Ladies, would this scare you?

[kdibattista]

Nope... I would not have been scared and yes, I think you overreacted.

 

[minniepumpernickel]

Yes, it definitely sounds like a potentially scary situation. He was alone, and whats he up to? Does he just ride around and try to pick up women?

I'm very independent, but I try not to walk alone in secluded, dark areas. Always stay safe, you can't really trust someone like that. You worry me, because you seem too trusting.

Take care of yourself!

 

[honeywolf7]

Minniepumpernickel, I am trusting (but I don't get in cars with strange men.) And don't worry, it wasn't a dark, secluded area (my school is in the city and the streets are very well lit, well-traveled, etc.

 

[MAC3]

I think it's scary! Becki be careful & alert. Report it to the campus police and trust your gut.

Lisa

 

[mrsv98]

I remember watching program on crime and I think it was JJ Bittenbinder who was the expert. He said that way too often, women do not listen to their instincts. We don't want to make a "scene" or appear to be a *****. But instincts are what allowed our species to survive and we should listen to them. If your instincts told you this guy was bad news, he probably was, especially if he turned around to "persue" you.

When I was in England, I was walking along the sea front in the evening when a man appeared from the water side of the boardwalk. Man, every alarm in my head went off; cold sweat, goose bumps, you name it. Well, I was sort of hemmed in by some shrubbery on my right. Didn't matter tho, I dove thru the bushes and crossed the street as fast as I could. I didn't care if I looked silly, I just knew I had to get out of that situation.

If it happens again, get his plate number and call campus police.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Becki, since you are dating a person in law enforcement, what is his take on this?

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Just use your common sense. And next time note the plate and maybe inform the PD (but for God's sake don't call 911 to just give them that information, call the regular number).

 

[honeywolf7]

Mickeyfan, his take is that I should have called the campus police and that the guy sounded scary (unfortunately, he was in NC at the time so I didn't ask him then.)
Missjasmine, believe me...I wouldn't go from not calling at all to calling 911.

 

[MeanLaureen]

Becky - VCU isn't a college with a campus in the way most people would think. It's basically an college with buildings dispursed throughout the downtown area of Richmond. It's not like UofR where its a little community on it's own.

That being said, the VCU "police" aren't going to be able to do a thing about what happened at a 7-11. They are there for school property - dorm buildings , decks etc. Not to patrol retail areas.

You should have called the Richmond city police. If you are walking around after dark in what is unfortunately by statistics one of the most dangerous cities in america, you need to be careful. Carry some form of defense (and God no, not a gun. Just pepper spray) and have it on you to use. But don't jump to conclusions and automatically spray the first person that talks to you..lol. Big mistake to even talk to him. Where was this 7-11? Grace St.? No offense, and I know you weren't dressed stereotypically but, umm.. you DO know what type of women hang out in that area after dark.. right? Best to mark that place off when you get the munchies before class. Isn't there a new Ukrops down near the school?

Next time drive to the 7-11 first, get what you need, and then park. Or better yet, go to a convenience store further out of town where it's safer when you are going downtown at night. (last I remember you lived out in a county - at least you did when Matt brought you home that one time) I know I have quite a few VCU students working for me (girls) and none of them would ever walk anywhere but from their cars to the building when they had night classes.

 

[goofy4tink]

Have to agree that that does sound scary and potentially dangerous. Yes, there are some nice people out there. But, in this day and age, is there a sane man that would actually believe that a woman is going to get into a car with a strange man?? Forget about being nice. If he had 'good' intentions, then he needs a wake-up call. Do you carry a cell phone? If so, you could have made a call at that moment, which would have most likely scared him off. I did that once in my car when someone 'seemed' to be following me. They kept hanging back and then speeding up to get right next to me and motioning for me to stop. I didn't have a cell phone, but I pretended I did by leaning over and then talking as if I were on the phone. I squinted really hard at the driver and his car, as if to get an i.d. The driver really took off fast. Maybe not the smartest thing to do, but it worked at that time. Stay safe.

 

[Crankyshank]

No offense or anything, but with all of your police procedure training, didn't they tell you not to respond to strangers in a situation like that?

If you're alone at night, especially in a not so great part of town, you should never ever respond to a stranger asking you for a ride. You're supposed to have your keys out and walk forcibly to your destination

We northeasterners might be considered unfriendly, but at least we are street smart.

 

[doxdogy]

This is a classic example of why I never, never, never walk any distance at dusk or after sunset. If, I have to go to the store after dark, DH takes me. When I am outside of work smoking on break and some asks directions, I don't walk up to the car. I stay where I am at (at least a good 10 feet away and give them directions). I ALWAYS drive with ALL car doors locked. Like DH has told me over and over again. If someone tries to open the car door, start honking the horn or if they are in front of the car go around them and if need be hit them (I know that sounds cold hearted). Or if they are armed, give them the car. My keys are always in my hands and my purse is my weapon. My purse weighs a good five pounds. Also, if you are ever walking to your car after dark, stop a few feet away from the car and look UNDER the car. You may look strange doing it, but I put nothing past anyone these days. I live by this rule when out in public; TRUST NO ONE. I look at it this way, the good Lord has given me 44 years. I am going to what is needed to make sure I stay safe. My sound paranoid, but these days it is almost like you have to be paranoid.

 

[honeywolf7]

Lauri, nope...i was at the one on Belvidere. You may be right that the VCU police can't respond to calls that aren't directly on campus, but they actually do patrol off-campus and the escort service provides escorts (when they show up as I said before) as far as a mile off of campus. I now live in Richmond City. As far as Grace Street, I do know what type of women hang out there and the Ukrops is actually on Grace Street. I guess I'm so used to walking around there in the daytime, I didn't even think about the risks at night (although I did do the keys thing.)
Crankyshank, we never actually discussed self-defense...It was more like what do police do, what is community oriented policing, what are problems in the policing profession, etc.

 

[Rajah]

That's setting off all sorts of alarm bells in my head, but like you I probably wouldn't have called the police. Probably because every time I've tried reporting anything I've been blown off and asked why I bothered. Yeah, that kind of attitude gets people *real* willing to warn the police when something suspicious is seen. *sigh*

Anyway, do be careful, and see if you can find someone to walk with you when you're walking back after dusk.

 

[MeanLaureen]

Becky - the Belvidere area isn't any better!

Will the Campus police actually escort you to something for something that is non school related? As in to go to 7-11 for snacks? Daggone they must have a huge force because I know college kids like beer runs and chips! LMAO!!

I don't know why I thought I remembered you saying you moved out of the city. Geesh don't tell me I'm getting senile at 37..lol. Do you live in the Fan?

Oh.. and even though Ukrops is on Grace St too, there is no secret that the Ukrops brothers pretty much own Richmond and you can believe they have some pretty tight security around that area..lol

 

[honeywolf7]

Lauri, they'll escort you anywhere as long as you're leaving from or going to a VCU-owned building and the other place is within a mile of campus. As far as where I live, I live on Forest Hill.

 

[honeywolf7]

I wanted to add (because I didn't mention it earlier) that I did have 911 dialed on my cell phone and all I would have had to do is push the send button if I really thought I needed help.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

What an odd question. YES it would scare anyone, I would think.

 

[Bojangles]

Maybe TJ can teach you some self defense techniques.

 

[Pin Wizard]

That's frightening!