Crime Story  ( Location: Downtown Toronto )  

I was working plainclothes duties in an unmarked police cruiser in the downtown area of the city. It was a warm summer night in mid-July and the streets were busy. It had been a long, cold winter and, as in most northern cities, folks live for their summer. My partner and I were working the 7:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. shift. I was the passenger.

Plainclothes duties differ somewhat from uniform duties in that uniform duties are visible and proactive while plainclothes duties are more covert. Our dark green Chevy Impala blended into the stream of traffic. We try to keep these vehicles as plain as can be, no visible police toys and nothing to attract attention. We are pretty much in stealth mode and to the average Joe citizen we are just another vehicle inching our way northbound on Church Street We scanned the scenery like beacons, checking every pedestrian, every vehicle, every building, every business premise and every square meter of street pavement.

As we approached the intersection of Maitland Street we were waved over by two street prostitutes. So much for our stealth mode—it does not work quite as well on street people. They can spot a cop a mile away. As we pulled over to the curb the two ladies pointed to their left. Approximately twenty feet away stood a male, masturbating near a hedge. The suspect was in clear view to any passer-by and was directing his actions at the prostitutes who were skimpily dressed.

Police officers think alike and partners usually operate on the same wavelength. This level of mutual understanding comes from experience, time on the job, and the subculture of law enforcement and crime. You mess up and it can cost you your life or your partner’s. The communication is usually uncanny, and has to be, in order for you to function effectively and safely. I exited the car and took off after the culprit, fully knowing that my partner would be taking care of business and backing me up.

I was in good physical shape and tried to maintain that standard as I knew the importance of physical conditioning in police work. I caught up with the culprit at a chain-link fence as he was attempting to climb over it. I grabbed him around the waist and pulled him down; he resisted and I had to wrestle him to the ground. At this point, my partner arrived at the scene and assisted me in putting the handcuffs on him. We read him his rights, searched him and escorted him back to our unmarked police car. We removed the handcuffs and placed him in the rear seat of the car.

We started to question him regarding his identification and what he was doing. We checked him out on the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) and he returned “negative.” We got the required information for the indecent act charge and began writing out the summons notice for court. Under the Bail Reform Act, he met the requirements to attend court; therefore, we could not unnecessarily detain him. We were obliged under law to serve him his notice and release him. At this point, an emergency call, “officer in need of assistance” came over the police radio; we were near the call location and had to respond. We told him that we had an emergency and that we had to go. We handed him the ticket, opened the rear door and let him out. We then took off northbound on Church Street towards the emergency, to assist the officers.

It would be sometime later that I would meet this criminal again. Our paths would cross once more and this time things would become a lot more personal. On the second occasion, I was working uniform duties alone on the day shift in a marked police cruiser. At about midday, I responded to a call at a residence in the downtown area. This address was not too far from my previous encounter with this criminal. It had been approximately one year and my previous incident with him had long been forgotten.

I pulled up to the address, which was a small apartment building housing lower-end tenants. This building was usually occupied by transient people in the downtown core. I parked the police car in front of the building and walked up the stairs to the second-floor apartment. The call was for a violent domestic assault and it was unknown whether the assailant was still on the scene. I exercised caution as I approached the apartment door. I listened carefully in front for a few seconds and then knocked on the door. A female voice on the other side asked, “Who is it?” I identified myself as a police officer and a few seconds later the door was opened by a female holding a toddler.

The woman was injured—her head was swollen and she appeared to be in pain. I asked her if there was anyone else in the apartment, as I looked around for signs of danger. She answered, “No.” I asked her if she needed to go to the hospital and she replied, “No.” I offered to take her in the scout car and she again refused, stating that she would go later on her own. I started questioning her about the assault and learned that she was assaulted by her common-law husband and that the incident had occurred early that morning. I took a full report and advised her that the identification officers would take photos of her injuries, as this would be evidence for court when we apprehended and charged her assailant.

The victim advised me that she did not know where her husband was and that she was very afraid of him hurting her again or taking her one-year-old son away from her. I advised her to go and stay with a friend or relative and to seek counseling. I also told her that she should attend court once her husband was apprehended and to try to secure full custody of her child.

I left the apartment and walked over to my car. I sat in the front seat and started giving the physical description of the suspect over the police radio system. This would alert officers to be on the lookout for this criminal. I had just finished the broadcast when I heard loud screams coming from the direction of the rear of the building. I immediately advised the dispatcher and exited the vehicle to investigate. I saw two people in a laneway at the rear of the building yelling at me and pointing eastward through the laneway.

I got back into the vehicle, turned it around and headed eastward. I was now traveling parallel to the laneway and I knew that the laneway ended at the next main street which was Church Street. My intention was to go over to Church Street and come into the laneway from a westbound direction in order to get as close as possible to whatever was going on.

I pulled into the laneway and stopped. In the middle of the laneway stood a man holding an infant in his left arm and holding a large knife to the infant’s throat with his right hand. There were a few onlookers standing at a safe distance and watching intently. I immediately recognized the screaming woman to be the same victim that I had just left back at the apartment. I concluded that the man must be her husband and also the suspect we were looking for. The female was standing about ten feet away from the man screaming and begging for her child. I quickly exited the car and left the driver’s door open in case I needed to communicate with my dispatcher. I had no time to call for backup and I knew that we were working with a skeleton crew on that day. Manpower was short.

I had to act quickly and instinctively. I was a veteran officer with lots of street experience but I had never been in a situation quite like this before. All my training, experience, intelligence and courage would now culminate and work in my favor. My first concern was for the safety of the child. I knew that I did not want to escalate the situation and would have to try to contain it as soon as possible. I did not want him to take off with the child so that I would have to pursue him.

I instinctively knew that I would be okay. I had my vest on and figured that if I was hurt it would more than likely be a minimal injury and something I could handle. I suddenly became calm and instinctively took a relaxed approach to the situation. I knew that I had to try to downplay and defuse this very serious situation as I could see that he was agitated and unstable. I did not want to trigger him off.

I was approximately ten feet away from him. I wanted to establish dialogue with him first, before walking closer to him. I asked him to please explain to me what was going on. He told me that he was taking his son and if anyone tried to stop him he would kill the child. I told him that his son was innocent and had nothing to do with what was going on between him and his wife. As I spoke to him, I started walking slowly towards him. I told him that no one had been seriously hurt yet and that there was no need for endangering his son. I continued talking to him and asking him to hand over the child to me and telling him that all would be okay.

He was nervous and kept looking back and forth between me and his wife, while holding the knife to the baby’s throat. It felt like hours but it was only a couple of minutes that had passed. I kept talking to him in a calm voice, trying to encourage him to hand over his son and assuring him that all would be okay. I asked him what his son’s name was and he hesitated for a moment before telling me. At that very moment, I moved in beside him and to his right. I reached out slowly while talking to him and grabbed hold of his right arm just below the wrist. I did not try to wrestle with him as I knew that the child was still in danger and could be hurt. I kept talking to him as I strengthened my hold on his arm and slowly started bracing my left arm against his right arm for leverage.

I was now “up close and personal” with this man and, at this point, I drew my revolver from my right holster and pointed it at the right side of his head. I had my finger on the trigger and the barrel muzzle against his head. I was now more in command of the situation and told him to drop the knife or I would blow his brains out. He did not respond and appeared not to be afraid. It was as though he wanted me to shoot him. I knew that I may have to end the situation at any moment. I also knew that if I were to pull the trigger it would be a justifiable shooting that I could live with. These thoughts were all going through my head simultaneously. I did not want to kill a human being and somehow I knew that this was not yet the moment. For some unknown reason, I thought that I could resolve the situation peacefully.

I called out to the woman to come and get her child as both of my hands were occupied and I needed help. She responded immediately. As the woman was trying to pull her son free, I kept the pressure on. I kept telling the man to let his son go as I held on tightly to his arm and pushed the gun muzzle harder against his head. It took about ten to fifteen seconds for the woman to finally pull the baby free, although it felt like minutes. As soon as the baby was free and in his mother’s arms, the man complied with my demands and dropped the knife. He now knew that the situation had shifted completely to my control.

I kicked the knife aside and re-holstered my revolver. I grabbed hold of him with both arms and walked him over to my police car. I placed him against the car, read him his rights and searched him. I then handcuffed him and placed him in the back seat of the screened scout car. Then I walked over and picked up the knife. At this point two police cars came screaming up to the scene. The officers approached me and offered help. I told them briefly that I had the suspect under arrest and asked them to transport the woman and the child to the station.

I had taken a chance and it turned out for the best. It could have gone the other way. I went with my inner feelings that he would not hurt his own son. I did not know if it was because I myself was a father, or because he tried to take his son which meant that he cared, or even if it was the wrong thing to do. I did know however, that I was prepared to do what I had to do if the time had come. A times I think back on the incident and it is as if I had nothing to do with it.....it was in the hands of a higher entity, I was just an actor going through the motions.  

I advised the dispatcher that all was okay and that I had one person in custody and was transporting him to the police station. On the way to the station, the suspect made a statement that did not surprise me. He said, “I guess you are going to beat me up when I get to the station. I do not give a damn.” I turned around, looked him in the eyes and told him that my job as a police officer was not to beat people up, and that any man who did what he had just done to his own child was not a man but a coward. I took the prisoner into the station and booked him in. I then took him upstairs to the detective office where he would be investigated by the detectives. I did the necessary paperwork including the arrest report and wrote up my memo book. It was then that I realized that I had had previous contact with this man. He now looked different, as he had gained weight. I had no further contact with this man. Sometime later I heard that he had pleaded guilty to the charges and was sent to jail.

This is the nature of police work: you never know what is going to be handed to you and you just have to do the best job you can while you have the time to do it. With the flick of a button, you are out of one life scenario and into the next; passing through lives and sometimes making life-and-death decisions. Do I want this power? Did I bite off more than I can chew by becoming a police officer? No time to figure it out, no time to second-guess either. You cannot allow yourself to become too attached or to feel remorse. The best way to serve and protect is to be as professional as possible. The rest is out of your hands. There is a saying that “in policing you are paid for what you may have to do rather than what you do.”

It was a couple or so years later that we started to have a rash of violent rapes in the downtown area of the city. The unknown suspect was climbing apartment-building balconies at night time and violently raping his female victims. We had a serial rapist on our hands and we had very little to go on. There was no description; we knew only that he was male, strong and violent. The suspect committed his crimes late at night under the cover of darkness and when his victims were sleeping.

We started a task force to try to catch this man. Officers were taken off uniform duties and put in plainclothes duties; more uniform cars were patrolling the areas at night and more investigators were put on the case. I was one such officer that was taken from uniform duties and put in plain clothes, as I was very familiar with the area. A lot of focus and collective work was put into this investigation. We had a feeling that the suspect lived in the area and we did not want to scare him off and lose him.

We conducted door-to-door canvassing of the entire downtown area and warned occupants, especially females. We went through our past memo books and records of occurrences and forwarded all sexually related information to the investigators. We were hoping for a break but unfortunately were not getting any.

I had a close call with the suspect one night while on patrol in the area. About1:00 a.m. , I was patrolling alone in an unmarked car when I saw and heard a female running down the street, screaming for help. She almost ran into my car. The woman told me that she was just knocked to the ground from behind on a nearby lawn and that a man had tried to rape her. I put the victim in the car and immediately gave the information over the police radio while I searched the area with her on board. Other officers joined in and we searched the entire area but unfortunately came up with nothing.

I took a report of the incident and dropped the victim off at her home. It was now more apparent that the suspect knew the area very well as he had quickly disappeared. This incident supported our theory that the suspect lived in the area and it also showed us that he was getting desperate and more aggressive, as he was now attempting to commit the rapes in the open.

The suspect struck again and this time was more violent with his victim. The rapes were reported in the newspapers and the story was now in the open. We had to get this guy before he killed someone or decided to run. Finally the investigators got a break. The break came from past information that was gathered from field officers and officers involved in the manhunt. The suspect was arrested and charged for the violent rapes. Shortly after his arrest, I received a telephone call from my plainclothes partner and he informed me that the suspect was the same person we had charged with the indecent act. This was also the same man that I had previously arrested for threatening to kill his son. He was checked out through the investigative process and his crimes in Vancouver came to light. He was committing the same type of rapes, with the same modus operandi (M.O.) of climbing balconies at night and raping his victims. He had served time in jail for those previous rapes and had been released back into society. He was once again convicted and would, I hoped, serve the rest of his life behind bars.....was I wrong ...this individual is now back out in society because the powers to be decided differently. 

I wanted to share this true crime story with you for several reasons:

1.     The story is real—it is not from Hollywood.

2.     It shows the progression of criminal activity by this criminal.

3.     It shows the nature of a criminal sociopath.

4.     It presents the case of a repeat rapist and demonstrates the weaknesses in our criminal justice system.

We should look to the natural wonders of nature to find peace and contentment.

Robbery

Robbery is a violation of federal law. It is a serious offense and has a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The offense of robbery is committed when a person uses violence or threats of violence, with or without a weapon or imitation of a weapon.

Robbery is a combination of theft and assault. It is one of the more common crimes that you could easily fall victim to in an urban environment.There are two types of robbery: the spontaneous robbery and the planned robbery.In the spontaneous robbery, the criminal sees opportunity and reacts to it, usually immediately. In the planned robbery, the criminal meticulously plans the robbery and executes it with decisiveness.

How can we avoid being robbed? Most people would think that this is impossible, especially if you do not know that it is going to happen. I believe that we can definitely reduce the risk of being robbed. A robber has his own set of priorities and it is in considering these that you can reduce the risk of his choosing you as his victim. The robber is generally looking for an easy target, someone or somewhere that he can strike fast and retreat from just as quickly. His primary concern is to get his bounty and make his escape.

A robber will generally pass on a strong or difficult target and take a weaker one. Unless he is armed with a gun, he will rarely take on a male his own size. He is a predator and that is the way of the predator. Senior citizens, handicapped persons, females and children are usually viewed as easy targets. There is hope! Even seniors and handicapped people can become a strong target. With a few modifications to the way we do things, we can convey the image of a strong target and reduce the risk of being attacked.

An easy way of making yourself a strong target is to look confident. Create an aura of self-confidence and assertiveness. Do not look as though you are lost or helpless even if you are; do a little acting and radiate some strong and positive body language. Walk with your head up, especially if you are in an unknown neighborhood. Speak out to people if need be and let your presence be known. Robbers prefer passive victims. Physical attire is important. Do not dress too flashy and do not wear a lot of jewelry, especially in an inappropriate or rough neighborhood.

Try to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Be alert and a little curious, but not so curious that you get yourself in trouble. At a bus stop, check out who is at the stop with you. Give them a quick scan, take note of what they look like, what they are wearing and doing and try to make an assessment. For example, if someone is wearing a long trench coat in the middle of the summer, or there is an unusual bulge around their waist area, or they avoid eye contact when you look at them, or they appear to be nervous or agitated, these are all clues that something may be wrong and that perhaps you should take precautions. Clues provide valuable information and this information is what will give you the edge on reaction time. Do not be afraid to look someone directly in the eyes. The eyes are said to be the mirrors to the mind and soul. Criminals often give off “bad vibes” and body language that you can pick up on in time to remove yourself from harm’s way.

A good habit to develop is to always keep your distance from strangers wherever possible, especially if it is late at night and you are by yourself. I believe that a safe distance to maintain without being paranoid is about thirty feet. If you see any danger signs you should immediately increase that buffer distance. This action will give you not only peace of mind but, most importantly, reaction time. This safe distance should be kept especially in areas that are isolated, poorly lit, new or strange, or anywhere that you feel uncomfortable or uneasy. This safe distance will allow you to react and use your most powerful defense tool—your mouth. If you are attacked, scream as loudly and continuously as you can while you are distancing yourself from your attacker.

If you are being chased at close range, try to utilize your surroundings wherever possible. Get an object between you and your attacker (a vehicle will do), and continue to scream while you run around it. You have now made yourself a difficult target and nine times out of ten your attacker will give up. Your attacker’s priority has now changed. He is now more concerned about the alarm that you have created and he is thinking about getting out of there before someone hears you and calls the police. He does not want to be seen and he certainly does not want to be caught by the police. You have made him the prey and now his main interest is to escape.

In a situation where you are held up by an armed robber and he wants your purse, wallet or valuables, the only smart thing to do is to hand them over. Do not be a fool; money and valuables can be replaced, your health and life cannot. You do not know who you are dealing with and what he is capable of doing. Do not underestimate people you do not know, especially criminals—they usually have little to loose.

We have to be proactive in reducing injury whether it is physical or financial. Carry limited cash on your person at all times. In the event that you are robbed, you will not be cleaned out and you will not be tempted to fight back for only a few dollars.

When carrying a handbag, hold it close to your body; do not have it dangling all over the place. Wear the strap diagonally across your shoulder and chest. If you are wearing a jacket, keep your purse underneath it. Avoid carrying large cumbersome handbags. They are seen as an invitation to a robber. Usually in a purse snatch the robber will be moving very quickly and he will grab onto your purse with enough force to knock you to the ground. The robber may be on foot, on a bicycle, on a motorcycle or in a car. What ever his mode of transportation is, do not chase him. A lot of victims get hurt chasing robbers; some suffer falls and others get hit by vehicles. Also, if you are fast enough to catch him, he may turn out to be armed with a weapon and may use it on you. Do not cause the situation to escalate. Your best response in this situation is to yell for help and to point at the robber. This action brings direct attention to the robber and this may be enough to cause him to throw your purse away to avoid be seen or caught by the police with the goods in hand.

A good victim should take mental notes of what the assailant looks like, what he is wearing, direction of travel and any other important information that may be of help to the police. Always report the crime to the police. This is very important! The police will attend the scene and take a written report. The information will be broadcast over the police radio system, an investigation will commence and records will be kept, even if the perpetrator is not apprehended at the time. By reporting the crime to the police you may be stopping this criminal from attacking someone else, and you will be furnishing valuable information to enable his apprehension, conviction and subsequent incarceration. If you are going to be a victim you may as well be a good witness.

A criminal who uses a weapon in a robbery or any other crime is carrying it for two main reasons. The primary reason is to carry out the crime. He wants you to know that he is serious and that you are not going to deny him of his bounty. The secondary reason is to defend himself if necessary and to make his escape. He may not necessarily use the weapon but if he has to, he will. He knows well that by using a weapon, such as a gun, in the commission of a crime that he has placed himself in harm’s way. He knows that some victims are also armed and will fight back to defend themselves. He also knows that he may have to shoot it out with the police and that if he is caught, he could end up doing hard time in jail.

Crime is usually unpredictable and so are the criminals that perpetrate the crimes. One dangerous type of criminal is the psychopath. This is the criminal who wants to harm his victims even after he has gotten his bounty. He needs the violence more than he needs the valuables. The violence feeds his sick ego and he gets the full satisfaction that he needs from the crime. It is pretty difficult to protect yourself against this type of criminal once you are being attacked; therefore, proactive measures are very important.

Convenience-store and gas-station robberies often turn out to be violent, sometimes involving death or injury. Why is this? In many cases violence could easily be avoided. The circumstances are usually the same. The small business is privately owned by a family and families tend to defend their property and fight back. The owners usually do not have insurance so that losing their cash could have a serious financial impact on their lives. In these types of “street-mode” robberies, a weapon is almost always used and it is extremely dangerous to fight back. Time is of the essence to the robber—he needs to carry out the robbery quickly and get out quickly. He will use his weapon if you try to stop him. Store owners need to understand the severity of the situation and the importance of not fighting back. It is safer and more economical in the long run to insure your business, as doing so offers peace of mind in knowing that you are financially covered and that you do not have to risk your life fighting for your money.

Here are some proactive ways in which small businesses can avoid robberies and protect themselves: Always keep a clear and unobstructed view into your store. Do not cover your windows with posters, signs and advertisements. Robbers do not want anyone to see them in the act of robbery, especially patrolling police cars. Keep only a limited amount of cash in your cash register; remove the surplus and hide it somewhere else. Then if you are robbed you will not be totally wiped out and you will be less tempted to resist and fight back. Video cameras are a great deterrent. Install them at key locations inside and outside of your store. Point them at your cash register and the front door. Proper lighting is also important; install bright lights over the entrance- and exit-door areas. A chime on the front door will alert you when you have a customer. Convex mirrors on each aisle will give you a clear view of the inside of your store. A good practice is to make your bank deposits in the daytime and not at night. You may also want to invest in a small security safe to keep the night sales secure until morning. In some cases, store owners are robbed while locking up their store at the end of the night. It is always wise to have more than one person working the night shift or have someone assist you in closing up the premises.

There are a couple of heads-up habits that you can develop and things that you can look out for. For example, if you have a view to the outside of your store, keep a look out for anything unusual. Most robbers will check out the store and location first. A vehicle is almost always used and it may circle your block a few times or park across the street to check out the activities in your store. The robbers may even come into your store and scout it out prior to robbing it. If they come in, they usually will not purchase anything and if they do purchase something, it will be of minimal cost. They are usually strangers and not from the neighborhood. They may appear to be agitated or nervous and will avoid direct eye contact with you. They will undertake surveillance and wait for the right moment to enter your store and rob you. Most robberies occur near to closing time when they believe that you have a full day’s sales in your cash register.

During a robbery, the criminal’s adrenalin will be pumping strongly and any small mistakes or interruptions can have a disastrous reaction. In addition, a large percentage of robbers take enhancement drugs prior to committing a robbery; this gives them the edge they feel they need. They may be on crack cocaine, speed or amphetamines. The drug of choice is usually a stimulant. This adds to the volatility of the situation and makes it most dangerous to fight back. It is, therefore, up to you to try and remain as calm as possible and to do exactly as the robber says.

Bank robberies have become a very common crime. They represent a very serious situation in that they usually occur in the daytime and are carried out in the presence of other people. This multiplies the risk factor: there is more chance of someone getting hurt if something goes wrong. Most financial institutions and banks have a standard robbery response procedure that their staff follows. This procedure is designed to satisfy the robber’s demands and in this manner avoid confrontation and protect staff and customers from injury. The problem is that the robbers are fully aware of this procedure and that, therefore, they know that bank robberies are an easy job. Bank robberies have sky rocketed to be an almost daily occurrence. Most robbers rob banks by using a demand note. The note is usually a demand for cash from the teller and contains a threat of a weapon or violence. Anti-robbery precautions such as having limited cash in the till, teaching proper teller response, having more cameras and security guards and, in some cases, bulletproof glass windows have provided some deterrent.

The teller’s best response is to do exactly as told by the robber and to take mental notes so that information about the robber can be relayed to the police. Once the robber leaves the bank, the teller immediately sounds the alarm. It is virtually impossible for the police to apprehend the robber due to the extremely short window of response time. Unless the police officer is immediately outside of the bank and has a physical description of the robber, calling the police is almost futile. Bank robbery is now mainly a follow-up crime and the criminals know this fact. Bank robbers often use disguises and familiarize themselves with the bank, the nearby buildings and escape routes. They usually stay on foot, mingle with the crowd where possible and make their escape in a calm and pre-planned manner. A vehicle is hardly ever used for escape from the immediate area but may be parked in the surrounding areas further from the bank. The losses to banks are now costing the public millions, as this loss is passed on to the local consumer via higher banking service costs. There are also higher insurance premiums, and more police manpower and services are required. The dynamics of bank robberies have changed and, therefore, so should the security systems in banking.

It is now apparent that more security measures, including a system for access control for bank clients, may be necessary to reduce the risk of bank robberies. Banks may decide to use a system of access cards or passwords to identify their clients. As well, customer facial features, retina and finger prints could be scanned and verified through a central data base. Banks are also steering customers towards greater use of telephone and computers for banking transactions.

Often, our reaction to crimes and emergencies determines their outcome. If we are mentally and physically prepared to deal with these situations, we may be able to lessen the impact and damage to ourselves and others.

There are many resources available to assist us in dealing with crime and emergencies. Perhaps the most important of these resources is the 911 system. This is a three-way response system that offers us help, safety and protection. It is important for us to learn how to use this system properly in order to get its full benefits in times of emergencies. This is a life saving system and should be used as such.

The 911 system is connected to the police, fire department and emergency medical services. Once the number 911 is dialed, all three departments will be aware of the call. It usually works on a grid system and the nearest units will proceed to the scene of the emergency. The average response time in an urban area is two to three minutes. There are some response-time differences due to traffic conditions, distance traveled, equipment and manpower availability. When a caller dials 911 and the emergency operator answers the call, the telephone number and address called from are automatically displayed, recorded and locked in on the operator’s screen.

If you live in a rural area and the 911 system is not available, it is a good idea to keep a list of the emergency numbers beside the telephone. The emergency numbers are usually located on the front page of your local telephone directory. In an emergency, time is of the essence.

Below are a few important steps to follow in making a 911 or emergency call:

1.         The telephone call must be for an emergency only.

2.         If you are in immediate danger, dial 911 and leave the telephone off the hook and go to a place of safety; the police will still respond.

3.         Try to remain as calm as possible while making the call so that you may be understood by the operator. This may be hard to do but try and concentrate on what you are saying or going to say. The operator is well trained and will assist you.

4.         Tell the operator exactly what has happened or is happening. Indicate whether there are victims, injuries, suspects or weapons involved. Try to describe the victim, the type of injury and his or her condition. The 911 operator may be able to relay the information or connect you with medical personnel who can give you instructions to administer temporary first-aid to the victim until the ambulance arrives. This information can save a life. If there is a weapon involved specify whether it is a knife, handgun, rifle or shotgun, etc.

5.         Give the operator the exact location of the emergency. If it is an apartment building, give the floor and apartment number and the entry code to enter the building if there is one. Indicate the side—north, south, east or west—of the building that is involved and whether the emergency is in the bedroom, living room or kitchen. The more precise the information is, the more prepared the emergency personnel can be on arrival at the scene. Time is of the essence.

6.         If there is one or more suspect, describe him or them to the best of your ability; include gender, color, race if known, height, weight, build, hair color and length, any facial hair, glasses, and any other details or outstanding features such as a large nose, lips or eyes, any visible scars or tattoos.

The description of the clothing is very important and most of the time this is the most obvious and may be all that the police can go on when responding to the emergency. Usually if the police can respond within two to three minutes there is a chance that they may be able to apprehend the suspect; the longer they wait, the less chance there is that they will be able to find the suspect. Clothing description should be as exact as possible, including the color, type and style. For example: The suspect was wearing a checked black and red, long-sleeved flannel shirt and faded long blue jeans with a red patch on the left knee, and white running shoes. This description is specific and will enable the officers to have a mental image of the suspect.

Also tell the operator if the suspect is still on the scene or has left and if the suspect has left, then the direction and mode of travel. For example, he was on bicycle or foot and went northbound from the scene.

7.         Identify yourself to the operator: indicate whether you are a relative, a friend, a neighbor or a witness. Give the operator your name, address and telephone number. As soon as emergency personnel arrive on the scene, identify yourself to them and tell them that you are the caller and offer assistance if needed.

8.         Leave the doors to the premises of the emergency open. Every second may be of importance to the victim and the rescuers, and for the apprehension of the suspect. The more relevant information you can give to the operator, the more efficient the response and life-saving can be.

9.         The most important thing in an emergency is your personal safety and the safety of others.

Crime is a part of our daily lives and we should not turn a blind eye to it and think that it cannot affect us.  

A robbery is committed every 46 seconds in the United States.

This number varies for any area in relation to its population size.

Sexual Assaults

Sexual Assault is an assault with sexual overtones or implications.

An assault occurs when, without the consent of another person, a person applies force intentionally to that other person, directly or indirectly; he attempts or threatens, by act or gesture, to apply force to another person if he has, or causes that other person to believe upon reasonable grounds that he has the ability to effect that purpose.

There are different levels of sexual assaults and the levels are an indication to the seriousness and injury to the victim. Sexual assaults may range from the touching of private parts of the body, to rape, or any type of penetration with regards to private parts of the body. Both males and females can be sexually assaulted.

Consent has not been given simply because someone submits to or does not resist sexual assault for fear of physical harm to oneself or someone else. Also, no consent is obtained by the criminal where fraud or the exercise of authority is used to commit the sexual assault.

An example of a sexual assault by fraud is the case of someone being tricked into participating in the sexual act. I knew of an incident that occurred one summer where a cat burglar came in through an open apartment window, climbed into bed with the sleeping female, pretended to be her lover and fooled her into having sexual intercourse.

Another common example is that of a person being unknowingly drugged and then coerced into having sexual intercourse. This happens often enough in bars. Someone drops a drug in your drink when you are not looking or gone to the washroom. A simple rule in a bar is to “never leave a drink unattended.”

The most common example of sexual assault by position of authority is via sexual harassment in the workplace. Females are especially vulnerable to their bosses. This can be a very difficult situation to resolve. Jobs are hard to come by, especially good jobs. The offending boss knows this fact and is using this as a type of extortion to perpetrate his crime. Here are some options that victims of sexual harassment can take:

•      You may choose to handle it yourself by having a face-to-face talk with your boss and try to appeal to his sense of fairness or professionalism.

•      You can report the matter to a higher authority within the company.

•      You can report the sexual harassment to the police.

•      You can report it to the human rights commission, women’s rights groups or the media, or you can take legal action through an attorney.

The fact is that in any of the above choices there is a risk of you losing your job.

I suggest that you take action. You are being exploited. An offence is being committed on your person, and it will not stop until you put a stop to it. The character of these types of criminals is that they are bullies in their own safe little world as bosses and are generally cowards. You should clearly document any incident of sexual assault. Note the time and date, exact location, the nature of the sexual assault and any witnesses. Tell a friend, family member or someone you trust immediately. These actions will establish credibility and continuity for your complaint.

Rape is the most common form of sexual assault. Rape is a crime of violence and there are varying degrees of it depending on the circumstances involved and the person committing the rape. Most rapes are committed by a date, a boyfriend, a friend, a family member or an acquaintance. These types of rapes are usually not life-threatening and often go unreported. Some victims do not want to have to go through the stress of dealing with the embarrassment and humiliation of going to the police, taking a medical examination, upsetting friends and family, attending court, and worrying about the media knowing about the incident and making it public. Victims tend to remain silent about these crimes.

All rapes inflict severe stress to the psychological and emotional state of the victim. In these types of cases, there is usually some trust that has been broken between the victim and the rapist. In keeping these crimes secret, the victims are denying themselves the support system of family and friends who could help them deal with the trauma. There is also little or no counseling and victims may fall into a state of denial or depression and suffer permanent psychological scarring. Do not keep sexual assault a secret! You are the victim and he is the criminal. If he gets away with it this time, he will try again, if not with you, then with someone else.

The fact is that police departments, hospitals and the courts have changed in the way they handle and deal with sexual assaults cases. They are now more sympathetic to the victim’s needs and situation. There are trained female sexual assault investigation officers; medical examinations are conducted by female doctors; female prosecuting attorneys handle the cases and female judges preside. Even the media seems to be more sensitive in their handling of news releases and coverage of these matters. These new attitudes have come a long way to assist victims of sexual assaults and to encourage them to report the crime.

In most cases of date rape the main problem seems to be the fact that things get progressively out of control. Men seem to have a problem with understanding the meaning of the word “no!”

To most men on a date “no” means “maybe” or, “if I try hard enough she may give in.”

In many cases this situation can be avoided if the female stays in control and establishes the ground rules from the start. I am not suggesting that the male does not have a responsibility. I am merely saying that the female is the one at risk and she has to be proactive and assertive.

A lot of date rapes occur on the first date and usually at either the victim or assailant’s dwelling. On the first date, say “good night” at the door; do not let him in your home until you know more about him. Tell him straight up if you are not ready for a sexual commitment because trust me the topic will arise. If he is serious about you he will wait until you are ready. Also, why date a guy if you are not in the least bit sexually attracted to him? Your first date should be one for inquiry and should probably be in the daytime for lunch or coffee. Get to know the guy before you go out for dinner or out on the town for a serious date. You may want to get to know more about your date by meeting his friends or family, or by finding out where he works or having him meet your friends. Mystery men are usually hiding something. Leave that for the movies. The big difference between men and women on a date is that usually women are out for romance and men are out for sex.

In general, men are not looking for female friends; they want sex. This may sound cold but it is a fact. They are happy with their male friends. Don’t fool yourself. Do not be afraid to cut a date short if it is not going well. Men can handle rejection; after all they are generally the pursuers. It is best to be sincere and straight with men rather than to play games with them. The sexual urge of most men is like a rocket: once blast-off has been accomplished, they are on their way. The brain takes a back seat. This is in their nature, don’t mess with it.

Unknown assailants who commit rape are generally much more violent. These fall into two categories: the opportunists and the stalkers. The opportunist will react if an opportunity presents itself, and the stalker will stalk his victims and plan his attack. I believe that both of these types of rapist suffer from an acute addictive sexual urge formed by a psychologically violent background. This behavior is a part of their character and it will not stop until they are caught.

These violent rapists are usually loners with no real family involvement or commitments. They are often very meticulous, great actors and con men. They do their homework on their victims. They will observe and follow their intended victim. They will take note of the places they go and the times they are there. They will learn about their intended victim’s lifestyle, whether they have a boyfriend or live alone, what they like to do, what kind of vehicle they drive, and the times when they are usually alone. They are exacting and patient.

Humans are creatures of habit and the rapist knows that. However, he too is a creature of habit and you can figure out what he is doing before he has a chance to harm you if you know what to look out for and make some minor adjustments in your lifestyle. We live in violent times and we cannot go on living our lives in total freedom and carefree ignorance of this fact. A woman is always a target and unfortunately she is going to have to accept this fact and be aware of it at all times in her daily life, especially when she is alone or in unknown surroundings.

If you believe that you are being stalked, you may need to make some immediate changes to your situation. Firstly, you should immediately report your concerns to the police. Get the information out there and tell friends and others in the area. Do not keep it a secret. If others are aware of what is going on, they can keep an eye out for you. Being predictable can work against you. Once in a while it is good to mix things up a bit and change your daily routine. If the situation persists and you get clues or the feeling that you are still being stalked, you may need to take some drastic steps such as moving from the neighborhood altogether. The police simply do not have the manpower to protect you 24 hours a day. It may be necessary to make other changes, such as your mode of transportation, the places you frequent, the hours you keep, maybe even your job. This type of rapist usually does not go away easily and sometimes sees you as a personal challenge.

If you are being followed in a fairly busy area do not be afraid or embarrassed to verbally confront the follower while keeping a safe distance from him. Create a scene if necessary. Ask him, “Why are you following me?” Or shout at him to stop following you. Tell him that you know what he looks like and that you are going to the police. Stalkers do not like to be seen or identified and this may scare him off.

There are some common sense practices that a woman alone can follow. For example, if you are alone at night on a quiet street and there is a man walking towards you, do not take any chances. Cross the street; if he does the same then you have advance warning that he may be up to no good. You may want to cross the street a second time to be sure that you are being stalked. You now have distance and time to react and take evasive action. If necessary, walk in the middle of the street and keep a constant lookout. Keep a safe distance from blind areas such as large hedges, trees, fences, walls and parked vehicles. Stay alert and have an escape plan in mind. If you are being pursued then scream as loud as you can for help and run away from your pursuer. Stay on the main route, do not go through laneways—some have dead ends—do not cross fields or go into dark areas or bushes to try and hide. Usually your pursuer is familiar with the neighborhood. Stay in the light and keep moving until you have found a place of safety. If you are familiar with the area and feel that you can use it to your advantage then do so.

Do not take shortcuts or go through dark or unknown areas. Know where you are going and try to keep an awareness of where you are at all times. This may sound simple but it can give you the edge on response time if something unexpected happens.

A cellular telephone is a great security tool. Keep the battery properly charged and maintain sufficient air time. A cell phone is fully portable and can be easily carried in a purse or on your waist. It provides you with easy access to help and 911 services.

If you live alone, leave a night light on at the front and rear doors of your home. When you are going home and before you get to your front door, always have your door key in hand and ready to put into the lock. This will enable you to get inside quickly if you need to.

Always keep a masculine item such as a man’s work glove or baseball cap in the back window of your vehicle. If someone has been stalking you they will check out your vehicle as well and may be deterred by the item. Most rapists do not want to have to deal with a male in the equation.

If you live in an apartment and have a roommate, it is a good idea to have a buddy system. On your way home at night, make a call to your roommate and tell him or her that you are on your way home from wherever you are, what your mode of transportation will be and the time it should take you to get home. If you find someone loitering near your building or inside the lobby, give your roommate a call or buzz your apartment and have them come down and meet you. Do not let strangers into your building and do not go inside with them. Do not go into an elevator with a suspicious person. Let him take the elevator first. If he takes the elevator after you then press a few numbers on the way up. In the event that he is watching the floor numbers it will throw him off. It doesn’t hurt to be careful. In the future he could be waiting for you on your floor.

When renting an apartment, avoid renting a unit next to the stairwell. Try to get one near the elevators. It is also a good idea to get to know the neighbors on your floor so you can look out for each other and help out when needed. Never let anyone you do not know into your home or apartment building. Always use the intercom or the peephole before you open any door. Report all suspicious persons to the building superintendent and the police.

One of the scariest places for an apartment-building dweller can be the underground parking lot. Try to get a parking space close to the door or elevator and in a brightly lit area. Always lock your vehicle and remove all valuables. When going to or leaving your vehicle, always be alert and check out all nearby areas where someone can hide, behind parked cars, posts and corners. Keep in mind that your vehicle can also offer you some necessary protection. Lock yourself inside, press the horn continuously, drive back out of the underground parking lot if necessary and park on the street. Do not take unnecessary chances. Try to stay a step ahead of anything or anyone that gives you bad vibes and do not be embarrassed to call the police—they work 24 hours a day and you are a taxpayer.

Do not leave a message on your answering machine indicating that you are out of the house or that you live alone. “We are unable to come to the telephone at this moment, please leave a message and we will call you shortly,” is better. This type of message is good in that you are indicating that you are not alone and that you are not necessarily out of the house.

When you are operating a vehicle, there are a few precautions that you can take and make part of your routine:

•      If you are traveling to an unknown location, always consult a map first and keep it with you. You do not want to get lost in a bad or unknown neighborhood.

•      Do not risk the chance of running out of gas, keep your tank above half at all times.

•      If you are being followed by another vehicle, drive directly to the nearest police station, public building or place of safety.

•      If there is danger nearby, do not get out of your vehicle. Stay in the safety of your vehicle and remember that your vehicle can be used as an offensive weapon to protect you. Use the horn if necessary to attract attention and drive away from the area of danger.

•      Always have a car telephone or personal cell with you when driving alone in your vehicle.

As a female you cannot be too friendly with strangers, especially males. Friendliness can sometimes be misunderstood by males to be an invitation or a come-on. This is unfortunate but true. Some men take it very personally and, if it does not continue, will see it as rejection. They believe that you are teasing them and insulting their masculinity. Some men may become verbally abusive or violent when rejected. It is best to be cordial and mannerly with strangers but at the same time be reserved and confident. Usually the aura you present sets the mood in any contact. You can let down your guard a bit later, if you wish, after you have gotten to know them. It is better to be considered or called “stuck up” than to be physically harmed.

Rapists are very smart. They know human weaknesses and will use them against their victim. There have been many cases in which beautiful, impressionable young females who are trying to get discovered and break into the entertainment businesses have been lured into danger by a rapist impersonating a talent agent, fashion photographer, or movie or television director. These aspiring young females receive a telephone call or message from an unknown person and are told to meet a director at a certain time and at an unfamiliar location. They are often told to come alone and not to tell anyone about the meeting. These excited young females go to the location alone and are never heard from again until their bodies show up somewhere.

The killer is appealing to the female’s desires and weaknesses. This could be her big break in the fantasy world of television or movies. Common sense takes a back seat and the thrill of being discovered takes over. There are a lot of gullible people out there and the killer is counting on you being one. He is like the smart fisherman who baits his line with the appropriate lure and makes his catch. He knows where to fish and what to catch.

Whenever something sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Check out anything that sounds unusual first. Try to verify information in the telephone call or message. Most reputable entertainment companies and agencies will have a means for you to do so. Call the agency to confirm the name of the caller, the location and whether the call is legitimate. Speak to someone that has been in the business and knows the industry and its protocol. Tell your family and friends and take a male adult with you to the meeting. If you arrive at the location and it does not look right, then leave immediately. If the message says to come alone, do not go alone. Most reputable companies do things in a professional manner and if you are good enough they will want to work with you.

I would like to divide danger into three zones: the yellow zone, the red zone and the black zone.

The yellow zone is the zone where you may be in the wrong place at the wrong time and you have recognized and identified the presence of danger; and you have begun to take evasive actions to get away from the danger.

The red zone is the zone where the flags are up. You know that you are in trouble. You are being chased or attacked. Your response may be to flee or fight back.

The black zone is the zone where you are being hurt, held hostage, there is a weapon involved and you do not know if you are going to live or die.

I would like to discuss some possible scenarios that may be related to the black zone and what you may require to survive.

If you are in a situation where you are abducted or being held by your attacker at knifepoint or gunpoint, and he wants to rape you, you have got to make up your mind very quickly on the course of action you need to take based on who you are and what you can live with. It is a fact that most people do not really know who they are until faced with a personal life-threatening situation or trauma.

A lot may depend on where the assault is taking place and how dangerous you believe your assailant to be. The latter is much harder to determine. You are going to have to calm yourself down in order to save your life and try to assess the situation that you are in. There are three choices you may consider; first, to try to talk your way out of it, second, to try and escape, and third, to submit to the sexual assault. You may need to try one or the other or all three in order to survive.

In the first scenario, speak to your attacker and listen carefully to his response. He may not respond. Choose words that personalize the situation; let him see you as a person and not as a tissue that he can use and discard. Tell him who you are, your name and that you have a family. If need be, tell him what you feel he may need to hear—that life is tough for you too and that your family depends on you. Let him see you as a good and strong human being. Try to get through to him if you can. The longer you can keep him from hurting you the better the chances are that he may let you go. Look out for the signals. If he starts hurting you when you are talking to him then you may need to consider your second option, to try and escape.

I personally know of a situation in which a prostitute told her abductor that she had AIDS, and he punched her in the face and left. She suffered minimal injury and possibly saved her life by thinking quickly. In another incident, a female in a hostage situation feigned a fainting spell and the criminal left without harming her. In situations like these calmness and control in thinking can save your life.

Do not let yourself fall under the incorrect assumption or belief that your attacker will not hurt you or that he is your friend and that you should feel sorry for him. This attitude or belief is referred to as the Helsinki Syndrome and can happen to hostages through fear for their lives or when they spend long periods of time with their captors and develop a submissive or sympathetic relationship with them. One famous example was the Patricia Hurst case.

The second choice of escape is probably your best option. Always keep escape on your mind and remember that your attacker is the enemy. There are certain important things that you will have to take into consideration in planning your escape. Exactly where you are? How far away is help? Are you physically fit enough to run away and go the distance? Is your attacker’s weapon a gun or a knife? What is the physical condition of your abductor? How can you get a head start? What type of a diversion or distraction will most likely work on your attacker? All of the above are very important because if you fail and he catches you he may become a lot more violent with you. Once you have made your move, do not look back. Run as fast as you can in the direction of safety and scream as loud as you can. Focus only on getting away.

Trying to escape requires a calculated risk. If your attacker has a gun, the chance of him shooting at you is about 50 percent. He may not want to attract the attention from the noise of a gunshot. The chance of his hitting you at a distance of more than 50 feet is also about 50 percent as you will be a moving target and it will not be a controlled situation for him anymore. The chance of his hitting you while he is chasing you is lower as he is also moving. Lastly, the chance of his shooting you fatally is even further reduced. You are fighting for your life and the odds are more likely in your favor.

If you use self-defense techniques, they may provide the distraction for your attacker you need. There are a few key locations on the male body that you can inflict pain upon in order to give you the time you need to get out of there. The most effective technique for doing this is to deliver a hard kick, knee or hit to the groin; this will incapacitate almost all males for a few precious seconds if not minutes. Less effective choices are to kick the shin hard, to hit over both ears with both open palms, to throw sand or dirt into his eyes, to jab your fingers into both of his eyes or to hit the Adam’s apple or throat area hard. Successfully doing any of these things may give you a few precious seconds to begin your escape. If you have access to a weapon, uses it against the throat area. Execute these actions with all of your power and focus.

I believe that the third option should be your very last choice if it can be called a choice at all. Before you make this decision make sure this is your last and only option. If you choose to submit to the sexual assault you are offering yourself as the sacrificial lamb and voluntarily putting your life in his hands. There is a possibility that he may let you go after he is finished with you. The odds are unknown and probably not in your favor. In my opinion it is always best to fight back.

Rape is a crime of violence, and most dangerous rapists have the same criminal profile and M.O. They come from a violent or abusive past. Their parents or someone in authority in their lives was abusive or sexually abusive to them. They came from a strict and authoritative upbringing often associated with severe punishment. They are products of dysfunctional homes and were in and out of foster homes. Their criminal activities started from childhood and continue through adulthood, becoming progressively more serious and more violent. It is said that a person’s childhood years are the blueprint for the rest of their life!

If you happen to find yourself in these grave situations, you may have to take some immediate and drastic steps to save your life. Look out for the killer signs. Do not allow yourself to be taken into a vehicle even at gunpoint. It is better to risk getting shot where you are rather than to be taken elsewhere, raped and killed on his terms. Once you are in his vehicle, he will take you to an environment that he controls, where he will use you first and then kill you and dispose of your body. This is his domain and a place of death.

If you are in his vehicle and being taken to his place, your only chance of survival may be to crash the vehicle by grabbing on to the steering wheel. There is a better chance that you may walk away from the crash alive. In order to survive you will need to break through that wall of fear, to go over to the other side and deal with him on his own terms or to get beyond them. You may need to turn the submissive emotion of fear into the powerful aggressive emotion of anger to save your life. It can be done. It is amazing what the human mind can do once driven far enough and I believe that we all have great strength within us!

The most dangerous person in the world is a person who has nothing to lose. Most violent criminals have little or nothing to lose and care nothing for their victims. Therefore, if you believe that your attacker is going to kill you unless you take action, then you too have nothing to lose by becoming the most dangerous person to him.

Please keep in mind that the law allows for the use of force that is necessary and sufficient to repel that force and you are therefore responsible for the use of any excessive force.

Sexual Assault on Children

The definition of sexual assault is the same as in the previous “sexual assault” chapter and with the additional fact that the sexual assault is committed on a child. A “child” is described as a person under the age of 14 years. No permission can be granted by a child under the law.

This is always a difficult topic to address and deal with. Children are defenseless and for the most part they do not know or understand what is happening to them. They are often not listened to or believed, and they do not know what to do or how to seek help.

Children should be taught at an early age, by their parents and teachers through sex education, which areas of their bodies are their sexual parts and should be told that no one has a right to touch them there. This type of education can be facilitated through the use of dolls or body diagrams. They should be taught that if anyone touches them on their private parts, they should tell their parents or teachers immediately. Once a child has been taught to wash and take care of themselves, there is no further need for parents or care givers to touch their sexual areas. It is a fact that most sexual assaults occur in the household, by family members or friends.

On the other hand, there have also been situations where love and care demonstrated by a parent or caregiver have been misread and it is, therefore, important to be aware of the dangers of misinterpretation. These misinterpretations can sometimes be made by schoolteachers, social workers, persons in authority and even the child involved. Such wrongful accusations can destroy careers and lives and, therefore, any report of sexual assaults to children should be immediately reported and treated as a very serious and delicate situation. It should be thoroughly investigated by competent sexual-assault investigators, and counseling should be provided for the victims as well as their parents.

There are telltale signs of sexual abuse that parents should be on the look out for. If a child is being sexually assaulted, there will be a change in the child’s behavior. A child will usually become withdrawn, anxious, depressed, will cry easily, or be afraid of their assailant or a particular place. Most parents know their children well and can easily spot these differences. Parents need to maintain open and continuous lines of communication with their children and investigate why a child is acting the way he or she is.

In the schools, teachers should keep an eye out for changes in the child’s behavior. It is usually manifested through the child’s performance in the classroom, such as a drastic drop in grades, lack of attention, emotional outbreaks for apparently no reason or the child’s expression of fear of their parents or of going home. There may even be marks or bruises on their bodies. All such behaviors should be investigated by the teacher and reported to the police.

In households where there is an abusive relationship between the parents, there may also be the same between parent(s) and child(ren). There are many cases in which the husband is physically abusing his wife and sexually abusing the children or stepchildren as well. The wife is too traumatized, afraid or mentally incapable to do anything about the situation. This condition can go on indefinitely, unless some kind of help comes to the family. Usually it takes a family member, friend or outsider to report the matter to the police.

Sexual assaults and abuse destroy lives; often, victims suffer irreversible damage to their personalities. They suffer from personality disorders, which remain with them throughout their life. There is evidence that these disorders sometimes transcend generations and are passed on to the next. There is also a strong link to serious criminal activity. Many murderers and serial killers are known to have had an abusive or sexually abusive childhood.

It is difficult to cover all the bases and to explain to a young child all of the dangers that are out there in our society. We do not want to scare them or make them paranoid about everyone and everything. We do, however, need to eliminate the possibility of their becoming a victim, by putting in place certain safeguards and security measures. Street-smart education is essential and should be learned and practiced by both the child and the parents on a continual basis so that it becomes an automatic response to the child.

Who is a stranger? You need to identify and establish who a stranger is to your child. It is difficult and confusing to give your child a list of people and friends that you consider not to be strangers. I would consider a stranger to be anyone who does not live in your household and is not a part of the immediate family. Tell your children that under no circumstances should they go anywhere or get in any vehicle with anyone unless you are present or say that it is okay to do so.

A password is a great proactive tool. Establish a password system with your child and tell them that only Mom and Dad know this secret and that no one else knows it or should know it. The password should be based on something specific in the personal experience or relationship between you and your child.

There are standard rules in the household that should be implemented and adhered to, for example, that children should be inside the home before dark; if they answer the telephone, they should not have conversations with adults, especially unknown adults, and they should report each call to you; children should never be left unattended for any period of time. There should always be a watchful adult or responsible adolescent present. If there is a serious emergency and you must leave your child alone, then instruct him or her to stay inside the house and not to answer the door until you return or make other arrangements.

When you are out of your home with your child there are some safety measures you can follow. For example, if you are in a busy or crowded area such as an amusement park or mall, establish a point of reference for your child to go to if he gets separated from you or lost in the crowd. The point of reference should be in the open, clearly visible from everywhere and easy to get to. There are also small portable security alarms devices that you can purchase and attach to yourself and your child. If the child goes beyond a certain distance or radius away from you, the alarm goes off. There is another alarm device that has a pin which can be pulled by the child if he is lost or needs help. These devices are small, portable and inexpensive and can be worn on a belt like a pager. There are “walk and talk” mobile radios with ranges of up to one mile. A cellular telephone is also a useful and protective tool. Most of these devices can be bought at any electronics store and are designed to be used by children.

Always listen to your children even if their stories sound a bit far-fetched. Too many parents make the mistake of ignoring or not paying attention to their children. If your child talks about meeting a new friend, especially an adult, you should check it out immediately. It is normal for children to establish new friendships with their peers but not with adults. You may also want to meet the parents of your child’s new friends. Always stay current with your children and reinforce the password system and warnings about strangers with them; like adults, they sometimes forget.

On a daily basis you should make a mental note of what your child is wearing especially before he or she leaves the house, whether it is to go to school or to go out to play. Tell them not to speak to strangers and that if a stranger tries to get them to go for a walk or a ride with them, to immediately run away and scream for help. Tell them to go to the nearest house and have the occupants call the police. Do not be afraid to tell your children exactly what can happen to them and how tricky pedophiles can be.

Parents need to be proactive; they need to join their neighborhood watch programs and block-parent organizations and network with each other. They need to get involved in community activities; this is the best way to know what is going on. They should share information and look out for each other’s children. They can keep a lookout for suspicious persons in the neighborhood, unknown vehicles cruising the streets or any unusual activity and call the police or crime stoppers. Parent organizations and school boards can also lobby local government to take up safety measures such as installing video cameras in public parking areas of school grounds, playgrounds and parks.

Parents should have their children fingerprinted by the local police department and keep a recent video or picture of them readily available in case of an emergency. There is a “Child Kit” package available that you can fill out and keep updated. This child information kit contains a full description of your child and is readily available in the event of an emergency.

As parents, our greatest fear is that of losing our children. Through the media we often see and hear of child abductions and their awful aftermath. It is, therefore, important to know and understand a bit about the criminal called the pedophile.

A pedophile is described as an adult who desires or engages in sexual relations, heterosexual or homosexual in nature, with a child.

A pedophile is usually a male but may be female as well. Most psychologists will agree that pedophilia cannot be cured and can only be treated to some extent with psychological counseling and libido-reducing drugs.

I believe that there are three different categories of pedophile offenders: 1) those that commit sexual assault in their own homes and to their own family through incest; 2) those that commit sexual assault to children in the open and in such areas as playgrounds, parks, schoolyards and daycare centers; and 3) those who snatch children off the streets, from playgrounds and from their homes and then take them to their place of crime.

Although pedophiles account for a small percentage of sexual-assault offenders, and the predatory child-snatching type of pedophile accounts for an even smaller percentage, it is important to get to know and understand this criminal and his behavior in order to be proactive in the protection of our children.

Pedophiles are very cunning, narcissistic with grandiose personalities and sociopathic. They are extremely child savvy and convincing to a child. They know about passwords and how to get by them, and they can usually convince a child to go with them. They will ingratiate themselves to the child, show empathy to the child by showing similar interests and even, at times, by acting like a child. They will talk to the child about toys, sports, television programs, video games, favorite heroes and especially about their pets. Pedophiles are amateur psychologist and know what makes a child tick and how to win a child’s trust. They will use their lures to trick the child and appeal to his or her weaknesses.

Here are some of the types of statements or questions that a pedophile may use to get friendly with a child:

“Could you please help me find my puppy? He was here a minute ago.”

“Would you like to see my kitten? She is in my car over there.”

“Would you like to meet my little daughter? She is playing over there near the parking lot.”

“I am taking my little boy to McDonalds for fries and ice cream; he is about your age. Would you like to join us? He is sitting in my car over there with his puppy.”

“Your mother just had an accident and she sent me to get you. I am a policeman and you will have to come with me to the hospital to see her. She was hurt and could not call you.”

“I have some cards of Wayne Gretzky and Michael Jordan in the glove compartment of my car. Would you like to see them?”

“You are not supposed to be playing in this area of the park. I am the caretaker and you will have to come with me!”

“Your mom sent me to pick you up from school because the car broke down. She told me to tell you that we should not use the password because she does not want anyone else to know it.”

Empower your children with the proper security tools to avoid abduction. Teach them to be aware of their surroundings at all times and to have open communication with you at all times.

Always reinforce to your child that:

•      no one is going to give them something that you cannot give them;

•      they should not take anything from strangers; and

•      they should not go anywhere with a stranger, especially in a vehicle.

Some pedophiles may claim to be a person in authority, for example, a member of store security; some may even dress in uniform-type clothing in order to trick children into believing that they are a person of authority who should be listened to and obeyed. This type of subtle intimidation is very effective. Parents need to teach their children to question authority. Instruct your child to ask for credentials and to insist that you be contacted before the child goes anywhere with a person in authority. If the person in authority refuses to allow this, then the child should start screaming and causing a commotion. This will draw attention to the pedophile and he will probably take off. The child should also seek immediate help from someone nearby.

The predator type of pedophile will often stalk his victim until the time is right for him to make his move. He may have had previous contact with his victims in order to gain their trust. He may appear as a clean cut businessman wearing a suit and tie or as a scraggy street person. He could be a seventy-year-old senior citizen or an eighteen-year-old drifter. He may appear to be normal but is often a loner or misfit of society. A vehicle is almost always used and the child is lured inside and then taken to a pre-planned destination.

Pedophiles usually choose to abduct children from other neighborhoods and communities rather than their own, and may drive as far away as an hour or more to pick up their victims. They do not want to risk the chance of someone recognizing them or of calling attention to their own neighborhood. They particularly like to scout out playgrounds, parks, schoolyards, daycare centers, malls and shopping centers. However, they may also patrol residential neighborhoods, looking for an opportunity to pick a child up off the streets. They usually work in the daytime but sometimes they prowl at night. Pedophilia is a type of addiction or disease to these people and they are unable to control themselves.

Children are now using the Internet from as early as Grade Three, many of them spending approximately two to three hours daily on-line. The Internet is now the new medium for the pedophile to operate in anonymity. Parents should, therefore, control, monitor and supervise their child’s use of the Internet. Keep the computer in an open area where other members of the household can see it. Do not allow your child to have a computer in their bedrooms or in the basement. Children should not give out any personal information such as their age, address, telephone number or the name of the school they attend. They should not talk on chat lines with people they do not know and should never go to meet anyone they have met over the Internet. In Canada, there is now a great new tool to assist you and your child in “net proofing” yourselves against pedophiles. It is called “Internet 101” and the website is www.bewebaware.ca.

If your child is missing, the first thing to do is to call the police and report the situation. Time is of the essence. Give the police a recent picture or video of your child, a detailed physical description that includes the clothing they were wearing, a list of their friends, a list of places they frequent, the name of the school they attend, their favorite things to do and any other relevant information.

A search of the immediate area should be conducted immediately. Have friends, neighbors and family members assist. The police will immediately conduct an investigation and as soon as foul play is suspected they will commence their own search and broadcast the description and information over their radio system. A command post will be set up in the area and the media will be contacted. Kidnappings of children for ransom are a popular crime in third world countries and should not be mistaken by police and the media for sexual assault abductions.

The media can be a very powerful tool in the search for the child. The sooner the picture of the child is shown on television, in newspapers and over the Internet, the sooner there will be community knowledge, and the greater the chances are that your child will be found alive. There have been cases where abductors have held their victims, unharmed, for days before letting them go.

Media coverage may not be confined to the immediate community only, but may cover the entire state or country if necessary. Whoever is in charge of the police investigation usually determines the scope of the coverage. This type of coverage and attention can be beneficial, in that it may scare or convince the abductor of the futility of his act since there is a great probability of his being found out. It may also provide police with more clues from a broader audience and assist them in recovering the child sooner and before he or she is hurt. A reward may also be helpful in order to stir up more public involvement. Money is always a great motivator and it may encourage new or unwilling witnesses, including the abductor’s associates, friends or family members, to come forward to turn him in.

There has been a lot of recent attention given to the issue of violent pedophile offenders being released back into the community and in some cases back into the same community where they attacked their victims. Some of these violent offenders were released on early parole. The public outcry is well justified. Even if these criminals have served their time it does not remove the fact that their condition is one that is incurable and that they will more than likely commit this type of crime again. The safety, health, well-being, concerns and interest of the general public far outweigh the concerns of one convicted, violent and incurable criminal. The rights of the public are far more important than the criminal’s.

It is difficult enough for the police to have to hunt down unknown offenders, identify them, investigate the crime, and then apprehend, charge and incarcerate these violent pedophiles; why in heaven’s name should known offenders be released back into the community where they committed the crime?

There seems to be some sort of a problem in solving this dilemma. The judicial, penitentiary and political systems do not seem to have the answer. I believe that the answer is clear: these violent offenders or murderers should be declared dangerous offenders and should remain in jail indefinitely or be placed in a facility far away from the public. The onus should be on the offender to do what is necessary in order to be allowed back into society. I see voluntary castration at time of parole eligibility as a viable option to remaining in jail indefinitely. This measure would ensure the public of their own safety; it would show people that the criminal is genuinely sorry for his crime, and that he is not likely to do the same thing again. Public safety is first and paramount.

The center for Missing and Exploited Children in Arlington, Virginia, United States, specializes in the recovery of missing, lost or abducted children. In the United States, 2,000 children go missing every day. Most are abducted by their parents who are involved in custody disputes.

Break and Enter and Vehicle Break-ins

Break and Enter is an indictable criminal offence and has a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. To break means, to break any part, internal or external; or to open anything that is used or intended to be used to close or cover an internal or external opening. To enter means that a person enters as soon as any part of his body or any part of an instrument that he used is within anything that is being entered.

Break and Enter is a widespread and serious crime that is unfortunately not taken seriously by our judicial system. The penalties upon conviction are often minimal and the sentences are usually served in open custody, as community service work or on weekends. This needs to change.

We can all become victims of the crime of break and enter; however you can minimize the chance of your home being victimized by being informed and proactive. In this chapter I will focus on these strategies.

Your home is an extension of who you are and when it is broken into it is like you have been physically violated. A burglary of your home is an invasion of your private life and you never quite feel the same afterwards about your home. Often after break-ins the owners end up selling the house and moving to a different home and neighborhood. In break-ins, occupants usually suffer losses of family heirlooms and things of sentimental value than can never be replaced.

Most break-ins occur in the daytime when the occupants of the home are at work or out of the house, and almost all of these homes are watched and checked out by the culprits prior to breaking in.

These culprits can be very ingenious. They may dress up as delivery or repair people, mailmen, hydro employees, meter readers and other public utility employees. Some of them even carry false identification. If they come knocking on your door, do not hesitate or be afraid to question them or call their place of employment and check out their credentials.

In choosing a place to break into, the culprit will go through a selection process. He is looking for an easy target and clues that there is no one at home. He will stay away from a difficult home, for example, a home that has an alarm system, security cameras, a dog in the yard or a vehicle parked in the driveway. In order to inspect a home more closely, the culprit may first knock on the front door, pretending to be lost or looking for an address. If no one answers, he will quickly inspect the door and windows. He will avoid a solid door with a deadbolt lock. Remember, a door is only as good as the lock and vice versa.

The best defense against break and enter in a residential neighborhood is the human element. Neighborhood watch is a great deterrent. Most culprits usually drive or walk through the neighborhood first and check out the houses and the entrances and exits. As a resident, you need to know your neighbors, look out for each other, and network. Keep an eye out for suspicious or unknown persons or vehicles in the neighborhood. Make a note of the description of the vehicle and the license plate number, and the description of the suspicious persons. If a vehicle circles the block a few times, he is either lost or up to no good. An alert neighbor can call the police or Crime Stoppers if you wish to remain anonymous and prevent the crime from happening.

Any type of tool can be used as a burglar tool. Some of the more commonly used burglar tools are screwdrivers, crowbars, hammers, knives, pins, electrical tape, flashlights, coat hangers, credit cards and stolen master keys and lock picks. Most of these tools are used to force or slip locks. Finding that a person is in possession of these types of tools in a residential neighborhood where there have been recent break-ins is enough grounds for the police to arrest them and commence an investigation. There is also a criminal charge of “possession of burglar tools,” and this is a reverse-onus type of charge, meaning that the burden is on the person in possession of the tools to prove his innocence or explain what he is doing with the tools in the area where he was caught.

Homes that back onto ravines have thick shrubbery and are hidden from view or secluded will be more attractive to the burglar because they provide cover and seclusion. Owners of such homes should keep bushes trimmed low and install alarm systems.

Good quality windows are important and the casement types are great because they are tightly sealed and usually have more than one locking mechanism. You can further secure your windows by drilling a hole on a slight downward slant through the inside window frame and halfway into the outside frame and placing a nail or pin in the hole to lock it in place. Secure basement windows are very important as they are near to the ground, usually out of sight and are easily accessible. Sliding glass doors, although great for light and views, can easily be lifted out of their tracks. To further secure them, measure and cut a piece of wood that fits snugly into the bottom track against the inner frame and the door, this will stop the door from moving laterally. Garage doors should be kept locked at all times; be aware that some electronic garage-door openers can also be used on other garage doors.

There are some homes that are architecturally beautiful but lacking from a security standpoint. One popular feature of such homes are external doors that have large panes of glass in the door itself or beside the door lock area. Access can easily be gained by taping the glass with electrical tape and tapping the glass to break it. Usually there is little or no sound made as the tape holds the glass in place and muffles the sound. One can easily remove the broken pieces of glass, reach in and unlock the door. Exterior doors should be made solid, whether they are of wood or metal, and should all have deadbolt locks. The doors should be designed with the hinge bolts facing inside to avoid tampering. Locks with keyholes in the knob are not secure as they can be easily forced. As a secondary lock, a “swing bar” lock is safer than a chain lock, as chain locks can easily be slipped or broken. Any padlocks used should be of the “heel and toe” type locking mechanism.

Developing good proactive habits is very important in protecting your home against break-ins. There are some simple precautions that you should take if you are going away for some period of time. Tell your immediate neighbors of the dates you will be gone. Cancel all deliveries or have someone check your home periodically and put the newspapers, flyers and mail inside the house. Do not let them pile up outside. A stack of old newspapers piled up outside your front door is an obvious clue to a burglar that no one is home. Make sure the home is properly locked up and secure your valuables before leaving. Arrange to have your lawn cut and your driveway and walkways cleared if you are gone for a long period of time. Use timer lights to show activity in the house or have a friend park a vehicle in the driveway while you are gone.

An alarm system is a great home security tool to give you peace of mind. There are many different types of alarm systems. Some are silent, some have an audible two way voice system to warn off the burglar; some are external with a loud horn or siren. Some systems are triggered by motion detectors, circuit breakers, atmospheric or air pressure changes; some are even gravity-sensitive and they are hooked up directly to the alarm companies who monitor them. The price of a system ranges relative to the sophistication. There are pros and cons to every system. Some are too sensitive, disturb the neighbors, are too technical or expensive. The alarm company personnel can assist you in meeting your specific needs.

If you cannot afford monitored alarm systems, there are some inexpensive systems with audible exterior sounds that you can install yourself. I have even seen people make their own homemade alarm sticker using a fictitious name and sticking it to their doors and windows. It may offer some protection depending on the burglar.

Dogs are a natural alarm system and they make good pets too. Most burglars will be scared off by a barking dog. A posted “beware of the dog” sign is always a good idea even if you do not have a dog; again it depends on the burglar.

Lighting is very important. Leave exterior lights on at night and interior lights on a timer if you live in a poorly lit or secluded neighborhood. Motion lights are a great idea and they are fairly inexpensive. Place them at strategic or hidden locations that may be considered vulnerable areas of your home. Video or surveillance cameras mounted at strategic locations are a great deterrent. Burglars do not want to be in these types of movies.

A fenced yard is necessary, as it is a barrier clearly defining private property. However, some privacy fences can actually provide cover for the burglar and, therefore, additional security measures within the property may be needed. Get into the practice of cleaning up your yard. Do not leave ladders, tools and equipment lying around. These items can be used by the burglar to facilitate his break-in.

Burglar bars are always an option for a higher level of security and they may be necessary depending on the level of crime in the neighborhood where you live. The problem with burglar bars is that they can also keep you locked in and in an emergency such as a fire they can be deadly. There are burglar bars designed to be used with keys and those that have quick locking and unlocking mechanisms that are controlled by you on the inside of the window. If you have these types of burglar bars, you should keep the keys in clear view near the window bars, and low to the ground, in case of a fire and, of course, out of the reach of the burglar. Today, burglar bars are designed to look pleasing to the eye. They can also be custom made to fit in with the esthetics of the home.

A peephole for apartment dwellers is a must, and it is also a good idea to install one in your house. You always need to have a clear view to the outside and front of your door before opening it to anyone. Always ask for and establish someone’s identity before opening your door to them. Home invasion is becoming more frequent and is a scary situation to be in.

There are cases where unscrupulous apartment building superintendents have been unlawfully entering dwellers apartment and stealing money or valuables using the occupant key which is a copy that is by law required to be left with the superintendent in case of an emergency. One way around this is to provide a copy of your door key in a sealed container that will show evidence of tampering if it is opened. You the tennant can therefore ask at anytime to view your sealed key box and question it if it has been illegally opened and used other than in an emergency. Apartment building managements should provide a strong box for apartment keys with the information of each key seperately entered into a secure journal. This will provide anonymity of the keys in relation to their respective apartments in the event of them being stolen.

Do not keep large amounts of cash in your home. Protect your valuables by keeping them in a safety deposit box or insure them if you can afford to. Get up-to-date appraisals, make a detailed list, and keep photographs of items of value. Read the fine print of your insurance policy and make sure you have adequate replacement coverage.

Most people keep their valuables in the master bedroom and the burglar knows this fact. It is the first place that he is going to search and ransack. He is looking for easily concealable items such as cash and jewelry. He will also take items that he can sell or get rid of quickly on the streets or with his local fence. The items are usually sold on the streets for a fraction of their value. The culprit will also pawn the jewelry or valuables for quick cash, usually to support his drug habits and fast lifestyle.

Other bedrooms and living rooms are the next places to be searched by the culprit and, depending on the time they feel they may have, they will drink your beer, eat your food, use your toilet facilities and make themselves at home. They may drive their vehicle up to your driveway and empty your house. I had a personal experience in which the culprit knew that the resident was away on holidays and he literally lived in the house for an entire week until the neighbor became suspicious and called the police. We caught him in bed sleeping.

If you are receiving telephone calls with hang-ups during the daytime, this may be a clue that someone is checking to see if anyone is home. Burglars will do their homework and find out your name and telephone number before attempting to break in. Should you lose your handbag containing your personal identification and house keys, you will need to change your door locks immediately along with canceling your credit cards and reporting your identification missing. Something to keep in mind is that information, personal identification and keys to homes and vehicles are easily saleable on the streets.

“Operation Identification” is an anti-crime program designed by the police specifically to discourage break and enter and theft of valuables from your home or elsewhere. It provides a way to easily identify stolen property and deters the sale of property obtained by crime. Your personal items are engraved with an identification number such as your social insurance number and this establishes track-a-ability. It is a fact that if a burglar really wants to break into your home he will do it. However, the more difficult you make it for him, the less chance there is of his doing so.

In the event that you arrive home and find that the door to your home is open or has been forced, do not go inside. Go to the nearest neighbor or telephone and call the police. Protect the scene, allow no one inside and do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence. Wait outside for the arrival of the police. The burglar may still be inside the premises and may be armed. Do not risk your life and do not try to be a hero. The police are armed and trained to handle such situations.

Before moving into a new neighborhood there are a few things that you should take into consideration and check out first. If you have a family with school-aged children, your concern may be to find a good reputable school first and then look for a house in that neighborhood. You can easily check this out with the local police department. Other things to consider are reliable and safe transportation, good health care and nearby emergency services. Be sure to change the locks to your new home as you never know who may have a key. Your home is not only a large financial investment but a large family investment as well.

Your vehicle is probably your second largest investment. Like your home it is an extension of who you are. For some people it is their main means of earning a living or a tool of their trade. Sales people spend as much time in their car as they do in their home. In protecting your vehicle there are some basic habits you should develop.

Always park your vehicle in a well-lit area, where it is clearly visible, in the open and away from bad neighborhoods. Pay for parking wherever possible and always lock up your vehicle. Do not leave valuables in your vehicle, especially in clear view. A vehicle alarm, a steering wheel column lock and the very popular Club are great deterrents. Some owners also remove the heads of their door locks to avoid having someone use a coat hanger to gain entry.

Most street culprits will first check out the inside of the vehicle before breaking in and taking such items as stereo systems, compact disc players or radios. Expensive stereo systems are a favorite for thieves. There are stereo systems on the market that are portable and can be removed from the vehicle and stored in the trunk of the car for safety.

The serious car thief will steal the vehicle itself. In most cases the vehicle is driven to a chop shop and taken apart. The parts are sold separately or the vehicle is reassembled on a different legal frame. In some cases, the serial or VIN (vehicle identification number) is ground off, erased or changed and identification papers are falsified. The vehicle is then sold on the black market. In most cases, the vehicle is driven or shipped abroad to a foreign market. Fine cars are the usual first choice for this process. Some auto makers are now installing irremovable GPSs (global positioning systems) in new vehicles in order to locate a vehicle if it has been stolen.

A common bad habit for some people is to leave the keys in the ignition with the engine of the car running and the doors unlocked. This is a mistake that is usually made by people who are in a hurry, or in the winter time when people want to warm up their vehicle before driving. This is carelessness or laziness and can be very expensive as insurance companies do not cover theft of auto in these circumstances. I have even seen this done with young children left in the car unattended. Losing your vehicle is one thing, but to lose your children along with your vehicle is a nightmare, and yes, it has happened before. There have also been cases where children left alone inside the vehicle set it in motion and cause an accident. There is a standard city by-law for this offence of leaving your vehicle unsecured against theft and it carries a healthy fine. Police officers love to write tickets for this offense.

Crime prevention requires individual effort; it is really up to you. Be proactive and protect your home and property.

Youth and Crime

A young person is described as someone that is 14 to 17 years of age.

The laws in relation to young people were designed to govern their criminal behavior and to provide guidance rather than punishment. They were also designed to make young people accountable for their actions and to take the burden of responsibility away from the parents. Young offenders are given the privilege of anonymity for their crimes and are tried by juvenile court judges in a juvenile court of law. If convicted, they will go to juvenile detention centers rather than adult jails to serve their sentence. The maximum sentence for a young offender is three years or until they reach the age of eighteen, whichever is the shorter time. This maximum sentence of three years is for such violent crimes as murder, manslaughter, wounding, robbery and sexual assault.

There is one provision in the law whereby the juvenile trial judge can elect to try the young offender as an adult, in adult court, and with adult penalties. Usually the decision to do so is determined by the seriousness of the crime and the young offender’s past violent record.

It is unfortunate that the law’s purpose, i.e., to make young people more responsible for their actions while putting less of the burden of responsibility on their parents, has, in fact, established the opposite. It has made parents less effective in dealing with their children and given the children more power in their homes and elsewhere. Parents now have little or no control over their children and are still legally and civilly responsible for them. Society too has suffered.

A great number of violent crimes in our society are being committed by juveniles. It seems that the word out there on the streets and in the schools is “you might as well commit a crime now while you can get away with it.” Once the young person reaches the age of 18, whatever criminal record they have is erased from the system and they are given a clean new start on life.

The basis of preventing wrong behavior is guidance through discipline. The right to discipline has been taken away from the parents, schools and police officers. I believe that patterns of behavior all start in the home and carry on from there. I truly believe that the majority of parents are caring and loving with their children and want only to teach them responsibility and accountability for their actions, through discipline.

There is a big difference between discipline and abuse. I believe that abusive parents are themselves victims of past abuse or are presently suffering from some sort of abuse themselves, in the form of drugs, alcohol, depression or spousal abuse. Suspected abuse in the home should be dealt with seriously and in accordance with the laws; however, good parents should not be penalized along with abusive parents through being stripped of their right to discipline their children.

The youth criminal legislation in Canada may have been designed to combat child abuse but instead it has resulted in the proliferation of youth crime. As a society or government, we can sometimes take a shotgun approach to a problem that is not widespread and that may pertain only to a small section of the population. This type of over-reaction can sometimes affect the entire population adversely and have negative long-lasting repercussions.

Adolescence is a very difficult period for a young person. Their need for self identify, self expression and acceptance can be overpowering. Parental guidance plays an integral role during this period of their lives. There are so many social aspects that can influence a young person to commit crime. Some of these social aspects are peer pressure, economic conditions, family dynamics, single-parent families, the media, television, movies, fashion and greed. There are also the personal aspects of low self-esteem, lack of goals, living in an unhappy household, boredom and the thirst for thrills.

During these formidable years of adolescence, parents have to keep a keen eye on their children and keep the lines of communication open. These young people are trying to establish themselves in the household, in school and with their friends. Their attention at this point in their lives is beginning to turn away from parents and family, and turn towards their friends and personal interest. Parents need to realize this, accept it, and not try to be their child’s buddy. Parents tend to take on this attitude as a last resort when they feel that they are losing control of their child or when they feel alienated by their child. You are a parent and will have to remain the head of the family and the voice of authority in the household in order to get and maintain respect from your child. You will have to compromise, be patient, forgiving and supportive, and you will have to become a whole lot smarter.

Today, life is tough on both the parent and the adolescent. There are a lot of social and economic pressures on the parent and a lot of peer and media pressures on the adolescent. I see these four types of pressures as the driving forces that are at work on families and in society. I believe that how we perceive and deal with these pressures will determine a positive or negative outcome. Throughout the time of adolescence, there is a constant power struggle of the values and principles of the parents versus the stresses of peer pressure and “fashionable behavior” placed on the adolescent.

Parents need to hold strong to their values and principles and establish clear guidelines. Set good examples and children will generally follow them. Adolescents need and want guidance even though they may not show it or be aware of it. Everyone needs structure. Once this difficult period is over and the young person becomes an adult, he will look back on it and thank you for being there and being strong for him. He will also eventually pass on these same values and principles to his children.

The economic climate can put a lot of stress on families and can cause family or marital break-ups. Approximately 50 percent of children are growing up in single-parent households and having to carry the burden of not having a father or mother. Many children are living with step-parents, living in foster homes, or being raised by grandparents, other family members or friends of their parents. In many cases, parents cannot spend enough time with their children because they have to go to work to support the home and cannot afford a good babysitter or daycare service; and the television set becomes the babysitter. The child is left alone for too long and develops a false sense of independence. Peer pressure takes over and the child follows the crowd and parents lose control over the family situation. Sometimes, in these situations, children feel that they do not need the parents as the parents were not there for them, so they rebel and fight the parents for control of their own lives.

It seems that in today’s pop culture, all of the heroes are athletes, music stars, movie stars, models, action figures and fashion and advertising creations. Adolescents are so easily influenced and swayed. What ever happened to Dad or Mom being the hero? Psychologists dealing with this issue now refer to it as CWS or “Celebrity Worship Syndrome.” We contribute to this condition by letting our children indulge in these make-believe worlds mainly because we want to please them and because we did not have the opportunity to have these things ourselves. We nourish our own sense of guilt and try to relive our lives through our children. An obvious example is found in the case of amateur sports in which parents often push their children too hard to become the best even though the child may not be physically equipped to attain such a standard.

When we spend money on these superfluous things for our children, we are supporting and condoning any negative influences that accompany them. Common examples are violent music, movies or video games. We have seen that such types of media are not censored and, therefore, as parents we need to do the censoring or not buy these products. The celebrities and entertainment companies that produce these products do not care what negative influences they may have on your child. To them it is all about money.

In a permissive household, there is little or no discipline and, therefore, there is no accountability or consequences. More and more children are learning to take shortcuts in life. Everything in life was given to them or came easily. Nothing was earned or labored for; therefore, there was no emotion of pleasure or pain associated with the experiences necessary to establish the sense of achievement and reward. Nothing is appreciated and respected for its true value, including the parents. This may be one contributing factor as to why there are so many teen suicides. When something traumatic happens in their sheltered lives, they do not have the learned experience or developed strength to cope or deal with emotional stress. They also do not know how to seek help. There really is value in tough love.

I was brought up under a Catholic colonial system and discipline was taught to me at an early age. I was given a framework of acceptable behavior and enough independence to develop my own character. If I stepped out of line, I was immediately brought back into line. It was like a conspiracy by my parents, my siblings and my neighbors. I did something wrong and they always found out. Growing up, I was an active and strong-willed child and there were times when I knew that the only thing stopping me from doing something wrong or dangerous was the fact that I knew that I would receive a spanking or the strap. Things are different now; there are more modern and effective ways of exercising discipline. In retrospect, I am thankful to my parents for the tough love they gave me and for being there when I needed them. It kept me on the straight and narrow, out of trouble with the law, alive and well, and it made me a better person.

Teach your children which behavior is acceptable and which is not. Enforce consistent and progressive discipline when necessary and send a clear message to the child. This can be done through temporary removal of their privileges. Both parents should be consistent and uniform in the upbringing of the child. There should be no mixed messages, preferential treatment or circumventing of each other in the parental guidance of the child. All siblings should be treated equally and with no favoritism. Children are much smarter than you may think and they will use all of their resources to get the better of you and get their way. They will wear you down through constant begging, crying, screaming and tantrums.They will also emotionally blackmail you, look you in the eyes and tell you that they love you, hug you and even kiss you to get what they want. As a parent you have to stand strong and try to focus on the most important things...their safety, their best interest and their happeness. When they play these games and they do....look them straight in the eyes and call them on their behaviour, tell them that you know what they are doing and if they continue, there will be discipline and consequence.You have got to stop the behaviour in its tracks and do not tolerate it in the least. Sorry but again this is tough love and it does works. 

Teach your children to be independent. Do not baby them too much by doing everything for them. Teach them to be self-sufficient so that, when they go out in the world on their own, they can take care of themselves. This can be achieved through giving them household chores, encouraging them to get summer jobs, and keeping them occupied and challenged. All of these will help to develop a sense of accomplishment, which leads to responsibility, high self-esteem and a certain level of competitiveness. Take control of your child’s life and at the same time be fair, firm and open with them. Love them and show them through discipline and praise. Adolescents need and want parents who are involved and active in their lives, even though their appearance of wanting to be independent may not make it obvious.

Parents should reinforce each other and keep in constant communication with their children’s teachers. The police need to play an active role in the schools to teach the students the law as it applies to them and the possible consequences and punishment that may result from breaking it. There are criminal acts that occur in schools everyday. Here are some of the more common ones:

•      If you intentionally push another student to the ground, this is an assault.

•      If a male student intentionally grabs a female student on the breast or buttocks, this is a sexual assault.

•      If you forcibly take away another student’s lunch money or lunch, this is robbery.

•      If you take or borrow another student’s book or pen without him or her knowing, this is theft.

•      If you tell another student that you are going to beat him up, this is threatening.

•      If you tell lies or spread bad rumors about another student this is slander. If you send such written lies via the Internet, this is libel.

•      If you carry a knife hidden in your pocket or shoes, or keep it in your school locker, this is possession of a criminal weapon.

•      If you intentionally damage school property or write graffiti on the walls, this is mischief.

•      If you get involved in a fight at school and you hurt a student accidentally and he dies as a result, this is manslaughter.

•      If you get into a fight with another student and use a weapon, and the person dies as a result, this is murder.

Even though some schools have adopted a “zero tolerance to crime” policy this is not enough deterrence for some bullies. Usually the school will set rules that apply within the boundaries of school property and between certain times, but often the violence is continued onto the streets and occurs before or after school. Unfortunately, some schools are more concerned about their reputation being damaged rather than enforcing true discipline and safety.

Who is a bully? A bully is usually someone that is insecure, wants attention, and wants to establish a power hierarchy in which they are at the top. They usually pick on children that are smaller in size, fat, skinny, not physically attractive, from a lower socio-economic background and sometimes children of color or distinct ethnic background. Some of the prejudices in the home are carried on into school. Prejudice and inequality of treatment are learned behaviors and attitudes. Children are not born prejudiced.

Boys tend to bully by using physical power or threats of violence, while girls tend to practice social and emotional abuse. Cyber-bullying is a new wave of bullying and vicious gossip and rumors are being spread via the Internet. Parents and teachers should intervene in such behaviors and should work together to monitor and deal effectively with the problem.

All types of bullying can be deadly to an insecure victim, as children are usually not equipped with the mental tools to deal with such abuse. There have been well known incidents where victims who are unable to handle the stress break under the pressure and commit suicide or go on a rampage, hurting others and then themselves. Also, in some cases bullies end up seriously injuring their victims or killing them intentionally or accidentally.

Bullying can occur even in the early grades. Often bullies in the schools are bullies in the home, usually with their other siblings and even with their parents. Some telltale signs that may indicate your child is being bullied in school include their never wanting to go to school, their coming home from school with torn clothing, their becoming nervous or introverted, and their not wanting to participate in social activities, their crying frequently for no apparent reason, and any physical signs of injury, such as bruises to their body. Speak to your child and ask them direct questions about what is going on in the schoolyard, classes or hallways. Teach them to be brave and stand tall and let them know that you are behind them all the way. Tell them to tell you and the teacher immediately if someone at school bullies them.

Victims are often afraid and keep silent because they believe that nothing can be done or will be done about the bullying they are experiencing. They believe that if they blow the whistle, things will get worse for them and the bully will retaliate and hurt them even more. The truth of the matter is that they are right to a certain extent. If the child reports his bully and the incident is not dealt with properly by the school and the authorities, then his worst fears may be realized.

As a bystander or witness to someone being bullied you are obligated to report the matter. To remain silent is to condone the crime and you could be next. If all the children were to tell someone about what was going on, the bullies would be gone. Schools should have a system in place whereby (by email, website or phone line) students could report such criminal behavior anonymously and without the fear of retaliation. Another proactive measure may be to install video cameras in school hallways and yards.

If your child is being bullied and the school or authorities are not doing a good enough job to put an end to it, you may want to seek legal advice and initiate civil action against the school and everyone involved. You have got to take care of your children; they are depending on you and you cannot let them down. It is your responsibility.

A lot of young people do things without thinking or knowing what they are doing, and what the ultimate consequences to their actions can be. It is to be noted that small crimes lead to bigger crimes. Most violent criminals have a criminal history going back to their school years.

In addition, a lot of young people put themselves in unnecessary danger on a daily basis by being careless, by ignoring constructive advice and warnings, by living in a state of apathy and by having a false sense of immortality. For these reasons alone, a lot of young people become victims of crime.

Gangs are becoming more and more of a problem. The word “gang” means a band of people going about or working together, especially for some criminal purpose. The term “gangster” means a member of a gang of violent criminals. The power of gangs is in their numbers and their reputation. The larger and tougher the gang the more they are feared and command respect. Gangs are usually organized and have a hierarchy system with the toughest or meanest member being the ring leaders. They usually have a core group of members that make the decisions on the gang’s activities and the rest of the foot soldiers perpetrate them.

People that join gangs are usually followers rather than independent thinkers. They are usually cowards and try to draw from the gang’s false sense of strength and image. They hide behind the anonymity of the group and pick on defenseless victims because being in a group allows them to do so. They would never take on someone, on a one-to-one basis or without the aid of a weapon or the protection of the gang. They get cheap thrills from the gang that gives some form of meaning to their otherwise pathetic lives. What they really do not know is that the gang leaders are aware of their weakness and may one day use them as a “fall guy” if necessary. The core group at the top of the hierarchy may look upon these weak characters as a disposable commodity. Some gangs are more sophisticated than others; biker gangs and drug rings tend to be more crime syndicates rather than street gangs. They generate big money, through drugs, guns, intimidation, violence and murder.

Teenage gangs are normally less complex and are usually formed for the purpose of looking cool or tough. Gangs usually operate in certain neighborhoods or schools and claim these as their territorial domain. They may have a certain type of attire or sport gang colors that distinguish them from other gangs. Usually the gang leader or leaders are young people that have troubled lives. Like most criminals, they come from an abusive and violent past and want to inflict their personal burdens on innocent victims through violence. They are mad at the world and want to take out their anger on innocent people. They often let other gang members do their dirty work for them and they take the credit as the tough leader.

Gangs are usually well-armed and their weapon of choice may range from a knife to an automatic firearm. Some gangs still carry such macho weapons as chains, clubs, machetes or lengths of pipe, in order to portray a tough physical image. Sometimes they may fight over trivial things such as the color and style of clothing, hairstyles, types of music and types of vehicle they drive.

The main weapon of choice today is a firearm especially since these are readily available. Gangs are organized criminals involved in criminal business such as the drug trade, robberies, vehicle thefts, home invasions and murder. These gangs use guns to carry out their trade, often resulting in shootings and murder. As rival gangs retaliate, there are even more shootings. Rival gangs may fight because of vendettas, territories, or over such things as customers, market share and reputation.

Brazen shootings and killings in public places are a clear indication that something is wrong with the judicial system. There is no deterrent to keep gangs from such activities and, therefore, there is no stopping them. It appears that they are emulating the criminals in movies and on television and are separating themselves from reality. Through the use of the Internet and other new technologies, the gangs are becoming more sophisticated and violent. In addition, firearms and muscle can now be easily bought, rented or hired at an affordable cost.

In order to curb this violent trend, tougher anti-gang laws need to be instituted, and the police need to be given the tools to enforce the new laws effectively. Funding needs to be made available to infiltrate, prosecute and terminate these gangs. These measures, along with stiffer gun-control laws such as lengthy mandatory sentences for mere possession, are necessary. New York City adopted a zero tolerance-to-firearms policy in the 1980s which worked for them and curbed the violence in that city. The gun laws will have to be consistent on every level of government and be upheld in the courts in order to be successful.

In summarizing this chapter on young people and crime, I believe the answer lies in the de-powering of young people. New laws are necessary to give back parents the right to discipline their children, and to give teachers and the police the tools to enforce the laws and make young people accountable for their criminal actions. Keep young people occupied and involved in sports and programs that are character-building and business-oriented. Last but not least, parents have to practice tough love with their children, instead of loving them “to death.”

Young People and Drugs

Taking drugs is a free and personal choice unless they are taken for health reasons and under the supervision of a qualified doctor. Illegal drug use is a lifestyle and it usually starts in the adolescent years for reasons of experimentation and curiosity. Adding to the temptation are the thrill and excitement of the illicit act and the risk of getting caught. Many adolescents have tried at least one type of chemical stimulant simply out of curiosity and nothing else. Unfortunately, use of a drug does not stop once the curiosity is satisfied. It is not curiosity itself but the path down which it leads that is the problem. Early drug education may be the most effective way to deal with this issue. If young people really knew the dangers of drugs, maybe they would not be so eager to try them. A good deterrent is to have your teenager go with the police on a tour of the drug dens, jails and ghettos for a sampling of life in the world of drugs. Do not be in too much of a hurry to experience everything there is in life or you may shorten the time it has to offer you.

There are many reasons why young people try or use drugs, including the following: low self-esteem; peer pressure; excessive pressure to perform; feelings of rejection; hopelessness; rebellion against parents; boredom; lack of goals; aimlessness; the desire to maintain an image; and relief of depression. Drugs are taken to escape the realities of what is going on in someone’s life. The drugs establish a mood to help them to cope and this becomes their new lifestyle; addiction follows and the rest becomes a nightmare.

Drugs are divided into two main social categories, prescription drugs and illegal drugs. There are laws governing both categories. Drugs are usually chemical compounds that affect the body and mind in some way or the other, be it, physical, emotional or psychological. Some of these drugs are used to heal and others are used recreationally. Illegal drug use is responsible for most of the problems faced by young people today.

Drugs can be divided into the following categories:

•      Stimulants, eg. amphetamines, cocaine and caffeine;

•      Depressants, eg. barbiturates, tranquilizers and alcohol;

•      Cannabis, eg. marijuana and hashish;

•      Hallucinogens, eg. lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and phencyclidine (PCP);

•      Narcotics, eg. heroin, morphine, opium and codeine;

•      Inhalants, eg. solvents, aerosols, glues, nail polish removers, lighter fluids, gasoline, paints, hairsprays and other spray products, and anesthetics; and

•      Tobacco

One of the main reasons young people turn to drugs is low self-esteem. This condition usually includes feelings of rejection, hopelessness, depression, boredom and shyness. Getting high is a method used to ignore all of the unpleasant thoughts and avoid all the bad feelings about oneself. Parents need to recognize these conditions in their children and assist them to build up their self-worth and to become more productive and proud of themselves.

Peer pressure is another main reason for drug use among young people. Young people need to feel accepted by their peers and many times they will succumb to peer pressure and initially use drugs to gain acceptance by their friends who are already on drugs. Young people need to know that it is more attractive to be a leader and think for themselves rather than to be a follower and just another face in the crowd. Inner strength usually comes from good parental guidance.

Many adolescents have an intense fear of being rejected which is partially due to the hormonal and psychological changes they are undergoing. Some of them will turn to drugs to block these feelings. Education about the physiological changes caused by development is necessary to help young people understand why they are experiencing these feelings.

Rebellion against parents is a common phenomenon. Using drugs can be considered a perfect means of rebellion not only because most parents are against their children’s use of drugs but also since many drugs are illegal. Young people need to feel wanted in their family and to know that they play an important role in it and are recognized for it.

Some young people use drugs just for the thrill. They are bored and need to do something different and exciting. To them drugs are a big, cool “taboo.” Once they have developed an image of being tough and cool, drugs give them the courage and strength to maintain that tough external image.

We have all had to go through the difficult years of adolescence and, as parents, we do have some experience that we can share and use to help guide our children.

As a parent, you should be on the lookout for the following signals in the behavior of your children which may suggest that they are taking drugs.

•      A change in the health, appearance and behavior of the child

The taking of drugs will affect the general health of children. They may start to develop dark circles around their eyes and have a pale and unhealthy complexion. This is usually caused by lack of sleep and improper eating habits. Taking drugs also retards the appetite and a child may, therefore, lose weight. If they are taking stimulants they tend to be agitated and “wired” while under the influence; depressants will make them isolated, subdued, depressed and desperate.

•      The attire of the child

The child completely loses interest in his outward appearance. He always has an unkempt appearance, little or no hygiene is practiced, his room is dirty and he does not care for things and belongings that once meant a lot to him. This may sound normal but it is worth checking out.

•      Isolation from the family

The child may develop hostilities towards the parents and other family members. He does not want to partake in any family matters. He stays in his room all the time, usually with the door locked. He is anti-social and appears agitated and unenthusiastic about everything. He may also become rebellious and appear not to care about anyone including himself.

•      The friends they keep

Birds of a feather flock together. They will generally associate only with friends that are taking drugs. They may drop their old friends and develop new friendships; usually these new friends are also using drugs.

•      Their performance in school

The child’s grades in school will fall in almost every area. He is always falling asleep in class and not paying attention. He is not participating in classes and has a bad attitude toward the teacher and other schoolmates. He may start to skip classes and school altogether. There may also be bouts of anger and violence with other students.

•      Getting into trouble with the law

The child is getting into trouble with the law and authority figures. He is easily angered and lashes out at everyone or anything. He has turned to crime to support his drug habit.

•      Finding drugs and drug paraphernalia

Usually drugs or paraphernalia will be hidden in the child’s room or outside in the yard. They can be found in the child’s clothing pockets, in their handbags, in envelopes, under mattresses, in drawers, in crevices in their bedroom, in their school lockers and in their vehicles. Finding drugs and drug paraphernalia is actual proof of drug use, even though you would like to believe them when they say that they are holding it for someone else.

What should you look for? Drugs are usually stored in small plastic bags or wrapped up in paper. Usually, the appearance is a whitish, yellowish or brownish granular or powdery substance or residue. Marijuana stubs, rolling papers, small clips, matches, burnt spoons, needles, thick rubber bands, syringes and papers with small blotches are paraphernalia clues to drug use. Small pieces of paper with telephone numbers and no names or with coded information usually contain their drug supplier’s contact number.

I have known of instances where parents have read their children’s diaries in order to confirm their suspicions of drug use. Some people may frown on such actions but keep in mind that it is your home and your child. As a parent, you have a moral and legal responsibility to the rest of your family. The police could at any time execute a warrant on your home and search it because of your child’s drug activities, and you could be held responsible. My personal position is that if my child is living in my home and endangering the family as a whole, he then has no privacy rights.

•      Marks on the body.

If the child is using needles, there will usually be marks such as bruises and dark spots on the arms or legs. The child often develops an interest in body piercing or weird tattoos placed on the face or private body parts.

Excessive snorting of cocaine will cause nostrils to become red or sometimes raw, and a cocaine user will appear to always have the sniffles.

Increased sexual activities usually go hand in hand with drug use. Drugs are used to enhance the sexual act. Young people tend to take the drugs that are in “vogue.” Such drugs as ecstasy, cocaine and marijuana are popular choices.

The above clues will assist you to identify possible drug use so that you can intervene and save your child. There are many social agencies and programs to assist you and your child; you just have to seek help.

There are many reasons why young people and adults take drugs, and there are many more reasons why they should not. Some of the obvious reasons not to are the dangers to your physical and mental health, and to your quality of life and social well-being, as well as drug use being grounds for legal prosecution.

There are other often hidden dangers and risks associated with taking drugs. In order to get a clear picture, a person may need to go into the dark underworld of drugs. Drugs and crime go hand in hand. Drugs, especially illegal drugs, are big business and, wherever there is big money to be made, there is crime.

The business of drugs is part of a world run by criminals who set the rules and enforce them. It is a world filled with greed, danger and crime. The annual revenue derived from the drug trade is more than that of General Motors and Microsoft combined and is usually greater than most countries’ Gross Domestic Product. The guys running the show at the top of the pyramid are wealthy and ruthless. They are well established in society and are influential, often with ties to politicians and other powerful people. The drug trade spans from dealers and users at the top of society down to the street-level people. Drugs are controlled by organized crime members. The drug business is very big and, therefore, has to be very well organized.

At the top of the drug hierarchy are the manufacturers, investors and importers, further down are the movers, distributors, buyers and suppliers, and then to the traffickers and finally the street pushers. Each level of this hierarchy is tied in with enforcers and legal protection. The drug business is probably the most efficient business there is, as mistakes and stealing are not tolerated. People in the drug business, especially at the lower levels, often lose their lives. The execution-style killings are a clear indication of the type of business the drug trade is. Most drug users obtain or buy their personal supply of drugs from their street-level pushers. Even at this level there is an unspoken covenant that you do not sell out your supplier to the police. To the users it is also important to know that if caught, your pusher will not sell you out to the police; he is reliable and will not sell you bad or contaminated drugs.

The drug business is like the jewelry business. Street value is hundreds of times the original cost. Depending on the purity of the drug, it can be cut over and over again with a profit to be had at each markup. By the time the drug gets to the user, it may have passed through several middlemen and may have been cut several times.

Anything can be used as a cutting agent. However, cutting agents usually have similar characteristics to the drug that is being cut, such as the same color and texture. Most agents are colorless, odorless and tasteless, so as to avoid detection. For example, some of the more commonly used agents are corn starch, flour, baking powder and baby powder. These agents are usually not harmful to you; however, there are no scruples in the world of drugs and crime, so do not expect any. Besides, the weaker the drug is, the less the chance of you having an overdose.

A real danger for the user is a drug that has fallen into the hands of a psychopath, of which there are many in this type of business. The psychos get their thrills by tainting the drug with stronger drugs or other types of harmful chemicals and poisons. There have been cases in which drugs were contaminated with rat poison, acid, urine and feces. There are also cases where buyers were sold the wrong type of drug and overdosed, suffering permanent damage to their health or even death. In the drug business you pay your money and take your chances and there is no recourse.

Most drugs are smoked, snorted, taken by mouth or injected. Injection is the most direct method and will have an immediate effect. It is also one of the most dangerous methods and an overdose can lead to death quickly. There is also the danger of using contaminated needles and the risk of catching hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Another dangerous method of consuming drugs is freebasing. This is done when two or more drugs are combined, usually through the application of heat, to make up a chemical cocktail. In freebasing, there is always a higher risk of overdosing or having a serious allergic reaction to the chemical combination of the drugs.

Whenever you take drugs, you have, to some degree, given up your normal state of conscious, logical thinking and reasoning, and are usually in a state of some form of euphoria. In this state, control is often lost and it is very easy for the user to overdose in his attempts to get higher, especially if he is alone at the time.

Drug abuse is a lifestyle choice that usually stays with you for the rest of your life. It is said that it is the mood that the drug gives and perpetuates rather than the drug itself that is addictive.

Most drug addicts are never fully rehabilitated and even though they may “go clean” from time to time, they always seem to return to drugs. There is no doubt in my mind that it has got to be the hardest habit to break and that a user may spend the rest of their life fighting with their addiction. Most addicts eventually die, directly or indirectly, as a result of their drug use.

Addiction is hereditary and, therefore, genetic loading gives a person a stronger tendency to take drugs and become addicted. Family-history awareness is important in making such lifestyle choices. An addict’s world revolves around the drugs they take and, therefore, contains no rational thinking. They are stuck in a lifestyle that they hate yet do not feel that they have any choice. There is a constant state of hopelessness and the addict, therefore, develops an egotistical and angry defensiveness toward the rest of the world. They really want to help themselves but do not seem to be able to find the will to make the change. Outside assistance is usually the first step.

I believe that information and knowledge is a great proactive tool and the above information may influence some people in staying away from the temptations of drugs. I also believe that there are some important reactive steps that must be taken in the process of rehabilitation and recovery, if one is to have a fighting chance of overcoming drug addiction. Here are some mandatory steps:

1.     You must have a strong desire and commitment to quit and overcome drugs.

2.     You must admit to yourself and everyone that you are a drug addict, and seek family support to assist you with taking the necessary steps to quit as you are incapable of making rational decisions to save your life.

3.     You must seek professional help and put yourself into a drug detoxification and rehabilitation clinic.

4.     You must fully complete the rehabilitation program, join a support group and actively attend all meetings.

5.     You must make all the necessary environmental changes in your life that have and may continue to contribute to or influence you in any way to take drugs again. Some of these changes may be your friends who take drugs, the bars that you frequent, the place that you work and the neighborhood that you live in.

6.     You may need to change your lifestyle fully, including a change in diet and rest patterns. Most drug users do not eat, exercise or rest properly. You may even need to change your partner, if he or she is a user and does not want to quit. Keep in mind that you are trying to save your life.

7.     Some psychological counseling is usually necessary in assisting you to go through the change of this new lifestyle.

8.     Stay away from alcohol and cigarettes as these are drugs that can cause mood swings that can trigger temptation to go back to drugs.

9.     Set some realistic goals in your life and focus on them, and keep active to avoid boredom.

10.   Good Luck!

Drugs have been responsible for so many lost careers and lives. They are also responsible for most of the violent crimes committed by young people. Drugs have no face, have no boss, and respect no one. Most addicts refer to their drug problem as a covenant with the devil.

Fraud and False Pretence

Fraud is a criminal offence and is committed when a person who by deceit, falsehood or other fraudulent means, whether or not a false pretence, defrauds

the public or any other person, whether ascertained or not, of any property,

 money or valuable security.

False Pretence is a representation of a matter of fact either past or present, made by words or otherwise, that is known by the person who makes it to be false and that is made with a fraudulent intent to induce the person to whom it is made to

act upon it.

In short, fraud and false pretence are theft by trickery. Fraud is a crime in which there

is usually no violence or force involved. It can be committed against you, a corporation or the government. There are many different types of frauds and related crimes such as conflict of interest, collusion, bribery and corruption; these crimes are usually referred

to as “white collar crimes.”

I will discuss the common frauds more likely to affect you personally. It seems that everybody out there is trying to part you from your money in some way or other. There are scams everywhere and some of them are carried out by parties that are registered as legitimate entities but are doing business fraudulently. They often hide behind the façade of “a legitimate business” when in fact they are formed and operated with

criminal intent. Many of these companies escape legal action due to the fact that most of their victims cannot afford to take them to court or cannot be bothered with the time

and effort involved in legal action. Other such companies disappear prior to the commencement of legal action or they declare themselves insolvent.

The fraudulent criminal is probably the smartest of all criminals. He uses his intellect rather than his brawn or a weapon to obtain what he wants. He usually has several aliases, disguises and addresses to avoid being caught. He is constantly on the move and never settles down in one spot for too long. He is a con artist, smooth with the tongue and friendly as can be. He has the gift of the gab and knows human nature very well. He works on human characteristics, such as greed, vanity, hope and ignorance,

to obtain his bounty.

He can be a common flim-flammer or an executive embezzler. Con artists usually live well, dress well and are free spenders, especially when they are working on you or spending your money. They will mirror and ingratiate themselves with you, and earn

your trust. They are usually quite thorough and do their homework on their intended victims. They will often use advertising media such as the Internet, television,

newspaper, telephone, mail service or even word of mouth for their schemes.

Some of the more prevalent frauds I will be discussing are impersonation,

telemarketing scams, Internet frauds, phony talent agencies, fortune telling, phony charitable organizations, pyramid schemes, retail store frauds, real estate frauds,

used car-lot frauds and stock-market fraud.

That there is stock-market fraud becomes obvious when the president of the United States goes on national television and warns the nation of the unethical and fraudulent practices occurring within the stock market by unscrupulous company owners, chief executive officers, boards of directors and some brokerage firms. New laws and legislation, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, had to be put into place to establish a

code of ethics, morals and guidelines within corporations and the stock-market

system, to try and curb corporate excess and hold corporate officers accountable for their firms’ financial statements.

In short, the stock market is the largest and richest legal trading business in the world. It is a market for the buying and selling of companies’ stocks, shares and assets. The companies are registered and legal entities and must command a certain level of

capital to be listed and traded on the market. A company’s shares and stocks are

offered to the general public at a price. The brokerage houses do the trading and

make a profit for their services. The security and exchange commission provides the policing of the regulations and guidelines for corporate governance of the market, but

it is such large money-driven machine that it is a breeding ground for fraud.

There are so many ways that fraud can occur in the stock market. Some forms of

fraud include insider trading; doctoring of company books and annual statements; assigning of false value to stocks and shares; having little or no disclosure; allowing misleading marketing and false advertising (to build up interest in buying company’s stocks); arbitrary decision making by boards of directors to award themselves unfair bonuses, pay hikes and personal loans; use of company funds for personal purposes; unfair profit sharing; undertaking of activities that represent a conflict of interest; taking part in collusion and stock manipulation via company takeovers and sell-offs; and

using ghost, shell and offshore companies to hide transactions and assets.

The media are often used to hype up an interest in a company, or the propaganda is started by word of mouth and flows through the grapevine as a “hot tip.” The brokers encourage you to buy the stocks with the hope that they will go up quickly in value. The brokers make a healthy commission and the company owners and boards of directors make a killing. Nothing really happens and you find yourself sitting on these artificially inflated stocks.

Often, owners of companies may sell or trade their own stocks back and forth to themselves through other offshore or ghost companies and remove equity in the process. Companies may be intentionally bankrupted or scrapped in order to take

money out of them. Company takeovers and downsizing are also other ways of filtering out money. Shares issued and sold to you may be based on unrealistic equity and inflated estimates of assets or collateral. In the stock market you pay your money and you take your chances. “Caveat Emptor,” buyer beware. Unless you really know what

you are doing or have a broker that is competent and trustworthy, then you should

stay away from playing the stock market.

Ponzi schemes are common and are set up as legitimate companies...before you

invest in any company you may want to check out the company through the

"CANADIAN INVESTOR PROTECTION FUND" OR CONTACT THE CANADIAN SECURITIES COMMISSION.

A common and easy way in which you can be defrauded is by someone impersonating you. Your personal identification and information can be used to obtain money or

property at your expense. If your personal identification or credit cards are lost or

stolen you have to report this fact immediately to the police and the respective agencies and government ministries to cancel your identification. Personal identification and

credit information is worth a lot on the streets and is a negotiable commodity.

Persons posting on popular websites such as "Face book" and  "Twitter" or personal websites, should avoid posting too much personal information.....this information can

be used against you by  hackers. Be careful which websites you visit or what you  upload........unscrupulous hackers can lure you into their infected sites and can infect your site and gain access to your information. Try to change your password often if

you are very active on the social networks, always upload your microsoft updates,

buy good and reputable virus protection (not freebees) and be careful what you install. Consult the Privacy Commission for information.

Telemarketing is the selling of goods or services over the telephone.

All it takes is a good talker on the other end of the telephone line for you to give out your credit card number or mail money to someone you have not met, for something you

have not seen and/or have not yet received. It is amazing but people do this every day and end up getting conned. Even if the item cost only five dollars, these culprits usually appeal to a large audience and, therefore, do very well. These scams come and go

and are more prevalent during the holiday seasons and at other special times.

Never buy anything over the telephone without first checking it out properly.

Charitable organizations: There are fraudulent companies and people posing as legitimate charitable organizations, and pocketing the money. If you are solicited for a donation you should always ask them to show you their income tax exemption number, address and telephone number, website or other documentation. Call and check it out first before making a donation.

Fortune telling: If they could tell the future they would not have to tell fortunes for a

living. They would simply buy the winning ticket for the national lottery. If you choose

to go to a fortune teller, do it for fun.

Talent Agencies: Avoid talent agencies or check them out thoroughly before giving them your money. These agencies are usually legitimate companies but their activities are fraudulent. They work on creating a fantasy world for gullible and vain people, with promises and talk of fame, fortune and success. They usually require a large fee up

front for registration, consultation, photo work and advertising.

Pyramid schemes are usually formed to raise quick money. A core group of people get together and each puts a sum of money, weekly or monthly, into a pot, and each week

or month one person gets a turn at drawing the full pot. Others are drawn in to make

the pot large and usually after the main principles have gotten their draw, they pull out

and the remaining people lose their investment.

Real Estate fraud can occur anywhere; however, it is more prevalent with people purchasing land or property in foreign countries without first seeing it or checking it out properly. People go on holidays and become entranced by the beauty and atmosphere of the destination, and they purchase property without consulting an attorney. Retirees buying property in such places as Florida, the Caribbean or Mexico are often targeted. They let down their guard and are tricked into buying property by some smooth and

fast-talking sales person without exercising due diligence. Often, they find out after the fact that it was a big scam; that there was no such company, no such land, that the

land was swampland or that the land was also sold to several other people. These

con artists are well organized; they prey on tourists and are known to move around

from area to area perpetrating such scams. Always consult a legitimate attorney prior

to buying property anywhere.

The Internet is now the new international tool for advertising, marketing, communicating and sales. It is being used by unscrupulous people to rob you of your money. As is the case for telemarketing, extra caution should be taken in purchasing anything over the Internet. Be sure to check out the source properly before sending any money or giving

out any personal or financial information.

The used car lot. There are a few things to look out for when buying a used car from a

car lot. There is always the need to get full disclosure. You need to inspect the history

of the vehicle, the previous owners and the verification of the odometer reading. Odometers are sometimes rolled back, especially if the vehicle is in good visual condition. Some clues, such as the interior of the vehicle, are usually an indication of

the care given to the vehicle by the previous owners. Check beyond the cosmetic

cover ups. Look for actual wear on the vehicle, for example, the wear to the driver’s

seat, the door handles, the floor carpet and the brake and gas pedals. Have the

vehicle first checked out by your own trusted mechanic. Do not be afraid to ask the salesperson or dealer all relevant questions. Ask about warranty if any is available.

Have everything written on the contract and signed by the sales agent. Be sure to

keep a copy. Negotiate: there is usually a large margin of profit in used-car sales. Previous owners are given very little for their trade-ins.

Retail stores can be quite ingenious with their marketing and sales programs. Stores

will advertise an item for sale at a sale price and when you go into the store and inquire about the item they tell you that it is no longer available and the sales person then proceeds to try and sell you a similar or more expensive item.

Jewelry stores: Some stores will sell you jewelry that is not gold or is not as pure as it claims to be. All gold jewelry has a stamp on the inside that indicates the number of karats. This is required by law. The markup in the jewelry business is extremely high,

in the neighborhood of 800 percent. The possibility of negotiation is, therefore, good. When you purchase a piece of jewelry, be sure to ask about warranty and the store’s return policy. Have them put these in writing or on the bill. It should also be clearly

posted for all customers to see. If you are considering buying an expensive piece, you may want to have it checked out by an independent appraiser prior to buying it. You

may also want to first check out the store via the Better Business Bureau before you purchase the piece of jewelry. Remember, once the money leaves your hand it is a whole lot harder getting it back there.

If you believe that you have been defrauded by a licensed business you should immediately report the matter to the ministry of consumer and corporate affairs or to

any other responsible government agency. The incident will be investigated by the ministry and if the store is found to be guilty, the store owner could be penalized,

forced to repay you or could have their retail license suspended or revoked. Other

options available are to report the matter to the police, take legal action against the person or company, or go the media. There are always remedies if your case is legitimate. Do not be a passive victim.

Some thefts and frauds are perpetrated by big business themselves. Corporate greed, overcharging for goods and services, and establishing monopolies are common ways that big business steals from the little guy. We have seen this time and time again, usually when it comes to light in the media. Government has a legal and moral responsibility to prosecute these companies, close up the loopholes and protect taxpayers’ money. If you feel that you are being ripped off, call up your local political representative and make a complaint; if enough people complain usually something is done. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Fraud committed against big businesses such as insurance companies, financial institutions or government ministries costs us millions of dollars directly or indirectly every year. The losses these institutions suffer to fraud are passed on to consumers

in the form of increased prices for services or increased taxes. As individuals, we are hurt the most by fraud. It robs us of our hard-earned money. Often big businesses can write off their losses to fraud through tax write-offs. Who pays for this? You—the tax payer!

Domestic Violence

Some of the most serious and violent crimes are those of domestic violence. Over the last 10 years, some 30 to 40 percent of homicide victims were killed by their spouses or other family members. In most cases, the victims were the wives or common-law wives in the relationship.

Today, more than ever, in these difficult economic times, with high unemployment and very few good jobs, there is a lot of stress and pressure on any relationship. Negative emotions are usually vented on the persons that are closest to someone in a relationship. Physical violence sometimes results.

In domestic violence, a trend seems to develop over time. It starts off with small disagreements which lead to arguments. The arguments develop into verbal abuse and then finally to physical abuse. As the situation escalates, the physical abuse can become more violent and result in bodily harm or death.

To abuse is defined as “to use badly or wrongly, to injure, misuse, ill-treat, to commit injustice or corruption”. It can be inflicted on the victim through physical, psychological, emotional or verbal means or through neglect.

It is said that marriage and relationships are hard work. Unless both parties are prepared to work hard to make a relationship work, then remaining single may be your best option. It is much healthier to live alone in peace than to live with someone in misery. The secret to life is in the quality of life that we live. In relationships there will always be differences; after all, a relationship is a combination of two different individuals trying to function and live as one. Counseling is always recommended to resolve differences and problems, provided that both parties are willing to compromise and try to work these out. Abuse, on the other hand, in a marriage or relationship is not an option but is a clear indication that the normal relationship is over.

In a marriage or relationship, abuse can be inflicted by either partner. However, for the most part, in cases of physical abuse, it is the female that gets hurt. The male is much stronger and usually ends up venting his anger through violence on his female companion.

In many cases of prolonged wife abuse, the abused woman develops a type of syndrome in which she believes that the abuse will stop or go away. She rationalizes the abuse by believing that she is to be blamed for not being a good enough wife. She believes that the injury was not too bad this time and that he must also be hurting in order to do this to her. She sees herself as an accomplice and, therefore, remains dependent. Emotions are emotions, whether they are positive or negative and addiction to either can occur.

In addition, these women refuse to get help due to a sense of guilt, failure or embarrassment. In some desperate way, some victims also believe that love still exists between them and their abusive husbands, and so they remain loyal. The reality of the situation is that in a lot of these cases the abused women are financially and emotionally dependent on their abusive spouses. They have very low self-esteem and a sense of hopelessness. They are afraid of their husbands and fear retribution in the form of physical injury if they report the abuse to the police. Usually, by the time the police are called, there has been some degree of physical injury.

In the past, the decision to lay assault charges was up to the victims, and nine out of ten times the victims did not want to press charges. On the occasions when assault charges were laid against their husbands, and the matter went to court, the victims would not show up for court or they would have the charges withdrawn. The role of the police was to keep the peace, advise the victim of her rights to lay charges, and of the availability of resources for marriage counseling and shelter.

Things are different now. Today, the role of the police in domestic violence is much more involved. The police are obliged to arrest the abuser and lay charges. If the victim refuses to attend court, a material witness warrant is issued for her arrest and she is compelled to attend court and give evidence. Failure to do this will result in contempt of court and a court order (arrest warrant) will be issued for her. In most cases where charges are laid against the abuser, and the victim gives evidence, convictions are made and stiff penalties are handed out by the judges. The courts do not take spousal abuse lightly and abusive husbands are being sent to jail. Wife abusers are cowards and would never take on another male their own size. Once they are charged by the police, they become the whimpering boys that they truly are and usually do not bother their victims again.

There are exceptions to the normal case; an abuser may be truly dangerous or psychotic. If this is the case, the victim will still need to go through the court process and have the situation resolved or to have him put away. The victim may then need to take drastic proactive steps in order to secure her future safety, such as relocating and changing jobs or even her identity. Yes, there are some fatal attractions out there.

If you are currently in an abusive relationship, a mother with children to support and your primary reason for not leaving is financial, you may be less trapped than you think. The system is set up to assist and protect you and your family. Family court can force your husband to pay child support and alimony to you. The funds can be garnished directly from his paycheck or place of employment. There are also financial-support agencies and welfare to assist you in your time of transition and need. Seek support from your family and friends and make the move out of the relationship. Domestic violence in the home is not a healthy atmosphere for children to be in and may cause far-reaching complications in their lives. The assaults may also shift from you to your children and they too will become victims of violence. There are studies showing that children growing up in a violent domestic environment are predisposed to becoming abusers or victims themselves.

There are proactive methods and ways to avoid ending up in an abusive relationship or marriage. Know your intended partner. There are clues that a female should look out for in the early stages of dating. Try to take a practical and realistic look at him early in the relationship before your heart and mind become cloudy and influenced with emotions. Give yourself enough time to get to know the person well. Get to meet and know his family and friends. Birds of a feather flock together. Check into his past. Ask his friends or acquaintances about him. What are his ambitions and what does he want out of life? Is he from a broken home? What kind of childhood did he have? Is he good to his mother and the rest of his family? Does he like pets? Does he get angry easily and does he resort to violence when he does not get his way? Has he been in trouble with the law and does he have a criminal record; if so, what for? Is he still involved in crime? Is he hard working and does he want the same things in life as you do? These questions all give clues as to the type of person he is and will continue to be. Good looks are important to some people but remember—you are planning on sharing your life with this guy. Do your homework first, before you invest time, energy and emotions in this person. Adults in general do not change their character and personalities. What you see is usually what you get.

The first time in a relationship that you are assaulted is the easiest and best time to leave. Your relationship with this person has reached its summit. It will only continue to go downhill from here. The assaults will not stop and will only become progressively worse. The problem is that you are living with a live time bomb. Whatever made this person assault you was part of his character long before you came into the picture. Do not blame yourself. Remove the shackles from your feet, hold your head up high and make the move out of the abusive relationship. It is your life—take command of it and leave.

I also want to warn the assaulter/criminal, that what he may consider as a simple slap to his partner could easily turn into the crime of murder or manslaughter. The victim falls from the slap and hits her head or falls down a set of stairs and dies from the fall and now you are a murderer. No one has a right to hit anyone no matter how mundane it may appear.....it is the criminal offence of assault.

An abusive spouse is no different from any other criminal. If he can get away with it, he will do it again, if not to you to someone else. Domestic violence is a crime. Do not be a consenting victim.

Prostitution

This chapter explores the myth that prostitution is a victimless crime. Prostitution is looked upon by society in two different ways. Some people see it as a crime and others do not. Instead, they see it as an old profession that should be legalized. It is also seen as a way of life, a victimless act and a moral issue rather than an act with criminal intent. The fact of the matter is that in Canada, the United States and most countries in the world, prostitution is a crime and is treated as such.

Prostitution is a person selling their body for someone else’s sexual pleasure and receiving remuneration in return. It is a supply and demand trade. Even though money and greed seem to be the logical reasons for prostitution, there are much deeper reasons why people become prostitutes and work this trade. I do not believe that a person willingly chooses prostitution as a career in life as most people have a higher sense self-worth and self-esteem.

No one is born a prostitute. I believe that prostitution is more of an end result rather than a choice. Social and economic factors are the main causes. People may turn to prostitution due to the deterioration in their quality of life, for economic survival or because of something traumatic occurred in their lives. Their inability to deal with or resolve such problems as child abuse, drug addiction, psychological problems, having little or no education, low self-esteem, and consequently having the belief that they do not deserve anything better may drive them to prostitution. Prostitutes themselves are the main victims of prostitution.

Usually prostitution starts in the early years, for some prostitutes as early as puberty. This is the time when the physical appearance of the prostitute is most saleable to their clients. There are not too many old female and old male prostitutes working out there. It is a profession for the young and it quickly takes a toll on their lives.

The world of prostitution is truly a sub-culture and is filled with crime, danger, drugs, criminals, fear, chance, injury, sickness, abuse, loneliness, depression and incarceration. Like drug addicts which most prostitutes also are, they are often viewed as dispensable members of society. If this is a profession then there is no tougher profession!

Prostitutes are from all walks of life but they all seem to have the same M.O. They start off as a runaway, come from abusive households or broken families, get hooked on drugs, get involved in crime, go through the social system of foster and halfway homes, and end up on the streets. Life on the streets soon becomes a survival issue and then starts the breakdown of any moral fiber that they may have had. In order to obtain food, shelter and the basics of life, they turn to prostitution. If they are not already on drugs, they will soon start taking them to mask or block the harsh realities of the life that they are living. They are prey and will soon fall victims to the underworld of pimps and drugs.

Usually the designated areas of prostitution are staked out and controlled by pimps and street hustlers. They are well organized and exert muscle and fear to control the street activities. Prostitution is a big business and is intricately tied in with the drug trade.

A pimp is a person who lives off the avails of prostitution. A pimp is usually male and is a very special type of criminal.

He is said to be the low-life of the criminal world. He is the slave master. Prostitutes often say that it is sometimes nice to know that they are not at the bottom of humanity. Pimps are the vultures that prey on these young girls. They patrol the streets looking for new young victims. They check the bus and railway stations, malls, hostels and street hangouts looking for new runaways. The pimp will befriend these helpless and impressionable girls by giving them much needed attention. He will buy them food, new clothing and give them a place to stay off the streets. He will romance his new victim, constantly praising her beauty and showing her a good time. He will introduce her to drugs, get her hooked, and establish control over her.

The girl will slowly be indoctrinated into his world. He will pretend to be her boyfriend, have sex with her and promise her the world. He will introduce her to his friends and other working girls in the trade. His prostitutes will then start working on the new girl, showing her the lifestyle, taking her to the bars and parties and trying to get her hooked on drugs.

At sometime during this stage of indoctrination comes the “payback” time! The girl is then forced to have sex with his other male friends. If she refuses, she is threatened or badly beaten by him or his enforcers. If she still refuses, she is then placed under “pimp arrest.” She will be locked up somewhere against her will until she agrees to sell her body for her pimp. This incarceration is usually accompanied by threats of violence, violence, rapes, torture and forced drug use. Once she becomes hooked on drugs she will be desperate for a fix which only he can give to her. She is now a broken slave, scared, with no friends, no hope for help and is ready to do just about anything for her pimp.

As part of her initiation into prostitution, she is offered as a gift to other pimps. This is a ritual of the brotherhood of the pimp world. She will now be trained by the other prostitutes and as a new recruit she will be closely watched. This close watch will be maintained as long as necessary until she is fully indoctrinated into the trade. This watch is enforced with constant threats of violence or death to her or her family if she tries escape or goes to the police. Her pimp will also run occasional tests on her, using other client decoys and applying force to ensure her compliance.

The pimp will take all of the money that she earns from selling her body on the streets. He is her manager and owner. He will give her very little money, usually only enough for the basics of food in order to keep her dependent on him. He will con her further by telling her that he is saving the money for their future together. This is a false promise to give her hope and keep her loyal to him. Pretty soon, she will be so badly abused and brainwashed that she will be unable to think for herself.

Pimps are very organized. They have their own girls, their own territories and their own rules. They are usually drug dealers and are well armed. They have enforcers and lookouts working for them. They are fully equipped with police scanners, two-way radios and cellular telephones. They usually have their own lawyer on retainer, and cash in place for emergencies. They also have their own bars and places of entertainment.

Very few of the working street prostitutes are independent even though they may say that they are. The streets are mean and the clients (Johns) are weird. If you are an independent prostitute, the pimps are not going to stop working on you until you work for them. They will offer you protection on the streets which they cannot guarantee and usually do not give. The main protection you may need is from them. Once you start working for them, you become their slave.

The way the laws are set up makes it difficult for the police to convict a pimp for living off the avails of prostitution. A prostitute would have to give a written and signed statement to the police against her pimp. In doing this she knows that she may literally be signing her death warrant. It is important to know that legally the police have little power to take these young prostitutes off the streets. By law, her life is not seen to be in immediate danger and she is not in need of protection. It is frustrating for the police to actually locate a missing young person and be unable to take her into safe custody. The only course of action the police can take is to try and locate the parents and tell them where their child is, as they are not empowered to arrest and hold the missing person in custody until the parents can come and get them.

The life of a prostitute is truly a dangerous one. The clients (Johns) are unpredictable, and range from society’s elite to its common criminals. Often prostitutes are badly beaten up, raped or robbed by their Johns. The lifestyle quickly takes its toll. Continued drug use along with frequent exposure to diseases and violence wears down their bodies and they age quickly. Young people thinking of leaving home to go to large cities and live off the streets had better think again.

Prostitution directly affects neighborhoods where the trade is practiced. Residents complain of the health risk to their families from such thing as the constant litter of condoms, needles and other sex and drug paraphernalia on the streets, sidewalks, driveways and lawns. It also brings unsavory people into the neighborhood such as drug dealers, pimps and street hustlers. Innocent residents are being accosted, harassed and abused by prostitutes and their soliciting clients. There is also the factor of loss to property value in neighborhoods where street prostitutes take over and ply their trade.

In combating this type of neighborhood takeover by prostitutes, some residents are proactively fighting back by taking photographs of the clients and their vehicle license plate numbers, and posting them for the general public to see. From a license plate number an owner’s name and address can be obtained from the Ministry of Transportation. Photographs are also being mailed to clients’ home and work addresses.

In addition to reporting the matter to the police, residents have had anti-prostitution demonstrations and have submitted letters and petitions to their local members of parliament. They have also sought media attention to cover the story and create public awareness of their plight. Residents are fighting back by making the offenders accountable and responsible for their actions.

There are now schools for clients (Johns). If convicted, part of a John’s sentence is to attend school. The school is geared towards rehabilitation. It accomplishes two things. Firstly, it brings the offender out in the open, makes him accountable and takes away the thrill of the illicit sex act. Secondly, it assists the offender in dealing with a problem that he may have and it teaches him the risks and dangers of sexually transmitted diseases.

Today, the client (John) who hires prostitutes is literally taking his life and the life of his family into in his own hands. Statistics show that the number of HIV-infected people in Canada and the United States doubles every year. These statistics reflect the general population. Prostitutes are also considered a high risk group. By mere probability you stand a higher than normal chance of contracting HIV from a prostitute.

The spread of aids and other sexually transmitted diseases are costing the health care system millions of dollars every year and draining away our tax dollars.

Impaired Driving

When any person who has been drinking alcohol then operates a motor vehicle or vessel or operates or assist in the operation of an aircraft or has the care or control of a motor vehicle, vessel or aircraft whether it is in motion or not, that person is driving impaired. The ability of the operator or driver is impaired due to the consumption of alcohol, wine, beer spirits or drugs. Impaired driving is a criminal offence and is responsible for a large number of deaths and serious injury on our highways.

The fight against impaired driving has been steadily gaining ground through the collective efforts to reduce this criminal act by way of massive campaigns involving the police, government and private organizations. Amendments that facilitate the process of enforcement of the impaired driving laws, including those giving police the authority to take blood samples have been put in place.

Anti-drinking-and-driving campaigns across the country have helped make drinking and driving socially unacceptable. Graphic television ads have brought home the point of this senseless crime and unnecessary loss of life. Police enforcement practices such as the RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) program, that includes roadside testing, roadside suspensions and random checking of drivers, have created a tangible deterrent. The zero tolerance attitude of the police and the public as a whole have helped in decreasing the rate of impaired driving.

The courts are now handing out stiffer sentences and incarcerations for second-time offenders. In some serious cases, first-time offenders are being sent to jail. In the past, impaired driving was looked upon by our judicial system as a social problem rather than a criminal offence. However, because of the large number of traffic deaths, there has been a loud public outcry for stiffer penalties that will help bring about a change for the better. Unfortunately, even with all of the gains that have been made, there are still many people who drink and drive!

I believe that if drivers would stop and think of the possible consequences of drinking and driving far fewer of them would do so. Let’s take a look at some of the consequences of drinking and driving: If caught, you will be arrested and charged by the police. You will be taken into custody, your driver’s license will automatically be suspended for a period of 12 hours and your vehicle will be impounded. You will require an attorney and the cost could be high. If you are convicted for your first impaired driving offence your driver’s license could be suspended for a period of one year. This suspension may also be accompanied by a large fine or incarceration. You will have to pay for and take a remedial course to get you back on track driving. If you are convicted a second time, your driver’s license can be suspended for a period of three years, plus you will have to pay a large fine and you will be incarcerated. You will have to pay for and install an alcoholic breath tester locking mechanism in your vehicle at a cost of approximately $1,500. You will have to blow into this device every time you wish to drive your vehicle and it will allow you to drive only if you have not been drinking. If you are convicted a third time, your driver’s license could be suspended for life, you will face a large fine and, more than likely, incarceration. Drinking and driving is a very dangerous and expensive proposition.

These consequences could have a serious domino effect on your life. Let’s take a look at some very possible scenarios that you may find yourself in upon losing your privilege to drive: You now cannot drive to work and, if you live far from work, commuting will cost you in time and money. If your job requires that you drive, then you may lose your job. If you lose your job and are unable to find another, the bills can begin to pile up on you. If you cannot pay your bills such as your mortgage, then you can lose your home. If you are married and you lose your home, then there is a strong possibility that you will have marital problems. Your family will not have a home and you will be broke because you had to spend the last of your savings on the attorney to represent you in court. These situations are enough to cause a breakup in the marriage and you could lose your wife and family. In addition, if you are convicted and do time in jail, there is a strong possibility that your marriage will break up. If you had an accident while driving impaired and seriously injured or killed someone then you are in a very difficult situation. You could be doing hard time in jail and there is a strong possibility that you and your family will be sued by the victim’s family. You stand a chance to lose everything that you possess including your family. Worst of all is the fact that you have taken a life, devastated the victim’s family and friends, your own family and friends, and that you will have to live with this fact for the rest of your life. The impact to lives is tremendous!

The above consequences are a lot more realistic than you may care to think. In early 1997, in the province of Ontario, Canada, a distraught male who had been charged with impaired driving took the life of the police officer who had arrested and charged him. The impaired driving charge had such a negative impact on his life that it drove him into serious depression which resulted in his committing murder. The man walked into a crowded restaurant took out a gun and shot the police officer dead. The officer was seated at a table in the company of his friends when he was executed for doing his job. The dead officer left behind a family of victims that will have to live with this tragedy for the rest of their lives.

The murderer was apparently an average citizen with no prior criminal record. He too is a casualty of drinking and driving and will have to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Let us look at some of the reasons why people would want to drink and drive: Under the influence of alcohol there is a false sense of control. Drivers feel euphoric and believe that they are capable of doing anything and that their motor skills are not affected. Inebriation blocks the reasoning process and most drunks develop an unfounded machismo and become very stubborn. We have all heard this statement before, “I am fine. I know what I am doing. Leave me alone!” The ego is always there saying, “I am a big guy, and I do not need anyone to drive me home.”

People have other excuses for driving after drinking, such as, living too far away and not wanting to leave their car or not wanting to take a taxi because it costs too much or just the fact that it is an inconvenience to them to do the right thing. They also feel that they will not be caught by the RIDE program or police. There are many other reasons that impaired drivers do what they do, but none of them makes any sense. The responsibility may now need to shift to a friend or someone present to put their foot down and take control of the situation by calling the police or taking the vehicle keys away from the impaired driver.

The responsibility for impaired driving now goes beyond just the driver himself. The passenger of the vehicle can now be held accountable and civilly responsible. Besides having to fear for your life, you can now be sued. Hosts of private and public parties, liquor establishments and liquor-license holders are also civilly responsible for their patrons and friends: the precedent has been set in law whereby any of these can be held accountable. There is an onus on you to do something to stop a person from getting into his vehicle and leaving your premises impaired. There are now more reasons why you should not tolerate impaired driving.

Alcohol affects people differently. Some people may have more of a tolerance for alcohol than others, but the levels are the same in the bloodstream and these levels can not be reduced except with the passage of time. The human body requires a certain amount of time to process the alcohol through the system and this time cannot be reduced. There is a general belief that drinking coffee will decrease the alcohol content in your body. This is simply not true. The coffee may wake you up a bit through stimulation but the alcohol level in the blood remains the same.

Alcohol is divided into three basic categories: beer, wine and spirits. Alcohol content may vary in these categories and it is, therefore, important to understand some basic equivalents when you are consuming alcohol. For example, 12 ounces of beer is equivalent to 5 ounces of wine which is also equivalent to 1.5 ounces of spirit. Spirits are those alcoholic beverages such as rum, whisky, gin, vodka, rye and so on. These equivalents are based on approximation and normal alcohol levels in the three categories. Higher-proof spirits will of course have higher alcohol content.

Statistics show that the average person in a bar or restaurant for an evening out consumes about four drinks. These drinks may be four beers, four glasses of wine or four cocktails. The general rule of thumb is that one drink per hour, with food, may be safe depending on your size, age, gender, weight, metabolic rate and tolerance. Your metabolic rate and tolerance may vary from day to day. The only real choice is not to drive if you are drinking.

It is common knowledge that mixing your drinks, for example, combining beer with wine and whisky can cause a violent reaction in some people. This may result in drunkenness, sickness, nausea, disorientation and blackouts. It may also cause emotional changes such as anxiety, depression, aggression and sometimes violence. If you have reached this state of intoxication then you are out of control, are in trouble and need help.

How can you recognize impairment? Some of the common symptoms of impairment due to alcoholic consumption are unsteadiness on the feet, slurred speech, glassy or bloodshot eyes, odor of alcohol on the breath, uncoordinated movements, slow reflexes, lack of concentration and slow thought processes. These are the symptoms to look out for if someone is about to get into a vehicle and drive. These are also the symptoms that the police will be looking out for, along with erratic driving. These observations are recorded in the police officer’s memo book and given in court as evidence along with the breathalyzer or roadside test results. Breathalyzer test results are usually considered conclusive proof in a court of law. Breathalyzer technician officers are well trained and are considered expert witnesses in the courtroom. If they get a positive result from your breathalyzer test, your chances of conviction are extremely high. Remember, you will be judged in court on your sober decision to drink and drive and not on your impaired decision to drive!

There are two separate and often related charges to drinking and driving. The first is to drive with one’s ability impaired by alcohol or drugs. The second is to drive with over 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood. The breathalyzer test establishes the level of alcoholic content in your blood. The result will help to support the charge of impaired driving; however, the impaired driving charge is independent of the over-80 mg charge as it is directly related to the driver’s ability to drive while under any level of alcohol or drugs. As a driver, you could blow only 40 mg on the breathalyzer test and still be charged with Impaired Driving.

There is also the separate criminal charge of “intent to drive a motor vehicle while being impaired.” This may be at any location, on public or private property. If you have your vehicle keys in your hand and are getting in the vehicle to drive, or even suggesting that you are going to drive, you are committing an offence for which you could be arrested and charged.

Owners and operators of motor vehicles should know that to possess a driver’s license is a privilege and not a right, and that this privilege can be taken away at any given time. There is a big responsibility that goes along with having a driver’s license.

Liquor consumption among minors is of great concern. Young people 12 to 17 years of age are responsible for approximately 50 percent of automobile theft in Canada and the US. Motor vehicle theft accompanied by alcohol consumption and joy-riding is a deadly combination and usually results in accidents, injuries and death.

As with adults, young people should be aware of the consequences of drinking and driving. There are many choices you can make. Do not drink and drive! Do not get in a vehicle with a drunken friend! Peer pressure will be tough to resist. Be strong. Go to a telephone and call your parents to come and pick you up. Get an adult to intervene and stop your friend from driving drunk. Use reverse peer pressure on the intended driver if necessary. Get your other friends to apply pressure on him or her not to drive. Take a taxi home if you have to and have your parents pay the fare. Most parents would think that you are being responsible and would not mind paying the cab fare.

If your friend still insists on driving impaired, try to contact his parents or take the vehicle keys away from him even if you and your friends all have to gang up on him to do it. A last but very practical choice is to call the police before he gets into the vehicle. I am sure that the police will be able to convince him not to drive. It is better to have him arrested or even charged rather than to have him kill himself or someone else. True friends take care of each other and are not afraid to make unpopular decisions. There is an old saying, “you cannot argue with a drunk” and to a large extent this is true. You can never be criticized for doing the right thing and you can live a whole lot easier with your conscience if you know you’ve done the right thing.

Education and enforcement are the keys to reducing the occurrence of this unnecessary crime. If young people and adults had the opportunity to see the destruction, injuries and deaths on our highways that are caused by drinking and driving, they would think twice about getting in a vehicle and driving impaired. In such countries as Japan and Switzerland there is zero tolerance of drinking and driving. We can all learn by looking at other countries’ examples and successes.

A one-ton vehicle traveling at the speed of 30 miles per hour (forty-four feet per second) can be a deadly weapon. Add to this, increased speed coupled with impaired driving and you have a new meaning for the term “loose canon.” Automobile accidents are responsible for the highest rate of deaths in North America and in most cases, the cause of fatalities is excessive speed and/or impaired driving.

Keep in mind that one of the world’s most loved celebrities, Princess Diana was a victim of this deadly combination of speed and impaired driving. If you drink, don’t drive!

Homicide

A person commits homicide when, directly or indirectly, by any means, he or she causes the death of a human being. Homicide is the most serious of all crimes. It is the final and ultimate tragedy in life. It is said that animals and other creatures kill for food and survival and humans commit murder.

Crime Story  ( Location: Uptown Toronto )

I was working uniform duties in a marked police vehicle in the uptown area of the city. It was a warm summer day and the shift was moving along quickly. Summertime is usually busy as lots of people are out enjoying the nice weather. Criminals are no different. It is a proven fact that more criminal activities occur during the hot humid days of summer than at any other time.

I was a young police officer working alone and on my way into the station for a 1:00 p.m. lunch break when a “hot shot” radio call came over the police radio. It was an emergency call in my patrol area. Someone had been shot. I acknowledged the call and turned the scout car around to head back to the area that I had left just a few minutes earlier.

The location given in the radio call was a small jewelry store on a main street in my patrol area. I was well acquainted with the area and knew the store. As I raced to the scene, I could feel the effects of my adrenalin making my heart pump rapidly and stimulating my psyche. I gripped the steering wheel tightly and scanned the street intensely as I raced to the scene looking for anything out of the ordinary, a fleeing person, a speeding vehicle or any clues that might indicate a suspect. I knew time was of the essence and any information received would be crucial to this incident. As I pulled up to the small store, there were a couple of people standing outside and pointing towards the front door.

I could hear screams coming from the inside. My senses were on full alert as I did not know exactly what had occurred and whether the suspect was still on the scene. I exited the vehicle and drew my gun; I quickly ran to the side of the front door and took a quick look into the store through the window. At this point another police vehicle pulled up to the scene with two officers. We immediately covered each other and went into the store. At this time there were two people in the store: a male victim lying on his back in the middle of the store in a pool of blood and a lady behind the glass counter screaming for help. We immediately checked the victim for vital signs and called for a rush on the ambulance. The two officers remained with the victim and administered first aid while I quickly gathered information and broadcast it over the police radio system.

There were two armed suspects involved and officers were now combing the area looking for them. Safety, communication, information gathering and team work were paramount at this point. The search would continue for quite some time; unfortunately the killers had gotten away.

The duties of the first officer at the scene are to protect the crime scene, investigate the crime, gather evidence and report any death at the scene. In situations like these, we all work together and do our part. During such investigations the proper protocol of policing has to be exercised. The victim was removed by the ambulance unit, the scene was protected and the witnesses were interviewed. The homicide investigators, holdup squad, identification unit and station detectives attended the scene. The unit commander was notified and so was headquarters. An inner and outer perimeter were established and the area was cordoned off from bystanders and the press.

In my investigation of the robbery and homicide, I found out that the victim had been shot five times at point blank range and had died instantly at the scene. A few jewelry items of little value were taken by the perpetrators—two teenagers. They had parked their vehicle nearby on a side street and walked on foot to the jewelry store to commit their crime. I was later told by the victim’s wife that the two suspects had been in the store on the previous day to scout it out prior to committing the robbery. She told me that when the young male and female came into the store with handguns the victim (her husband) saw them only as children and tried to chase them out of the store. A struggle ensued and the two suspects shot the victim several times at close range, killing him instantly.

The victim was a wonderful person and well-liked by everyone in the area. He had carried on his business for 25 years at the same location and was a survivor of the concentration camps of World War II and had planned to retire soon. He had survived the terror of the holocaust only to be murdered by children.

I knew the victim personally from years of walking the beat and working in the area. I had purchased a watchband from him about a week prior to the incident. I was shocked and angry at this senseless and horrible crime.

There was a nationwide manhunt for the two suspects. A few weeks later, they were caught in their vehicle trying to cross the border into the United States . The immigration officer was alert and noticed a bandage on the male suspect’s leg. We learned that the male suspect had received the injury to his leg from one of the bullets that had ricocheted off the showcase counter in the store and had hit him in the leg. This was a lucky break for us!

The two suspects were charged and convicted. The male suspect was seventeen years old at the time and the female was only fourteen years old. They both pleaded guilty and were sentenced. For their crimes of robbery and premeditated murder the male was sentenced to ten years in prison, as he was charged as an adult. The female was charged as a young offender and received three years in a juvenile detention facility, to last until she became seventeen at which time she would be given a clean slate.

The real gravity of this senseless crime was still evident years later when the male prisoner was visited in jail and interviewed by a reporter. The reporter questioned this criminal about his role in the crime and asked if he had any remorse or regrets for killing an innocent and helpless man. The inmate told the reporter that he had no regrets and if he had to do it all over, he would do it again. Both of these criminals are now out of jail having served their time. What do we do with people like these?

This it a true story and it shows the senselessness of this crime. It shows that young people are committing serious crimes such as murder for little or no reason and with no remorse. It shows weakness in the judicial system that allows someone who violently kills another human being to serve only three years in “knitting school” as a sentence. Justice remains elusive.

Throughout time, humans have been killing each other for different reasons. I believe that the capacity to kill another human is an attribute inherent in humans. As intelligent beings, we see the need to form societies and make up rules and guidelines to control and deter ourselves from committing such heinous acts.

Murder is a crime that is often closely associated with other crimes. Many homicides are committed during the commission of other crimes such as robberies, sexual assaults, domestic violence and drug trafficking. .

There are four types of murders: first-degree murder, second-degree murder, manslaughter and infanticide. There are usually two main factors for premeditated murder—motive and opportunity—and the victims may be known or unknown to their killers. Some of the motives may be greed, power, revenge, anger, jealousy, hatred and thrills. There is always intent involved in murder, except in cases of insanity.

Crime statistics are released yearly and they measure the pulse of crime in our society and in our municipalities. They provide us with important information on the demographics of crime and on where the problems lie, and they give an indication of how to fight against crime and create possible solutions. For example, shootings consistently account for about one-third or more of all homicides. The statistics show that about 75 percent of convicted criminals who use firearms in the commission of their crimes are repeat offenders. This statistic shows the importance of strong gun control laws and highlights a definite problem in the judicial system.

The easy accessibility to firearms enables more and more criminals to use them in perpetrating their crimes. There are several ways that firearms can reach the streets. Firearms can easily be bought over the counter from firearms stores across the United States and this accessibility can vary from state to state. Firearms are often stolen during break-ins of gun shops or from private residences of licensed owners. Some are purchased from army surplus stores, illegal army sources or from criminal sources on the streets. Others are illegally brought into the country.

Other statistics consistently reveal that over 50 percent of incidents in which victims are killed by strangers occur during the commission of another criminal offence. Another interesting fact is that those who are at highest risk of committing murder are between the ages of 15 and 34.

Statistics continue to show that in most homicides, (approximately 80 percent), the victims know their assailant, either as a spouse, family member or an acquaintance. If we are to learn from these statistics which show us the facts of crime, we need to make some proactive changes to our lives.

Here are some living conditions that are influential in predisposing someone to murder:

•      If you are living in an abusive relationship or marriage, you may need to remove yourself from a potentially dangerous and life-threatening situation.

•      If you are hanging around with a bad circle of friends who are involved in criminal activities, you may need to change your friends. One day you may become a victim of their criminal activities.

•      If you live or work in a high-crime neighborhood, you are putting yourself at increased risk of falling victim to crime. You may need to move away or find work elsewhere.

•      If you are living a life of crime, you may want to reconsider your lifestyle and make a change out of crime. Most criminals are killed by other criminals.

•      If you are a member of a gang and involved in criminal gang activities or organized crime, your days are numbered. Statistics shows that most homicides occur among rival gangs especially among those involved in the drug trade.

There is an old saying that if you live by the gun you will die by the gun. For most criminals this saying comes true. Most criminals use firearms in plying their trade, whether dealing in drugs, robbing a bank or assuring personal protection. Sooner or later, the course of their lives will be decided by those firearms, whether used by other criminals or by law enforcement.

In order to prevent the remaining 10 to 20 percent of homicides, those in which victims do not know their assailant, it is important to adopt some general proactive habits. Our best defense is to protect ourselves and to be ready to deal with almost any situation that may arise. It is important to have a game plan or course of action in mind if confronted with serious crime. It is better to be proactive than reactive! Some people, especially females who feel vulnerable to crime have chosen to arm themselves with pepper spray, a whistle or even a weapon. Their view is that the police do not have sufficient manpower, resources or time to protect each and every citizen from violent crime.

Anything can be used as a defensive weapon, and I do not endorse the idea that you should arm yourself with a weapon. Sometimes your weapon can be taken away from you and used against you. The reality of the situation is that if you are attacked, you have a right to defend yourself by using as much force as is necessary to ward off that attack. You could be dead somewhere in a laneway or you could be alive standing in front of a judge in a court of law with your lawyer defending your actions of self-defense. The chance of a jury ruling in your favor for defending yourself is more likely.

A large number of homicides are committed by young people; as a matter of fact, the most common age of homicide criminals is 18 years of age. There have been cases in which adult criminals have used young offenders to commit serious crimes because they know that the legal and judicial system will be more sympathetic and lenient to youth than to adults who commit crimes.

Often, when young murderers are questioned by the police or the courts as to why they committed such a heinous act as murder, they can give no concrete reason for committing the crime and may give such flippant excuses as that they were bored or just having fun. A lot of these young criminals do not understand the gravity of their actions, do not care and show no remorse.

The cause of this type of behavior is very complex. Somewhere along the line something went very wrong. In some cases society blames the parental upbringing or the violent and abusive environment these young people have grown up in. These can contribute to this behavior to some extent, but what about the cases in which a young murderer comes from a good home and good neighborhood? The answer to this question can only be speculated upon.

I believe that the environment in which we grow up has a tremendous influence on our lives. The natural historian, Charles Darwin, believed that environment has such a tremendous impact on the lives of living creatures that it brings about the creation of new sociological and physiological changes. As living beings adjust to environmental changes over a period of time, they have to adapt in order to survive. Therefore, nature works its magic and creates new adaptable species. Nature may have created the new species of “natural born killers” and they may be here to stay.

Human beings are no different from birds, plants or any other living creatures sharing this planet. We are constantly being exposed to physical pollution via chemicals in food, air, water and land. In addition, we are being mentally polluted through the media of violence in movies, television, advertising and the marketing of toys and action figures, sports and fashion. Young people are constantly being bombarded on a conscious and subconscious level with greed, fantasies, drugs, violence and unrealistic lifestyles. There have been cases in the news of children, young people and adults emulating actors and the violence in movies and television with the result being disaster or death.

Studies conducted on violent murders may support the theory of natural-born killers. The theory is that evolutionary genetics have caused their violent behavior. Brain scans taken of numerous violent criminals have revealed a common abnormality in the frontal lobe of their brains. This area of their brains, which is believed to control behavior in human beings, is enlarged and disproportional to the rest of the brain.

Most violent criminals such as murderers and serial killers live a transient lifestyle. They are usually on the run from a crime or the law because they know that there is less chance they will be caught if they continue to run. These criminals know that there is usually a delay in the flow and sharing of information among law-enforcement agencies; and that there are jurisdictional and physical boundaries that are difficult for law-enforcement bodies to cross. They are also aware of the legal perimeters of the law, the cost of manpower and of law enforcers. They are usually not in town long enough for people to get to know their identity or their whereabouts.

These transient-type criminals have their favorite victim target groups such as prostitutes, runaways, hitchhikers and highway travelers. They know that these types of victims will not be easily missed or reported missing due to their situations and mobile lifestyle. Prostitutes are especially vulnerable to these transient killers of which the Green River serial killer is a perfect example. He was a trucker who traveled throughout the United States and Canada picking up prostitutes, murdering them and tossing their bodies off the roadsides as he went along. This singular killer was responsible for 48 lives before he was caught. Hitchhiking or picking up hitchhikers is an unnecessary risk for you to take. Pretending to have a broken-down vehicle is also a trick that is often used by criminals to lure their victims. Unless it is an obvious life-threatening emergency, play it safe—do not stop for broken-down vehicles. You can still give help by calling in the information about the vehicle and its location to the nearest police, road mechanic or tow service.

Every once in a while we are shocked by the news of some gunman going berserk with semi-automatic weapons and shooting innocent people for no apparent reason. Criminal investigations of these incidents have reveal that there was some sort of prior warnings or clues that, had they been taken seriously and addressed, may have prevented such horrendous occurrences. Some of these warnings were made by the gunmen themselves through prior threats of violence, unusual behavior or evidence of psychological problems. All threats of violence should be taken seriously and reported to the police for investigation. Charges should be laid and convicted persons should take mandatory counseling and anger-management courses as part of their rehabilitation and sentence.

I believe that licensed holders of firearms should be required to undergo annual medical and psychological tests, criminal record checks and reassessment of firearm needs. Often incidents involving distraught employees or students who go on a rampage and kill innocent people involve licensed firearm holders or those who have easy access to firearms. This fact became apparent following the Columbine, Colorado massacre, when after the incident, a videotape of the two teenager gunmen in the woods practicing their shooting with semi-automatic firearms came to light. Firearms were easily accessible to them as the town where they lived in has one of the largest firearm manufactures in the country.

It is pretty difficult to know when someone is going to flip out and kill masses of innocent people. If you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time then your primary defense against this type of surprise attack may be to take cover and drop flat on the ground when the shooting starts. You will quickly need to assess whether you can get away from the area safely. If you think that you can, then do so immediately. Once away from danger, call 911 immediately and give the operator as much detailed information as possible.

If you take cover, keep in mind that concealment is not necessarily cover. An empty cardboard box could provide concealment but it is not cover, because it will not stop a bullet. A street sign, garbage can, wooden fence, room door or drywall partition is also not cover, even though they may offer some protection. Some good examples of cover are a large tree trunk, a solid concrete or brick wall, a vehicle engine block, a hill, a ditch or even a high street curb.

Usually these killers are nervous and agitated. They will shoot at anything or anyone in sight and the closer you are to them, the more likely you will be shot. If you are in a confined place and you are too close to the shooter to escape, playing dead may also be an option to save your life.

Most mass murderers end up taking their own lives. They are usually on a suicide mission and they want to take as many people with them as possible. The scenario is usually pre-planned but the actual act can be triggered by something very trivial. Usually before committing the act they will take some type of stimulant drug to enhance their aggression and violence.

The fact that many people have access to semi-automatic and fully-automatic weapons is very disturbing. Without these types of firepower, the shooter would not be able to kill so many people so quickly and be such a difficult target for responding police. Victims in these situations are completely helpless. I cannot see any reason or find any excuse why these types of automatic firearms are allowed to be in the hands of the general public, for sale at gun shops, or even in gun clubs. These guns are designed specifically for widespread killing.

New discoveries and achievements in the areas of forensic science and genetic and DNA identification have provided great tools that enable law-enforcement agencies to have more conclusive evidence and data with which to prosecute criminals for murder. There have been great advancements made in the technology used in criminal investigations. For instance, fingerprints left at a crime scene can now be scanned by laser with precision accuracy—a great improvement over the cumbersome dusting process. Also, the entire crime scene can be illuminated with ultraviolet light to see clues not visible to the naked eye. Human evidence left at the crime scene such as blood, saliva, semen, skin and hair can be collected and tested using DNA analysis.

In cases involving serial killers, a criminal profile of a suspect can be developed. This profile is based on a theory or hypothesis and is developed, by investigators, through the cross-referencing of all of the existing data and information on the victims, the incidents and on the criminal’s M.O. Such information includes evidence collected at the crime scenes, times and locations of the murders, victims’ autopsy results, types of victims, types of weapons used, the manner in which the murders occurred, any physical description, and any similarities that may show a pattern in the behavior of the suspects. Investigators look for possible common denominators in the killings, between the victims and any suspect. Armed with all of this data, experience, wisdom and hunches, the investigators create an imaginary (suspect) person. This suspect may even be given a name along with his or her physical or psychological description. Using this profile, investigators have an idea of the type of person that they are looking for. Through this profiling they may be able to track him down or anticipate his next move whether or not they have any solid leads. They can make an educated guest. Suspects, like all people, are creatures of habit.

Forensic advancements have also provided a means to conclusively clear a suspect of murder and eliminate the chance that the wrong person will be convicted. DNA testing is also being used to clear persons that may have been wrongly convicted and are serving time in jail. Law-enforcement agencies are now getting convictions in court, based on circumstantial and DNA evidence alone. Previously, judges were reluctant to convict for murder on circumstantial evidence alone or without direct witnesses.

Murder is a crime for which the file is never put on a shelf to collect dust. A murder file is always open and under investigation. Often crimes initially unsolved are later solved by new evidence, that comes to light through DNA analysis or during the course of investigating new charges. Every case is like a puzzle. Most of the time, it takes hundreds of man-hours, dedication, new technology and community involvement to come up with an arrest.

An arrest is no good without a conviction and that is why it is sometimes dangerous for the media and politicians to put undue pressure on the investigators to come up with a quick arrest to appease some interest group. The public has to have confidence in its police services and understand what it takes to do the job properly. We have witnessed the kind of damage that some political interference can cause to criminal proceedings. The rights of the deceased victim should be protected, honored and upheld as though that person were alive and still a part of the community.

Summary

We are a product of what we are taught and what we do. Each generation is affected by the activities of the previous one. The high rate of crime today did not come about all of a sudden. It is not a biblical curse that has been cast upon us. Directly or indirectly, we are all part and parcel of what is happening. The fact is that if we are not doing something to stop it, then we are encouraging it.

The number and type of crimes vary in different societies and communities throughout the world. Our attitude towards crime and the way we react to it determine the outcome of crime in our lives. In societies where crime is not tolerated or accepted there is a low crime rate. For countries like Singapore and Indonesia in which there is a zero tolerance attitude towards crime, the result is a fairly crime-free country. Other countries also view capital punishment as a viable antidote to violent crime—the true and only deterrent.

A large percentage of crimes are committed by repeat offenders, and only a small percent of serious criminals in our penal system respond positively to rehabilitation. What is the possibility that a serial rapist or murderer will strike again after he is released into the general public? We know for a fact that many violent offenders repeat their crimes shortly after being released into society.

I believe that rehabilitation is an option for first-time offenders in non-violent or misdemeanor crimes but not for violent repeat offenders or those who have committed violent crimes such as premeditated murder. All convicted criminals still need to serve their jail time as it is an integral part of their rehabilitation process. A jail sentence is the removal of the privilege of “freedom” and this punishment is designed to hold criminals accountable and responsible for their criminal actions and to serve as a deterrent. Rehabilitation in the jails should be in the form of schooling, training and work.

Our jails and correctional facilities are a viable and untapped “labor source.” Facilities can be redesigned and set up with work stations. Inmates can be educated, put to work, paid a minimum salary and brought up to the standard of the present work force to allow them to be productive once they are released back into society. Training them and giving them work will give prisoners a sense of self-worth, accomplishment and independence. Often criminals are released back into society with no money, no training, no resources and no options but to commit crime again in order to survive. These work programs could create income for the penal budget and could financially benefit private-sector companies that wish to partake in these outsourcing programs. There should also be government tax breaks given to companies that are willing to take a chance and hire former inmates. The parole board should encourage such programs and should abandon its present role as a processing tool to balance the penal budget and circumvent our judicial system by altering sentences that are set by our courts. The track record of the parole board provides proof of the need for change in the way things are currently done.

Crime costs taxpayers far too much money. It is estimated that an average crime such as break and enter or theft will cost taxpayers approximately $40,000 from the time the criminal is apprehended until he or she is sentenced. This expense continues to add up when the criminal enters the penal system, at a rate of approximately $25,000 per year. Taxpayers are paying the costs. We pay for it all: police enforcement, legal aid, courts—including clerks and judges’ salaries—jails—including the jail guards and wardens’ salaries—and the parole board and its employees. Taxpayers are getting a “bad rap” and not receiving value for their money.

In Canada and in most of the United States of America, capital punishment is not an option. Such remedies as mandatory 99-year sentences are a viable punishment for first-degree murderers in order to ensure that they will never again have an opportunity to repeat such crimes against society. Justice should not only be served but must also appear to have been served.

The real problem is that crime “pays.” It is a question of basic economics. It is easier to sell drugs on the street than to work for five dollars an hour in a factory or restaurant. There is also the fact that good jobs are difficult to find and the unemployment rate is high. For some people, crime becomes a viable alternative to work, and they will do what is necessary to get their piece of the pie. In addition our justice system has failed us and there are no real deterrents. Crime flourishes because criminals know that they can keep going through the “revolving door” of courts and prisons. Generally the laws favor the criminal; the term “reasonable doubt” says it all. Maybe the onus should be placed on the criminal to prove his innocence rather than the judicial system having to prove his guilt.

For young countries like Canada that have experienced a large influx of new immigrants and have taken on a multicultural philosophy and a melting-pot ideology, there will be some growing pains in the area of crime. Along with the positive benefits of multiculturalism comes some negative baggage as well.

In addition, the number of homeless people on the streets continues to rise. In most large urban centers, the rate of the population that is homeless, or on the brink of becoming homeless, is about five percent. Some of these people will turn to crime in order to survive and acquire the basic necessities of life such as food, shelter and clothing.

Poverty is a major contributor to crime as crime is sometimes a rebellion against poverty! High crime is an indicator of tough economic conditions. The wealth in the world is extremely unevenly distributed: approximately five percent of the population controls the world’s wealth, and the world’s population is increasing at a geometric rate. Most of the employed are living basic lives and they are the folks paying for it all, as their tax dollars are paying for the rich and supporting the poor. The middle class is being constantly eroded, creating a greater rift between the rich and poor. If this unfair wealth-distribution trend continues we will see much more crime.

As taxpayers we have the right to demand changes to the judicial system through due process. We need to lobby our local representatives in government and create change through peaceful demonstrations, with media assistance, through letters to our ministers and heads of government, and by voting for the right people to represent us in government. We also need to get involved by reporting all knowledge of criminal activities either as a witness or as an anonymous caller to the police or crime stoppers. We are not at all helpless and we need to get tough on crime in order to control it.

The reality of crime and punishment is that the punishment must suit the crime and be a deterrent to it or crime will prevail. The scales of justice must maintain a balance.