Posted by maja7, a member of the Vintage Hills Elementary School community, on Jun 21, 2010 at 8:13 am

Everyone, women in particular, should read Gavin deBecker's book, The Gift of Fear. Listen to the voice in your head (and more often in the pit of your stomach) that tells you the situation isn't safe. The car approaching her going in the wrong direction (so that the driver was closest to her) should have been/might very well have been this young woman's first clue that something wasn't right. I thank God that this woman came to no harm and the presence of mind to react like she did. I imagine she was upset pretty badly, however. Let this be a reminder to all of us that crime happens even in Pleasanton. Be safe out there.

Is it just me or am I hearing/reading more incidents like this happening to people walking in P-town lately? And, more importantly, not just late at night. The victims are always walking alone, however. How sad!

Posted by M., a resident of the Downtown neighborhood, on Jun 21, 2010 at 5:24 pm
M. is a member (registered user) of PleasantonWeekly.com

Absolutely listen to your gut, if it says danger, pay attention. Create distance between the threat and yourself. If it turns out to be nothing, no harm done. If it turns out to be a real threat, be glad you gave yourself that distance, and more importantly time to decide on a course of action.

These days most of us have a phone with us at all times, and with that phone comes a feeling of safety. We can call the police to help us if the need should arise, without having to go searching for a public phone or the like. However, don't let yourself think of your phone as a bulletproof vest. If someone is intent on doing you harm they will do so. They can simply rip the phone from your hand, break it, or toss it in the bushes, out of reach. If you do get a call into the police, remember they won't be there instantly, you have to fend for yourself until they can get to you. Be smart don't find yourself standing inches away from an attacker or other threat because you ignored your instincts.

M.

Posted by Lisa, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on Jun 21, 2010 at 10:41 pm

We usually let our desire to be polite override our fear. I used to take walks along Bernal Ave. and drivers would often slow down and pull over to ask directions (I'm guessing). I never stopped walking or looked at them. I just didn't want to take the risk. I told my children the same thing, because drivers will even ask a kid where a road is, etc. I told my kids, these are grown-ups who can take care of themselves, it's not your problem if they're lost, keep walking, don't pause to be polite and try to hear what they're saying. Kids are sweet and their instinct is to try and help, unfortunately, they have to be told to override that.