tincin
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,368
Jul 25, 2014 4:55:32 GMT
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Post by tincin on Mar 13, 2016 14:30:56 GMT
Glad you are an observant runner and paid attention to your gut instinct. As women, we are raised to not hurt people's feelings and to put them ahead of us. It is not an easy habit to break. I am also thrilled that you are going to report this man. There is no way to misunderstand him blocking in your car and following you.
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Post by Patter on Mar 13, 2016 14:37:44 GMT
That is scary! I am so thankful you are okay. I would report it. When I am unsure, I just call the non-emergency number. My theory is better safe than sorry.
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Post by hdoublej on Mar 13, 2016 14:40:00 GMT
Once he blocked me in, I'd have called, but hindsight is 20/20, isn't it. I would have had DH call immediately with the license plate # as well. But I'm glad you're ok and will be reporting it today. Don't just tell a cop buddy, go in and make a report (unless that's what you meant about small town living, I get that). You might be making a difference for some other woman. I do have pepper spray, and a small stun gun, because I've met a weirdo on the path too once. Though I'm pretty sure he was just a weirdo, not someone who meant any physical harm. It was still unnerving enough for me to buy the spray and change up my habits. Yep, very small town. Police will come to your house to get a report. Most likely they will know who it is without even running the plate. We live in a "turn right at the red barn with the big rock on the corner" kind of town. Lol! We live in that kind of a town as well. It leads you into being less suspicious of people. Thank you for the reminder! I'm really bad about zoning out when I'm walking at our park and I don't pay enough attention to my surroundings. I fully admit that I'm not sure it would have clicked that it was the same man at first or even noticed he was sitting there to begin with. I always tell my kids to be mindful of their surroundings but I'm not good about it myself. I'm going to work on that!
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Post by lisacharlotte on Mar 13, 2016 15:11:49 GMT
If I walk alone I stay on well traveled streets. My neighborhood is very walkable so that's not an issue. If I go when it's not full light or people aren't up, I always vary my route and time I leave. I try not to be predictable. I live in a very desirable neighborhood but it's bounded by less desirable neighborhoods in an urban setting. My son conceal carries since he runs at night.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 13:48:39 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2016 15:20:13 GMT
OMG! My heart was beating fast just reading your story. I am so glad you are ok. Yes, why don't we think to call the police when something like that happens?! Because we were ingrained to think nothing bad would actually happen. At least you were able to get all the pertinent info and pass it along to your husband. I hope the police caught the guy. (I haven't read beyond your initial op)
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peaname
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,389
Aug 16, 2014 23:15:53 GMT
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Post by peaname on Mar 13, 2016 16:33:36 GMT
That is scary I'm glad you're okay. I hope you don't let him continue to scare you into staying home. Get a running buddy-human or canine.
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J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
Location: Cincinnati
Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
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Post by J u l e e on Mar 13, 2016 16:43:09 GMT
That gave me chills. So glad you're okay. I have run unprotected my entire life and I've never had anything close to this happen to me. I know I'm lulled into thinking that after decades of running, nothing will. I've always thought I should get some sort of protection, but I just never do. I will do it before my next run. I promise. Thanks for sharing this! You made some smart and quick thinking decisions. Don't beat yourself up with what you didn't do.
And congratulations for keeping up with your running!!
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Post by crazy4scraps on Mar 13, 2016 16:50:05 GMT
That would totally freak me the heck out. I have zero trust when it comes to stuff like that. If someone weirds me out even the littlest bit, I pay attention. I'm so glad you are safe and that you were able to keep your wits about you. I would absolutely file a report. Who knows what that guy would do the next time, when the person he's stalking isn't quite as attentive?
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
Jul 12, 2014 21:58:10 GMT
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Post by pridemom on Mar 13, 2016 16:57:23 GMT
It always fascinates me that as women we tend to second-guess our assessment of a situation like that and even worry about offending the other person by treating them suspiciously. I'm not blaming you at all... I've been guilty of the same thing. Please do report this. It is definitely worthy of a report especially since you have identifying information. No offense taken at all! This is what I have been struggling with. Why did I KNOW it was wrong,mbut not call 911? So frustrating. Dd and I went to dinner last night and had a big talk about this. This is NOT the message I want to be sending her. It's not too late to contact your police department and give them the information.
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oaksong
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,164
Location: LA Suburbia
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 6:24:29 GMT
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Post by oaksong on Mar 13, 2016 17:07:22 GMT
Wow, I'm glad you're safe! How frightening!
I'm definitely having a talk with DD about this one. We have a wilderness area near our house where she likes to walk, but I only let her go with our 2 big dogs. I wouldn't let her walk to DG's house alone, and it's only 2 blocks in a good quiet suburban neighborhood. These kind of stories scare the daylights out of me.
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Post by jackie on Mar 13, 2016 17:07:42 GMT
Let us know how it goes with your police officer friend. I'm hoping that they go out to his house and have a talk with them. If he knows that THEY know who is after that incident, hopefully he'll think twice before he does something stupid again.
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Post by shaniam on Mar 13, 2016 17:18:55 GMT
This is one of the reasons I love my running group. I am usually pulling up the rear, but there are people looking out for me. My coach usually drives back and forth between the faster runners and the slow ones. He pretty much knows where we are. There is a road ID app that also is great if you run solo. It will alert who you choose if you stop and don't move for a few minutes. I do need to get some mace to carry in my fanny pack just to be on the safe side.
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Post by maryland on Mar 13, 2016 17:25:23 GMT
My friends husband is an avid runner. He wears a "fanny pack" in which he keeps his phone and a whistle. My friend always knows where he will be running, what time he is leaving, and what time he will be home. A simple text to his wife with the information. That way, if there is trouble, she knows where he was. He was in a running group and they gave a lot of simple tips to keep runners safe. He tries not to run after dark, and if he does, it's in his neighborhood, which is safe and there are lots of people around!
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Post by anniefb on Mar 13, 2016 18:02:50 GMT
Ugh how scary. Thanks for the reminder. I do a lot of early morning running by myself but tank fully have never had any problems round here.
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Post by sues on Mar 13, 2016 18:06:15 GMT
I was at the train station once, walking to my car with DD and a couple of bags from American Girl Place. We had gotten off at the wrong stop and had to backtrack, so we weren't with a big crowd like we usually would have been. As soon as the train pulled out and the area was quiet again, we started hearing someone screaming at us. There were two guys on the other side of the tracks, walking parallel to us and moving toward crossing toward us. The whole time screaming things like "Hey bitch- stop- you got something for us." I was never so scared in my life. DD and I ended up flat out running for the van- I had my keys ready and opened up the doors before we got there. We jumped in, locked up and I was moving before we were belted in. The first thing I did when we got home, ten minutes later was call the police. There were going to be countless people in that parking lot after me- and I wanted them to know there were guys stalking the lot, looking for trouble. I didn't sit in my car to make the call because I was way too unnerved to stop moving once we got going. The dispatcher's reply to me, after establishing I was out of danger and home was "Why are you calling then?" I said "There are two men, stalking the parking lot. I got to my car safely- but they were running toward me when I reached my car. I'm OK- but the next person might not be." She said "Well...I mean, I guess I can send someone out to check it out, but you should have called us when you were there." I said "And stay in harms way? What difference does it make where I'm calling from? It happened ten minutes ago, not yesterday." She couldn't have been less interested. I felt so stupid... Like an alarmist housewife that heard a branch scratching the window. ETA- my point is, I guess - this is what would have made me hesitate. I'm not often moved to call the police- but the one time I did, that I was most scared by something- I was blown off. I think this is why most women hesitate to call for help.
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Post by originalvanillabean on Mar 13, 2016 18:52:26 GMT
Scary story. Glad you are ok.
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The Birdhouse Lady
Drama Llama
Moose. It's what's for dinner.
Posts: 7,174
Location: Alaska -The Last Frontier
Jun 30, 2014 17:15:19 GMT
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Post by The Birdhouse Lady on Mar 13, 2016 18:58:04 GMT
That is so scary!
I had a weird guy follow me around JoAnn Fabrics and out to the parking lot. I did EVERYTHING wrong. So I get where you are coming from.
I tend to think we as women don't want to offend people and give them the benefit of the doubt. Like you said "lesson 1. Listen to your gut"
If I were you I would definitely report it and I would not be running in that area for quite awhile.
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Mar 13, 2016 19:01:17 GMT
This is why I run with my dog. In reality she's probably not much protection, but a would be attacked doesn't know that. I'm glad you listened to your gut! Now turn him in...how bad will you feel if he attacks someone else? Better safe than sorry!
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Post by chaosisapony on Mar 13, 2016 19:07:48 GMT
How scary!
I had a couple of instances as a child with creepy men and one as an adult. It's really unnerving. Hopefully the police are able to track this guy down.
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Post by mlynn on Mar 13, 2016 19:22:01 GMT
I told dh last night that the best thing ever would be a humane society by a park. People could stop in and borrow a dog for a run. Little dogs could go with those who are walking. It would be a total win-win We have that here in Yakima. It IS a win-win. Plus the dogs end up leash trained and learning to be around people so they are easier to adopt.
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Post by flanz on Mar 13, 2016 19:33:36 GMT
So glad you are okay! And thank you for sharing! Stay safe out there!
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Post by iteach3rdgrade on Mar 13, 2016 19:54:23 GMT
I'm glad you are ok!
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TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,775
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Mar 13, 2016 21:16:11 GMT
I told dh last night that the best thing ever would be a humane society by a park. People could stop in and borrow a dog for a run. Little dogs could go with those who are walking. It would be a total win-win We have that here in Yakima. It IS a win-win. Plus the dogs end up leash trained and learning to be around people so they are easier to adopt. That is awesome!
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MDscrapaholic
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,370
Location: Down by the bay....
Jun 25, 2014 20:49:07 GMT
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Post by MDscrapaholic on Mar 13, 2016 23:30:43 GMT
What did the police have to say?
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Post by Delta Dawn on Mar 13, 2016 23:48:58 GMT
I like to walk far and fast if I can't sleep at night. I can't do that anymore as there have been 2 major assaults in my area. I saw the guy who wrote The Gift of Fear on Oprah once and that really freaked me out. I also don't go to my gym at night any longer either. I hate that I feel like this but there are freaks out there.
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TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,775
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
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Post by TankTop on Mar 13, 2016 23:56:48 GMT
What did the police have to say? They took a report and we're going to make the parks department aware. My friend, the officer, pretty much let me know that he was going to go to this person's house and scare the crap out of him. He was glad I had gotten some mace, but he also warned me about running with headphones in. He said to at least leave one out.
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cakediva
Drama Llama
Making the world a sweeter place one cake at a time!
Posts: 7,443
Location: Fergus, Ontario
Jun 26, 2014 11:53:40 GMT
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Post by cakediva on Mar 14, 2016 0:22:53 GMT
Oh my goodness!
So glad to hear you are ok!!
DD had an experience a couple weeks ago - everybody says she should have called 911 and driven to the station - she passed a driver who had cut her off while trying to merge, and he followed her all through our neighbourhood, the Walmart parking lot and back around our neighbourhood. She finally lost him and pulled into the house and then ran inside. We've told her next time dial 911 and head to the OPP station!
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Post by littlemama on Mar 14, 2016 0:27:21 GMT
For those of you who feel that running with a dog or running in a "safe" neighborhood or a small town protects you, please read up on the April Millsap case. Horrible, horrible story.
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Post by AussieMeg on Mar 14, 2016 0:44:18 GMT
How scary for you!! I'm glad that you're ok and that your policeman friend is going to "make sure he never thinks about doing that again." It always fascinates me that as women we tend to second-guess our assessment of a situation like that and even worry about offending the other person by treating them suspiciously. I'm not blaming you at all... I've been guilty of the same thing. Please do report this. It is definitely worthy of a report especially since you have identifying information. No offense taken at all! This is what I have been struggling with. Why did I KNOW it was wrong,mbut not call 911? So frustrating. Dd and I went to dinner last night and had a big talk about this. This is NOT the message I want to be sending her. I totally understand why you didn't report him to police immediately. I'm almost certain that I would have rung DSO rather than the police as well, just in case the guy was completely innocent. But if it were my 18yo DD in your situation I'd sure as hell be encouraging her to call police immediately. (And then follow up with a phone call to her 6'4" tough nut father!) Yikes! That really is scary. Someone once followed my sister in law right into her driveway - before the cell phone era. She ran out of her car screaming like a maniac and he got scared and drove away. Very good advice - particularly to trust your gut. That's scary too. But there is NO WAY KNOWN I would drive to my house if some lunatic was following me. Then he would know where I live! I'd be terrified that he'd come back later. I'd do what Tank did and drive to a police station, or ring a male friend/relative to come and meet me at a busy public place.
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happymomma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
Aug 6, 2014 23:57:56 GMT
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Post by happymomma on Mar 14, 2016 1:36:52 GMT
What did the police have to say? They took a report and we're going to make the parks department aware. My friend, the officer, pretty much let me know that he was going to go to this person's house and scare the crap out of him. He was glad I had gotten some mace, but he also warned me about running with headphones in. He said to at least leave one out. Thank you SO much for reporting this to someone who will let the creep know that he's been id'd doing this creepy thing. It may truly save the life of someone who isn't as observant and quick-thinking as you.
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