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Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Commentary from Dan


This is a website that was developed to assist you in being more aware and to help educate you in regard to protection from criminal predators. A criminal predator is anybody who wants to victimize us in violation of the laws of our society.

Please use this website to educate yourself and pass it onto others. We would like to avert a tragedy.

Stay safe,
Dan

From the Criminal

“Observe your enemies, for they first find out your faults.” Anisthenes, Greek philosopher and pupil of Socrates.

This is a topic that was added to provide you with information from the perspective of the criminal predator. This information was gleaned from interviews with and/or articles written by murderers, rapists, thieves and thugs. Hopefully it will help you better understand the psyche of criminal predators and thereby defeat them.

Sadly, the current featured article about personal safety was written by a police officer, who after writing the article, disgraced himself by stealing cash from a citizen’s wallet. For more information, enter the author’s name (Jonathan Berkofsky) in the above Google search engine. He no longer is a police officer. The advice is quite good, however.


Your Personal Safety is Your #1 Priority!
by: Jonathan Berkofsky

It seems we all need to carry more of our personal possessions around with us these days. Cash in your wallet or purse; checkbooks, credit cards, personal organizers and mobile phones are just some of the everyday items that are sorely missed if they are stolen.

All these possessions might seem invaluable, but according to the police the best advice for hanging on to your possessions is "only take what you need with you".

They suggest you learn to minimize the amount of possessions you carry with you. If you don't need a camera with you, don't take it and the same goes for cash and credit cards, only take what cash you need and don't take all your credit cards with you, just the ones you are likely to use.

Keep your purse or wallet somewhere where you can feel it, such as an inside jacket or trouser pocket. Pockets you can zip or button are best. Check every now and then to make sure you still have your wallet or purse on you, but don't make this too obvious as pickpockets can spot you doing this.

Likewise, keep your mobile phone out of sight - in a zipped up pocket is best. If you carry a bag, strap it across your chest and keep hold of it, but at the same time try not to look overly cautious. Keep the zip or opening towards you. Be aware that back-pack style bags are especially vulnerable to thieves.

Do not leave your bag unattended in a public place, such as in a pub, coffee bar or shop. If you're trying on shoes in a shop for example, don't walk even a short distance away from your bag. Keep it with you or ask the shop assistant to hold it for you.

Try to appear relaxed, but at the same time be thoughtful about your surroundings. Pickpockets like busy streets and crowded places, and someone bumping into you could well be a pickpocket. If this happens, check you still have your things with you, but again don't make it too obvious that you're doing this.

If something is stolen, go to the nearest police station or call the police. However, don't dial 911 unless you have actually caught someone in the act and have managed to apprehend them. Think carefully before chasing after someone or trying to restrain a thief. The value of what they have stolen may be minor compared to the consequences of being attacked. Always put your own safety first.

And Remember, Non-resistance to prevent physical violence, Negotiate, Stall for time, Distracting or diverting the assailant, then fleeing, Verbal assertiveness, Screaming, and using a whistle or shriek alarm to attract attention and help.

"Date Rape"

When people think of rape, they might think of a stranger jumping out of a shadowy place and sexually attacking someone. But it's not only strangers who rape. In fact, about half of all people who are raped know the person who attacked them.

Most friendships, acquaintances, and dates never lead to violence, of course. But, sadly, sometimes it happens. When forced sex occurs between two people who already know each other, it is known as date rape or acquaintance rape.

Even if the two people know each other well, and even if they were intimate or had sex before, no one has the right to force a sexual act on another person against his or her will.

Girls and women are most often raped, but guys can also be raped: 7% to 10% of rape victims are male.

Even though rape involves forced sex, rape is not about sex or passion. Rape has nothing to do with love. Rape is an act of aggression and violence.

You may hear some people say that those who have been raped were somehow "asking for it" because of the clothes they wore or the way they acted. That's wrong: The person who is raped is not to blame. Rape is always the fault of the rapist. And that's also the case when two people are dating - or even in an intimate relationship. One person never owes the other person sex. If sex is forced against someone's will, that's rape.

Healthy relationships involve respect - including respect for the feelings of others. Someone who really cares about you will respect your wishes and not force or pressure you to have sex.
Alcohol and DrugsAlcohol is often involved in date rapes. Drinking can loosen inhibitions, dull common sense, and - for some people - allow aggressive tendencies to surface.

Drugs may also play a role. You may have heard about "date rape" drugs like rohypnol ("roofies"), gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), and ketamine. Drugs like these can easily be mixed in drinks to make a person black out and forget things that happen. Both girls and guys who have been given these drugs report feeling paralyzed, having blurred vision, and lack of memory.

Mixing these drugs with alcohol is highly dangerous and can kill.

Protecting Yourself

The best defense against date rape is to try to prevent it whenever possible. Here are some things both girls and guys can do:

Avoid secluded places (this may even mean your room or your partner's) until you trust your partner.

Don't spend time alone with someone who makes you feel uneasy or uncomfortable. This means following your instincts and removing yourself from situations that you don't feel good about.

Stay sober and aware. If you're with someone you don't know very well, be aware of what's going on around you and try to stay in control. Also, be aware of your date's ability to consent to sexual activity - you may become guilty of committing rape if the other person is not in a condition to respond or react.

Know what you want. Be clear about what kind of relationship you want with another person. If you are not sure, then ask the other person to respect your feelings and to give you time. Don't allow yourself to be subject to peer pressure or encouraged to do something that you don't want to do.

Go out with a group of friends and watch out for each other.

Don't be afraid to ask for help if you feel threatened.

Take self-defense courses. These can build confidence and teach valuable physical techniques a person can use to get away from an attacker.

Getting Help

Unfortunately, even if someone takes every precaution, date rape can still happen. If you're raped, here are some things that you can do:

If you're injured, go straight to the emergency room - most medical centers and hospital emergency departments have doctors and counselors who have been trained to take care of someone who has been raped.

Call or find a friend, family member, or someone you feel safe with and tell them what happened.

If you want to report the rape, call the police right away.

Preserve all the physical evidence. Don't change clothes or wash.

Write down as much as you can remember about the event.

If you aren't sure what to do, call a rape crisis center. If you don't know the number, your local phone book will have hotline numbers.

Don't be afraid to ask questions and get information. You'll have lots of questions as you go through the process - such as whether to report the rape, who to tell, and the kinds of reactions you may get from others.

Rape isn't just physically damaging - it can be emotionally traumatic as well. It may be hard to think or talk about something as personal as being raped by someone you know. But talking with a trained rape crisis counselor or other mental health professional can give you the right emotional attention, care, and support to begin the healing process. Working things through can help prevent lingering problems later on.

Sex Offender Registries

Alabama- http://community.dps.st/
Alaska- http://www.dps.state.ak.us/sorweb/Sorweb.aspxate.al.us/
Arizona- https://az.gov/webapp/offender/main.do
Arkansas- http://www.acic.org/Registration/index.htm
California- http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/
Colorado- http://sor.state.co.us/index.cfm?SOR=home.sxoreg
Connecticut- http://www.ct.gov/dps/cwp/view.asp?a=2157&q=294474
Delaware- http://sexoffender.dsp.delaware.gov/
District of Columbia- http://mpdc.dc.gov/mpdc/cwp/view,a,1241,Q,540704,mpdcNav_GID,1523,mpdcNav,,.asp
Florida- http://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/homepage.do
National- http://www.nsopr.gov/
Wisconsin- http://www.wi-doc.com/offender.htm
Wisconsin (all criminal and civil records)- http://wcca.wicourts.gov/index.xsl

Carol Jean Pierce


Carol Jean Pierce disappeared from her home in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin in 1975. Her remains were never found and nobody was prosecuted for her abduction. An active criminal investigation is ongoing. http://www.sturgeonbaypolice.com/CarolJeanPierce.doc

Personal Safety Basics

The First Rule of Safety

  • Someone must always know:
  1. Where you are going.
  2. With whom you are going.
  3. When you will be back.

Even if you live alone or nobody is home, leave a note at your residence with the above information.


Driving

  1. Keep your doors locked at all times.
  2. Have a cellular telephone.
  3. Keep an adequate amount of gas in your vehicle.
  4. Don't stop to assists strangers. Call for help for them on your cellular telephone.
  5. If your car breaks down, call for help on your cellular telephone and stay with your car.
  6. Be aware of your surroundings.


Parking Lots and Public Areas (Under Table of Topics, see "Always be aware of your surroundings.")

  1. At night, park only where it is well lit.
  2. Avoid desolate areas.
  3. Lock your doors when you leave your vehicle.
  4. Approach your vehicle with your keys ready.
  5. Remember where you parked.
  6. Check your back seat before getting in.
  7. Be aware of your surroundings.

Walking, Jogging, or Biking

  1. Use the buddy system (a protective dog counts).
  2. Try to avoid walking, jogging, or biking during hours of darkness.
  3. Let somebody know where you are going.
  4. Avoid desolate areas.
  5. Vary your route and schedule.
  6. Be aware of your surroundings.

At Home

  1. Keep your doors locked, especially at night.
  2. When answering the door, verify who it is (look out the window, look through the peephole, etc.).
  3. If you don't know who it is, or you feel uncomfortable about the person, don't open the door.

In any situation

  1. Trust your instincts, especially if you sense danger.
  2. Don't hesitate to call the police, even if you are uncertain. Error on the side of caution.

Identity Theft

Common ways ID theft happens:

Skilled identity thieves use a variety of methods to steal your personal information, including:

  1. Dumpster diving- They rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper with your personal information on it.
  2. Skimming- They steal credit/debit card numbers by using a special storage device when processing your card.
  3. Phishing- They pretend to be financial institutions or companies and send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal your personal information.
  4. Changing your address- They divert your billing statements to another location by completing a "change of address" form at the post office.
  5. "Old-Fashioned" Stealing- They steal wallets and purses; mail, including bank and credit card statements; pre-approved credit offers; and new checks or tax information. They steal personnel records from their employers, or bribe employees who have access.

Deter Identity Thieves

  1. Shred or burn financial documents and paper with personal information.
  2. Protect your social security number (SSN). Don't carry your social security card in your wallet or write your SSN on a check. Give it out only when absolutely necessary or when required.
  3. Don't give out personnel information on the telephone, through the mail, or on the Internet unless you absolutely know who you are dealing with.
  4. Never click on links in unsolicited or untrusted emails; instead, type in a web address you know. Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer; keep them up-to-date. Visit http://www.onguardonline.gov/ for more information.
  5. Don't use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother's maiden name, or the last four digits of your SSN.
  6. Keep your personal information in a secure place.

Detect Suspicious Activity

  • Be alert to signs that require immediate attention:
  1. Bills that do not arrive as expected.
  2. Unexpected credit cards or account statements.
  3. Denials of credit for no apparent reason.
  4. Calls or letters about purchases you made.
  • Inspect:
  1. Your credit report. The law requires that major, nationwide consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) give you a free copy of your credit report each year if you ask for it. Visit http://www.annualcreditreport.com/ or call 1-877-322-8228 to order your free report. You can also write: Annual Credit Report Request Service, PO Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
  2. Your financial statements. Review financial accounts and billing statements regularly, looking for charges you did not make.

Defend Against ID Theft

  1. Place a "Fraud Alert" on your credit reports if you are a victim of ID theft and review the reports carefully. The alert tells creditors to follow certain procedures before they open new accounts in your name or make changes to your existing accounts. The three nationwide consumer reporting companies have toll-free numbers for placing an initial 90-day fraud alert; a call to one company is sufficient:
  • Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
  • Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742)
  • TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289

Placing a fraud alert entitles you to free copies of your credit reports. Look for inquiries from companies you haven't contacted, accounts you didn't open, and debts on your account you can't explain.

2. Close accounts. Close any accounts that have been tampered with or established fraudulently.

3. File a police report.

4. Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission: online at www.ftc.gov/idtheft; by telephone at 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338); or by mail at Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580

Predator

Serial killer Dennis Rader.




Predator\'pre-de-ter\n(1912) 1: one that preys, destroys, or devours.









Serial killer Ted Bundy.




Internet Safety

Internet usage is an important skill for children to learn and become comfortable with. However, there are risks.

Risks Online

Exposure to inappropriate material (content of a sexual nature, violence, hate or racist websites, etc.)

Sexual solicitation

Harassment and bullying

Theft of personal information (see Identity Theft under the “Table of Topics”)

Statistics

More than 30 million children in the United States use the Internet

1 in 4 had unwanted exposure to sexually explicit pictures

About 1 in 5 received a sexual solicitation or approach

1 in 17 was threatened or harassed

Children are ideal victims for predators

Natural curiosity

Easily manipulated

Have a need for attention and affection

Some have a need to rebel against authority (parents)

Online there is a sense of anonymity for the child and the predator




  • Below is 12-year-old "Becky90210" having an online chat with your child.






Online Safety Tips

1. Establish rules for Internet usage
-What sites can they visit?
-Who can they talk to?
-How long can they be online?

2. Keep the computer in a common room.

3. Discuss the importance of telling you or a trusted adult if something happens online that makes your child uncomfortable.

4. Communicate openly with your kids.

5. Utilize safeguarding options such as blocking, filtering, and rating applications.

If you or your child becomes the victim of a predator under any circumstances, report it to your local law enforcement agency.

Pepper Spray

Laws on Pepper Spray in the United States of America differ between states.

Washington, D.C., possession of pepper spray must be registered with the DC Metropolitan Police.

Massachusetts, pepper spray can only be sold to holders of firearm identification cards.[18]

Wisconsin, citizens 18-years-old or older can carry pepper spray. Go to the following for additional details: http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/cp/consumerinfo/cp/factsheets/pepper_spray.jsp

Michigan, pepper spray is legal if it has less than 2% of the active ingredient, this decreases the length of the effects but not the SHU. Sprays containing a mixture of CN/CS are also banned. Otherwise pepper spray is an over the counter purchase.[citation needed]

In many (but not all) other states, pepper spray can be purchased at various stores and carried legally by anyone over 18.

State Concealed Weapons Laws

The following is for general information and does not constitute legal advice or counsel. Concealed weapon laws frequently change and you should always contact an attorney licensed to practice in any particular state to obtain the most current information.

Most states have laws that regulate and allow citizens to carry a concealed firearm. In other words, you have to get a permit and there is a legal process in place to do so. Three jurisdictions do not allow citizens to carry concealed firearms; Illinois, Wisconsin, and Washington, DC.

Always be Aware of Your Surroundings

Is this a vehicle you would park next to in a dark parking lot? This is a typical public parking lot in a typical town anywhere and everywhere in the United States.

Notice the light blue car to the left of this Ford Bronco. That car belongs to a 16 year old girl. The Ford Bronco is running and had been running for several hours. It was running when the young girl parked next to it. Sadly, there is a dead body in the Bronco. The body was sitting upright in the driver's seat, in plain view. The driver of the Bronco had driven into the parking lot and had committed suicide. Yet it took several hours for anybody to notice and call the police. The 16 year old girl never even noticed. The point I'm trying to make is you need to be aware of your surroundings. What if a predator, such as the likes of Ted Bundy, had been in the Bronco, simply waiting for a young female victim to park next to him?

Personal Safety for Children

Children are our most valuable and cherished resource. We all need to do more to protect them from harm. The following link provides important and concise information to assist us in just that: http://www.ncjrs.gov/html/ojjdp/psc_english_02/intro.html

Personal Safety Gadgets/ Tools

Numerous items are available to protect you and the ones you care about from criminal predators. They include, but are not limited to wristbands, whistles, and even small GPS units.


Personal Safety Gifts for the Holidays
by: Marvin Badler

When thinking about a perfect gift for your loved ones, why not think about their security & safety? What could be better?

Think about Your - Children at home:
Think about Your - Children away from home at school:
Think about Your - Husband or wife while traveling:
Think about Your - Entire family in and around the home and neighborhood:

There are many gifts on the market that can protect you loved ones. Some examples are:

The "Child Guard"

Have you ever experienced the terror of thinking your child is missing or lost? We have all had the gut-wrenching feeling of turning around in a busy street and finding that our child is nowhere in sight. Now this could be prevented with the new improved Child Guard. A Kitty Child Guard or the Panda Child Guard worn by the child, the cartoon animal-shaped transmitter sends a constant signal to the receiver, which is held by the adult. The signal is adjustable - from a distance of 6 to 30 feet, so when the child goes beyond the set distance, the adult's receiver starts to beep, letting them know that the child is starting to wander off. Frequencies adjust themselves automatically to alert the proper receiver if more than one adult is in the same area using the Child Guard monitoring system.

The Cutting Edge of new microchips produced by SMT® technology, also referred to as the IC unit, is wafer thin and performs with superb accuracy and is incredibly reliable. The IC unit is nicely hidden in a small plastic animal (looks like a toy) and can be concealed very easily under a shirt or jacket if desired. The YS-077 includes a parent receiver and, the transmitter is worn around the child's neck. The YS-088 includes a parent receiver, and the transmitter is worn around the child's wrist.

* Simple and easy to use compact wireless design.
* Child friendly design - Strategically hidden in a plastic toy looking transmitter.
* Has a rotating dial that you can adjust anywhere between 6 and 30 feet.
* Transmitter can be attached by buckle, to clothes, or worn as a necklace.
* Suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
* Lithium batteries included.
* Easy to understand instructions.

Personal Alarms:

Small and portable. Great for protection at home, at work or when you travel.

The 130db Personal Alarm is designed to draw attention to any crisis, the (PAL-1) 130db Personal Alarm is as loud as eight 100db alarms. The alarm is activated when the strap attached to the alarm pin is pulled. Travels easily on your belt or in your purse. The Door Alarm accessory converts the Personal Alarm into a portable door or window alarm. Great for home, hotel rooms, college dorms, etc. Use 9-volt battery (not included).

Personal Alarm (125db) with Flashlight:

The sleek, slim design of the (PL-6) personal alarm with flashlight fits easily into small hands, purses and even a pocket. Dimensions: 3.5" x 2.5" x 0.5". The activation pin is connected to a wrist strap and when the pin is removed, the alarm sounds at an ear piercing 130db. The alarm is also equipped with a flashlight, useful for dark parking lots or when entering a dark building. Perfect for real estate agents, night-shift employees and even children! Uses 2 AAA batteries (included)

Personal Alarm and a Flashing Light:

The KC-45 combines the two best deterrents against attack--a 125db alarm and a flashing light. A hidden disarm switch ensures that only the owner can deactivate the alarm. Can be used as a flashlight without activating the alarm to provide additional nighttime safety. Keychain. Battery included.

Electronic pocket/keychain whistle:

You do not even have to blow the HP-388 electronic pocket/keychain whistle...just push a button. Emits a loud 120db whistle for as long as you push the button. Useful in sporting events, a locator in emergencies (earthquakes, collapsed buildings), referee whistle, traffic whistle for police, military training, dog handling and as a safety alarm for crime prevention. 4 inches long. Uses 4 LR44 batteries (included).

125db Door Stop Alarm:

Use this DSAL-2 125db doorstop alarm to block a door from being opened. If anyone tries to open the door, this 120db alarm will sound. Alarm shuts off when pressure is released from doorstop plate. The alarm is pressure sensitive and works as a door jam. Uses one 9-volt battery.

Dual Purpose 120db Alarm:

The AL-2 is a dual-purpose 120db alarm. It acts as a burglar alarm and a personal alarm. Hang it on any doorknob (non-metallic doors) and it instantly and automatically sounds when an intruder touches the doorknob. Carry it with you and just pull out the metal chain to sound the alarm and deter an assailant. Uses one 9-volt battery.

Mace Sport Strobe:

3 units in 1! To activate 3 in 1 Sport Strobe alarm, remove pin from the top of the unit to emit an 116db blast and flashing light. Small button on side of unit allows strobe light to be used as a flashlight. FREE attachment allows Sport Strobe to be used as a door or window alarm. Uses 9-volt battery (not included).

Mace Screecher Alarm:

Screecher Aerosol Alarm emits an "ear-piercing" blast readily recognized as an emergency call for help. Its high-pitched shriek can be heard up to 1/4 mile away. Convenient size for pocket or purse. 10-gram unit has a push-top activator. Contains approximately 30 short blasts.

Helpful Links

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: http://www.missingkids.com/
Sturgeon Bay (WI) Police Department: http://www.sturgeonbaypolice.com/
America's Most Wanted: http://www.amw.com/
For cyclists: http://www.commutebybike.com/
McGruff the Crime Dog: http://www.mcgruff.org/

Background Checks

Many websites are available to assist you in conducting your own background checks on individuals for free. A good example of such a site in Wisconsin is http://wcca.wicourts.gov/index.xsl.

True Crime Case #1

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin has a population of a little less than 10,000 people. It is a tourist destination and during the warmer months the population typically doubles. The City is located on the Door County peninsula, which juts out into Lake Michigan.

Sturgeon Bay has a relatively low crime rate. The crime rate is about half of that of Wisconsin. The City records a mere one homicide about every 10 years.

Ship building and ship maintenance are one of the main industries in Sturgeon Bay. The ship builders in the community recruit employees from throughout the world to work at their facilities.

On May 30, 2004, a 22-year-old Sturgeon Bay woman was reported missing by her mother who had not heard from her daughter in several days. The mother lives in Green Bay. The daughter lived alone in Sturgeon Bay. The mother told authorities that her daughter had recently been dating an individual who was physically abusive toward her daughter. The mother also said that the woman has disappeared in the past by just simply taking off.

The woman was employed at a local shipyard. Authorities spoke with her employer. The woman had not shown up for work since May 25.

Authorities entered the woman’s residence. Everything appeared to be in order.

Authorities spoke with the woman’s neighbors. Two of those neighbors were Randall and Sharon Fisher. Randall Fisher worked at the same shipyard as the missing woman. The Fishers had lived in Sturgeon Bay only about 6 months. The Fishers said they had seen the woman at her residence on the evening of May 25. They said they hadn’t seen her since then. They also said they had seen the woman’s boyfriend at the woman’s residence two days later. He was alone. The Fishers went on to say that in the past they had seen the woman with injuries to her face consistent with a beating. The woman had told them the injuries had been caused by her boyfriend.

The boyfriend was on probation. He was arrested and incarcerated for a probation violation. When authorities spoke with him, he said he hadn’t seen the woman since May 23. He denied being involved in her disappearance. The boyfriend had a criminal history that included several physical assaults.

Authorities learned that the woman had an account at a local bank. When the bank was contacted, authorities learned that the woman had personally closed her account of $527.00 on May 28.

On June 10, Sturgeon Bay authorities were contacted by a local victim advocacy group. The missing woman had shown up at their office by way of taxi cab. The woman told authorities that she had been kidnapped and was held against her will by her neighbors, Randall and Sharon Fisher. The woman further stated that she was handcuffed and gagged for several hours per day for nearly 2 weeks. The woman appeared to be intoxicated and had a BAC of .08%. She had 3 unopened cans of beer in her possession. The woman also claimed that criminal street gangs, such as the Latin Kings and Imperials, were after her. It was also known that the woman was a frequent user of illegal narcotics. The woman’s parents from Green Bay responded and took the woman to their home.

Authorities looked into the Fishers’ background. It was learned that in the past 20 years the Fishers had lived in over 30 different locations throughout the country. It was also learned that in 1988, Randall Fisher had been arrested for the abduction and assault of a 23-year-old woman in Michigan. Fisher had held the woman against her will, showed the woman a pair of handcuffs, and had threatened to use the handcuffs on her. He ultimately released her.

Authorities contacted the 22-year-old Sturgeon Bay woman and spoke with her further. The woman went on to say that she had been abducted by her neighbors, Randall and Sharon Fisher, and she had been forced to have sex with both of the Fishers.

The woman said that during the first several weeks of May, she was having numerous arguments with her abusive boyfriend and he would frequently beat her. She stated she was friends with the Fishers and she had confided in them about the beatings.

The woman said that on May 26 she was alone at her residence sleeping. At about 3:00 a.m. she was awoken by the sound of somebody pounding on her rear door. The woman thought it was her boyfriend and she was concerned that he’d break the door down if she didn’t open it. The woman was surprised to see that it was Randall Fisher when she opened the door.

Randall Fisher told the woman to get dressed and pack some clothes. The woman refused. Randall Fisher then produced a stun gun and a knife, again telling the woman to get dressed. He also stated, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way. I don’t want to hurt you.” The woman complied with Randall Fisher by getting dressed and packing a few belongings.

Randall Fisher handcuffed the woman behind her back and gagged her with a neck tie. The woman said Randall Fisher had brought the neck tie with him and it had a large knot tied in it. He had placed the large knot in her mouth and had tied the tie behind her neck to prevent her from screaming.

Randall Fisher led the woman from her house, across the lawn to his house. When they got to the Fisher house, Sharon Fisher was sitting on the couch drinking a beer. Randall Fisher took the woman into the basement. He removed the handcuffs and told her to remove her clothing. Out of fear, she complied. Randall Fisher handcuffed her in front and sexually assaulted her on the basement floor.

Randall Fisher told the woman that he and Sharon had decided it was time to take the woman as their “white slave.”

The woman fell asleep on the basement floor. In the morning, Randall and Sharon Fisher spoke to the woman while all three were in the basement. Both told her that they were going to keep her as their white slave.

The woman said she was kept handcuffed in the basement all day. That evening the Fishers took her upstairs into the living room where they started drinking beer. After several beers, the Fishers took the woman into the bedroom and removed her handcuffs. The woman was told to remove her clothes. Both the Fishers then sexually assaulted the woman. The woman passed out during the assault.

The next morning, Randall Fisher drove the woman to her bank. He instructed her to go into the bank and close her savings account. He told her to not to tell anyone in the bank that she was being held captive. Out of fear, she complied. She returned to the car with over $500.00.

Randall Fisher drove her back to his residence. For the next 10-12 days, she was sexually assaulted daily by Randall Fisher. Sharon Fisher sexually assaulted her 3-4 times in that period. The woman said that she was almost always handcuffed and either Sharon or Randall Fisher was always with her. She said at times, she was handcuffed to a large table in the basement and the basement door was blocked with a large refrigerator.

The woman said that one night she overheard the Fishers talking about how they were going to dispose of her body and she decided she needed to escape. The woman said the Fishers momentarily left her alone in the basement without handcuffing her. She was able to push against the basement door enough to move the refrigerator and escape the residence. She went to a third neighbor, told him what happened, and called a cab to take her to the victim advocacy office.

Randall Fisher was already incarcerated in jail on charges unrelated to this matter. He refused to speak with authorities about this matter when contacted in jail. Authorities spoke with Sharon Fisher. Sharon Fisher admitted the woman had been at their home the entire time, but had been there of her own will and the woman could have left the home anytime she wanted to. Sharon Fisher also said on two occasions during the woman’s stay there was a “threesome” involving the woman, Sharon Fisher, and Randall Fisher. Sharon Fisher said this activity was consensual amongst all the participants. Sharon Fisher let officers look around her residence. A stun gun was found and seized from a bedroom.

At this point, a witness approached authorities. The witness told officers that Sharon Fisher had confided in her that she and Randall Fisher had indeed kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and held the woman against her will. Sharon Fisher had told the witness that she and Randall Fisher had kept the woman in a room in the basement that they referred to as the “secret room.”
Sharon Fisher was arrested and a search warrant was obtained for the Fisher residence. Officers attempted to interview Sharon Fisher further. She refused to speak with them.

Officers executed the search warrant on the Fisher residence. Several items were seized during the search. They included pornographic magazines depicting bondage, sexual gratification devices, and a book titled Die for Me. The book had been found under the mattress of a bed in the Fisher bedroom. The book Die for Me is a true story about the serial killers Charles Ng and Leonard Lake. The book tells how Ng and Lake abducted women to be their sex slaves. The women would be held in a “secret” chamber on Lake’s California property. Ng and Lake would torture, sexually assault, and ultimately kill the women. The book indicates that Ng and Lake would use a stun gun and handcuffs on the women. They would also gag the women with an apparatus that had a ball on it that would go into the victim’s mouth, and then be tied behind the victim’s neck.

In the basement of the Fisher residence, officers found the room that the witness had referred to as the “secret room.” The lone door to the room opened outward into the rest of the basement and there was a large refrigerator outside the door. Scuff marks on the basement floor indicated the refrigerator had been pushed in front of the door to the “secret room” at one time or another.

A red carpet had also been seized from the Fisher residence. There appeared to be blood on the carpet. DNA testing later determined that the blood belonged to the woman.

On March 7, 2005, Sharon Fisher went on trial for false imprisonment, possession of a stun gun, sexual assault, and obstructing police. A jury found her guilty of all charges. She was sentenced to 8 years in prison.

On May 4, 2006, Randall Fisher went on trial for kidnapping, false imprisonment, possession of a stun gun, sexual assault, and obstructing police. A jury found him guilty. He was sentenced to 27 years in prison.

True Crime Case #2

On June 3, 1994 at about 1:00 a.m., a lone employee was leaving her job at a small restaurant after her shift in a small Midwestern city. As she left the building, she saw a man standing in the parking lot all by himself. She asked if she could help him and he said no.

The woman walked to her car parked in the rear parking lot of the restaurant. She could hear the man following her. The woman tried to open her car door. It was locked. The woman never locks her car doors. Suddenly the woman was grabbed by the back of the neck. She was able to turn around and saw it was the man. She pushed him back and said, “I’ve got a husband that will hunt you down and kill you. Unless you want my money, which I have none, you better get out of here.” The man, seemingly surprised, said, “It won’t go any further than this?” The woman replied, “I won’t even tell my boss.”
The man then walked away and got into a small older model gray car.

The woman noticed that the man never took his left hand out of his pocket. The woman believed the man intended to take her and rape or assault her in some fashion.

The woman immediately reported this matter to local law enforcement. The woman was extremely distraught given her experience. She told officers she had seen this same man in the restaurant on a previous date, but she doesn’t know who he was. The woman said the one thing that was odd about the man was that he was wearing a pair of tan woman’s boots. She also described him as being a very large man about 6’4” tall and weighing about 300 pounds.

While relaying this incident to the officer, the woman would cry uncontrollably at times and begin to shake when she attempted to recall the incident.

Officers recalled that on June 2, a local postal employee delivering mail had reported he’d seen what appeared to be a large man dressed as a woman, following a female jogger. The man was reported to be driving an older tannish-gray compact car. The postal employee asked the jogger if she knew she was being followed. She said she didn’t and immediately proceeded to her nearby residence. The postal employee reported this matter to police. Officers responded to the area, but were unable to locate the suspicious car.

Given the information from the woman at the restaurant, officers spoke with the postal employee again. The postal employee indicated that he thought he knew who the man might be. He provided the officers with the individual’s name. This particular individual had just been released from prison for sexual assault. Driver license records indicated he weighs 235 pounds and is 6’2” tall. Motor vehicle records indicated he owns a 10-year-old tan Chevrolet Chevette.

The woman from the restaurant was shown a photo line-up that included a photo of the man who had just recently been released from prison. The woman was unable to identify the man that had accosted her.

An officer contacted the man and invited him to the police station. The man agreed and responded. At the police station the man was interviewed. The man stated that he has had a sexual identity problem since he was young and that he has struggled with urges to assault females since he was in the 5th grade. He also indicated that he has been a cross-dresser since early childhood and had engaged in homosexual activity from about the 6th grade until about the 10th grade.

The man stated that on June 2 his urge to sexually assault a woman became very strong. He stated he became very sexually aroused and he decided to go for a ride. Before leaving, he put on facial makeup, lipstick, rouge, and eyeliner. He also put on panty hose and a pair of woman’s tan high-heeled boots.

He decided to drive along Bayshore Drive because he thought he might see a potential victim walking, jogging, or riding a bike in the vicinity. He stated he saw a woman driving a car in the area. He followed her to see if he would have an opportunity to sexually assault her. He followed her for several miles before he talked himself out of sexually assaulting her.

He drove back to the city and the urge to sexually assault returned. While driving near a park, he saw a lone female jogging and he decided to sexually assault her. He followed her for nearly half an hour and the opportunity never presented itself to attack the jogger. He again talked himself out of following through with the attack.

He began to have thoughts of sexually assaulting a female employee he had seen on an earlier date at a small restaurant. It was after midnight when he decided to go to the restaurant and sexually assault the woman if the opportunity presented itself. He stated he planned to force the woman into his car, drive to a desolate area, sexually assault her, and then leave her there.

He drove to the restaurant. He could see the woman was indeed working and she appeared to be alone. There was only one other car in the area and he assumed it belonged to the woman.

He parked his car and retrieved a crescent wrench from under the seat of his car, putting it in his left coat pocket. He said he planned on striking the woman if she resisted him during the attack. He waited for the woman to exit the restaurant. While waiting, he locked her car doors to prevent her from entering her car.

When the woman exited the restaurant, the man walked up from behind her and grabbed her by the back of the neck. The woman quickly turned around, grabbed the man’s collar, and said, “My husband will track you down. Unless you want my money, which I don’t have, I suggest you get out of here.”

The man let go of the woman, got into his car, and drove home.

The man was incarcerated. He had given officers permission to search his car and home. At the man’s residence officers found and siezed a large pair of woman’s tan high-heeled boots and a jacket with an 8” crescent wrench in the left front pocket.

On October 11, 1994 the man pleaded no contest to attempted kidnapping and attempted sexual assault. He was sentenced to state prison for 10 years.

The man was ultimately released from prison in 2005, after being placed on extended supervision (probation). The man violated conditions of his probation by wearing woman’s clothes and make-up. He was re-incarcerated. It was determined that the man is a sexually violent predator and he was remanded to be incarcerated for an undetermined amount of time.

Safety Articles

Personal Safety: It's Up to You
by: Chris Robertson

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, there were over 24 million crimes reported in the U.S. during 2003. Of those, almost 5.6 million were personal crimes, while 18.6 million were property crimes. Twenty-two out of every 1,000 American households were affected by crimes of violence and 163 out of every 1,000 households were affected by property crimes. With these kinds of statistics, it's understandable that Americans are concerned with personal safety and the safety of their homes and businesses.

The Michigan State Police offer these tips for personal safety:

1. Stay alert. Keep your mind on your surroundings, as well as who is in front of you and who is behind you.

2. Walk purposefully, stand tall, and make eye contact with people around you.

3. Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, leave.

4. While driving, keep your car in good repair with the gas tank at least half full.

5. Park in well-lit areas and always lock your doors.

6. Put valuables out of sight or in the trunk.

7. Drive with the doors locked and the windows up.

8. Check the floorboards and front and rear seats before getting in your car.

9. In an elevator, stand near the controls. If someone suspicious enters, get off the elevator.

10. At home, don't give personal information over the telephone to people you don't know.

11. Install a peephole in your front door, and don't open the door to anyone you don't know. Verify the identity of service people before allowing them in.

The Michigan State Police offer these tips for protecting your property:

1. Do not hide house keys in mailboxes, planters, or under doormats.

2. Do not include personal identification on key rings.

3. Have a separate ignition key to leave with mechanics or parking attendants.

4. If you lose your house keys or move into a new house, have the locks re-keyed.

5. When going away, make sure your home looks occupied. Put interior lights on timers, arrange to have mail and newspaper delivery stopped, and close and lock your garage door.

6. Install and use good deadbolt locks on your doors; lock sliding glass doors or use a dowel in the door track.

7. Trim shrubbery hiding doors or windows and cut tree branches that could help a thief climb to second story windows.

8. Make sure all porches, entrances, and yards are well lit.

When it comes to personal safety, many Americans are going a step further to ensure their own personal safety and the safety of their homes and offices. Car alarms, business alarms, and home alarms are important components of personal safety. Many people carry whistles on their key rings or in their pockets; when personal safety is at risk, blowing whistles can attract the attention of passersby, who can then call for help. Some people carry mace or pepper spray in their pockets, briefcases or purses, while others carry concealed stun guns to the extent that the law allows.

Those who leave their children in the care of others often use baby cams or other video recorders to ensure that the caregivers are acting appropriately.