Predators - Possible *trigger*

The police have caught 1, but they are looking for at least 4 sexual predators in my city - the area where I live and work. One attack occured just at the corner of my street, and another, near where I work. Most of the attacks were done in broad daylight.

I love going for walks, especially alone. That's when I do my thinking and have some peace. I don't think of my safety at all when I'm walking, but when I'm at home or at work, or just reading an incident, then I worry a little, just a little.

The papers said that women are now carrying knives, whistles, and other objects to protect themselves. Does the lack of personal concern means I'm out of wack with everyone else? Or do I have a death wish? Sometimes I *want* something to happen. Yeah, guess I'm crazy

the fact that it does not occur to you to compromise your personal freedom to hypervigilence -until there is good reason- does not in my opion amount to a death wish. Im with you about walking and thinking. If its very late i will take the dog but she usually slows me down (I have a very long stride and cover a lot of ground)

I think you have to be more aware of what's going on around you in order to remain safe, especially since they are so close to where you live and work. I'm concerned for your safety, even if you aren't. Maybe you think you are invinsible to it happening to you? That's not a criticism, just a question, some people have that train of thought, not me though, I'm the opposite. I do hope you'll take extra care for your personal safety.

BTW, I know you live in Canada, as do I. I haven't been paying attn to the news as of late. Would you mind being a little more specific about where you live, ie: province. I'm a little concerned that maybe we might live in the same city and I should need to be concerned for my own safety too. If you would prefer to not give any personal details of your location on the forum, I hope that you would be open to sending me a PM.

At any rate sweetie, please be more aware of who's around you at all times. Don't take any unnecessary risks. Do I sound paranoid?

((((((((((((((((( ss ))))))))))))))

(((((((kathyanita)))))) Thanks. I do try to be aware of my surroundings - sometimes. I don't have a dog.

Thanks (((((AG))))))) Don't worry - you're safe from the bad people here. I don't think I'm invincible. The danger just doesn't enter my head that much. I dunno. Thanks for your concern. Take care.

ive been like that sometimes. I si, and having someone else hurt me sometimes feels like what i deserve. Please take care of yourself (((((SS)))))

I'm glad you say you're aware of your surroundings. That makes me feel better for your safety. I guess I have mixed feelings about you saying that the danger doesn't really enter your head. I'm obviously the opposite. Not sure which one is right, maybe a middle ground perhaps? For myself, I guess it is somewhat paranoia and for you, maybe a little more thought might be needed? Not sure but it's good that you feel that you are able to carry on your normal routine. Certainly better than my paranoia anyway. You say that I'm safe. Why do you say that, do you know I live in a different city than you? I'm in Toronto, which as you know is a very large city where these types of crimes are more prevalent. You're in my thoughts and prayers. Be safe.

(((((((((((((( ss )))))))))))))

When I said you're safe, I meant you're safe from the bad people here in my city.

Aaaaaaaaaaaah!!! But my city has it's own bad people. Like you, I choose not to give them much thought.

(((((ss))))) I'm not sure what it means. I wouldn't think it's a death wish. Have you talked to your t about this?

Ry

Ry, it's just that I don't really think about getting hurt when I'm out walking alone. Sometimes, on bad days, I do wish something would happen to me and put my out of my misery. I dunno. And I haven't spoken with my T about this. I keep thinking I'm making a biggy out of this

SS, I haven't done it for a while, but a couple of months back I was out walking quiet streets in my city at around four in the morning and at midnight, whilst alone. I knew the risks I was taking but sometimes I felt so down, I didn't care what happened to me and if something did happen, so much the better; othertimes I actually wanted something to happen so it would justify me feeling depressed. I never talked about it with my counsellor either: i didn't think she would be too impressed with me .

Plz take care of yrself SS

((((((((((((((silver))))))))))) my thoughts exactly. huggles.

(((((wants2)))))))) I'll try to remember. Thanks.

((((((((((((((((((((SS)))))))))))))))))))))

I don't want anything to happen to you. Maybe buy some pepper spray??

Take care,
Leslie

The following is from today's local newspaper.

____________________________________________________
[Author]
Apr 15, 2005

A prominent Canadian psychologist believes [my city]'s rash of unsolved sex assaults could be a string of copy-cat crimes committed by fame-seeking perpetrators.

Police continue to hunt for as many as four predators they think are responsible for the attacks, which have been occurring regularly since November.

...[A] psychologist at the University, said while it's difficult to predict how publicity surrounding sex crimes effects people, it's possible that copy-cat criminals are keeping the string of attacks going.

[The psychologist] said he's concerned the [my city] attackers are driven by the resulting headlines their crimes receive.

"It's plausible that there are copy cats out there who have the inclination to commit these crimes and then are convinced to do it once they see or read that it's been done," he said in an interview yesterday. "It's very possible the publicity of these crimes is having a negative impact."

[Psychologist], who specializes in psychology and the law, said police "are in between a rock and a hard place," because they need to publicize the attacks to generate tips. But on the other hand, it increases the risk of copy-cat crime, and could very well lead to the attacker(s) striking again.

"There are people who continue to commit crime because they like the publicity they're getting," he said.

Meanwhile, investigators will not rule out the possibility a group of friends or gang members are committing the crimes.

In several of the attacks, the descriptions of the culprits given to police by victims have been similar.

In the latest incident, Saturday night in [city], a 21-year-old woman was pulled into an alley on [a street]. by a stranger and raped, just footsteps from a police station that had already closed.

The attacker is described as a clean-shaven man with a tanned complexion in his early 20s, about 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-7 with a medium build. He wore a black toque and a navy-blue hooded windbreaker. He spoke with a Spanish accent.

Police believe another predator is responsible for as many as eight groping incidents on women and children between November and January near [where I work].

Some victims were punched, or thrown to the ground, before being fondled.

Meanwhile, re-enactments of the latest sex attacks in [city] are being aired on TV...

The re-enactment deals with the groping of a 10-year-old girl, who was molested on March 15 at about 3 p.m. in a walkway of her townhouse...

The attack occurred moments after she got off a bus.

The [other] re-enactment, being treated as a separate incident, involves the armed rape of a 16-year-old girl on Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. Police said the male suspect, who was armed with a silver handgun, threatened to kill the teen before sexually assaulting her behind a tree.

Police have linked this attacker through DNA to the rape of a 20-year-old woman on July 12, 2004, [at my street - where I live], as well as three other sexual incidents.
______________________________________________________

Kinda scary, and yet, unreal....

I think they're sold in special stores. I've never seen them anywhere yet. (((((((((les)))))))))

((((ss)))) yep gun shops too make sure it's PEPPER SPRAY and not mace (which doesn't always work) take a martial arts class.. etc

sigh. at least the police are admitting it's happening... we have possibly 2 serial rapists active down here and you never hear a word... as for predators? omg you can pull (in FL) the listing for YOUR zip code of them who live here... when I first moved here 6 years ago there were only like 9 in 3 zip codes, now there are 35 in MY zip code alone.. and the others likewise.)

Did you see last night's Numb3rs? It was kewl.. though it was a sniper, it aired the same idea that others see the media-hyped event and think, hey, they haven't caught the guy, so I can do that to .... and they'll think it's the first guy...

That's scary. Gun shops huh? Thanks for the tip. I didn't see Numbers - sorry. Hugs