The shocking abduction of a woman in Sartell the evening of Feb. 12 should be a reminder to one and all that despicable crimes can – and do – happen anywhere.
Thank goodness the woman is alive. Imagine the trauma – the stark terror – that 56-year-old woman endured at the hands of those two psychotic thugs. That trauma will most likely hound her for the rest of her life.
One of the jerks hid in the back seat of her vehicle. When she got into her car, he confronted her and forced her to drive to meet an accomplice. They demanded money and drove around the St. Cloud area for several hours, finally throwing the woman out of her own car in Sauk Rapids. Fortunately, she wasn’t tossed out in the middle of nowhere or she might have frozen to death. The woman had been assaulted and choked until she lost consciousness. What kind of fiends would commit such an abominable crime against a human being? It’s downright frightening “people” like that are in our midst.
The only thing we can do to protect against those fiendish predators is to prepare ourselves as best we can by always taking safety precautions.
The following are tips gleaned from law enforcement and safety websites:
Always be aware of what’s going on around you, especially in public places and on the streets. If someone or some situation seems suspicious, avoid it at all costs. Go immediately to an area where there are other people.
Try not to shop alone at night. Even in the day, it’s best to go shopping with someone else if at all possible.
Before entering a store, always lock your vehicle’s doors.
When getting into your vehicle, even when it’s parked by your home, always glance through the window into the back seat to make sure nobody is hiding there.
In parking lots, try to park in the brightest illuminated place.
When leaving a store, try to leave when at least one other person is also leaving. That way, other people can help or call for help if someone should attempt to abduct you.
Needless to say, keep all your doors at home locked and make sure your security system is in working order. If you do not have a security system, consider investing in one.
Also consider signing up for a self-defense course.
Carry a siren-like noisemaker with you.
You might also think about carrying Mace spray.
All parents should discuss those and other safety precautions thoroughly with their children. One cannot be too careful these days.
It’s a crying shame we have to become so suspicious, untrusting and afraid of others in this society. There is no end to the vicious things some psychopaths do to their fellow human beings. And the sheer sadistic viciousness seems to be getting worse all the time.
With that in mind, it’s more important than ever to remind ourselves most humans, overwhelmingly, are good, kind, caring people. And yet, we are compelled to be on our guard against the fiends among us. Let’s all help one another by always reminding others, again and again, to use sensible safety measures. It cannot be repeated often enough.
Please stay safe!
