Crime-Safety-Security.com
Newsletter
26 August 2008

Folklore and fables – from vampire and wolfman legends to tales of The Brothers’ Grimm – tell us of ogres, fiends, and monsters. Today we call them violent criminals. They’ve always plagued us and – as long as passions, madness, and evil exist – always will. Let’s blow away a predator's biggest advantage: the naïveté of the prey.

WOMAN ATTACKED DURING JOG
“It’s hard to think that something like this would happen in that neighborhood,” said police. It had been a habit of the victim to go for a morning jog in the area for many years. “He’s watched her for quite awhile to know where she was going next,” police said. “She has had a routine for several years.” ... The victim was out for a run when Bradley Scott Sneed tackled her from behind, dragged her down a bank, into a ditch, and under a fence. He told her repeatedly that he was going to rape her. ... “At first she was screaming, but he became more violent,” police said. “Then she began talking to him, talking him down, wanting to know what he wanted, what she could do. She talked him out of the rape. He even admitted to us that’s the only reason he didn’t rape her.”
Excerpted from The Valley Beautiful Beacon (TN) – 19 June 2008

• See Predator’s Favorite Targets for jogging advice.
• See Rape Prevention for fight or flight – or talking your way out of danger.
• See Victim’s Options - Overview for all your options.

“PEEPING TOMS” OFTEN BECOME RAPISTS – Naked Men Seen Masturbating
Memphis TN – A neighborhood is on alert after naked men have been seen masturbating in backyards. Two women say men snuck into their backyards and touched themselves while looking through their windows. Police remind you to keep all doors and windows closed and locked – and should consider installing lights outside of your home to deter prowlers.
Excerpted from ABC24-WPTY-TV – 08 July 2008

“Peeping Toms” often evolve into rapists. Burglars and rapists often peep in the windows of targets to help make their plans. Always cover and lock your windows. See Window Reinforcement.

UNLOCKED DOOR
Douglas Mendoza-Lobos must serve at least 44 years in prison for entering a woman's home, raping her at gunpoint, and beating her boyfriend. ... The victim awoke about 3 a.m. and found Mendoza-Lobos standing near her bed, rifling through her purse. She begged him not to kill her and told him to take anything he wanted. He raped her while holding a pistol to her head. ... The woman's boyfriend came home and attacked Mendoza-Lobos, who fired two gunshots at the man, then pistol-whipped him. The woman took her pistol from beneath her bed and shot the attacker in a foot. Mendoza-Lobos ran from the home, limping and bleeding and police caught him within minutes.
Excerpted from The Reno Gazette-Journal (NV) – 27 June 2008

Are you FINALLY getting the picture about locking your doors at all times – no matter WHERE you live and how many guns you have? See Walk-In.

Think of all the people who could benefit from what you’re learning in this newsletter. Forward this to them.

[ML - I’ve condensed and reformatted this newsletter e-mail thread to read oldest to newest.]

On Sun Jul 13 19:58:08 2008, the following results were submitted from the "Contact Us" on crime-safety-security.com:
------------------------------
From: Tanya MRJ
E-mail Address: takeme2paradise@ [deleted for privacy]
Country: Canada
Comments: I truly thank you for sharing this information and experience you have. Not enough people take it seriously until it's too late. I praise parents who can be proactive rather than reactive and your site teaches this. I once read a book called "The Gift Of Fear". I'm sure you've read it. It's men like you and the author of that book (I can't remember his name) that are needed more and more for children living with irresponsible adults who call themselves parents.

It helps me feel reassured that your website is from someone's heart and not just another thing on the internet. I've always spoken with children, family, friends and strangers about child safety. I also joined my son's Catholic School Safety Committee to intentionally talk about issues openly with them. I will definitely keep spreading the word. I emailed a link to your site to everyone on my contact list. Keep doing this. If only you could be cloned to be everywhere at once.

-------------------------

From: michaelloftus@crime-safety-security.com
To: Tanya MRJ takeme2paradise@ [deleted for privacy]
Subject: Irresponsible Parents
Date: Sun, 13 Jul 2008 23:42:37 -0400

Tanya, I agree wholeheartedly with your sentiments. You’ve captured my intent and long-term goal. I quote “The Gift of Fear” by Gavin De Becker in a half-dozen places throughout my website.

You are so very correct regarding the dire need to fully reach children before woefully irresponsible parents irreparably damage them. All we can do is try to notice child abuse/neglect and report it to the proper authorities (even anonymously). Otherwise, what will happen to those innocent, helpless, precious little babes at the mercy of their “guardians?”

The kids in your life have you as a wonderful ally. If only there were many millions more like you, we could make a significant change for a better future for women and children – and all of us.

I very much believe in the “Head Start” programs (in the US) and all such programs anywhere to reach children before it’s too late.

Thanks, Tanya, and please keep spreading the word,

Michael

P.S. Please see Rescuing a Victim Safely > Rescuing an Abused Child (toward the bottom of the page).

Contact Us for Michael Edward Loftus Sr to speak to your group.

Newsletter Privacy Statement: this newsletter will never give your e-mail address to anyone. Promise.

Please forward this newsletter to anyone you know who needs it.

PERMISSION TO REPRINT if you include the following: Reprinted from the free www.Crime-Safety-Security.com newsletter.

Pointing out a victim's possible missteps before she fell prey is not always a bad thing, according to Linda Fairstein, renowned author and former New York City sex crimes prosecutor. "If we can learn something from it, we can give her back some dignity," she says. "If we see what the risks are and what would prevent this from happening to someone else, then there's something that benefits the memory of that victim."
Excerpted from The New York Daily News – 24 August 2006

We’d be wise to learn from the little mistakes of victims. Usually, they didn’t know that predators are always hunting for carefree prey. As Dr. Anna Salter wrote in Predators, "Normal, healthy people distort reality to create a kinder, gentler world than really exists."

You don’t need a bulletproof vest, a bodyguard, or to sleep with one eye open – just a new attitude toward being S.A.F.E.:

Skeptical of anyone trying to get near you or trying to isolate you,
Aware of danger zones and escape strategies,
Flexible: being tricky, changing strategies as needed – and if worse comes to worst:
Exploding like a mad dog to fight for your life. Stun & run. See Fighting Options.

Whenever you’re tempted to be careless, ask yourself, "What could possibly happen?" The stories throughout this newsletter and web site show what could possibly happen – and how to avoid being easy prey.

Return to
Crime-Safety-Security Newsletter Archive
Home Page