bogeymen waiting in the bushes who just knew you were going to break down there and then. (The car is the key to their crime of opportunity!)

10. Physical defenses that we can use against the violent predator:
a. The EYES are the most vulnerable part of the body. Poke him there. HARD! It may be your only window of opportunity.  (And only one shot at that so make it count. Up to the 1st or 2nd joint is about right)
b. The neck is also a vulnerable spot, but you MUST know where to grip, AND HAVE THE STRENGTH to cut off his breath. (I prefer a good sharp punch or several punches to the Adams Apple. Most women lack the strength to choke him)
c. The last place is the KNEES. Everyone's knees are very vulnerable and a swift kick here will take anyone down. (Don't forget the testicles. A good grab and twist has great effect! Definitely gives him something else to think about!)

* A cautionary note about these things.  If you do not do these things right the first time, you are in trouble, because it will only anger the scumbag and that anger will be TAKEN OUT ON YOU! I'm not saying don't attempt them It may be your only hope, but be forceful when you do. (No Silver medal in this! Think about family, kids, husband and really blast him!)

11. If you are walking alone in the dark (which is an absolute no-no) and you find him following or chasing you:
a. Scream "FIRE!" and not "help,"  People don't want to get involved when people yell "help," but "fire" draws attention because people are nosy. (Remember my Cockroach Theory! The louder the better!)
b. RUN!
c. Find an obstacle, such as a parked car, and run around it. ( like Ring around the Rosie) This may sound silly, but over the years, 5 women have told Pat Malone that this SAVED THEIR LIVES. (Yelling Fire while you do)
d. Your last hope is getting under the car. Once you are under there, there are tons of things to hold on to, and he will not be able to get you out unless he comes under after you (which makes it easier for you to escape or fend him off. That's what feet and legs are for!) Usually they give up by this point. The catch here is that YOU MUST PRACTICE GETTING UNDER THE CAR. You must have a plan (he will have one); know if you will be going on your back, front, from the side or back of the car.  It must be practiced. (Remember the Old Army Rule - If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!)

12. Never let yourself or anyone that you know be a "closer" in any type of business (bar, store, restaurant, gas station).  Pat knew Danielle, who was a girl that just died from being shot pointblank by some kids while she was closing at the local gas station. He  talked with her the night before she died, and asked whether it ever scared her to close alone. She said yes, but said, "I'll be all right, Pat.  I'll be all right." She wasn't. Our world is not as safe as we pretend that it is and living in our fantasy worlds WILL get us in trouble, sooner or later.  Pat Malone said again and again, that the women who die EVERY MINUTE from violent crimes expected to go to bed tonight, and get up tomorrow. No one expects it; we must but be prepared and be aware so that we HAVE A PLAN.  BE PREPARED TO ACT!  AND ACT HARD! (Again remember the Old Army Rule - If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!) SO HAVE A PLAN!

I would encourage you to pass this on to all women, not just your friends and family but everybody. We all need to hear it. (We have to take care of those we love!)

 

STAY SAFE AND GOD BLESS AMERICA!