University of Arizona - Desert Yearbook (Tucson, AZ)

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ABE WE SAFE Many students at the UA were very happy when James Hegwood Jr, the rapist of three coeds on campus was sentenced to three hundred years in prison. The slew of campus related vio- lence is not new to the UA just as it is not new to any campus. Two years ago the prime time rapist was a menace as many women found themselves scared sense- less as over nine rapes city wide occured in just a matter of months. However, it is just not rapes. Last year a female student was found leaving with someone at the Bum Steer bar not to be heard of again and eventually found dead. The ASUA escort service was formed several years ago for safety reasons as a string of campus wide attacks had occured. This leads to the fact that no one is safe. Other campuses have also antagonized and lived in fear. For instances this year the University of Florida in Gainesville is being cruely victimized as five people (four women and one man) have been killed and mutilated. One of whom was decapitated. There are no real leads. Just that they all lived in secluded apart- ments, all were pretty, brunette and young. The man the police feel hap- pened to stumble upon the murderer and thus was killed. According to police the murders in Gainesville probably have not ended. Rather that they are on hold due to the number of police who have now made killing more difficult. However, people who kill once usually are capable of killing again. In the instances of serial killers there is a profile of a person who is addicted to pain and suffering. That person usually has had a very traumatic childhood and never fully developed a concience. They start by killing one or two people every two years, then one every six months and so forth. Finally the killing becomes a compulsion and the murderers get out of control. They go on a killing spree, possibly one a day, until they are caught. Quite often the murderers are someone who people feel they can trust. Meaning that a person who kills is not like a television por- trayed killer with scars covering his face. Rather the opposite in many cases as portrayed by Ted Bundy or Christo- pher Wilder. Both of whom were quite good looking and charming. These peo- ple are quite mobile, striking at various areas throughout the state. Many times they are extremely intelligent and shrewd. The fact remains that until this person is caught no one is safe. It is because of the Gainesville murders that this article is being written. This is not a controversial issue being pre- sented. This article has been developed to give notice to some basic protective rules that when followed can possibly help you from coming into harm. First, women are usually always the gender which will be victimized the most as many serial killers have been males who often times have extreme inadequate feelings towards their own masculinity. Thus taking their frustra- tion out on the opposite sex. However, some serial killers are homosexual or prefer young boys. Meaning that no one is truly safe. However, this article is geared more towards the female sex but others should take into considerations the warnings this article should offer. Ann Rule, a crime writer, gave several tips in the USA Today in reference to the Gainesville murders. Her suggestions were as follow; One, be alert, partic- ularly on the days that you are not feeling good. Killers and other harmful personalities are like wolves preying on sheep. They go for the weakest of the bunch first. In fact Rule commented that out of the 28 victims she tracked, who were killed by Ted Bundy, each one of them on the day she died had a really bad day. She stated that maybe you are walking along crying, and you are not thinking about what is going on around you. These guys can spot vulnerability and come on offering you a shoulder to cry on or with sweet sympathy. It does not mean be aware of every nice person you meet but to use common sense and do not go off alone with them. Second, Rule said to think twice when someone rushes up and says, Let me in, I need to use the phone, or Would you carry my books because I have got a broken arm? . Rule stated that you may be driving home and all of a sudden some one rearends you on a somewhat quiet street. As soon as the girl got out to check the car she was done in for Rule states that as sad as it may sound that you have to always be on the alert. If someone comes to the door then say you will call the police for them. Have them wait outside, lock your door and call. If you are rearended on a deserted street then drive to a gas station or somewhere crowded. If your car can not move then stay in your car and just crack your window slightly to speak to the person. Have them call the police and wait. But whatever you do not unlock your car door. If you are stranded on a highway then put your signals on and wait for a highway patrolman. USA TODAY Other rules to follow consist of do not walk to your car alone if possible. When walking at night carry your keys through every other finger so you have an immediate weapon. When approach- ing your car try to look under it to see if someone is there. Many criminals will wait for their victims there and strike the persons legs with a knife or other sharp object to momentarily incapaci- tate them. When again approaching your car check the back seat before getting in. Do not go home with some- one you do not know. Though drastic, you may wish to meet your dates out for the first time and drive yourself there and back. This way they do not know where you live until you feel it is ok. Most attacks take place on the ground levels of an apartment complex so you may wish to get an apartment on the second level. Keep your door locked at all times. Do not walk down dark alleys or secluded areas by yourself. Utilize the escort service. Afterall your tution is helping to fund it. Finally be careful utilizing elevators in buildings which are somewhat deserted. If you do use the elevator stay close to the panel so you can exit in a hurry. This all sounds as if one has to live in a world of terror and panic. That is not true. There are no gaurantees as to how safe or unsafe you are. Life is a risk and danger is part of it. But, as humans we have been blessed with the capacity for common sense. Safety routines when incorporated into your life are like cleaning routines. They do not disrupt your life but do make it that much more nicer. Though many of these measures may seem drastic, in this day and age just being aware can make the differ- ence between life and death. — Suzi Shoemaker

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DEATH PROTECTION 217