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First-year Caitlin Ray was walking back from a video store on Snelling Avenue when she heard someone call “Hey!” and turned around to see who it was. Not knowing the figure, she continued walking while he continued to attempt to catch her attention and carry on a conversation. Coming from a suburb of Omaha, NE, Ray said she didn’t know what to think of being followed. The question “Is this normal?” ran through her mind as she quickened her pace. The nicely dressed, close shaven man continued to ask where she was going, where she lived, and if she even talked. This activity continued until she reached Super America on Englewood and Snelling, Ray said. By this time, he was walking almost right next to her and
Ray had no idea what to do. Returning to her dorm would risk him knowing where she actually lived, and there was no Safety and Security call box in sight. When she reached the corner he stopped abruptly and left. Although the situation was extremely uncomfortable and somewhat frightening, her follower never said anything vulgar so Ray wasn’t certain she needed to report it. It wasn’t until the e-mail and the posters around campus were publicized a week and a half later did she think that the man that followed her might actually be serious and reported her incident. After not being able pursued her, Safety and Security determined that it was not Larry Pinkney who followed her and did not investigate further.

Preventing incidents

According to Director of Safety and Security Shirleen Hoffman, the best thing to do in a situation like Ray’s with someone following you and trying to engage a conversation would be to get out as soon as possible.
“Do whatever you have to do to escape and get away,” Hoffman said. Even if the pursuer is not physically harming you or the conversation still seems innocent, calling the police is never a waste of time. Try to describe their appearance, even if it’s just the clothes they were wearing. Although the jurisdiction of Hamline Safety and Security ends at the campus borders, Hoffman said it would be smart to let them know about the incident as well so they can communicate with campus and raise awareness of the possibility that it could happen again.

Hoffman said that everyone, especially first-years, should familiarize themselves with the neighborhood around Hamline if they think there is even a slight chance they need to evade someone someday. The new 24-hour pharmacy, CVS, is a good bet, as is getting on a bus, she said, thinking about what to do in different scenarios. “It doesn’t hurt to practice being aggressive, like yelling ‘Get away,’ or ‘I don’t have time for this right now,’” she said. Acting submissive and unsure are signs of prey and taken as invitations for predators, she said.

Although resisting an attacker usually results in getting away, it also increases the possibility of injury.
Mace can be a good defense mechanism to use if used correctly, but mace can be used against the victim as well. Hoffman said screech alarms are best. The alarms are sold in police uniform shops, including Uniforms Unlimited. The loud noise emitted startles the perpetrator and attracts attention.