Watching so many “cop show” episodes over so many years has made me paranoid. As I walk my dog down the safe streets of the Boston, MA suburb where I live, I wonder what lurks behind fences and around the next bend.

When cars slow down to ask me directions, I remember the numerous Law And Order episodes where the unsuspecting woman is abducted by the mysterious stranger.

I recently walked to a neighborhood park, sat down in a chair and relaxed in the sun reading a book… for about 5 minutes. Then, I realized I was the only one there except for a 20 something guy playing basketball. He was behind me and I could hear the ball bounce, bounce, bounce.. but, (I wondered) what if he was actually a serial killer waiting for his next victim. I was far enough away from the safety of the neighborhood houses that if he attacked, no-one would hear me scream. So, I actually got up and moved my chair closer to a perceived "safety area". (Haven't you seen The Closer episode with the park killer?)

I truly enjoy watching the plethora of police shows on television. It’s fun to watch the mysteries evolve and the crimes get solved. But, you are left wondering how many crazy people are really out there.

What Do The Crime Stats Show Us?

I decided to do some research on United States crime statistics and here are some of the interesting things I found. Per the U.S. Department of Justice:

• If we assume 2004 trends continue, just over 1 million adults are convicted of felonies each year, 70% are sentenced to a period of confinement (i.e. jail) while 30% are given probation with no jail or prison time. (That’s 300,000 felons running free every year!)
• A 1994 study showed that of the 272,111 persons released from prisons in 15 states and estimated 68% were rearrested for a felony or serious misdemeanor within 3 years. Of those, 2.5% of released rapists were rearrested for another rape, and 1.2% of those who had served time for homicide were arrested for a new homicide.

I also uncovered some 2007, FBI data, specifically on violent crime in the United States.

• Nationwide, an estimated 1,408,337 violent crimes occurred in 2007. This was an estimated 466.9 violent crimes per 100,000 inhabitants. And, down .7% from the prior year.
• 61% of the violent crimes were "aggravated assaults", 32% were robberies and about 6% were rapes. Murder accounted for just over 1% of total violent crimes, in 2007.
• In 2007, there were an estimated 5.6 murders per 100,000 inhabitants. Of the murders, 68% of the offenders used firearms.

I do a lot of internet surfing for fun and for my job, so I am constantly browsing websites. But there is/was something disturbing about the browse options on the FBI site (see image to the right). You can browse by murder, robbery, rape…. Ugh.

What were my key conclusions from all of these Crime Stats? There are a lot of scary people out there. One million felons convicted every year- and 30% of them go free and could be living in my neighborhood! Millions of violent crimes every year. And, what about all the crimes that go unreported....

The stats have definitely not helped soothe my paranoia..How can we protect ourselves?

From time to time, I’ve pondered whether I should buy and carry some Pepper Spray. It is one of the most common, most affordable and acceptable self defense mechanisms available.

Pepper Spray is legal in all 50 states, but some require that you apply and get approval for a permit to carry it. Pepper Spray gets its name, because it’s made with a derivative of hot cayenne peppers and the active ingredient is OC (Oleoresin Capsicum), an “inflammatory agent”.

When you spray your assailant with Pepper Spray, and it makes contact with the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, throat, and lungs), symptoms will appear instantly. The capillaries of the eyes will immediately dilate, causing temporary blindness. And, inflammation of the breathing tube tissues, will make it difficult for your assailant to breathe. The effects of pepper spray last between 20 and 90 minutes, which give the user plenty of time to escape.

Pepper Spray is often confused with Mace, but they are two very different compounds. Unlike Pepper Spray, Mace is classified as an irritant similar to tear gas and has no affect on assailants that are under the influence of drugs and alcohol. To make it a tad confusing, there is a Mace brand, which sells a complete line of Pepper Spray items!

For more information about Mace and Pepper Spray, check out "How to Choose a Defensive Spray" from fellow hubber, "Defender".

Pepper Spray is very easy to find and buy online including a large selection on Amazon.com.

When you look at the product choices you feel a little bit like James Bond. You can buy pepper spray shaped like a pen, a key chain or a tube of lipstick. There’s pepper spray designed for specifically for Runners in a sports holster and pepper spray laced with invisible ink.

There are state restrictions, but in most states you can buy Pepper Spray online and have it shipped to your door step. (The most conservative states are in the Northeast, ex. Massachusettes) Other websites to consider include: DefendingWomen.com, KeepingWomenSafe.com and PersonalSecurityIsYours.com. 

There are many other things you can do “day to day” beyond pepper spray, to help prevent you from getting attacked. Some of these may seem like common sense, but it’s always good to get a reminder….

At Home: Keep your windows and doors locked at all times. Ensure all entrances, especially parking areas, are well lit. If a stranger knocks on your front door, talk to him/her through the door- don’t open it. And, never reveal to anyone that you don’t know, at the door on the phone, that you are alone.

On The Street: Be aware of your surroundings and always carry yourself assertively. If your prospective attacker thinks you might fight back- they may less likely to approach you.

Trust your instincts, and yell or run away when you think it’s the right thing to do. Carry your cellphone and be prepared to make a call, if you feel you're in danger.

Avoid poorly lit streets and parking areas- have a flashlight with you just in case. Walk on the side of the street where you face the traffic.

Avoid carrying large, bulky purses and packages. They can make you look like a target and make it hard for you to keep your balance or move quickly if someone approaches.

If you think you are being followed, don't go straight home, as the "follower" will see where you live.

In Your Car: Car doors should always remain locked when you are inside or outside of the car. When walking towards your car in a parking lot, have your key in hand, ready to gain entry quickly. If you are leaving work or an event late at night, try to leave in groups and walk together to your cars together.

If you come across a stranded car on the road, do not get out to help. Instead, call for help via your cell phone.

For more ideas, refer to these articles; "How to avoid attack if you think you're being followed" on WikiHow, "How to avoid an attack" on eHow and “How to avoid rape” from www.womenshooters.com.

So, what have we learned from all this? If you’re a woman living in the United States, it’s probably a good idea to be a little paranoid. Crime does exist in every state and you should be alert and prepared.

Self defense mechanisms, like Pepper Spray, are fairly easy to get and to use. And, there are many things you can do on a day to day basis to keep yourself safe.

Perhaps we should all be a little more prepared…

Copyright July 2009, M. Reynolds, All Rights Reserved