ANN SAYS TIME TO WRITE LAWMAKERS

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 9, 1993                   TAG: 9302090235
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ANN LANDERS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
ANN SAYS TIME TO WRITE LAWMAKERS
DEAR READERS: Call or write your state legislators immediately and tell them to vote for Gov. Wilder's bill limiting the sale of handguns. If you don't know the name of your legislator, call your public library. The National Rifle Association is spending big bucks to kill this bill. Don't let them succeed. The next person shot in Virginia could be your husband or your son. God bless you.
DEAR READERS: Here are some suggestions from the Chicago, Los Angeles and New York police departments to keep you safe and prevent carjacking. Please read them carefully. They just might save your life.
When approaching or parking your car:
Don't dawdle. Move quickly. Have your keys in your hand.
Check to make sure no one is hiding in or under your car. Carry a small flashlight to check dark areas. Be aware of occupied cars nearby.
Keep your car locked whether you are in it or not.
Drive into your garage front-first so the headlights illuminate the total area. Your own garage is a perfect place to get mugged.
While driving:
Be alert to what is going on around you at all times. Daydreaming or a moment's distraction can be fatal.
Keep your doors locked and your windows closed.
Allow room between your car and the car in front of you so you can maneuver quickly if you need to step on the gas and get away.
Avoid the curb-side lane whenever possible. Fast operators can break a car window, unlock the door and be inside within seconds.
Always put your child in the front seat.
Avoid idling your car in neutral. You might have to move quickly.
Keep your wallet/purse out of view while driving. Never leave it on the seat next to you. Experienced purse grabbers can reach over, grab a purse and be gone within seconds.
Keep your car in good repair. Never allow the fuel gauge to fall below halfway. Cars have a way of running out of gas at the worst possible moment.
Be careful at stoplights and on expressway offramps. Carjackers often bump into the back of a car in order to get the driver to pull over. If you are bumped from behind and it seems suspicious, motion to the driver to follow you. Move at a slow but steady pace to the nearest gas station, police station or well-lit, well-populated area. A carjacker will disappear fast.
If someone tries to take your car:
If your windows are up, your car is locked and you can maneuver out of the way - hit your horn and STEP ON THE GAS.
If the perpetrator has a weapon, give up your car immediately. Do not fight or argue. Your life is more important than the car.
If your child is in the car and you are forced out and cannot grab the child, yell immediately, "There's a baby in the car!"
Do not reach for your purse or anything else in the car. The perpetrator may think you are reaching for a gun and shoot you.
If your car is taken:
Remain calm and non-threatening. Take careful note of all physical aspects of the robber and the vehicle, as well as the direction of flight. Report the incident to the police immediately.
Creators Syndicate

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB