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Huron Expositor, 2001-12-19, Page 1010A—THE HURON EXPOSITOR, DIciammOI is, 2001 News Women need to be aware of dangers, says cop at seminar on travelling alone By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Staff Lucknow, Kincardine, Exeter and Dashwood are all places where women have gone missing and even Seaforth women have to be vigilant about their safety, Huron OPP Const. Don Shropshall told a dozen women last week. "We don't think it's ever going to happen here but this message is important even in Seaforth. We're more isolated here and have a lot of dark and desolate roads," he said at a recent seminar on women's safety at the Seaforth Cooperative Children's Centre. Shropshall said 32 women have gone missing - some of whose dead bodies where found later - during the past 15 years' in the western region of Ontario (from Windsor to Owen Sound to Hamilton). "You never know what's going to happen or when and you always have to be thinking about everyone you're dealing with," he said. He showed a 20 -minute video relating the experiences of three women whose stories were based on the attacks on women in southwestern Ontario, including the abduction and brutal rape and murder of Lynda Shaw on the 401 near Woodstock. The video said that women travelling alone are prime targets for attacks and provided pointers about how to avoid becoming a victim. The pointers included always locking all the doors of your vehicle when travelling, holding your keys in your hand so they can be used as a weapon if necessary, circling your car before entering it to make sure no one is waiting inside to jump you and to make sure a flat tire doesn't leave you stranded on a deserted road. "If someone does come at you, use your key to slash at their face towards their eyes and while they're checking for blood, use those vital seconds to get to your car," said Shropshall. "By all means, use your purse and swing it as hard as you can or use a pen as a weapon to rip across their face. If it comes down to you and them, protect yourself and get away," he said. He said two "recent victims" had men waiting in the backseat of their cars after they left their doors unlocked during a quick trip to the post office. Susan Hunderlmark photo Community Services Officer Don Shropshall of the Huron OPP demonstrates how a woman can use her keys to defend herself from an attacker. "One woman was okay because he only waited three blocks to show himself and she was still in town. She slammed on the brakes and sent him flying, then got out of the car screaming so people could help her. If he'd waited until she was out in the country, she wouldn't have been so lucky," he said. While approaching your parked car, women should look underneath the car since men have been known to wait under the car and pull their victims' legs out from under them. As well, they should be wary about using automatic car starters until they are close to the car since the device opens the car to anyone nearby. The video recommended also always carrying a cell phone, letting someone know your exact route and expected time of arrival and being aware of the last sideroad or highway exit you pass so that police can find you if you break down. "We can get to you a lot faster if we know what road you're on and where. If we know where you are, we can be there in 10 minutes," said Shropshall. In the case of a breakdown, the video recommended using a Call Police sign, preprogramming your cell phone for 911, never getting out of the car when strangers offer help but instead asking them to call the police for you if you don't have a cell phone. "Don't raise the hood of your car because it brings more attention to your distress. And, it also blocks the view for passing motorists if someone is trying to attack you," said Shropshall. He said a stranded woman was once attacked when she got out of her car when a tow truck pulled up. "If you didn't call for that tow truck, don't get out. And, look to see the name of the company because CAA will tell you what company is coming," he said. He said women travelling alone should not trust women they don't know either. "Karla Homolka taught us Ant women will help men get to their ends as well," he said. He said using a complete address on luggage tags is a mistake because it lets thieves know where your vacant home is while you're away. When it comes to home safety, Shropshall said more Huron County people need to lock their doors. "That's why we're investigating a murder in Nile right now, because that door was unlocked," he said. Police have charged two teens with the recent beating death of a 78 -year-old man in Nile. Shropshall said women sllould call the police to check their homes if they find their homes have been broken into. "Some men will go to any lengths to hide and come out later. During a B and E (break and enter) in Ben Van Diepenbeek Van Diepenbeek named Huron County warden Ben Van Diepenbeek, reeve of Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh Township was acclaimed as warden of the county at a swearing in ceremony on Dec. 4. Van Diepenbeek has been involved in municipal politics for 10 years. He's served as reeve of the former Ashfield Township for three years, and is the current reeve of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh. Van Diepenbeek has been a county councillor for four years. He said some of the issues in the coming year he will be dealing with as warden include water quality and the environment. The county will also be working on nutrient management, revising the tree conservation bylaw and dealing with the downloading of childcare to the county. Goderich, the police checked the whole house and found someone hidden in the very last room," he said. And, during the Christmas season, he said women should be aware that they become more vulnerable when carrying armloads of packages. "Make sure at least one arm is free so you can defend yourself," he said. Donlrrmtr s1 . antirShOPPINIO Get Your Seaforth BIA Bucks at CIBC & TD Canada Trust aff • Racking your Brain as to What to Get "The Hard to Buy For Person?" PROBLEM SOLVED PC rilii Seaforth Cooperative Children's Centre 0 t t%' 2002 DRAW CALENDER The Gift that Gives all year isi A 1 for $20 2 for $30 r /• Arvada& wt: •11 ! • Pages Book Store • Egmondville Store Mg • Culligan Real Estate • Seaforth Cooperative Children's Centre 0 f% • 1remeer Printers • Sumthing Special 160 Plus Prizes Worth Over $3500.00 .4 different way of bcrrtl?irc,,. NOTICE o, 50th ANNUAL MEETING will be held at the Betty Cardno Centre Highway 8 West Clinton, Ontario WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2002 AT 7:30 pm FOR MEMBERS ONLY OF CLINTON COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION LIMITED For the purpose of receiving reports and financial statements for the year ending September 30, 2001; electing Director and Credit Committee officers; appointing Auditors; for the purpose of amending Bylaws and the transacting of all other business of an Annual meeting, stated only on the agenda as per Bylaw No. 7.07 Transportation will be provided, leaving, from the Exeter branch office parking lot at 6:30 p.m. and also will pick up members in Hensall if required. Please call the Clinton office by Monday, Jan. 7, 2002 if you are interested in taking.the bus. All members are welcomed. Clinton Community Credit Union limited 48 Ontario Street 118 Main Street Clinton Exeter 482-3466 235-0640 www.clintoncu.on.ca OPEN: MON. to THURS. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. FRI. 9:00 a.m - 8:00 p.m. ftraM /411):44" x•01 a Ulintmr Wmnduluiid Wishing you a picture -perfect holiday season filled with beautiful moments. Please accept our sincere thanks for your business. It's been a pleasure serving you. Ken Janmaat and crew Vanden Heuvel S1ruc1 uu res It(1. COMMERCIAL AND AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS 40 WELLINGTON STREET • CLINTON �,9,482-9666 Iltos4W Wishing Jou Deu ?fapp!ness This `�folida� Season! • Home • Auto • Commercial • Farm 522-0399 Seaforth 1-800.265-0959 Strathroy Lisa Vandendool, Sharon Bakelaar, Kim Coulees, Dianne Gautreau Community Nursing Services • Let the message of that Holy Night light the way for us today, to the blessings of lasting peace and goodwill to all men. With appreciation for all the goodwill you've shown us this past year. Thanks! Simon and Yolanda VanDriel and staff DRIP 482-3783 CAVATIING �