It has as been exactly one week since I posted the blog about violence against women and here is a little update on that post. I have been told of two incidents, just since I initially made the post, involving women who are friends of mine. The first happened at a local hair salon. A male customer came into the salon and at first he seemed normal. However, he eventually became fixated on one of the stylists and he began displaying odd behavior. He asked her about personal photos at her station, he displayed an aggressive tone when she identified her husband in one of the photos, after his haircut he lingered around the salon. After his hair was cut he wouldn't leave and when ask to pay he had no money. Eventually he stated he would go get his wallet in his vehicle, but he never returned. Since that day, he has been calling the salon asking for that stylist and offering to pay her for his cut. His behavior was so disturbing that the salon told him not to worry about the bill. However, he continues to call. The salon then notified the local police where they were advised that this man is a registered sex offender and was arrested just up the street from them for accosting a woman on that same day he came into their salon. Unfortunately, he is back on the street.
The second story took place in an upper middle class neighborhood in Taylors. The female was home alone during the day and heard a noise. When she went to investigate she noticed a man trying to enter through her back door. He then moved around to a set of glass patio doors and attempted to enter there. Scared and not knowing what to do she called her husband; he asked “did you call 911?” no “call them now, I am on my way”. While she waited for a Sheriff’s Deputy, the man pulled out a hammer and started beating on the outside AC unit but quickly left. A Deputy picked the man up down the street where he claimed to work for Duke Power. He showed the Deputy a Duke Power ID so they let him go because they found he had not damaged her property. By the time her husband arrived home the man and the Deputy had left the area. The man was not charged with anything. Apparently the Deputy did not find it suspect for a Duke Power employee to attempt to enter a home or tamper with an AC unit in that manner.
Now, in regards to taking precautions and learning how to deal with this type of situation, this is what I learned: Concerning the first incident, I was told by my friend “You know, we probably need to take some kind of class”. Concerning the second incident, the husband suggested his wife take a self-defense class. She declined and said she really didn't feel she needed any kind of training. So tell me, what does it take? What kind of sign does someone need to see before they realize, “it could happen to me”, especially after it almost did?
The second story took place in an upper middle class neighborhood in Taylors. The female was home alone during the day and heard a noise. When she went to investigate she noticed a man trying to enter through her back door. He then moved around to a set of glass patio doors and attempted to enter there. Scared and not knowing what to do she called her husband; he asked “did you call 911?” no “call them now, I am on my way”. While she waited for a Sheriff’s Deputy, the man pulled out a hammer and started beating on the outside AC unit but quickly left. A Deputy picked the man up down the street where he claimed to work for Duke Power. He showed the Deputy a Duke Power ID so they let him go because they found he had not damaged her property. By the time her husband arrived home the man and the Deputy had left the area. The man was not charged with anything. Apparently the Deputy did not find it suspect for a Duke Power employee to attempt to enter a home or tamper with an AC unit in that manner.
Now, in regards to taking precautions and learning how to deal with this type of situation, this is what I learned: Concerning the first incident, I was told by my friend “You know, we probably need to take some kind of class”. Concerning the second incident, the husband suggested his wife take a self-defense class. She declined and said she really didn't feel she needed any kind of training. So tell me, what does it take? What kind of sign does someone need to see before they realize, “it could happen to me”, especially after it almost did?