My sister lives off Smith Rd (Arrowhead Point) she was walking to my dad's house (on Smith Road) about 100 yards from her corner - when a man driving a white car going in the opposite direction (towards 210) stopped. She thought he was going to ask for directions, but instead, he asked if she needed a ride. She thought it was odd, but answered no, that she was almost to her destination and thanked him anyway. . .well she was just about to step foot onto my dads driveway when she realized he'd turned around and was right behind her - she said she ran up the driveway and he beeped his horn and took off - now headed for Polenta. She didn't think to get his plate number. Keep alert - IMO that's scary.
Zoo, Thanks for the heads up. When I was a pre-teen living in Atlanta I was with a group of kids in a parking lot when a man drove up, rolled down his passenger side window and yelled that he needed directions to a certain place. All of the other kids kept on playing but not me. I was taught to be polite to adults, which I took literally, and approached the car. As I got closer and looked into the car the guy had his pants off and was doing.....well you can imagine. I ran. Told my parents and they explained in more detail about being polite to adults. What a lesson. Sherry P.S. Also when living in Atlanta a friend of my mother's came up missing and is still on the website The Doe Network: http://www.doenetwork.org/ as missing. People need to be very careful.
Yes, it's a dangerous world. I never talked to strangers as a kid, we were taught to be polite, but my grandmother recounted a story about her friend who was raped/murdered when they were about 8 years old - the man approached them together and asked their names. . .my grandmother, one of the youngest in a family of 7 kids - all but two were boys, was wearing a hand-me-down coverall type deal and looked like a boy - her nick-name was 'Charlie' so that's what she answered. . .that's probably what saved her. Anyway, the story scared the heck out of us, it must have impacted my grandmother greatly as she talked about it often. A shame you can't feel safe walking the distance of a football field away from your own home. My sister said my dad was upset, insisted on driving her home when the time came. He told her she should be packing when she goes out for a walk. Age doesn't always matter - I mean, sure many prey on the young (male and female children alike), but women of all ages can be someones target depending on their taste. I looked for an article my sister up North pointed me to quite some time ago, darned if I can find it - didn't bookmark it, or if I did I don't recognize it. . .but it was about a woman in her late 30's who was out walking and a man in a car asked for directions and used a tazer on her. She was found a few days later still bound and barely alive, she survived but the guy hadn't been captured at the time of the article.
there is also a silver SUV in this area, (my mom and dad live close to here as well) the guy says he is a PI but just be careful. Thanks for the heads up I will pass it along to the folks!
When I walk, I usually keep a 9mm strapped to my hip. I dont get too many people asking me for directions or for anything for that matter. I'd suggest that, or a large dog if she is uncomfortable with guns. Also when talking to strangers in a car, make sure you are on the hinge side of the door, and as close as possible to it. If they attempt to open the door, you can kick it shut, or atleast they have to run around the door to get to you.
