A woman was attacked & killed in the parking garage in Manchester, NH in broad daylight. After that, I started carrying pepper spray & a whistle when I made a construction inspection although it wasn't legal. The properties were often in isolated areas and, during the winter months, it might be getting dusky before I left. They were on a gold chain (hey, still have to look nice, right?) hanging around my neck.

Unfortunately, for me, the only time I've ever been hurt was by an angry subcontractor & that happened while I was sitting at my desk in the bank (CO). He simply let loose & KO'd me right in my office. Don't remember anything else until I was being loaded into the ambulance. The pepper spray was in my desk drawer & it all happened so fast I couldn't react before I was out cold. I never used either the spray or the whistle out on the job.

What made me feel the safest was lifting weights & taking tai kwon do. Although even that didn't prevent me from being pounded by that concrete sub.

/tricia

N o....
I don't walk alone at night. And when I was in a job where it would have perhaps been advisable, it wasn't allowed.
Linda C

No but I've thought about it. A nasty fellow has been visiting the bar this week. Two bloody fights so far just this week. Cleared the bar last night with only a couple of us managing to stay out of it. Idiot travels with a couple of his buddies that jump in as soon as he starts a fight. Bar refuses to call the police because it can put their license in danger. I expect a huge fight Friday or Saturday night. With the down economy people are getting mean. I've have asked that the bar throw this fellow out permanently before there is a serious injury.

Also considering a cattle prod as it would probably be more affective. Either way a weapon is being used and the police frown on it.

If you go with pepper spray keep in mind you will probably dose yourself should you use it. It hangs in confined spaces like a room or vehicle and drifts in the wind outdoors. If you keep it on a keychain then the element of surprise is lost. If you keep it in your purse you may not be able to reach it when it is needed. If you do get some my advice is to keep it hidden... an attacker can see it after you have sprayed him with it.

A cell phone with camera is a fair tool. You can take pictures and call 911. Least apt to get you in trouble. Strange world where you have to consider the danger of defending yourself from obvious idiots.

: )
lyra

I don't often go out at night, so I'm not worried about the evening hours; it seems like I hear more about women who are attacked during the day. I strive to be alert when I'm in a public place. Yes, I know the danger of breathing the residual is high, which I am concerned about should I ever need to use it. I have carried a whistle on my keyring for years, but wonder if I'd have breathe to use it so I'm grateful for the panic button on my car remote. I didn't know how feasible it would be to carry/have pepper spray, and wondered about the different aspects of storing it for accessibility

I used to carry a whistle on my key chain. It was a serious whistle -- an Acme Thunderer. I always put my keys in my poacket and kept my fingers n the whistle. I figure it's better to blast a whistle before someone gets close enough to squirt them with pepper spray.

The whistle started to be annoying clanking with my keys. Once I stopped working in the city I didn't feel so worried, although I sometimes worry in those big mall parking lots, especially at night.

Years ago I had a tear gas "pen". The only person I ever hurt with it was me.

Good topic!!

I do carry pepper spray on a regular basis...so does my DD.
I also have pepper spray in my car for stand by.

I only had to use it on a dog once.

If you feel unsafe in your surroundings, listen to your gut and get out.
Most of us carry cell phones so pre-dial 911 when walking alone-this way if something should happen you don't have to fumble over dialing...just hit send and 911 will be called.

Also if you do carry pepper spray make sure its in your hand and unlocked...again you don't want to have to fumble trying to find it if a situation occurs.

I know some self defense...helps that I work out!!

Be safe out there both boys and girls!!

Cheers!
Susie

Nope. As Michael has pointed out, you'll most likely get yourself a dose if you use it on someone else and I've had a face full before. The guy the waitress was trying to stop just got madder, so carefully consider the consequences. Most weapons will be used against you because most of us are loathe to use them until an attack actually happens and then it's too late.

That said, I do have a brown belt in karate. I know that if I carry my keys with individual keys sticking out between my fingers and make a fist, I've created a pretty serious weapon. A high heel right on the top of a foot is also a good weapon, and you have the element of surprise.

I go where I want, when I want and don't "what if" myself too often, but I'm not foolish enough to go places that are inherently dangerous without being cautious and watchful. I do know that if a much bigger person grabs me, I'd probably lose a fair fight (or even a dirty, rotten, no-good cheating fight!), but at least that person will know they've got their hands on something wicked.

And, since I may be one of the few people here who has actually received credible death threats from a serial killer currently on death row, I understand the danger.

Annie

Dedtired, funny about your pen. (Not really, but it made me smile.) I haven't heard of the Acme Thunderer, but now I'm curious!

Susie, that's good advice.

Annie, Whoa. Do tell...a serial killer?

I carry pepper spray when I walk or ride my bike. Too many loose dogs in our area.

Annie, a brown belt! You continue to amaze me. All these years and I never heard you mention that.
I do remember your mentioning the threats from the serial killer.
I hold my keys like that too. But mostly I don't go out by myself at might. And it makes me mad that I don't feel safe.

Claire, my county had the first death penalty case in the State of Michigan since the 30s. A young mother was drowned in a local lake on federal property. Her baby has never been found, two witnesses are missing, another showed up in a different lake.

He was convicted of federal charges since the crime(s) occurred on federal property. He's currently on death row in Indiana in the same facility that housed the Oklahoma City Bomber.

You can find him but ignore the "I'm so innocent" websites that he and his family are maintaining and look for the wzzm13 story. If anyone should ever want to find him. I cannot even watch while the cattle are slaughtered and I can't clean a fish if it flops. I move turtles out of the road in the spring and swerve for squirrels. However, if this guy showed up on my porch I think I could pull the trigger without hesitation.

We did get a lovely Christmas card last year that referred to us as "evil godless wh*res" and included a bible verse. We've also received correspondence from "The Innocent One, Death Row", and "Azra, Angel of Death".

Annie

Here is a link that might be useful: News Link

Yeah, Annie, what?? That's scary.

I've always wanted a stun gun but haven't even bothered to shop for one. I do like Annie does with the keys. I also, always - day or night, loop my purse over my head and get a grip on it while walking through a parking lot. Even if I'm pushing a grocery cart. In that instance the cart is helpful as I keep my purse between it and my body.

I have a very specific procedure for parking lots. Any place that I am loading up my car with bags, I'll first put my purse in the front seat, lock and close that door. Unlock and load the trunk, then close. Unlock driver door, get in, shut and lock door. Start car and put into reverse, then fasten my seat belt. Somebody jumped in my car once a very long time ago, so I make damn sure all the doors are locked and that I'm safe. If I have to take off with my seatbelt undone, so be it.

I also act like a total paranoid and keep an eye on my surroundings - forward, behind, and side to side. The parking garage that I use to park in for work has someone killed a few times a year during the day (business hours). Most of those cases have not been drug related but have been domestic things. And a few homeless people used to hit me up for money occasionally in that area. Honestly, I'm not afraid of the homeless. I'm far more afraid of a pissed off husband or wife or drug dealer.

I used to carry pepper spray but that's one of those things you have to be sure to replace - like batteries in smoke detectors. I'm not good at that kind of maintenance. Plus, it's windy here.

Yes, CC, a brown belt in American Karate and I still have the membership card to prove it, LOL. I took classes for years while the girls were small, it was good exercise and great stress control, plus I got the benefits of self defense. My instructor taught us karate, and spent extra time teaching us to defend ourselves. Those are and were two different things.

I never got a black belt because I was required to fight a certain number of "matches" and I didn't like to fight. I'm short and have short arms, so most people could reach right in past my guard and whack me. I was much better at something called "kata", kind of a choreographed fight with yourself. (grin)

I was vicious on the heavy bag, LOL, and I can still do the splits. I have demonstrated to a couple of people that I can still put a kick over Ashley's head. Let's forget that she's only 5'1", OK? It's a lot less impressive when you realize how short she is. :-)

Annie

I am always aware of my surroundings, house, car doors are always locked and I carry my keys like Annie. My first job, at 16, was at the May Co. an older manager tried to get me in the back room and see what he could get away with. I ran and after telling my father I was never allowed to have another job he paid me to stay home LOL.

When I was 26 I had a stocker, they didnt call them stockers back then, follow me for over a year and a half before the policeman that made it a point to stop by my house every night finally got his license plate number. This crazy guy terrorized me to the point that I was afraid to take a shower if I was home alone. He would show up behind me at the market and whisper in my ear. I would get out of my car at the bank or someplace and he would be at the door as I walked up open the door and ask how my day was going. As careful as I was he was everywhere when I was alone never say him if someone was with me.

My XH had all his friend babysitting me to the point that if he was at work, he worked nights, one of the guys would be out in my garage watching to make sure nobody was around. The policeman, his name was Frank, had me meet him at the gun range and gave me lessons using a shot gun with the instruction that if the guy ever came as close as the front porch I was to shoot him and he, Frank, would drag him into the front door and testify it was self defense. As it turned out this guy knew Franks schedule but one night when Frank was off duty he just happened to come by and he finally saw the guy pulling away from my house and got his license plate number.

Turned out this guy, his name was Richard Panda, was the day manager of the bowling alley about half mile from my house. Frank and the other policemen stopped in there all the time for coffee so thatÂs how he knew Franks schedule. I really donÂt know what Frank said or did to him but after he told me who it was I never say the guy again. That was in 1969 and to this day if I see a blue and white Volkswagen bus I have flash backs about this guy.

When we move to Kern Co. both DH and I got a CCW, nobody gets one anywhere else in Ca, we took all the classes and go to the gun club to practice although not as often as we used to. Part of our class was on self defense and the law. I had to pass a quick draw test and many others. My license expired almost 5 years ago a few week before my mother passed away and I havenÂt renewed it yet.

I donÂt carry unless I am driving by myself down the canyon at night. I have a holster that mounts under my computer desk in the kitchen special ordered for my Smith & Wesson, a shot gun in the coat closet by the back door, and DH keeps a 45 in his night stand. Some would say we are paranoid but we live in the mountains, have few sheriffs, and like everywhere we have our share of low life druggies. I feel safer being armed. If I feel someone is watching me I usually stop and stare them down. I always have someone take my groceries out with me and never go to the bank alone except the one in the grocery store.

Boy I just reread this and I really do sound paranoid and will probably have nightmares tonight.

Claudia

Claudia, it sounds like Frank was your guardian angel. In your shoes, I would have done the same. You know, I don't think it's a bad idea for women to learn how to use a gun, especially if you live in a place that is more remote like you do. I hope you don't have nightmares for bringing up an old memory, but instead feel empowered by the actions you've taken to protect yourself.

Annie, why were you targeted specifically? Were you on the jury?

claire, I work for the Prosecuting Attorney. Since the murder(s) happened on Federal property in our county, my boss was appointed a Special Federal prosecutor and we helped try the case. My boss is the first woman prosecutor in the history of my county and I've been with the office for 31 years. It's a small community and before my current job my ex and I owned a local bar and grill, so I was very well known to the Defendant and he knew where I worked.

The boss got more threats than I did because she was "on the front lines" in the courtroom. She does carry a weapon and qualifies on the range right along with the police officers. What's more, she's a better shot than most of them. We're both careful, but I won't carry a weapon. If you carry a weapon you have to be absolutely certain that you are ready to kill someone with it, not just shoot to injure or whatever. If you hesitate, that weapon WILL be taken from you and used against you. I'm not sure I could kill anyone absent that single person, so I won't carry a weapon.

Annie

I thought about this thread while driving to work yesterday.

As some have noted being aware of what is going on around you is priceless. People with dangerous jobs from soldiers to policemen are taught to work at "situational awareness". It means knowing everything that is going on around you at all times. Impossible to do perfectly. I'm a bad one for getting lost in my thoughts and being oblivious to my surroundings. Last week a co-worker stopped her car and told me to turn around and go the other way... I had parked my truck on the other side of the parking lot and was walking towards empty parking spaces.

Like some others I have dangerous people in my life. My mother tells people horrible made up stories so I find myself confronted by angry strangers every couple years. I have loaded guns hidden all around my house. My housekeeper is the only person that knows where they are at and that they are loaded. Some are obvious like the WWI battle rifle with bayonet beside my bedstand.... others in places like a folder in my file cabinet. In my house my friends know to treat all guns as if they are ready to fire... as they should loaded or not.

The violent bar partron of the week has been ejected for the forseeable future! So sad a few ruin things. Last week we had a couple fellows ask if they could play guitar. From out of the blue we were treated to wonderful live entertainment that had people singing along. Funny how the people you least expect can have great singing voices.

: )
lyra

Claire, Frank was my guardian angle he continued to stop by often in fact it was he that convinced me I should some counseling. I was so shy, had no self esteem from years of special schooling and the private tutors. I was so dyslexic I didnt read until after I got out of school and finally decided I could read with the help of a non teacher that convinced me I really wasnt stupid. He changed my life in many ways he never knew about. Three years after that I left the X went back to school and became self supporting. If I had to name the most influential person in my life it would be Frank. I lost contact with him years ago but still think about him often. And no I didnt have any nightmares that guy would be in his 80s by now and I think I could take him.LOL

Annie is right about having a gun it comes with a great responsibility. They are not for everyone I know I could use it but have told many people that if they think they would hesitate at all not to get one because more than likely it would be taken away from them and used against them. Its a very personal decision only you can make. In the CCW classes they stress that as the most important decision you have to make. No one is more dangerous than a person with a gun who is afraid of it or afraid to use it.

Claudia

I was much better at something called "kata", kind of a choreographed fight with yourself. (grin)

Annie, we need a video of this.

Lyra, that's good advice.

Claudia, Frank would probably be thrilled to hear from you again. It's sad to me that we lose touch with certain people, but I guess that's life.

Aaahhh. All becomes clear now; thanks for explaining. Yes, Annie! I'd like to see that choreography too!

Yeah, I'll bet, LOL. My "favorite" kata was Tiger I, if that helps. I don't think any video currently exists, and the single claim to fame I have from my karate competition days is that I got to meet Chuck Norris while he was in Muskegon, Michigan.

He was very pleasant. And shorter than I expected. (grin)

Annie