It is the mission of the
Richland County Sheriff's Department to improve the quality of life for ALL
citizens. As your Sheriff, I have made
it my duty to build unity between the Sheriff's Department and the community;
joining our high standards of excellence with our vision for safer communities.
Staying safe should be a
priority for everyone. However, busy schedules, time constraints and routines
often result in us providing criminals opportunities to make us victims. I hope
that by giving you tips that can help you avoid becoming a victim of crime when
you are at home, out and about, or at work will help to keep you and your loved
ones safe.
Personal
Protection:
·
Don’t think that
that it can’t happen to you.
·
Always be aware
of your surroundings, who’s in front of you and who’s behind you. Don’t get
distracted.
·
Walk
purposefully, stand tall, and make eye contact with people around you.
·
Stay Alert!
·
Make yourself a
“tough target.”
·
Should you
resist? Everyone and every situation are different.
·
Trust your
instincts! If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, leave!
·
If being
followed or stalked, call 911 or drive directly to a police station.
If
You're Attacked
·
Keep your head.
Stay as calm as possible and evaluate your options and resources.
·
It
may be more advisable to submit than to resist and risk severe injury or death.
You will have to make this decision based on the circumstances.
·
Keep
assessing the situation as it is happening. If one strategy doesn't work, try
another. Possible options include negotiating, stalling for time, distracting
the assailant and fleeing to a safe place, verbal assertiveness, screaming, and
physical resistance.
·
You
may be able to turn the attacker off with unusual behavior such as throwing up,
acting crazy, or stating you have a sexually transmitted disease.
As your Sheriff, I am always
looking for ways to protect citizens in our communities. One of the ways that I
can do this is by providing training and awareness to you FREE of
charge. For example; to reduce the possibility of women being victimized,
the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) offers a Women’s Self Defense
Class. This is a crime prevention program that utilizes techniques that are specifically
designed to empower women to recognize their strengths and make sound decisions
when faced with potentially dangerous situations.
Sergeant Maria Yturria is
one of a few Hispanic female Deputies with the RCSD and helps run the Self
Defense course. She also acts as a liaison to educate the Hispanic community
about the programs we offer, including the women's self defense class. "I
use my background to go out and communicate with other Hispanic community
liaisons. I am also part of various organizations to network in the immigrant
communities."
I am proud of all of
our Deputies’ efforts and dedication to protect and serve the people of Richland County
The next FREE Women's Self
Defense Class is scheduled for October
6, 2012 from 10:30am - 2:30pm at 430
Polo Rd.
By taking a few simple
precautions, you can discourage criminals and reduce your chances of becoming a
victim.
If we all remain alert and
are aware of what is going on around us, we are less likely to be a target.
Being prepared and taking a proactive approach can mean the difference between
staying safe or being a potential victim.
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