Tag Archives: danger

Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right

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Unfortunately, I have to set the scene before I can get to the ‘meat’ of my story.

A couple of weeks ago, I was traveling on a two-lane Interstate highway headed to Las Vegas. There were two lanes in my direction and two going the other way. In portions of the route, the north and southbound traffic lanes are divided, and in the particular portion I was on, there was about a fifty-yard divide between the lanes and there was about a fifteen-foot sloping drop from the highway. It was mid-afternoon and the roadway was fairly crowded.

The highway traffic moves at high rates of speed because it’s mostly a long stretch with very few on or off ramps. Because of this fact, it would be safe to say that most vehicles are traveling at 70 mph or better, most drivers are following the car ahead of them too closely, and frankly, it’s easy to become complacent while driving. There is nothing to look at except the wide-open spaces of the high desert and the huge expanse of sky.

This road is usually crowded with traffic going from Southern California to ‘Sin City.’ For all the factors I mentioned, there are frequently traffic collisions – and for those same reasons, they are often multi-vehicle and serious in nature.

So, I’m by myself driving to Vegas. I’ve got the radio on and I’m trying to think of a fabulous title for my next book. I’m in the left or ‘fast’ lane of the two lanes. This lane is also called the #1 lane and the lane to my right would be called the #2 lane. I’m between Baker, California and Las Vegas, and traffic is winding its way through and down the Halloran Summit.

I’m minding my own business when a white Nissan pulls even with me. As a former cop, having a vehicle side-by-side like that is a little uncomfortable…we were always aware of the possibility of someone pulling up next to us and taking a few shots. So, naturally I glance over to take a look at the driver. I can’t see much of her face because she’s wearing a big floppy hat and her head is down. What I can see is that she is a woman of at least forty and she has dark curly hair, and she’s wearing driving gloves. She too is driving alone.

Now, we’re still parallel to one another and, all of a sudden, this woman starts moving over into my lane! I hit my horn while trying to slow my car and I’m precariously close to the fifteen-foot drop-off to my left. I can hear rocks and gravel being thrown into the undercarriage of my car. I’ve got my arms locked to keep the wheel straight and prevent me from falling down the embankment. The woman veers back into the #2 lane and she drops her speed.

I don’t mind telling you I was pretty shaken. There is no doubt in my mind if I’d gone off that ledge, I would have rolled my SUV. Thankfully, the big Dodge pick-up truck that was behind me didn’t rear-end me.

I’m sure my speed had slowed and I looked into my rear view mirror to see if I could see the errant driver. I couldn’t. She’s still in the #2 lane, but in my blind spot.

I’m trying to look at my right passenger mirror to see if there is any damage because I’m not positive that we didn’t actually collide. I don’t see any damage, but what I DO see the woman in the white Nissan pulling along side of me. I’m stunned to see that as she hurriedly drives past me she is angrily flipping me off!

I yelled at her, “Are you crazy?” knowing she can’t hear me. I threw in a cuss word too. Oh, and you know what she had in her other hand besides the steering wheel…her cell phone.

I was steaming for about fifteen minutes after that. It wasn’t the fact she’d almost run me off the road – although that DID tick me off. It was the one-fingered salute she’d had the nerve to display that really infuriated me. She’d almost killed me and THAT was her reaction?

I’m not a perfect driver and I’ve made some bone-headed moves myself, but on those rare occasions when that does happen, I make a point to pantomime an apology to the driver I’ve wronged. I can’t imagine doing something wrong and then blaming someone else. But I’ve been running into that situation a lot more lately.

What about you? Have you ever had someone do something wrong to you and then blame you, or go on the offensive with you?

Be safe out there!

KMA 367

Playing With Fire

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We can always count on Hollywood for igniting interesting headlines that race across the country.  And for the past few days, Tinsel Town has been in the spotlight once again.

 

No, it wasn’t a shocking divorce that took the limelight…well, unless you count Katy Perry and Russell Brand – but who was really surprised by that split?  No, it wasn’t Katy and the comic’s split, and it wasn’t a new sex tape revealed, or a young up-and-comer busted for DUI or drugs. 

 

Hollywood is in the news for something more sinister and dangerous. There is a person or persons running around the streets of Hollywood and West Hollywood lighting cars on fire; cars that are usually parked in carports underneath apartment buildings.  Fortunately, as I write this blog no serious injuries have been sustained by the citizens or firefighters.  But the potential for injury or death has certainly been there.

Let me back up a little bit.  Last Thursday night, one person was arrested and charged with arson relating to three fires set in Hollywood.  That was the lead story for the news on Friday morning.  It was an interesting story and got major play on the local TV stations. The LAPD called a tactical alert, which means that officers on duty must stay after their regular shift-change, AND that the only radio calls that will be handled are high priority calls.  So, if you’ve got a group of kids blasting music in a car in front of your house, the police won’t be responding. 

 

Even with a suspect in custody, the police deployed extra officers to the Hollywood area.  There was a joint effort between the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Office,(who cover West Hollywood), LAPD, and the LA County and LAFD.   

 

But overnight on Friday, there were another twenty-one fires set.  Some in the Hollywood area, but some were set in the San Fernando Valley. The MO was pretty similar for the fires…torch a car parked in a carport with the result being several cars destroyed along with damage to the building.

 

Saturday night netted more arson fires.  The authorities are saying the total for the spree is now up to 39 fires intentionally set.

 

Not unexpectedly, the ‘brass’ of the police and fire agencies have been updating the public and offering advice.  ‘Report any suspicious activity.  Turn on your lights in the carport areas.  Be alert.’  Our camera-hound mayor voiced his concern at a press conference as did a city councilman and county supervisor.  The story made national news.

 

So the question has to be:  Are these fires being set by one person?  An ‘arson crew’?  A bunch of copy-cat arsonists? 

 

I’m wondering why, when the police had a suspect in custody, they felt compelled to deploy officers back to the same area the next night.  We’re they anticipating there might be copy-cat or further fires…or did they have other information?  (I’m guessing they figured with all the media attention they could have problems the next night too.)

 

Either way, there is still someone out there on the streets ‘playing with matches.’  They haven’t gotten caught yet, but I can tell you every cop that’s working the street really  wants to be the one to nab the bad guy/s.  And once the pyromaniac/s are caught, their 15 seconds of fame will fade…faster than Kim K’s wedding vows.

 

**UPDATE**  When I got up this morning, I learned the police had detained ‘a person of interest.’  Reports are, that the police found an incendiary device in the man’s vehicle.  But like one arson victim stated, “Who knows if this was the only guy?” 

Until next time,

KMA367

Kathy Bennett Reports On: Domestic Violence

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One of the most common types of calls police officers respond to is domestic violence.  I can’t tell you how many times a woman with obvious physical injuries will proclaim her love for her abuser and how he did mean to hurt her…or worse yet, she’ll deny her abuser caused the injuries.


October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and I guarantee that you know someone who is being abused – you just may not know it.

Let’s start with what domestic violence is.


Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over          another person with whom an intimate relationship is or has been shared through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence. Domestic violence happens when one person believes that they are entitled to control another.


Domestic violence may include not only the intimate partner relationships of spousal, live-in partners and dating relationships, but can also include familial, elder and child abuse in a violent home. Abuse generally falls into one or more of the following categories: physical battering, sexual assault and emotional or psychological abuse, and generally escalates over a period of time.

Here are some of the indicators of domestic violence.


Victims of abuse may experience punched walls, control of finances, lying, using children to manipulate a parent’s emotions, intimidation, isolation from family and friends, fear, shame, criticism, cuts, crying and afraid children, broken bones, confusion, forced sexual contact, manipulation, sexist comments, yelling, rages, craziness, harassment, neglect, shoving, screaming, jealousy and possessiveness, loss of self esteem, coercion, slammed doors, abandonment, silent treatment, rape, destruction of personal property, unwanted touching, name calling, strangling, ripping, slapping, biting, kicking, bruises, punching, stalking, scrapes, depression, sabotaging attendance at job or school, brainwashing, violence to pets, pinching, deprivation of physical and economic resources, public humiliation, broken promises, prevention of seeking medical and dental care, ridicule, restraining, self-medication, forced tickling, threats to harm family and friends, threats to take away the children, threats to harm animals, threats of being kicked out, threats of weapons, threats of being killed.


That’s quite a list isn’t it?  And abusers usually use a number of these tactics to gain control of their victims…and they tend to pick the ones that they know will bring the biggest fear and distress as well.


Here’s the number for the National Domestic Violence Hotline 1 (800) 799-7233 and they can direct you to help in your area.  If you’d rather look at their site online, here’s the link http://www.thehotline.org/.  However, computers CAN be monitored, so if you suspect your abuser could be tracking your internet activity, find a way to call.


Domestic violence is serious business.  If you’re a victim, I know it’s scary and it’s not easy to admit you’re a victim, but get help.  You’ll be glad you did.


Until next time,


KMA367

Kathy Bennett Reports on: A Recent Foot Pursuit

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The other day I did something completely out of character.  I did something spontaneous.  Here’s the set up…

With only minutes to spare until I was late to my hair appointment, (and I HATE being late anywhere) I was driving down my street and was approaching the corner.  Then I saw a pit bull dog running with abandon down the sidewalk on the street in front of me.  A few seconds later I saw a man who obviously ISN’T a runner chasing the dog…and the man was falling behind.

I made the turn and saw the dog further down the block sniffing around some bushes and ‘marking the territory’.  I drove down to the man and asked him if it was his dog.  He said yes, so I continued down the road.  I pulled along side the dog, got out of my car and made my approach.  I got within two steps of the dog and he took off again.  I called out to the man, who was now breathing heavily and walking, and asked him the dog’s name.  He said he wasn’t sure.  Huh?

The dog was at a full run now continuing down the hill toward a major thoroughfare.  I returned to my car drove down the hill, past the dog and got out to wait for the dog to reach me.  The man had picked up speed and was talking on the phone, running down the hill after the dog, yelling at me the dog’s name was Cheyenne.

I wondered if I should even be messing in this situation having previously seen the damage a raging dog can do.  And rightly or wrongly, this was the most notorious breed of dog out there.  AND…I was going to be late for my hair appointment!

The dog approached – his eyes wild with the excitement of running loose.  I bent down and held out my hand as the dog bounded closer.  “Cheyenne, come here boy,” I called in my most enticing ‘doggie’ voice.  To my surprise the dog ran right up and came to a stop in front of me.  I slipped my fingers around his collar and the wayward dog was in custody!

The man came huffing and puffing up about a minute or so later.  “Thank you, thank you!  It’s my boss’s dog and I’m taking care of him this weekend and somehow he got out.”  I wondered how you could volunteer to take care of a dog for a weekend and not know the dog’s name.

I told the man “no problem”, and hurried to my car where, luckily, I had some wet wipes…the dog had slobbered all over my leg.  Leaving the man and his house guest to make their way back up the hill, I ‘drove with purpose’ to my appointment.

But as I drove, I realized it wasn’t that I was being spontaneous.  I was doing what comes naturally to me.  I was helping someone in trouble – which is what I did for twenty-one years as a cop.  You know what ‘they’ say:  You can take the girl out of the uniform…but you can’t take the job out of the girl.

Are you spontaneous?  What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve done?

Until next time,

KMA367

Here’s a Hot Topic!

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In Southern California we’re just entering our wildfire season.  We’ve got the water-dropping airplanes at the ready – in fact, they’ve been deployed at least once – and the fire season is young!

We’ve experienced a mild summer.  But that doesn’t mean the brush is any less dry or has grown any less.  Fires have been big news all across the country, so everyone needs to be prepared.

Those of you who live in the foothills who have properties backing the wilderness need to get the brush cleared from behind your homes if you haven’t already done so.  I remember a few years ago, when the Station Fire wound it’s way to Granada Hills, the news showed a cul-de-sac in the height of the firestorm.

The fire department had its hands full trying to save homes in that neighborhood.  I watched on TV as the media speculated that the fire department’s resources were so short, they actually had to choose which homes they were going to try to save on that street.  And guess what?

Firefighters and their equipment were positioned at the homes where the brush had been cleared from the back.  That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t try to save every home, but the homeowners who’d done brush clearance had made protecting their property an easier task for the responding fire personnel.  Even if you don’t live in the foothills, it’s important to be ready.  Another way to prepare for brush fires is to have an evacuation plan.  Here are some tips to get you started.

Listen to your radio or television for updated reports and evacuation information.

Confine pets to one room and make plans to take care of them in the event of evacuation.

Arrange for temporary housing with a friend or relative whose home is outside the threatened area. Leave a note in a prominent place in your home that says where and how you can be contacted.

If your home is threatened by brushfire, you will be contacted and advised by law enforcement officers to evacuate. If you are not contacted, or you decide to stay and help defend your home, evacuate pets and any family members not needed to protect your home.

Remove important documents, mementos, etc. from the possible fire area.

When evacuating, wear protective clothing: sturdy shoes, cotton or woolen clothing, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves, and a handkerchief to protect your face.

Choose a route away from the fire. Watch for changes in the speed and direction of the fire and smoke.

Take a disaster supply kit containing:
A supply of drinking water;
One change of clothing and footwear for each member of the family;
A blanket or sleeping bag for each person;
A first aid kit that also includes any prescription medications;
Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries;
An extra set of car keys and credit cards, cash or traveler’s checks;
Extra pairs of eyeglasses and other special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
Don’t forget food for your pets.
Do not jeopardize your life. No material item is worth a life.

Even if you aren’t able to put together an emergency evacuation ‘kit’, at least make a list of things to take when an emergency strikes and you need to evacuate.  Being prepared can make the difference of how well you live through any emergency – not just brush fires.  Now, get off the computer and start making your list and putting your evacuation kit together!


Until next time,

KMA 367

Did You Notice?

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I’m doing a first on my blog today.  I’m re-running a previously published blog post.


I AM going to add a little to the beginning here, by asking a question.


Were any of you nervous yesterday…the tenth anniversary of 9-11?  I was, but then I’m aware of the potential for terrorist attack everyday.   More on that in a second.


I was concerned that with all the attention on the fact there was credible information there would be a car-bomb attack in the New York and/or Washington D.C. area, that people elsewhere throughout the country would let down their guard.  But I know that wasn’t the case here in the Los Angeles area because of a small thing I observed.  As I traveled extensively on the freeways of Los Angeles, I noticed there were  Metro tow trucks scooping up stranded and abandoned vehicles as fast as they could.  Those tow drives usually work Monday through Friday during rush hour to keep traffic moving.  Over the weekend they were, in their own way, fighting potential terrorism.  I’m sure their mission was part of a much bigger plan that I wasn’t privy to, but by seeing that small sign of planning, I knew our leaders were as ready as they could be for the worst.


But that brings me to my previously posted blog.  I mentioned that I’m cognizant of, and vigilant for, the potential of a terrorist attack. Are you?   If not, please read my blog I first posted last year in November.  There ARE people here in this country plotting to kill Americans on the soil of the United States.  We DO become complacent.  That is what the terrorist forces of evil want from us.  Don’t give it to them.  Please read on.


iWatch – Do You Watch?

Some time ago the Los Angeles Police Department started a program called iWatch.  Its purpose is to provide a way for the public in Los Angeles to report suspicious activity that may be related to terrorist activities.

In light of the recent events of packages containing explosives being mailed from Yemen to the United States, it’s imperative that, as a nation, everyone be diligent about watching for, and reporting, possible terrorist related activities.

Here are some tips for you to keep in mind.  While these suggestions were created for the iWatch program in L.A., they make perfect sense no matter where you live.

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
We rely on our senses every day of our lives.  If a behavior or activity makes you feel uncomfortable, report it.  Here are a couple of examples of suspicious activities reported by citizens that saved lives:

If it doesn’t LOOK right, report it. A video store clerk SAW anti-America material on a DVD he was asked to copy.  Police captured and arrested individuals planning a bomb attack.

If it doesn’t SMELL right, report it. A grandmother SMELLED bad odors from a neighboring apartment and noticed the empty apartment was frequented by various people.  Police discovered a poison gas factory.

If it doesn’t SOUND right, report it. Residents were concerned with a person’s threats of violence.  Police captured and arrested a group planning a subway attack.

IMPORTANT PLACES TO WATCH
You should be aware of your surroundings all the time, but here are some places to be especially vigilant.  Government buildings, religious facilities, amusement parks, sports/entertainment venues, high-rise buildings, parades, fairs and other mass-gathering locations, schools, hotels, theaters, shopping malls, bridges, and public transportation.

WHAT SHOULD I REPORT
Give as many details as you can.  Here are some of the things we’d like to know.  The time of day, where it happened, what you witnessed.  We’d also like a description of who was involved – male or female, how tall, build, hair color, skin color, and age.  Was there a car?  Provide a license plate number if you’re able to.  Have you seen this activity in your neighborhood before?

HOW DO I REPORT?

Nationally:

You can file an online report at https://tips.fbi.gov/
Call 911 for an emergency
In Southern California:

You can file an online report at the joint Regional Intelligence Center website at www.jric.org
Or you can call JRIC at (562) 345-1100
Call 911 for an emergency

In Los Angeles:

Report online at www.iWATCHLA.org
Call 1-877 – A –THREAT (1-877-284-7328)
Call 911 for an emergency

The prevention of terrorist activity is everyone’s business, so do your part because iWatch, and  you need to watch too!

Until next time,

KMA 367

When Did It Become Open Season on Cops?

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In the past week there have been three officer-involved-shootings in the city of Los Angeles.  For over a year, the media has reported police officers being shot are on the rise.


Part of the problem is the fact due to budget constraints, parolee’s are being released from prison early and that makes things that much worse.


A recent article in USA Today cited the fact that nearly 40% of police officers fatally shot this year have been slain in ambush-style attacks.  If this doesn’t alarm you, it should.


You may not like the cop who gave you the speeding ticket.  You may resent that your house got burglarized and the next day you see a couple of cops having a cup of coffee outside a convenience store.  You may not think the cops in your city or county are doing a good job.


But that doesn’t make it okay for someone to pull up next to a patrol car at a red light and fire a shotgun at an officer.  It doesn’t make it okay for someone to shoot officers who are investigating possible burglary suspects.  When I was a police officer, I was attacked by a suspect who had 22 prior arrests for battery on a police officer.  Why was this criminal still on the street?


The bottom line is:  It is a VERY thin blue line between the good people who work hard for a living, raise their families, do the right thing, and the thugs who want to take what they can get – and if what they want just happens to belong to you – so be it.


A cop is a special breed of person who, every day, leaves their family and puts their life on the line for strangers.   And it makes me really mad there is no public outcry when officers are the victims of attack or gunned down because of their chosen profession.


If the criminals out there don’t think twice about killing an armed cop, where does that leave you – the average citizen?


Until next time,


KMA367

Dog Bless You

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The 4th of July is coming next week and I want to be sure a lot of people see my blog this week so they can respond to my call for action.  My blog today deals with some of our military veterans.

I’m sure it comes as no surprise to you the horrors of war take a toll on our men and women who proudly serve our country in battle.  Some of our brave heros are plagued with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) once they’ve left the battleground.

Los Angeles-based filmmaker and philanthropist Charlie Annenberg Weingarten founded DogBlessYou.org, an internet campaign aimed at helping veterans get service dogs who help soldiers deal with their affliction. The specially-trained service dog listens and looks for any signs of distress and helps their owner cope with their particular symptoms of the condition.

What Weingarten has done is create a Facebook page called Dog Bless You.  For every 5,000 ‘likes’ on the Facebook page, a service dog will be donated to a veteran in need.

Weingarten says he believes the campaign will help spread patriotism and give injured veterans a much-needed companion.

“It’s interesting because the way we deal with PTSD is strictly on a medical basis. But really what’s missing is love and belonging,” Weingarten said.

So, here’s my call for action:

I want you to go to the Dog Bless You Facebook page and ‘like’ the page.  Let’s see if we can get our veterans a couple of new dogs in honor of their service to our country and in honor of our upcoming 4th of July holiday.  It’s a win-win!  Here’s the link:

https://www.facebook.com/exploredogs?sk=info

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!

Until next time,

KMA367

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave

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The weekend’s horrifying shooting in Tucson brought it out again.  What am I talking about?  Bravery.  Every so often there are stories brought to the public’s attention where ordinary citizens, in a millisecond of an instant, put themselves in danger – most of the time to protect someone else.

I’ve heard bravery described as being absolutely terrified, and yet going forth anyway.  As a police officer, I took an oath that, when needed, I’d throw myself into the face of danger.  I’ve done it a number of times.  Oh, my acts of bravery are nothing that would make the news, but were situations where I was thinking to myself, “I don’t get paid enough to be doing…X.”

But the acts of courage I’m talking about are the ones where normal citizens in their everyday lives are thrust into jeopardy and triumph.  A few examples that immediately come to mind:

The passengers on American Airlines Flight 93 on 9-11-01.  These heroes fought terrorists who’d taken over the plane and were directing the flight back to Washington D.C. where, presumably, the plane would be crashed into a government building.  Ultimately, the plane went down, killing all aboard.  But these passengers knew of the earlier terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and died protecting their country.

Who hasn’t seen the recent shooting at a school board meeting?  A Florida gunman entered the meeting, and calmly began firing shots at the members of the school board.  A lone woman, standing to the side of the man, swung her purse in an attempt to dislodge the gun from the man’s hand.  While her act of bravery didn’t get the man to drop the gun, the gunman was distracted and a security officer was able to shoot the suspect.  The suspect then shot himself and died.  How many women do you know that would confront an armed gunman with only a purse?

And while I haven’t seen or heard many news reports of the Tucson shooting, it’s my understanding that several men tackled the shooter and again, a woman, prevented the gunman from reloading his weapon with a fresh magazine.

The people I’ve talked about today displayed nerve and fearlessness that few people can or will ever have to match.  They didn’t wake up that day, thinking they were going to be heroes – it just happened.  These gallant folks recognized a problem and took action.

These fearless American’s, have lived the words of our National Anthem…the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Have you performed acts of bravery?  Do you know someone who has?  Please, share your stories.

Until next time,

KMA367

The Danger Most People Choose to Ignore

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There are different kinds of dangers out in the world, and with the holidays breathing down our necks, I’m blogging about a danger everyone talks about, but most people ignore.   And in this blog, I’m looking to you for help.  Almost everyone faces this threat and we all have different ways of coping with it.  So the question is…

How do you ‘control’ your holiday calories?  How do you avoid, (if you do), putting on an extra three, five, maybe even ten pounds?  Now, some of you may be thinking that adding a pound or two isn’t risky.  I beg to differ.  I can speak from personal experience that one pound leads to two, and two encourages three, and so on and so on.  Before you know it, you’ve packed on the weight of a small ham!  While this post is written tongue-in-cheek, I’m hoping you’ll take it seriously.  I’m looking for your best tips and/or strategies to battle the bulge.

Here’s my contribution:  If I feel like I’ve been eating more than I should during the holiday season, before I go to an event, I eat a healthy meal or snack at home.  Then when I get to the event, if there is a choice of food, I take just a tiny bit of  food I like, and take larger portions of food I don’t like.  That way, I’m not tempted to go back for more.

What works for you?

KMA367