Women ? particularly those who live alone ? should take precautions, experts said, in the wake of a masked intruder attacking a Finksburg woman in her bedroom this week.
“He cased the home ahead of time, especially if he was wearing a ski mask,” said Dr. Catherine Busch, clinical director at the Specialized Trauma Treatment and Recovery Center in Columbia. “The person would have known her habits ahead of time, so one way to make it less obvious is to not use your full name on your mailbox, and have a male relative record your answering machine message.”
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Women also can:
» Set lights on timers
» Close blinds so predators can?t track their movements
» Lock doors between garages and houses.
“We remind residents that it?s important to lock their doors and report any suspicious persons by calling 911,” said Lt. Phil Kasten, spokesman for the Carroll County Sheriff?s Office.
“In a residential environment, use your locks, deadbolts, outdoor security lighting, and trim bushes to keep a clear field of vision for neighbors.”
Deputies still are searching for the suspect, who sexually assaulted a woman around midnight Tuesday in her home, he said.
Neighbors said they already were taking extra safety measures.
“It?s scary. We better keep our doors locked,” said Lois Butts, who had often left her doors unlocked in the three decades she and her family lived on Pheasant Run Drive.
“I?m so disappointed because we are kind of vulnerable. Most of us are 60-plus.”
Anyone with information can call contact Sgt. Eric Helm at 410-386-3640, or the toll-free anonymous TIPS Hotline at 1-888-399-TIPP (8477).
