Another e-letter to my representative and to the judicial committee
Subject: Crime at Wayne State University and HB 4348
(My apologies for length and lost formatting)
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Dear Representative XXX:
I have contacted you before in regards to my strong support for the passage of House Bill 4348 (2009), which would eliminate the “gun-free zones” from Michigan’s CCW / CPL law.
In addition to my previous plea for your help, I am forwarding this announcement by Wayne State University where my wife is a PhD student. Such notices from the WSU police are frequent. Those who feel safer on the WSU campus because honest people are not permitted to carry firearms are living in a fool’s paradise: Law breakers by definition break laws. None-the-less, despite being licensed to carry by the State of Michigan for the last five years, my wife cannot legally do so when she goes to class. Being very petite, she would be helpless against male attackers. Gun free zones are disarmed victim zones are criminal empowerment zones.
The advice by Campus Watch to be a good little victim does not sit well with me and does not match the facts concerning ones chances of emerging unhurt when offering no resistance. See page 17 of GunFacts
http://gunfacts.info/.
“Myth: You are more likely to be injured or killed using a gun for self-defense
“Fact: You are far more likely to survive a violent assault if you defend yourself with a gun. In episodes where a robbery victim was injured, the injury/defense rates were:
Resisting with a gun 6%
Did nothing at all 25%
Resisted with a knife 40%
Non-violent resistance 45%”
When seconds count the police are only minutes away – and they under no legal obligation to protect the individual. Read the essay “Just Dial 911? The Myth of Police Protection”
http://psacake.com/dial_911.asp
Sincerely,
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: CAMPUSWATCH <
[email protected]>
Date: Fri, Feb 27, 2009 at 6:57 AM
Subject: Special Crime Alert - Robbery Incident
To:
[email protected]
To All Wayne State University Students, Staff and Faculty,
Special Crime Alert: Robbery Incident
The following information is provided to alert both WSU students, staff and faculty, as well as area residents, to this crime so that they may take additional precautions in the area.
On Thursday, February 26, 2009, a 23 year old male WSU student reported he was the victim of a robbery, while walking on Warren east of Cass Avenue at about 1:00pm.
The student states he went to the ATM machine outside the Olympic Grill and observed the below described subject standing next to him. The student felt uneasy and began to walk away from the ATM. The subject followed him, asking for money. As the student approached the mouth of the alley next to the old Psychology building, the subject raised his coat and displayed a black colored handgun. The subject stated, "Go back to the ATM and take out $500.00, do not make a call and do not run".
The student returned to the ATM machine (while the subject watched him from the alley) and withdrew $300.00. He then walked back to the subject and gave him the money. The offender then fled on foot southbound in the alley.
The student, who was not injured, went to a nearby store and called his father and then called 911. WSUPD was notified by 911 and multiple units responded immediately. A search of the area failed to locate the subject. A police K-9 tracking dog tracked the scent south in the alley to Hancock, then east on Hancock to Woodward where the scent was lost.
Offender Description:
Black Male, 40's, 5'5" very thin, dark complexion, noticeable scar on the bottom lip, wearing a black knit hat, black puffy coat with a black fleece shirt under the coat and blue jeans.
PREVENTION TIPS -
Beware of Your Surroundings:
Police Officers use this term frequently. It means nothing more than simply being aware of what is going on around you and whether or not that activity is normal and expected for the setting. If something seems strange, unusual or suspicious, you are asked to contact the WSU Police immediately at 577-2222. Officers will be dispatched to check out the activity.
Notice Other People:
Look at the people around you, not just a momentary casual glance, but take a good look. Notice if they just glance at you (a normal reaction when making eye contact with a stranger) or if they are watching you. If you notice that they are paying more than momentary attention to you, that may be a red flag that you are about to be targeted.
Trust Your Instincts:
If someone makes you feel uneasy, trust your instincts and act accordingly. Whether indoors or out, change directions and proceed to areas where other people may be around.
Assess Your Own Vulnerability:
Strangers aren't out to attack YOU. It is nothing personal, they are just looking for a target of opportunity. Your goal, therefore, is to look like somebody who will be too much trouble to mess with. They also want to make you their victim without attracting attention from others. Make it a point, wherever you go, to stay in areas where other people are present. As soon as you enter an area where no one else is around, your guard and defenses should be on alert.
Attitude:
Keep your head up and walk purposefully. Look at your surroundings and be aware of them. Headphones may give the impression that you are less aware, as well as being completely engaged in a cell phone conversation.
To reduce your chances of becoming a robbery victim, we recommend you routinely walk in areas where you can see others and others can see you.
Robbery perpetrators, like any other criminal, don't want to be caught "in the act" of robbing someone. They generally prefer areas where neither potential victims or witnesses will see them. By staying in populated areas, you increase your chances of never being selected for this type of crime.
Whether you are in the city or the suburbs and you find yourself confronted by a robber, the most important thing that you can do during the incident is to prevent, if possible, any violence. Always assume the robber is armed, even if you can’t see a weapon, and act accordingly. If you are the victim of a robbery, consider these important tips:
• Get it over with quickly. Chances are if you stall, the robber will get nervous and may be more prone to violence.
• Nothing you have or own is worth getting hurt for. Valuables can be replaced, you can not.
• Do what the robber asks, but do not volunteer to do anything more. Move quickly, but carefully to give the robber exactly what they want.
• Do not fight or try any impulsive heroics. The risks are high if the robber is armed.
• Do not volunteer to go anywhere with the robber or allow them to take you anywhere. The odds are heavily against you if you allow them to take you to a secondary crime scene where they have more privacy and more control over you.
• Do not chase the robber. Carefully note their physical description and the direction they flee in. If they have a vehicle, note it's type, color and license plate if possible.
• If you have the opportunity to flee, do so immediately. The robber wants your property most of all. Drop it or throw in one direction, then run in the opposite direction, to any area where there may be other people around.
• Call the Wayne State University Police immediately at 313-577-2222. WSUPD has a rapid response time and often arrives on-scene within 90 seconds of receiving an emergency call. The sooner we are notified, the better the chance we have for rapidly apprehending the subject.
We also recommend you carry your cell phone on your person (on a belt clip or in your pocket), rather than in a purse or backpack. That way, if you become separated from your purse or backpack, you can still call for assistance.
Crime Prevention Section
Wayne State University Police Dept.
6050 Cass Avenue
Detroit, Mich. 48202
EMERGENCY phone: (313) 577-2222
Non-Emergency: 313-577-6057
e-mail:
[email protected]
web site:
http://www.police.wayne.edu
