June 15, 2005
Dear Community Friends:
If You Encounter This Woman….
This past June, we shared information with you about scams targeting our elders. One scammer in particular has our interest and we need your help to bring her activities to a halt.
A woman using the names “Kim” and “Pam,” (African American woman, about 5’3”, 170 lbs,
about 40 years old), continues to go to the homes of elderly women and uses a ruse to
gain entry into the home or to get money. She has used claims of being a block watch captain,
a new neighbor living around the corner, pregnant, or having car problems. She has used hardship stories to gain sympathy. She has asked to use the phone or bathroom to gain
entry and then asked for or just outright demanded money before she would leave.
At times, she has taken whatever was within reach when the homeowner stepped away to get her a glass of water or money, or was otherwise distracted. This woman has been very active for some time. She has hit neighbors from Columbia City to Rainier Beach. We want to catch her. Badly.
What To Do
- Do not let her - or any other stranger - into your home!
- Do not give cash!
- Call 911!
- Get a good description. Note her direction
of travel.
- Pay attention for any vehicle she may go to. In some cases when we were responding to where she was operating, she got out of the area too quickly to have been on foot.
- Alert your neighbors
Strong Arm Robbery - A Reminder Last summer, the South Precinct area experienced a high degree of strong-armed robberies where our elders were targeted. While we haven’t seen the number of incidents this summer as we did last year, they are still occurring. The typical pattern is for the suspects to approach the victims from behind, take the purse, and flee on foot. As with last year, the victims are primarily elderly women. The incidents we’ve seen to date seem to indicate that these are crimes of opportunity rather than a targeted plan. We want to re-emphasize some prevention measures to enhance your safety.
Spot and Avoid Potential Trouble
· Be aware of your surroundings; know who is nearby.
· Use the buddy system - travel with another person.
· Pay attention to the uncomfortable feelings that often warn us of potential danger. Minimize the Opportunity for Loss
· Carry only what is actually needed.
· Carry only small amounts of cash.
· Take only the credit cards you actually plan to use.
· Leave expensive jewelry at home.
Minimize the Opportunity for Injury
· Your safety is the number one priority!
· Don't resist or try to fool the robber. Carrying Valuables Safely
· Handbags should be closed, carried in front of the body with an arm held loosely across it.
· If wearing a handbag with a strap over the head, choose a thin strap, and wear it under your coat.
· Many women find they don't need to carry a handbag all the time. Place essentials (keys, small amount of cash, I.D.) in a pocket.
Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon
South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
No comments:
Post a Comment