My wife and I were the victims of a break in and trashing of our home. The fear my wife has because the perpetrator is out on her own recognizance is unmeasurable. It has destroyed her life and therefore greatly damaged mine. I am sure we are not the only ones whose lives are destroyed by what prosecutors consider a minor felony and the lack of knowledge about how being a crime victim affects people among those who want to reform criminal justice is beyond me.
Thanks for the story, that’s a sad window into what that experience is like. I can only imagine the more vulnerable like older people, women and children have a harder time with this fear. “Luxury beliefs” has become a mantra for me for many of these issues. In this case the legislators have homes in the nicest neighborhoods, private security, etc. This seems like a fundamental flaw in our system, when people don’t face the consequences of their policies.
The neglect of safety for crime victims is unconscionable and based on ignorance of human nature.
Since you can't change the situation at the moment I do recommend you do all you can to mitigate its effects on you.
a) Carry pepper spray. Buy as many as you need and check to make sure you have it each time you go out the door. I keep it in the same pocket at all times and if the situation appears sketchy I've got the safety thumbed off and ready to use.
If you've ever been on the receiving end of this crap you know it's going to deter nearly anybody, though on a windy area it's problematic.
I prefer the ones that shoot a stream or gel.
b) Take a self-defense awareness class or even just watch YouTube videos on the subject. These can increase your sense of safety by reminding you that you can exercise some agency in keeping safe.
c) I suppose if the problem is going to persist long range you need to buy and carry a gun, train sufficiently and become very up on the laws regarding their usage in your area so you don't end up in jail for your legitimate use of same.
We do need to elect people who realize that people are entitled to be safe from crime and these supposedly well intended pro-criminal ideas are not fair to law abiding people.
My wife and I were the victims of a break in and trashing of our home. The fear my wife has because the perpetrator is out on her own recognizance is unmeasurable. It has destroyed her life and therefore greatly damaged mine. I am sure we are not the only ones whose lives are destroyed by what prosecutors consider a minor felony and the lack of knowledge about how being a crime victim affects people among those who want to reform criminal justice is beyond me.
Thanks for the story, that’s a sad window into what that experience is like. I can only imagine the more vulnerable like older people, women and children have a harder time with this fear. “Luxury beliefs” has become a mantra for me for many of these issues. In this case the legislators have homes in the nicest neighborhoods, private security, etc. This seems like a fundamental flaw in our system, when people don’t face the consequences of their policies.
The neglect of safety for crime victims is unconscionable and based on ignorance of human nature.
Since you can't change the situation at the moment I do recommend you do all you can to mitigate its effects on you.
a) Carry pepper spray. Buy as many as you need and check to make sure you have it each time you go out the door. I keep it in the same pocket at all times and if the situation appears sketchy I've got the safety thumbed off and ready to use.
If you've ever been on the receiving end of this crap you know it's going to deter nearly anybody, though on a windy area it's problematic.
I prefer the ones that shoot a stream or gel.
b) Take a self-defense awareness class or even just watch YouTube videos on the subject. These can increase your sense of safety by reminding you that you can exercise some agency in keeping safe.
c) I suppose if the problem is going to persist long range you need to buy and carry a gun, train sufficiently and become very up on the laws regarding their usage in your area so you don't end up in jail for your legitimate use of same.
We do need to elect people who realize that people are entitled to be safe from crime and these supposedly well intended pro-criminal ideas are not fair to law abiding people.