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Have we become too complacent with our own personal safety?
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| BY CHUCK TUCK | JOURNAL REPORTER | |||||||||||||
| In the 21st century identity theft has been a big concern for many people. More and more individuals are logging onto the internet and shopping, banking, and sharing files leaving the door open for possible theft. So, whatever happened to good old fashioned personal safety? Are we still concerned when we walk the streets or answer the doors at night? Betty Mastrude and Willa J. Pruitt of Granite Falls gave their opinions on personal safety and what they do to protect themselves. “I always have my keys out,” Mastrude said whenever she’s entering her car or home. Pruitt just smiled and said, “I don’t go out at all.” Later she explained that she has night blindness so she stays in at night. Mastrude said that she is concerned about sex offenders being released into neighborhoods where there are children. “More and more are being released,” she said. When it comes to knowing your surroundings, both agreed that it is important to keep your eyes open and look around at everything and everyone. Pruitt mentioned a block watch is helpful, but not many people stay with the program for fear of retaliation. “I’m looking for a safe place to live,” Pruitt said. She explained that she does her quilting from an Airstream (travel trailer) but would love to live in a small safe home. “You can hear everything if someone were to come into my Airstream,” she said. A young girl about 15-years-old said that she’s not that scared, but knows that bad things do happen. “I’m usually with friends,” she said. 17-year-old, Preston Maines, also from Granite Falls, gave his thoughts on personal safety. “No, I’m not worried,” he said as he strolled down the street. Maines stopped walking and turned to say that he felt safe in Granite Falls. I asked if it was because he was a guy that he felt safe. He shook his head and said, “Yeah, I guess.” In talking with people, it seems that personal safety concerns are gender and age bias as to how one thinks. Men predominately feel safer than women, and the saying “older but wiser” does have some credibility. Mastrude said that she would take a course on personal safety if it were offered free through one of the enforcement agencies. Crime can hit anyone; it does not discriminate against age, sex, or nationality. We should always follow a few rules suggested by the National Crime Prevention Council to protect ourselves from would be predators. Always lock your car and home doors, even if you are planning on being gone for just a minute or two. When carrying groceries from the car to the house, don’t overload yourself; leave one hand free, and make several trips. Have your key out before you get to the front door of your home or car, and walk assertively but pay attention to your surroundings when walking thru a parking loßt. Parents should teach their children to trust their instincts, and to get away as fast as they can if they feel uncomfortable in a situation. Just remember to think smart, be alert, and don’t give out your personal information to strangers. |
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