Written by:
Jeffrey ScottCrash Tech
Crash Reconstructionist and DUI Enforcement Expert©2001, 2003
Awareness Education
Presentation prepared by Reed Richmond, Health Promotion,Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department
Alone,
Alert,
Alive…
Survive!
SRO Adam Gongwer
Ontario Schools
Officer ‘Adam’
D.A.R.E./SRO Adam Gongwer
12th year with Ontario Police (Ohio) 7th year as SRO HNT Member (2006) 2nd V.P. Board of Directors for ‘14-’16
Ohio SRO Assoc. (OSROA.org)
Previous Experience: JV Corrections Officer Youth Minister
Family: 4 Kids (7, 15, 15, 18) Married 23 years
SRO101.com go to downloads
#1 Question
…1991
#1 Question
…1991
Alone, Alert, Alive…Survive!What are the three reasons
women are easy targets for random acts of violence?
Easy Target?
1) Lack of Awareness – You MUST know what is going on
around you
2) Body Language – Confidence (Head, arms, posture)
3) Wrong Place, Wrong Time – DON'T walk alone or drive in high-crime
areas
Personal Safety
Personal Safety
Awareness: of yourself, your surroundings, and your
potential attacker’s likely strategies SURPRISE:
Studies have shown that criminals are adept at choosing targets who appear to be unaware of what is going on around them
Never let yourself or anyone that you know be the "closer" in any type of business (bar, store, restaurant, gas station)
Personal Safety (cont)
Dress to Kill Clogs, high heels, and tight skirts are
hard to run in or fight in Scarves / long necklaces & are easy to
grab Wear comfortable clothing when walking
You can always change later…Would you kick off your high heels or
hike your skirt up around your hips to run or kick?
Personal Safety (cont)
Make Eye ContactMay fear you will be able to identify them
Hands FreeKeep Eyes and Ears Open
Cell phone / headphonesmakes you easy prey for a predator
Personal Safety (cont)
Limit the number of bundles: use a backpack or ‘bag with a shoulder
strap’…hands free to defend Never open the door for strangers,
regardless of whether they claim to be a service person, police officer or any other professional. always verify identity, and do not be
afraid to appear rude
Personal Defense
Personal Defense
EYES: most vulnerable part of the body Poke HARD!
ELBOW: strongest point on your body Strike HARD!
NECK: vulnerable spot, MUST know where to grip, AND HAVE THE STRENGTH to cut off his breath
Punch HARD! KNEES: swift kick here takes anyone down
Kick HARD!
be forceful – one chance
Personal Defense (cont)
REACT IMMEDIATELY ABDUCTED: don’t let him get you to an
abandoned area DRIVING (you): crash your car while still
going 5 mph (car is useless) DRIVING (him): gouge his eyes. It is your
ONLY defense. While he is in shock, GET OUT
RESIST - Don't go along with him: Run, DON'T EVER GIVE UP!
You DO NOT want to be a crime scene
Personal Defense (cont)
GUN: and you are not under his control ALWAYS RUN! Police only make 4 of 10 shots when
they are in range of 3-9 feet. This is due to stress. 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. RUN!
STREET: Always keep your distance when walking past strangers on the street or in dark areas
Personal Defense (cont)
Escape: You are far more likely to be killed or seriously injured if you go with the predator than if you run away (even if he promises not to hurt you)
Run away, yell FIRE, throw a rock through a store or car window: do whatever you can to attract attention
Purse or other valuables: throw them one direction while you run the other
Self Defense Tools
Pepper spray: Pros and cons doesn’t work on everyone wind
Wasp Spray: Pros and cons Size
Tazer: Pros and cons Cost
Your Right to Fight: both the moral and legal right to do so statistics clearly show that your odds of survival are far
greater if you do fight back Aim for the eyes first and the groin second use the element of surprise to your advantage–strike
quickly, and mean business You may only get one chance
Car / Parking Lot / Highway Safety
Car Safety
LOCK YOUR DOORS Have a cell phone to call for help Keep a blanket, warm clothes, a pair of
boots, and a flashlight in your car for emergencies
Trunk of a car: kick out the back tail lights and stick your
arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you but everybody else will
Parking Lot
Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat, under the car
If you are parked next to a big van: enter your car from the passenger door
Look at the car parked on the driver/passenger side: If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get someone to walk you back out
Parking Lot (cont)
Scream "FIRE!" and not "help": People don't want to get involved when people yell "help" but "fire" draws attention because people are nosy. RUN!
Find an obstacle, such as a parked car, and run around it, like Ring Around the Rosie: Your last hope is getting under the car: multiple things to hold on to
Don’t be sympathetic: many predators play on women with sympathy
Parking Lot (Cont)
Just sit: (doing a checkbook, or making a list,
etc.) DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and
this is the perfect opportunity for him 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
Avoiding a car-jacking Lock all doors keep windows up stopped at intersections, parking lots
Highway Safety
BREAK DOWNS: Make every effort to avoid this by
ALWAYS keeping your car in good working order
Walk away from the car (in your warm clothes) and go to some bushes, or some area AWAY from your vehicle
Hotel / Travel Safety
Hotel & Travel Safety
Social Media: Predators watch habits, postings, etc
Rubber doorstop: wedge inside (lock may be unreliable)
Carry a safety whistle Watch your drink, and not getting drunk,
especially if you’re alone. Don’t accept a drink or food from stranger
Appropriate attire Be vague:
Casual conversation can expose privacy Never open the door for a stranger
Hotel & Travel Safety: Check-In
Ask for a room near the elevator so you won't need to walk down long, potentially ill-lit hallways
Be Lazy, Take the Elevator Over the Stairs. And when in the elevator, stand in front of the doors, then if someone you feel uneasy about gets on with you, you can step off immediately
Arrive during the Day Daily Spending Money only (credit
cards, passport, etc. tucked away)
Hotel & Travel Safety: Elevators
ALWAYS take the elevator Stairwells are horrible places to be
alone and the perfect crime spot Do not get on an elevator if there is a
‘weirdo’ already on there (Of course bad men don't always look bad)
Do not stand back in the corners of the elevatorBe near the front, by the doors, ready to
get off or on. Don't ride the elevator if you are not comfortable
Sixth Sense
Use your Gut instinct Learn to trust this power and use it to
your full advantage Avoid a person or a situation which
does not “feel” safe–you’re probably right
No one expects it, but we must be prepared and aware so that we:
HAVE A PLAN,BE PREPARED TO ACT! ACT FAST & HARD!
Alone, Alert, Alive…Survive!
Questions? Sro101.com (click on downloads)
Officer Adam GongwerOntario, Ohio Police
Resources
www.thenonprofits.com/safety.htm www.forbes.com/sites/elisadoucette www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice abcnews.go.com/GMA/HealthyWoman www.prweb.com/releases/women-safety-tips/safety-
tips-for-women powertochange.com/life/personalsafetytips/