Chief’s Corner

By Chief Steven J. Wojnar

Dudley Police Department

            News reports of assaults, particularly on women, seem to be daily news stories.  Many of these attacks appear to be random or occur in unsuspecting locations.  I was asked to provide women with some personal protection safety tips in order to avoid becoming a victim of assault.
            It is nearly impossible to safeguard yourself in every situation.  However; your actions can spell the difference between safety and injury.  An attacker will quite often wait for an opportunity to strike.  Bearing this in mind always be aware to your surroundings.  Take the time to look for "strange" individuals and make note of the area.  Eye contact with a potential attacker, even for a brief period, can cause them to be on the edge, as they have now been seen and could be identified.  Women should avoid going places alone if at all possible.  There is safety in numbers.  If you must be alone do not park in an isolated or dimly lit area.  Also, make arrangements to meet others at a certain time or contact someone when arriving to insure others know your whereabouts. 
            Remember to proceed directly to your destination with as few distractions as possible.  Avoid talking on your cell phone, looking for items in your purse, or other activities which may detract from your observations and safety.  Have your keys in hand, enter vehicles as quickly as possible, and lock the doors right away.  Focus on getting from one point to another as soon as you can.
            If you are attacked, do not be a submissive victim.  Make noise, fight back, and do whatever you can to draw attention in order to get away.  Seek out vital areas to strike, such as the eyes or groin.  This can cause the person to let go, even for a moment, which will give you the opportunity to get away.  Self defense courses or physical conditioning can provide you with an advantage to fight back in these situations. Remember, the attacker has designs to hurt you and you do not want this to take place.  The more you can disrupt their plans, the greater the chance you have of avoiding becoming a victim.  

            I wish to extend a happy retirement to Mr. Chuck Moore, Director at the Pearl Crawford Library.  Mr. Moore officially retired from his post on Friday October 27^th.  I thank him for his service to our community and I wish him all the best for a long, happy, and healthy retirement.

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