Please pray for our city - Page 2

DWAlphaGam · #1 08-02-2002, 09:38 AM

Just a bit of safety advice: If you are ever driving alone and someone in an umarked car tries to pull you over, DO NOT pull over. Instead, put on your hazards and drive slowly to a populated area. If it is a real cop, he will understand that you don't want to risk putting yourself in danger. I don't know the statistics, but I know that impersonating a police officer is a common ploy for those who prey on women. Also, any woman who does not have a cell phone should really consider getting one in case of emergencies.

It seems like the whole world is going crazy right now, with the murders at LSU, those kidnappings in California, and there was just a double rape here in Philadelphia.

It's really scary.

justamom · #2 08-02-2002, 11:57 AM

LOOK WHAT I GOT IN THE MAIL!!!!!
I have deleted my personal info.

CC: gvsreply@aol.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)

i imagine you and other parents are worried as that is only normal (parents
worry no matter where their children go to school since they are now off on
their own..my own parents worried about me)....but i hope by the time your
daughter starts school, the killer will be caught. i also suspect that with
all the national attention on the area, it is now quite safe...they probably
have lots of police on the street etc...thaks for watching...best, greta

THIS WAS MINE-
To: Show -OnTheRecord
Sent: 8/2/2002 6:46 AM
Subject: Serial Killer

I wanted to express my gratitude for your coverage of the recent
slayings in Baton Rouge. My daughter will be attending this fall and
like all parents, we are concerned for her safety. Only AFTER the news
was covered on a national level did our own local paper cover the story.
Perhaps with the eyes and ears of our citizens we can help catch this
murderer. I am glad the suggestion to reopen the old cases and scour
for ANY link was suggested. I agree that we may find some are indeed
tied together.

TigerGirl52 · #3 08-02-2002, 12:40 PM

So Greta emailed you back??? WOW!!! But I honestly haven't seen any more police on the street than before. I was going home one day and this police car sped past me then turned the corner super quick. I figured out that he was sweeping the neighborhood. Only thing that bothered me is that it's kinda hard to stop potential crime at 60 plus mph. And if you do happen to see police out on the streets now...it's more than likely they're campaigning for a pay raise. Can y'all tell I have a beef with the Baton Rouge police? LOL.

ThetaLove · #4 08-02-2002, 02:03 PM

I agree with you Allison! I know that now would be the time that I should support the police, but I honestly don't have much faith in them at all. Oh the irony, just a few days after the latest victim was found they were campaigning on the steps of the Capitol with a slogan that said something like, "Crime is down, we need a raise." The reporter covering it sort of laughed and said, "I don't think many people would agree with that." I think that the manager of one of the apartments near LSU said it best when she said, "We are under terrorist attack. Baton Rouge is being attacked and we need to do all we can to protect ourselves." I saw in the Quad how LSU has cut down many bushes to prevent attackers from hiding out. Honestly, I don't think the police will solve these murders, I think it will be a tip from an ordinary person or someone in the victims families that does their own detective work. Also, why in Louisiana does it take FOREVER for DNA results to be in. In Samantha Runnion, the little girl from California, it didn't take them half as long to positively ID her killer. Okay, more tips........ this is really long.......
>The first thing men look for in a potential victim is hairstyle. They are
>most likely to go after a woman with a ponytail, bun, braid, or other
>hairstyle that can easily be grabbed. They are also likely to go after a
>woman with long hair. Women with short hair are not common targets.
>
>The second thing men look for is clothing. They will look for women whose
>clothing is easy to remove quickly. Many of them carry scissors around to
>cut clothing. (like overalls)
>
>They also look for women on their cell phones, searching through their
>purse or doing other activities while walking because they are off guard
>and can be easily overpowered. I also heard they look for women who aren't paying attention at stop lights, I guess they aren't aware of their surroundings.
>
>The time of day men are most likely to attack and rape a woman is in the
>early morning, between 5 and 8:30 a.m.
>
>The number one place women are abducted from/attacked at is grocery store
>parking lots. Number two is office parking lots/garages. Number three is
>public restrooms.
>
>The thing about these men is that they are looking to grab a woman and
>quickly move her to a second location where they don't have to worry about
>getting caught.
>
>Only 2% said they carried weapons because rape carries a 3-5 year sentence
>but rape with a weapon is a 15-20 year sentence.
>
>If you put up any kind of a fight at all, they get discouraged because it
>only takes a minute or two for them to realize that going after you isn't
>worth it because it will be time-consuming.
>
>These men said they would not pick on women who have umbrellas, or other
>similar objects that can be used from a distance, in their hands. Keys are
>not a deterrent because you have to get really close to the attacker to use
>them as a weapon. So, the idea is to convince these guys you're not worth
>it.
>
>Several defense mechanisms he taught us are: If someone is following behind
>you on a street or in a garage or with you in a elevator or stairwell, look
>them in the face and ask them a question, like what time is it , or make
>general small talk, I can't believe it is so cold out here, we're in for a
>bad winter. Now you've seen their face and could identify them in a
>line-up, you lose appeal as a target.
>
>If someone is coming toward you, hold out your hands in fron tof you and
>yell Stop or Stay back! Most of the rapists this man talked to said they'd
>leave a woman alone if she yelled or showed that she would not be afraid to
>fight back. Again, they are looking for an EASY target.
>
>If you carry pepper spray (this instructor was a huge advocate and carries
>it with him wherever he goes,) yelling I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY and holding it
>out will be a deterrent.
>
>If someone grabs you, you can't beat them with strength but you can by
>outsmarting them. If you are grabbed around the waist from behind, pinch
>the attacker either under the arm between the elbow and armpit or in the
>upper inner thight - HARD. One woman in a class this guy taught told him
>she used the underarm pinch on a guy who was trying to date rape her and
>was so upset she broke through the skin and tore out muscle strands - the
>guy needed stitches. Try pinching yourself in those places as hard as you
>can stand it; it hurts.
>
>After the initial hit, always go for the groin. I know from a particularly
>unfortunate experience that if you slap a guy's parts it is extremely
>painful. You might think that you'll anger the guy and make him want to
>hurt you more, but the thing these rapists told our instructor is that they
>want a woman who will not cause a lot of trouble. Start causing trouble,
>and he's out of there.
>
>When the guy puts his hands up to you, grab his first two fingers and bend
>them back as far as possible with as much pressure pushing down on them as
>possible. The instructor did it to me without using much pressure, and I
>ended up on my knees and both knuckles cracked audibly.
>
>Of course the things we always hear still apply. Always be aware of your
>surroundings, take someone with you if you can and if you see any odd
>behavior, don't dismiss it, go with your instincts. You may feel a little
>silly at the time, but you'd feel much worse if the guy really was trouble.

And last, but not least, I think now is the time for the women of BR and everywhere to be rude. That's right, rude, if a man asks you for directions or to use your phone, run--don't walk away. If he is close enough to you to grab you, be careful because when you spin around to get away, he may grab your hair and pull you back. You may feel silly, but at least you'll be alive. Another thing men use is to say they've lost their baby and women sometimes fall for this.
>
>PLEASE READ THEN FORWARD THIS TO ANY WOMAN YOU KNOW, IT'S SIMPLE STUFF THAT
>COULD SAVE HER LIFE

TigerGirl52 · #5 08-02-2002, 02:27 PM

Yeah I don't think many women in Baton Rouge have much faith in them. I think the timing of their campaign is really funny. I don't think they're going to get much support on it unless they start solving some murders. The number of unsolved murders in Baton Rouge is just really unsettling. I agree with you about DNA results. It's a shame that the turnaround on all that stuff isn't faster considering that the state police crime lab is in Baton Rouge. Thanks for posting all of those safety tips. I've given that to my sisters once before but I may just print it out and give it to them again.

I think the thing that bothers me the most about all of the recent murders and even some in the past few years is that none show forced entry. Kassie Federer's murderer didn't force his way in. Neither did the murderer of Gina Wilson Green, Charlotte Murray Pace, or Pam Kinnamore. The murderer had to have been someone the women thought they could trust. Makes you take a second glance at just average people now. I know I'm a little more leery now of the cable guys and electricians and workmen who frequent my apartment complex.

OK...now that this post is forever long...I just wanted to say that I'll be thinking of you and your Theta sisters. I know these murders and the investigations into all of the unsolved murders probably bring up memories of Kassie. I will keep y'all in my thoughts and prayers as all of this continues. Hopefully they will find her killer so that she and her family may have the peace they deserve.

Allison

HotDamnImAPhiMu · #6 08-02-2002, 02:37 PM

Hi ladies --

My father's a federal agent, and from growing up with him and attending class after class of self-defence techniques and rape prevention talks, I wanted to help dispell some of the myths:

- There is no evidence to support the idea that an attacker will go after a woman wearing overalls or with a certain (or long) hairstyle. The single best indicator is the way a woman carries herself -- is she aware of her surroundings? Walking confidantly, as if she has somewhere to be? Making eye contact? etc.

- Mace, pepper spray, etc. are often used against the woman. Typically an attacker is stronger than the attackee, and is able to overwhelm the woman and gain control of her "weapon." Best defence: a personal alarm. Increasingly police are finding that women who employ use of a whistle are suffering dental problems after the attacker hits the woman in the mouth (source of the noise.) Pull the cord/push the button on the alarm and throw it in the bushes. An attacker will often seek to silence the alarm initially, giving you time to get away.

- Do not bit an attacker. Two reasons: (1) this is a great way to transmit disease and (2) time and time again has proven to be an instigator like NONE OTHER when dealing with a man who wishes to control his victim.

- Do not let yourself be taken to a "secondary location" -- a car, his apartment, etc. Your chances for survival decrease dramatically. Your chances of getting away, even if he claims to have a weapon, are much greater in public.

An incredible book to read on this subject is The Gift of Fear, by Gavin de Becker.

geek love! stay safe.
~ Jacquelyn.

ThetaLove · #7 08-02-2002, 07:18 PM

Thanks Allison for all of your support. Many of the girls that were in Kassie's pledge class graduated either in Dec. or May. However some are returning to LSU for a fifth year. I am a little fuzzy on the details-- I thought that she tried to lock the door behind her and the murderer pushed the door down.

The fact that there was no forced entry bothers me as well. I was thinking about all of the possible ways that these women would have let someone in their home and I reasoned that since Charlotte Pace was living three doors down from Gina Wilson Green at the time of Gina's murder, maybe a man with a badge came to Charlotte's door posing as a detective asking about the recent murder and she let him in. The crime scene was slightly different from the other two, she actually struggled with him. For those of you who don't know, the two women did not know each other. Pam was hit in the back of the head and I believe that Gina was too, and then strangled. Gina Wilson Green could have either trusted him and opened her door, or it was unlocked and he suprised her. I also heard (and this could be rumor as well) that Pam had lost a set of keys at work. And that there were a set of keys left in the back door and her set of keys on the counter. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. This theory would fit if the man who raped the woman was the same as the serial killer because he had a fake police badge. I heard of someone who came to a lady's door and asked her about all the murders. Luckily her husband was home. The couple just didn't feel right about the whole thing and called the police department and they said that no one had been sent out to do anything like that.

aggieAXO · #8 08-02-2002, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu
Hi ladies --

An incredible book to read on this subject is The Gift of Fear, by Gavin de Becker.

~ Jacquelyn.

I am currently reading this book-excellent points are made and I am learning something with every chapter. I highly recommend it.

TigerGirl52 · #9 08-02-2002, 08:04 PM

You're welcome. I was a first semester freshman when Kassie was murdered. I remember how devastated the Greek community was when that happened. You would probably know better than I about all of the details but from everything I remember there never seemed to be forced entry.

Maybe it's just me but I feel like there are so many leads that the police aren't looking at. But then again...no one really knows what they're doing because they haven't talked to the media about the investigation until now.

Did you see the WAFB 6 pm news today? They showed some girl who would have been a freshman this year packing up her stuff in Baton Rouge and moving home. My roommate and I just thought that was ridiculous. Yes there is a serial killer out there but you can't stay inside and hide until the murders are solved. I feel I'll be safe as long as I stay very aware of my surroundings and I don't walk around campus with my head up my ass. But that's just me.

ThetaLove · #10 08-03-2002, 05:33 AM

Okay Allison, it literally took me ten minutes to regain composure from what you said, that was so funny! I'll be away from my computer, but I'll check back with ya'll in a few days. I'm pressed for time now, but you know I have an opinion on the people who were on the news.

justamom · #11 08-03-2002, 08:02 AM

I have to agree with you guys. Though I haven't followed the local politics, it does seem UNBELIEVABLE that 37 murders are not solved. I mean, what are they DOING? I understand that some cases just don't have enough evidence to go on, but 37???

I had no idea about the pay raise request...bad timing!
It's odd that we had a similar truck approach a young female driver in the past couple of weeks and as some of the people chiming in have said, we don't know how far this all stretches
up and down the I-10 corridor.

Keep safe girls, and like they say-"Stay alert. Stay alive!"

Thanks for the tips, all. My daughter is getting tired of my constant reminders. I can send this to her!

juniorgrrl · #12 08-04-2002, 02:12 AM

I hate to bring this back up, but I feel the need to chime in too - been away for a few days.

For lack of a better word, I've been scared crapless about all this going on. Its bad enough that I'm worried about starting law school, getting 2 roomates that I don't know very well, and having my boyfriend 90 min away (in Slidell, near where the rape at the rest stop happened. Its our hometown, the white trash capital of the world. People come there solely to commit crimes and abuse their children *sigh*), but I've got to worry about a serial murderer too? Its becoming overwhelming, almost paralyzing. I read the advocate online every day to see what's going on, the New Orleans news affiliates have something on it almost every day. Pam Kinamore was originally from New Orleans and her death hit close to home.

When I was looking at law schools, I had a VERY good scholarship at Loyola, New Orleans but part of my decision was based on locale. While I love New Orleans, and consider it home, its crime factor is a deterrent. I don't think of this stuff happening in Baton Rouge. Funny, how things change.

I was coming in from Houston today and saw the Whiskey Bay exit where they found Pam's body and I just couldn't help but worry who would be next. There was a murder in Houston that was similar to these crimes and I couldn't help but think "I wouldn't wish this criminal on anyone, but please, go away from our city!"

I just hope they get to the bottom of this soon. If not, I'm gonna need Paxil!

justamom · #13 08-04-2002, 06:39 AM

I know I shouldn't think this-Karma and all- but I honestly hope one night when he's stalking, a mosquito bites him and he gets the West Nile or equine encephalitis virus! Save the state some money and rid us of this animal...

juniorgrrl · #14 08-05-2002, 12:33 AM

LOL, JAM

Thank you - I needed to laugh.

How is your daughter taking all this? The Times-Picayune had a huge article about everything today, and the news showed women taking self-defense classes. Its all so scary. One mom put it best "This is just really putting a damper on something that should be exiciting" (her daughter will be a first semester freshman at LSU).

I'm glad this is getting national attention. Every night I pray that this animal will be caught.

KappaStargirl · #15 08-05-2002, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HotDamnImAPhiMu

- There is no evidence to support the idea that an attacker will go after a woman wearing overalls or with a certain (or long) hairstyle. The single best indicator is the way a woman carries herself -- is she aware of her surroundings? Walking confidantly, as if she has somewhere to be? Making eye contact? etc.

- Mace, pepper spray, etc. are often used against the woman. Typically an attacker is stronger than the attackee, and is able to overwhelm the woman and gain control of her "weapon." Best defence: a personal alarm. Increasingly police are finding that women who employ use of a whistle are suffering dental problems after the attacker hits the woman in the mouth (source of the noise.) Pull the cord/push the button on the alarm and throw it in the bushes. An attacker will often seek to silence the alarm initially, giving you time to get away.

Thank you so much for this information, that's what I was going to say. The thing about pepper spray...what if the wind is blowing in the wrong direction? Sounds crazy, but it's not farfetched. Also, I want to add some things I've learned:

1) If you are in danger, or God forbid you are being attacked, DO NOT YELL "RAPE!" or something to the extent of "I'm being attacked!" Yell "FIRE!" Why? People are scared of getting involved in what they feel is a "personal" situation (a rape). A fire threatens everyone in the surrounding area, and they are more likely to come running.

2) If you are approached by someone strange and feel uncomfortable, don't be afraid to decline to talk to him, or tell hime to go away. Better to be thought of as rude than be attacked.

3) I cannot emphasize this enough: Always look as though you know where you're going, even if you don't.

I'm thinking of all of you, stay safe. Safety, especially for children, has become a big issue here in southern CA. Stanton is only 8 miles from where I live, and there's been much worrying by parents. Being alert and informed is your best defense.