Six common criminal types and how to avoid themWritten by Scott Shaper
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” that saying is as true for crime, as it is for health. After taking literally thousands of reports over years I spent as a police officer; I found that a lot of crimes that had happened could have been prevented. The easiest and most effective way of dealing with crime is not be a victim of it in first place. This is easier said then done, and no matter how cautious you are you can still be a victim. Nothing will give you a 100% guarantee; however, there are things you can do to at least limit your odds of being a victim. But first; you have to know what you are preventing yourself from, in order to know how to prevent against it. This article will in general show you some of common criminal types, and give some suggestions on how to avoid them. I have made up my own classifications for these people based upon my experience as a police officer. Passive thieves: Passive thieves are those who steal but are not aggressive towards their victims. They prefer their victims not to be around. These people usually are ones who will break into your car, home, business etc. They are impulsive and really do not think much about penalties they will face if they get caught. Sometimes they pre plan to do a crime, but other times they see an opportunity and go for it. For example: a thief is walking through a parking lot and sees a laptop sitting on front seat of a unoccupied vehicle. Next thing you know window is smashed and laptop is gone. Now thief didn’t preplan to take laptop, or to target that particular vehicle. They just saw an opportunity and went for it, without even thinking for a second about who victim is, or what will happen to them if they get caught. Some of common items they steal are cash, checks, credit cards, purses, laptops, or if they break into your home they will also target: desktop computers, TV’s, VCR’s, DVD player, tools, jewelry, basically anything they think they can turn into cash. These types of criminals are some of easiest to deal with from a preventative nature. Because they are always looking for an easy opportunity, your best defense is not to give them one. Some of common things people (potential victims) inadvertently do which create easy opportunities are listed below. •Leaving their keys in car • Leaving house unlocked •Leaving car unlocked •Making it obvious that they are gone for an extended period of time. •Leaving valuables in car that are in plain view • Leaving their vehicle running while unattended • Leaving their purse in shopping cart while shopping These are just a few examples to give you general idea. In my book “Crime Awareness 101” I cover above bulleted items in much greater detail. I also break down 11 specific crimes and give more preventive tips, and I include what to do after fact. Aggressive thieves: These types of criminals are much more dangerous and much harder to prevent against. They mostly focus on doing armed robberies, and expect their victims to be there. They are violent in nature and very unpredictable. They care nothing about victim, and lately it appears that they are more then willing to kill. The do pre plan their crimes somewhat but not usually very well, their main tool of control is their intimidation, and weapon they carry. Even without a weapon they can be dangerous and will fight ferociously. They usually wont stay around long if they are just robbing a business, or an individual on street. However; if they take victim somewhere or get into get them in a insolated area, then crime may turn to rape, aggravated assault, or murder. Here are some activities which may invite this type of problem.•Not being aware of you surroundings •Being alone late at night, or in unsafe areas •Displaying large amounts of cash or valuables •Working at convenience stores, or gas stations. •Letting people in your home that you do not know. In my book “Crime Awareness 101” I give detailed explanations about above bullets, and what to do about it. Passive Assaulters: These are your date rape type. They are not actively aggressive however they are sneakier. They preplan their attacks, or take advantage of someone who has put themselves in a vulnerable position ( for example someone who is passed out from intoxication or drug use). They will appear to be your friend and then slip something in your drink (date rape drug) to knock you out, where they can then take advantage of you. The unfaithful business traveler can also fall victim to these criminals. Only this time it will be an attractive female who acts as if she is attracted to him. When they get alone she will slip something in his drink to knock him out and then rob him. Usually unfaithful business traveler is too embarrassed to report this type of crime so you don’t hear about it much. The date rape criminal is one you need to be concerned about. In my book “Crime Awareness 101” I give a complete explanation on date rape and what to look for including following topics:
| | CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHILD LABOUR - part 2ndWritten by Machhindra Gojame
CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHILD LABOUR Our Efforts and Experiences – Part - II “In previous issue, information was given about study of system of child labour in amedpur area and remedies for eradication of system, in first part of article. In this second part, of Article our direct experiences and difficulties encountered by us are highlighted.” To develop proper understanding of system of child labour of our region a survey of 15 villages from ahmedpur tahsil was conducted in oct. 1994. As per asessment of P.H.C. total population of 15 villages was 19014. Survey revealed that there were 466 children who were working as child Labour, out of which 64 % were girl children. Though survey provided information of various aspects of system, here we would like to highlight earnings of child labour and how their soci-educational backwardness is responsible for promotion and perpetuation of system. Survey revealed that out 466, 252 children were working in family occupation was child Labour, majority of remaining child labour were daily wage earners, earning average Rs. 10/- as their daily wage. Employment was available for them for 6 to 8 month a year. It means their average annual income was rs. 1750/- only. Only 36 children were working on monthly basis, whose average annual income was around Rs. 2000/- only. Few of them were employed on yearly contract basis and their earnings were around Rs. 2000/- to Rs. 2500/- per year. It also revealed that, contribution of a child Labour to family income was around 5 to 10% only. It means, whatever child labour earned was quite issufficiant for meating his/her own basis needs. As per price index of Aug. 1992, a person needed minimum Rs. 11.75 only per day for meating his/her basic needs. It means a person wanted Rs. 4288/- per annum for his/her survival. It is a general fealing among people that parents send their children to work to meet family needs. But in reality earnings of child labour employed in any occupation are not enought to support family financially. But child labour may supporting either employer to earn more or national economy to gain strength. The naked truth is in this unholy alliance of employer and parents child pays heavy price and loose his/her childhood. Long back, we had submitted a proposal, under a scheme of ILO, to work for eradication of system of Child Labour. Corrospondance was going on for around two years with State and Central Governments about proposal. In mean time scheme changed and we could not implement it. It always happens like this, with proposals submitted by voluntary organisations. But as per policy of Government, Labour Officer, Latur freed 20 Child Labours and put them with Savitribai Fuley Servicy Centre, Udgir, for their care and maintainance. The same Government officer repeatedly requested Government did not sanction any amount for it and organisation is in difficulties now of how to take care of these children. Our experience is, it is easy to get financial support form other funding agencies than Government for such programmes. We could implement some concrete programmes for child labour with a financial support from Tdh and Himos. It might be experience of other organisations also. Again it is a common experience that, general public takes more interest in such programmes than Govt. officials. For running 30 child Labour education centres and 10 creches in Chakur Tahsil, last year people contribute 17 to 18 thousands as their share. For donations 700 letters were sent to individual for their contribution for child labour education programme form Rs. 25 to Rs. 300/- were received from individuals contacted. While organising Marathwada level march against system of child labour, any people contacted us and expressed their satisfaction about our efforts and also expressed their desire to participats actively in campaign. After march, still we receive letters from individuals and organisation. They want to participate in campaign and expart our support and guidence in this matter. But we are aware of our own limitations. Even we could not do effective follow up of programme. Situation of child labour on National Level : Our country has a vast population. Out of which around 110 million children work as Child Labour. They work is numerous occupations. Their employment in hazardous industries like carpet industry, match factories, mines cracker industries is much in news. But there many more industries and occupations in which child labour is employed and they are equally hazardous one. During period of 100 years Government has enacted many laws about Child Labour. But there is not a single law which could stop system of child labour totally. The most publicised Act on child labour is an Act of 1896. But this Act also could prohibit employment of child labour is selected hazardous industries. But fact is, industries which are listed in this Act also employ child Labour. Majority of child labour is employed in unorganised sector. There is dire need of enactment preventing employment of child labour in this sector.
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