I would also suggest enrolling in a self-defense course for women. I took one that was only a few weeks and have always felt more secure getting around. It's empowering and teaches simple yet effective ways to hurt (or kill) someone in case of an assault -- as well as basic tips to avoid such situations.



This reminds me of an incident that happened when I was a kid. I grew up in a quiet middle class suburb of Minneapolis. In the house directly across the street from ours, there lived a family with two young children. Well, one night, the father shoots the mother dead in her bedroom. So this guy gets shipped off to a mental institution and for years, this tiny little old grandmother raises the two kids in the same house. The grandmother and kids eventually move out and about ten years later, the man gets released and returns to LIVE IN THE SAME HOUSE!!! So for years, we had to live across the street from a bona fide murderer. Weird.

I'm back home tonight but I feel ok because the guys upstairs are home. Unfortunately, they are in the military and told me that they will be gone for 12 weeks in a few days.

applekisses said:

And the scary thing is that exclusive, wealthy and areas normally considered safe are now fair game for these freaks. They don't just prey on the poor anymore. Here in California I have noticed that there have been some really horrifying crimes in very exclusive and wealthy areas. These people are getting bolder in their sickness.

JustErin said:

Can you have some friends or family stay with you for a little while?

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

Another thing to consider is that statistics have shown that predators usually target outside of their own neighborhoods. They tend to case and scavenge areas approximately 5-25 miles from where they themselves live. You're right that you have to keep an eye out,(unfortunately or fortunately) for people who don't look like familiar folks from your neighborhood or even stick out in the slightest.

applekisses said:

I might ask a cousin to stay with me for a while...

JustErin said:

That's a good idea Are the police patroling the area more since these things happened?

is it a bad neighborhood? Can you move?

Ottensen said:

Ya, I'm taking everything in around me at all times.

I just looked out my front window and out across the street at that black hole of a park and ugh...creepy.

you need

Volitan said:

I don't need.

woah, this shiz is crazy. Didnt you hear the woman who got beaten and raped scream or anything? If it was close to your window and all?

Im super paranoid about burglars and my neighbourhood tbh. Sure my house is on a main road, but its oppisite a freakin graveyard, which is super eeery to look at at night. My neighbours house got broken into last summer and it fucked me up even more with my paranoia. I make sure all the windows and doors are locked and shut before I leave to go out or anything. I always keep the door locked when im home alone and am dubious to answering it at night and stuff unless I know someones coming round. It's partly why Im doin the gym at the minute so I get bigger and leaner and can stand up for myself.