[terry and jo]

Please bear with me on this one. It touches home because two fellow Okies were victims and because Jo and I work for a law enforcement agency in Oklahoma.

With the good news today of the arrest of the Arizona prison escapees, I can now rest a little easier and worry less for those friends on these forums that are populating our nations campgrounds. The reason is because McCluskey and Welch had been frequenting camping areas and truck stops in their efforts to avoid capture.

Even at their capture, McCluskey had stated that if he could have reached his weapon in their tent that he would have engaged the police officers. Welch had reached for her weapon, but dropped it after confrontation by SWAT officers. They were a couple not afraid to kill even innocent people to further their aims. The couple from Tecumseh, Oklahoma that were killed in New Mexico are evidence of the likelyhood of criminals to kill, even if for no other reason than to avoid having witnesses around.

I cannot stress enough for everyone to always be aware of the circumstances surrounding you. Even if you aren't one to own and carry a firearm, always be aware of the location of other items that could be used as a weapon to protect yourselves. For years, it has been known that criminals avoid individuals who are armed, or could be armed, or even appear to be confident and assured in their manner.

For instance, when walking to one's vehicle, don't just amble along, acting as if you are unsure of your vehicle's location. Even if you are lost, stride determinedly and confidently in your lost status to avoid allowing a criminal to target you. Even in heavily trafficked areas (think Walmart parking lots), NEVER walk to your car talking on your cell phone. If you are on the phone to someone, your awareness of your surroundings are diminished. Criminals look for people who seem to be unaware to target for their crimes. As a friend tells me, "Keep your head on a swivel. Keep looking around as you walk to your vehicle."

Even if not directly threatened, it may be necessary to confront an intruder into someone else's area, even if to only stand and carefully watch the intruder. (They hate to be noticed.) This kind of action may prevent a criminal from targeting a neighbor, whether it is a residential area or campground.

Don't be afraid to call the police if you are suspicious. You may not be officially "making a false report of a crime" if you are only informing the police of an intruder. How do you know that the police aren't already aware that someone has been commiting crimes in the area where you are? The police don't always inform the public if there has been a series of crimes in a particular area. But, if you report an intruder, it may already be someone they are looking for.

If at all possible, avoid being alone. There is safety in numbers. If you are hesitant about walking out in the dark to your vehicle, ask an employee of the store where you are to ask someone to walk you to your car or at least stand outside watching you as you go to it.

Alertness is the watch word, especially for those that are in areas other than "home". Since some of your homes are mobile, you often are in areas unfamiliar to you.

Stay safe. We want to visit WITH you, not visit ABOUT you.

Terry