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Wednesday, June 10, 1998     Page:

Protect yourself, your belongings with a few rules and avoid victimhood
   
I have two thoughts about Susanne Vihara’s letter (May 27) that women
should leave their purses in the car or at home when shoppingI agree that some
women should not take their purses into the stores, especially when I see them
walk away and leave the purse in their shopping carts. They are targets.
Frequently I tell shoppers how dangerous it is to leave their purses
unattended.
    I disagree that the media should tell women shoppers to leave purses in the
car or at home. The media, or crime watch groups, should educate people on how
to protect themselves and their property. When taught how to act smart, they
will not be victims.
   
I lived in a Los Angeles neighborhood known for its high crime rate. There
I volunteered in the neighborhood watch program. Learning from police
officers, I became a certified crime prevention specialist.
   
At neighborhood meetings, we lectured on how to protect property- our
neighbors and ours- how to keep a purse safe from pickpockets or thieves, on
buses and on the streets.
   
One of the most important things I learned was: Always be alert to your
surroundings. Our message to our neighbors was, “Don’t be a victim, be
prepared.”
   
When shopping, never leave a purse in the cart open and unattended. Do not
sling a purse over your shoulder letting it hang behind you; a knife can cut
the strap and be pulled from your shoulder or can slit the side of a purse so
a hand can reach inside. Instead, place the strap over your head, placing the
purse in front of you.
   
Now the situation has changed. You are on the defensive and can hold on to
that purse if anyone tries to take it away from you.
   
Here’s a good trick: If someone grabs for your purse, turn it over and dump
the contents on the ground. Do you think the robber will stop and take the
time to stoop down to find your money? Rather than be identified, he’ll run
away leaving you alone.
   
When you walk, do it with purpose. On the street, if som