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October 16, 2006
Taking Back The Castro
Before I start talking about the fun stuff, Id like to take a moment to talk about the meeting I just came from. Take Back The Castro is a community potrol that is being put in place by several people I know and respect in the community. The reason its being established is because of several sexual assalts and violent crimes that have been happening to people in my community. Happening to people I know. This has got to stop.
Tonight I listened to several people talk about how they were assalted both on the street and nearly in their homes. It was tough to listen to and as I could tell by the staggering voice, it was very tough for them to talk about openly in front of about 100 people.
Several people talked about defense and several people really got me thinking about my own life and the risks I take every day. After hearing recently about a friend of mine in Rochester, and how he was assalted just walking down the street, tonight really got me thinking about the steps I need to take to make my life safer. It also helped me realize how I can help make others safe as well.
I will be going out and getting both a flashlight and a whistle. I realized I walk home from the bar drunk many nights and walk up a dark staircase of 116 steps. On several ocassions there has been people, younger kids, hanging out at the top. Although nothing has ever been said to me, there is always the chance it could. You may think it wont happen to you until it actually has already happened and gone.
A topic that was also covered was how to be a good witness and help a victim be a good witness as well. The things you are taught to look at arent always the best things to remember. An example given was the shirt a person is wearing. Shirts are easily removed when someone is running. Things we should look for are things that cant change or are difficult to chance such as shoes, facial hair, scars, gender, height, and any type of incriminating marks. Another great thing to keep track of is the direction the person is going.
As for the victem, one man talked about his sexual assault. After the incident, he went home, threw away all his clothes, and showered and scrubbed every memory he could possibly have gotten rid of. This could destroy any evidence that could be used to find the criminal. It was all very interesting to listen to and Id like to dedicate some time to helping out where I can.
On a more fun note, I went miniture golfing yesterday with a large group of friends and made a few new ones along the way. We rode up to Fremont, about 15 of us all together, and took over the golf course as well as the Jack In The Box next door. The next outing will be laser tag. That should prove interesting as well.
Ok, Im off to watch Heros.
Posted by Des at October 16, 2006 08:51 PM
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