Junk Science, Bogus Cops, and Health Fairs (oh my!)

The Fight Like A Girl program was at Childrens Hospital on Wednesday for their annual employee Health Fair. We had a nice poster and handed out information on Personal Safety(which is the first 4 rules in Fight Like A Girl). We also got to show off some really neat items such as hi-lumen flashlights and personal alarms. Take a look at our poster.

It was a good time and we got to schmooze with other community resources. Its always nice to get out and meet some very intelligent people - it forces me to keep up the pace as well. One of the questions posed to me was “does the recession have anything to do with the crime rate?”. Drawing back on my criminal justice education; I am racking my brain trying to remember any studies that addressed this.

Nevermind, that it was 6 degrees Fahrenheit outside and the only thing that I could think of was Quetelet’s Theory of Thermic Delinquency. Which postulates that in colder climates people commit property crimes (burglary, theft, B&E, etc.), but in warmer climates people commit person to person crimes (rape, robbery, murder, assault, etc.). This was later debunked by a 1974 study in Baltimore that showed no significant changes in crime trend patterns over a period of 3 years. Oh well, into the history books for bright-eyed criminology students to study (along with phrenology and body somatotypes).

Nonetheless, the question still bears some answering as to whether or not an economic recession/ depression increases crime? According to a security website it does (they list ways to protect against crime). As to whether or not their is a scientific correlation between the two the only thing we really have to draw on is from the Great Depression. Chicago Tribune writer Angela Rozas puts better ink to paper than i can so I'll leave you with her thoughts. Suffice it to say I don't think its ever a good time to let your guard down. Keep to your first rule: Always be aware of your surroundings.

This brings up another rumor I heard at the health Fair about a bogus police officer in a white caprice pulling ladies over and then supposedly raping them. Sherri Bevan Walsh, Summit Couny Prosecutor the rape bogus but the jist of the story is real. The Beacon Journal's website is bogged with rumors so rather than reposting I went to the Plain Dealer to get a better story. Bevan Walsh had this to say:

Bevan Walsh said people should follow these precautions when being pulled over by a police officer in a marked police cruiser:

• Pull over.

• Do not keep driving, as the officer will believe that you are fleeing and will give chase, which is dangerous to everyone.

• Once you have pulled over and if you are uncomfortable, roll the window down only enough to talk to the uniformed officer and ask them for additional identification. Each officer should be in uniform, and carry a badge and a separate identification card.

• If you are still uncomfortable, and you have a cell phone, call 9-1-1 to confirm the officer's presence.

• If you do not have a cell phone, ask the officer to call the radio room and to send a backup cruiser or officer to the scene.

Safety precautions when being pulled over by someone in an unmarked car with flashing lights:

• Be very careful and suspicious!

• Immediately call 9-1-1 to confirm if the stop is legitimate.

• As a general rule, unless you are engaged in illegal drug activities, you will not be pulled over by an unmarked car.

• The only other real police officer who might pull someone over in an unmarked car would be officers on private property such as a school officer, or an officer with the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority. These officers may not have marked police cars. If you are on these or similar private properties, pull over. These officers should still be in uniform and should carry a badge and identification.

"In the end, I always say to use your instincts,[emphasis added]" she said. "If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Call 9-1-1 to make sure." (source= http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/01/the_summit_county_prosecutor_i.html).

One thing they didn't tell you is that the Ohio Revised Code does not permit unmarked vehicles for traffic enforcement:

4549.13 Marking and equipment for motor vehicle used by traffic enforcement officers.

Any motor vehicle used by a member of the state highway patrol or by any other peace officer, while said officer is on duty for the exclusive or main purpose of enforcing the motor vehicle or traffic laws of this state, provided the offense is punishable as a misdemeanor, shall be marked in some distinctive manner or color and shall be equipped with, but need not necessarily have in operation at all times, at least one flashing, oscillating, or rotating colored light mounted outside on top of the vehicle. The superintendent of the state highway patrol shall specify what constitutes such a distinctive marking or color for the state highway patrol.

Effective Date: 10-25-1979

Stay Safe!