My heart goes out to this family. We too have an 18-year-old named Kelsey and live a few miles from where Kelsey Smith’s body was found. The Kansas City Star published these safety tips for everyone Wednesday morning before Kelsey’s body was found. (My comments are added in parens.) Parents, talk to your children, especially your teenage daughters—they often are clueless about how very, very bad and sick these guys are.
Try to shop with someone. Most attackers will be discouraged if you have company.
If you must shop at night (or work a night job), park in a well-lighted area, the closer to the door the better.
Avoid parking next to objects such as walls or shrubs that keep your car from being seen or provide a place for someone to hide. (If you work a night job, ask for an escort to your car from a manager or trusted co-worker. If no one is available when you are ready to leave, wait until they are free.)
WALK WITH YOUR HEAD UP. Don’t be distracted by talking on the phone or rummaging for keys. (When you leave a building, scan the parking lot ahead and on either side of you. If you suspect someone is/has been following you, stop, turn around face them, get a good look at them with attitude and go back into the building. Ask for help or tell someone that you are afraid or concerned. When you are shopping, pay attention to who is around you. Again, tell someone if you suspect being followed around a store or mall.)
Have your keys ready to enter your vehicle. Immediately lock your doors and have your windows rolled up when you enter your vehicle. (Organize yourself before you exit a store—purse, packages, keys. Put your packages into the front or back seat from the driver’s side immediately upon unlocking the door. GET in the car quickly. DO NOT mess around unlocking a trunk or back door—if you do this, you have become a ‘distracted’ target for an attacker. Your focus is NOT on getting in the car.)
If an attacker threatens you or tries to force you into a vehicle, yell loudly for help, resist getting in the car and run. (Fight for your life, there is no time to try and figure out who this person is and what they want...they WANT you! Too many teenage girls are afraid of hurting someone’s feelings especially if the person is trying to strike up a conversation or appearing to need help, etc. Don’t buy into it, just get in your car and lock the doors immediately and call 911. Lay on your horn if you are unable to get your car moving in any direction.)
Source: The Ali Kemp Educational Foundation defense program
God Bless the Smith family.
Great advice amadashellmom: Thank you for posting this great piece of information. We are praying for the Smith family and friends. We could add the following if I may:
Hold your keys like you would a knife, while you are walking to the car.
Use those keys as a weapon to the eyes, throat, jugular vein, theit sides, or head.
The eyes, throat and jugular vein are the best spots to aim at. I carry my keys to be used as a weapon from my car to the store, and when I leave the store to the car.
Throw your keys if you don’t use them as a weapon. The attacker will look to see where you threw the keys.
This gives you time to run, and hopefully you got a good look at him to descrine to law enforcement.
He wants you and the car. Keep car doors locked at all times. Don’t stop for anyone!