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Crime prevention: How to avoid being a victimMar 27, 2011 (Beaver County Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Will wasp spray really stave off an attacker? Can taking your keys to bed help to prevent a home invasion? Is running from an attacker with a gun your best option? The Internet is full of crime stories and tips that supposedly will help you avoid being the victim of crime. Chances are anyone with an e-mail account has received a message about something crime-related. But is there any validity to these things? Local police have weighed in on which tips might actually work and which are nothing more than Internet rumors. (3 bullets) Wasp spray -- While some self-defense experts have recommended this, not everyone thinks it's a good idea. Beaver police officer and self-defense expert Ken Stahl says you need to consider, "What if it blows back in your face? It could cause permanent damage. You don't want to use something permanently disabling and end up spraying yourself." Stahl, who teaches a self-defense class for women, recommends purchasing an OC (oleoresin capsicum) spray, most commonly known as pepper spray. It won't inflict permanent damage but may still help you fend off an attacker. (3 bullets) Take your keys to bed -- Another e-mail making the rounds right now recommends taking your car keys to bed with you. The logic behind this is that if you hear someone breaking into your home at night, you can activate your car alarm and scare off the burglar. Stahl said the advice makes sense at face value, but it's not a surefire technique. If you do hear someone trying to break into your home, it's also a good idea to turn on a light. (1 bullet) Avoid stairwells, use the elevator -- The logic behind this piece of advice is that stairwells are less traveled and, therefore, more dangerous. Both stairwells and elevators have their ups and downs, so to speak. Stahl said stairwells have more points of exit from which to escape, but you should avoid dark stairwells and be aware of who is in there with you. Elevators are more frequently used, but with only one means of escape it could be easier to get trapped. Stahl recommends avoiding an elevator if you're riding alone and there's someone on the elevator who makes you feel uncomfortable. He said if someone asks you to hold the elevator, let them on and then get out and wait for another car. (1 bullet) Use your elbow to fight off an attacker -- Another e-mail that's circulating says that the elbow is the strongest point on your body and should be used to fight off an attacker. Snopes.com debunked part of that claim when the website researched and found that the knee is actually the strongest point on your body. Knees and elbows aside, Stahl says getting away should always be your first priority in an attack, not trying to take down your attacker. "If you're being attacked, you should do everything possible to run," Stahl said. "Trying to throw an elbow and hurt the guy is not your best option." Stahl said if you are close enough to throw an elbow to distract your attacker and give you a chance to run that is a valid option, but physical contact should only be made as a means of escaping. (5 bullets) Run in a zigzag pattern if your attacker has a gun -- This is actually advice that Stahl recommends. He says you should always try to run, moving quickly and erratically. You shouldn't necessarily run in a perfect zigzag pattern, but moving is your best chance because it's much harder to hit a moving target, Stahl said. (4 bullets) Throw your purse away from you -- Stahl says if your attacker wants nothing more than to take your purse, this is good advice. "If a guy's goal is to get your money, then obviously give it to him. Give him the cash and live to fight another day. You can cancel your credit cards," he said. (2 bullets) Trapped in a trunk? Kick out the taillights -- E-mail folklore says if you're trapped in the trunk of a car, you should kick out the taillights and wave something out of the back of the car. Aliquippa Police Chief Ralph Pallante said in the 31 years he's worked in law enforcement, he's never known anyone who has actually been trapped in the trunk of a car. However, if you find yourself in this situation, Pallante recommends trying to pull out the wiring, so the tail lights go out and the police are more likely to stop the vehicle. Also, newer cars are equipped with release handles inside the trunk. (4 bullets) Call 911 if you're getting pulled over -- No, 911 isn't going to get you out of a ticket. But Internet advice says if you see flashing lights behind you, but you're not sure it's really a police officer, you should call 911 and ask if you're being pulled over by a real police officer. Stahl said there's no reason you can't call 911 if you're unsure, but that 911 may not be aware of the stop right away. He said police don't always radio in a traffic stop until the cars are actually pulled over. If you're going to call 911, you need to make sure you know exactly where you are, in terms of the municipality and street, to allow 911 to radio the proper officer. Pallante said it's not uncommon for people to want to pull off in a well-lit area, but it's a good idea to put your turn signal on to indicate to the police officer that you are going to stop. (1 bullet) Dialing #77 on your cell calls the state police -- Don't bother. Dialing #77 will only get you a message from your cell phone carrier saying your call cannot be completed as dialed. In an emergency, don't waste time. Dial 911. (5 bullets) GPS could lead a burglar to your house -- If you've entered a home address into your GPS system and your GPS is stolen, it could lead a burglar right to your house. Pallante suggests plugging in the location of a landmark in your town instead of your home. There are dozens more crime prevention tips and crime warnings floating around on the Internet. Before you worry that someone is trying to kidnap you by luring you with a flier on your back windshield or that going all Chuck Norris on your attacker is a legitimate option, do some research and find out whether it's legitimate advice. Kristen Doerschner can be reached online at [email protected]. COMMON SENSE SAFETY TIPS --Be aware of your surroundings. --Go with your gut. If you feel wary of something or someone, such as a person on an elevator, don't get on. Wait for another car. --If you're being attacked, do everything possible to get away from your attacker. Don't try to take on your attacker, just get away. --If someone wants your purse, hand it over. --Don't walk down dark alleys or side streets as a short cut. Stay on well-lighted streets. --If you have pocket mace, have it in your hand and ready should you need it. You don't want to waste time fumbling through your purse if something happens. To see more of Beaver County Times, Pa., or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.timesonline.com. Copyright (c) 2011, Beaver County Times, Pa. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. |