Tips to avoid, Survive attack
Overland Park case raises concerns
By Bobbi Mlynar
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
A kidnapping that took place in daylight hours in a busy Overland Park parking lot has some Emporians concerned about their own personal safety as they go about their daily tasks.
Kelsey Smith, 18, was assaulted and kidnapped on June 2 after she left a Target store. Her body was found last week in a wooded area across the state line in Missouri. Edwin R. Hall, 26, who has been arrested and charged with her murder, lived in Emporia for a number of years.
While kidnappings by strangers do occur, an Emporia police officer said, the public needs to be more alert and less fearful.
“What I don’t want to do is to make people think that they have to walk around scared and that the bogeyman’s hiding around the corner, because he’s not,” said Doug Stump, Emporia police officer and certified defensive tactics trainer. “But it can happen at any time, any place, in any size town.”
Awareness is a key in staying as safe as possible.
“Be aware of your surroundings and don’t look like a victim,” Stump advised. “Carry yourself like you know what’s going on.”
Attackers, as a group, choose their targets, he said, and usually are looking for a victim that fits a certain profile.
“They’re targeting people who are not paying attention to their surroundings and who look like they’re an easy target,” he said.
It is better to appear to be confident and alert and — if attacked — noisy. Attackers do not want attention drawn to themselves, he said.
“Make as much noise as possible and do whatever you can to avoid getting in a car and being taken somewhere, because the outcome’s not going to be good,” Stump said.
If it is possible to resist an attack physically, do so.
“There are obvious sensitive areas on people if you can target those — eyes, groin,” he said, naming a few. “A good self-defense class is something that I’d recommend.”
Those classes require considerable time and effort to become proficient but can be worth the investment.
Cell phones, too, provide a measure of protection. He recommended that people dial “911” if they feel uneasy about a situation and not wait until an attack is underway.
“We can get within so many feet of some 911 cell phone calls,” he said. “We’re headed in the right direction on that sort of technology.”
He also recommended that potential witnesses be alert when an incident appears to be occurring around them.
“If you see something, if it’s not happening to you but it’s happening to someone else, let us know,” Stump said. “If something just doesn’t look right, call. That’s what the cops are for.”
Stump said that many defensive gadgets are available, but they may not be effective unless the person is trained or instructed on how to use them properly.
“Because if they’re taken away from you, they can be used against you,” Stump said. “Pepper spray is great, but it’s not great if it’s taken away and used against you.”
Wasp (anonymous) says...
I wonder how many women will be getting training in self defense and concealed carry with all these kidnappings?
June 13, 2007 at 9:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sciguy (anonymous) says...
I hope that the answer is "as many as possible," Wasp.
Wouldn't hurt for us guys to do the same.
June 13, 2007 at 10:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
I've not felt safe in Emporia since I moved here in 1990. I keep my head up and watch my surroundings. I've been followed to my car twice but managed to get in and lock the doors before they got to me. Don't think it can't happen in a small town like Emporia.
June 14, 2007 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JessicaNelson (anonymous) says...
I know I've got 2 cans of mace, a stun gun, a metal baseball bat and a gun in case I never need it. It can happen in Emporia because it's happened to me. But it will never, ever happen again. :-)
June 14, 2007 at 10:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wasp (anonymous) says...
Even if you do not get a concealed carry license, it would be a good idea to take the training, which is needed before you can apply for the license. The sad thing is that our legislature lets us get ripped out of $150 just to apply, which for some people would cause them to have less to spend on the gun and ammunition. Another sad thing is the "no gun" signs that are going up. (They are plastered all around the hospital too) Only a criminal can carry a gun in those areas...unless you open carry. According to the attorney general's office, those signs do not apply to open carry, but if you have a concealed carry license, it is illegal for you to open carry. This all makes sense, doesn't it???
June 14, 2007 at 8:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sciguy (anonymous) says...
Do not give your business to those businesses which prohibit concealed carry.
All those signs mean is "Criminals! Our customers are defenseless!"
June 15, 2007 at 1:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rmbcollege (anonymous) says...
I do not think that a business posting those signs are saying "let the criminals in," but are protecting themselves from people bring guns into their businesses. Banks, hospitals, schools, etc. All the places that you don't want people to have guns at.
June 15, 2007 at 3:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
blulitespecial (anonymous) says...
I do have to wonder how many people walk into a business armed,with the intent of robbing the place,or harming someone.One in 10,000? Or one in 50,000 or 100,000? When that one person walks in,I prefer every whitehaired lady in the place pulls her .32 and takes care of the problem.These places that put up the signs are trying to protect themselves from their own best customers.You-the customer-are in the wind.You have a split second.I guess you could,in a bad situation: turn,face the sign,and ask your maker "Why didn't the sign protect me?"
June 15, 2007 at 9:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daveedailey (anonymous) says...
Just because a sign is put up, does not mean they still will not come in with out it. I agree, a small sign will not protect anyone. If a person wants to committ a crime he is going to do that no matter who or what is around them. If someone wants to rob me, you best believe that I will give them what they want just to save myself. Chances are I will still get hurt or killed anyway.
June 15, 2007 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
I have to mention, even though this is regarding businesses, if I know you are carrying a concealed weapon, you will not be allowed in my house. I have children to protect.
M
June 15, 2007 at 10:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )