Sgt. Debbie Kalish

Johns Creek Police Department

Personal Safety & Awareness

Crime in GeneralMental MindsetPersonal Safety

TipsHome Safety Tips

Vehicle Safety TipsWalking Safety

TipsShopping Safety

TipsFighting

Topics for Today

Violent crime in America is a growing epidemic and can reach and individual or community regardless of location.

The idea that it will not happen to me is slowly evaporating from our mindset.

Preparing yourself both mentally and physically will greatly increase your survivability rate.

Violent Crime

Facts to be aware of

Atl 6th most dangerous city in America.

Violent Crime - Robbery & Assaults up 6% 1,433 per 100,000

Atl is a major hub for Drug and Human Trafficking.

Forbes Mag 10/18/2012

Includes : Murder-Rape-Robbery- Burglary-Aggravated Assault – Vehicle Thefts/ Car Jacking.

Home Invasions and personal assaults are also on the rise.

Facts to be aware of

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - February 17, 2011

Personal Safety

Personal SafetyHave a PlanBe ready to use your planKnow that it could happen to

youMentally prepare / rehearse

your planHave a plan BNEVER give upRefuse to be a victim

Meredith Emerson, 24

Why are we here ?Meredith Emerson was abducted on January 1, 2008 while hiking at Vogel State Park located in the North Georgia mountains.

January 2, 2008 - Authorities launched a massive search for Meredith, and her car was located in the parking lot of Vogel State Park.

January 3, 2008 - Authorities announced they wanted to talk to Gary Hilton, a person of interest.

January 4, 2008 - Emerson's dog, Ella, wandered into a grocery store in Forsyth County. Later that day, DeKalb County Police took Hilton into custody.

January 7, 2008 Meredith’s body was found in a wooded area of Dawson State Forest after Hilton led authorities to her body.

January 8,2008 an autopsy revealed Emerson died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head and was decapitated.

Carlie Brucia , 11

Why Are We Here ?

Carlie was abducted on February 1, 2004 at 6:33PM while walking home from a friend’s house. The abduction was caught on a surveillance camera. Thirty-nine year old auto mechanic Joseph Smith approached Carlie, took her by the hand, and led her to his 1992 station wagon. Carlie appeared to offer little to no resistance to her abductor.Smith had a long history of drug offenses, and was once acquitted of trying to kidnap a woman in 1977Carlie’s body was found on February 6, 2004 after Smith bragged to a jailhouse buddy about what he had done.

Carlie Brucia- Age 11

Carlie was abducted on February 1, 2004 at

6:33PM while walking home from a friend’s

house.

The abduction was caught on a surveillance

camera. Thirty-nine year old auto mechanic

Joseph Smith approached Carlie, took her by

the hand, and led her to his 1992 station

wagon. Carlie appeared to offer little to no

resistance to her abductor.

Smith had a long history of drug offenses, and

was once acquitted of trying to kidnap a

woman in 1977

Carlie’s body was found on February 6, 2004

after Smith bragged to a jailhouse buddy about

what he had done.

Brucia Surveillance Photo

Why Are We Here?Jennifer Ewing, 54

On Tuesday, July 25, 2006, Jennifer Ewing, a 54

year old mother of 3 headed out for a bike ride

on the popular Silver Comet trail.

Jennifer routinely rode a 50-mile round trip

portion of the trail several times a week.

Michael Ledford was a professional criminal.

Ledford - a convicted rapist - served a 10 year

prison sentence for an attack on a woman in

1991 & was serving a 10 year probation period

when he attacked Ewing.

Ledford was later arrested after he entered the

Dallas Police Department the same day Ewing

was reported missing. He had severe trauma to

his genitals and told police that a prostitute had

injured him. Ewing’s body was later discovered

off the trail.

Lori Bresnahan 47 & Her 10 Year Old Daughter

David J. Renz, a computer whiz,

somehow removed his monitoring

device from a previously Child

Pornography charge. Renz followed

the child out of the gym, kidnapping

the child and Lori. The girl was able

to escape while Lori was being

stabbed.

Do you have a Plan ???

Know that Nothing works 100% of the time

If you can talk your way out of an attack try to calm the person and persuade them not to carry out the attack

The goal is to keep talking as you start walking

If you are attacked…

Start yelling which can make you a harder target from the attention you draw.

Follow your instincts!

Never give up!

If you are attacked …

Once you make the decision to fight, fight as if you’re the third monkey on the ramp to Noah’s Ark !!!

The goal is to distract or injure your attacker for your opportunity to escape !

If you are attacked ...

Instincts

Forced TeamingCharm & NicenessToo Many DetailsLoan Sharking The Unsolicited

PromiseDiscounting The

Word NO

Look around for people who don’t belong or seem to be predators

You see the same face or car in two places may mean you are being followed

Stay Alert & Stay Alive

Instincts and Awareness

Any strike delivered needs to be at 100% power to a vulnerable area (eyes, nose, groin etc.)

Always look for the chance to escape and run away

If you are attacked …

Never let strangers inside your home for any reason. Ex. Use the phone, a drink of water etc.

If you are home alone and someone comes to the door; Don’t open the door, but tell them your parent is busy and to go away.

NEVER enter your home if there is signs of forced entry

Home Safety Tips

Have your keys ready for easy entry into your car

Check the area as you approach your car

Park in well lit areas

Vehicle Safety Tips

Know more than one way to your home, work etc.

Don’t let your car get below ¼ of a tank

If you break down, remain in your vehicle and call 911 if in a remote or desolate area

Vehicle Safety Tips

Always be aware of your surroundings

Walk with confidence

If wearing an IPod or other device, keep the music low enough that you can hear what is going on around you.

Walking Safety Tips

Always be aware of your surroundings

Walk with confidence

If wearing an IPod or other device, keep the music low enough that you can hear what is going on around you.

Walking Safety Tips

Walk with a friend or if alone, walk near another group

If a vehicle stops and asks you for directions, avoid getting near the car. Go in the other direction

Try to avoid areas that are remote and isolated

Walking Safety Tips

Park in well lit areas

Never use ATM machines at night. Get cash back inside the store

You can have security or an employee walk with you out to you car

Shopping Safety Tips

Weapons

If you choose to carry a weapon of any sort, you need to train with that weapon and become proficient in it’s use.

Train the way you will fight because you will fight the way you train.

Have a plan Choose NOT to be a victim

Don’t be in denial…… It could happen to you.

Be aware of your surroundings at all times

Trust your instincts or “gut feeling”

Conclusion

Whatever decision you make, do it 100%

Never leave the scene of an attack with an attacker, it greatly lowers survivability rates

Stay Alert… Stay Alive !!!!

Always think, Escape…Escape…Escape !!!