Qui Custodes

The Hitman Scam

I don't like to call attention to these things but there's a "new" scam out there that is causing people some grief.  What happens is they get an email or a note or something telling them that a contract to kill them has been placed but the hitman has a conscience.  So if they will just pay off the hitman, the contract will be canceled.  This is nonsense and absurd and illogical.  Think about it.  So the hit man refuses to act.  Is the person who put out the contract going to be dissuaded?  No.  Would the hitman take the chance that the person issuing the contract will want revenge on the hitman?  No. Is there such a thing as a professional hitman who has such a tender conscience?  No.

If someone pulls this stunt on you, call the police. It's extortion.  If you doubt me, the FBI knows about this and gives advice.   Bottom line--don't fall for it.

I still* hate earphones & other electrical distractions

I'm reading the Washington Post this a.m. and notice, in the Metro section, that crimes on our subway system are up.  No kidding?  Apparently the crimes are "crimes of opportunity".  In other words, it's all your fault.  Yep, you should put away those delightful Ipods, and Itouches and Iphones and other cute little (expensive) electronic devices.  Otherwise some yobbo will just be overcome by the temptation and walk up to you and grab it away from you. 

Now I don't know what or who upsets me the most.  First, you are supposed to be paying attention to your environment so this doesn't happen.  But I understand being distracted.  God knows it happens to me when I'm emailing or texting or whatever.  Still, try to "check your 6" more often.  But second, it's a "crime of opportunity"????  What?!!!  So just whose fault is it now?  One day some yobbo is gonna pick the wrong person to "opportunize" and pay for it.  Then what happens?  I bet we can all guess. 

Check your "6"

If you drew a clock around you, the "12" would be straight ahead, the "3" directly to your right, the "9" directly to your left and the "6" directly behind you.  Always check your "6".  That means look behind you.  We had a case recently near by where a couple were killed while walking on a park path.  No idea why--looked like a thrill kill.  What's significant is that they were hit from behind, knocked down and beaten to death.  Now, I don't know that seeing the attack coming would have done them a bit of good.  But it might have.  Additionally, if you are alert, attackers may choose to find some other victim. 

So always check your "6" and stay alert.

"Rape Whistles" (cont. from Oct. 30)

Back in October I posted about why I'm not a fan of "rape whistles".  Someone pointed out to me that you don't have to carry the whistle on your key chain.  You could carry it on a necklace or bracelet for example.  Well, you still have the problem of getting the whistle to your lips and having the ability to blow the whistle while being threatened or attacked.  Carrying the whistle on a necklace wouldn't work for me.  In cold weather it would be under your coat so you couldn't get it.  In warm weather it would be accessible, but you still would have to get it into your hand, etc. etc. 

I suppose you could carry the whistle on a bracelet/in your hand as you walked the street but then you would have 1 hand for your purse and/or briefcase, one hand to open doors  etc. and 1 hand for the whistle.  Exactly how many free hands do you have?  OK. Wear the whistle on your wrist as a bracelet.  That solves part of the problem.  How are you going to solve the other problems?  I don't have a solution.

Don't get me wrong though:  A rape whistle is better than nothing but I don't think much of them. 

Subways & buses (cont.)

Another thought about traveling by bus or subway:  Try and sit near the driver.  S/he may not help you but they can call for help or at least be a witness. 

Subways and Buses

I didn't think I would ever have to write this particular post but I guess I was wrong.  Recent news articles in DC and NYC have compelled me to say people, please!  Just because you are on a subway or bus or in a subway or bus station does not mean that you should lose your common sense and totally ignore all precautions.  Stay aware of your circumstances, don't sit or stand where you are concealed from general observation--you are setting yourself up to be attacked and there will be no witnesses to come help.  Come on now!

Good Security is good business

Down in Florida there is another parking lot story:  a waiter was shot in one and finally received a measure of justice.   But they never found the shooter.  What happened is that the waiter sued the mall where he was shot because there had been 26 violent crimes, including a murder, in the previous 7 years.  You would think that when there are about 4 violent crimes/year, somebody would do something wouldn't you?  The mall didn't and now the mall must pay for that neglect.

So good security is good business as well as good for yourself and your employees.  Something to think about.

Parking Lots

I was reading about the Missosuri serial killer on CNN today.  He was pretty smart apparently.  One thing which caught my eye:  he stalked his victims in parking lots and then followed them until they went home.  What's the moral of the story?  Pay attention to your surroundings!  If you think someone is following you, check!  Ask for help, use your cell phone, do something. 

Rings

I'm not quite sure what brought it to mind a while ago I saw a man with several big rings on both hands.  He was wearing a thumb ring, a pinky ring and a ring on his middle finger on his left hand.  His right hand had rings on the index finger and ring finger.  These were very large rings.  I noticed he was also wearing silver bracelets.  Why am I talking about this?  Because these rings were the equivalent of brass knuckles on his hands.  So if you see someone wearing several big rings, watch their hands--their hands are now weapons.

On a similar note, ladies, you can use your rings as weapons too you know.  If nothing else, they will scratch an attacker's face.  It used to be that the scratches would heal.  But now what you are really doing is taking a DNA sample for future match. 

Just a couple of interesting thoughts for the day.

Use your common sense, please!

I got the following post (redacted) last week & it's worth talking about for a minute.  "As I recently entered [a restaurant]  an angry uniform-wearing employee was exiting. He almost slammed the door in my face, then kept walking. I [complained to the manager].  As I was eating, the employee returned [and was told about my complaint so he] turned to look at me and began yelling for me to meet him outside. I refused. The other employees told him to go home and escorted him outside, but twice he returned and lunged at me, with the other workers holding him back. When I left I told the manager he wanted to fight me, but she refused to call the police. I walked outside to leave, and the guy was waiting for me. He got in my face, started yelling, then began throwing punches and karate kicks. Other employees pulled him off me, but he attacked again. At one point he was punching me in the ribs and holding one arm, while another employee was holding my other arm."

First off, the  police should have been called immediately!  No excuses for not calling them.  If you have a problem at your firm, don't hesitate for a second to call for help.  That's what the police are for.

Second, what happened to the  cell  phone of the person who wrote me?  He should have used it asap.  If you are in this type of situation (and these days it happens all the time), USE YOUR CELL PHONE.  Don't have one?  Get one!

Third, what silly person  goes outside when you  *know* that  there is someone out there waiting to  fight you?  Use your common sense!

Fourth,  the employees  should  NEVER, EVER, grab the person being hit.  As I  have posted before, you get between the combatants, you don't grab one of them.  I know it's dangerous but the alternatives are worse as this story shows.