[OutVoice] Safety Tips: Some Information That May Prove Helpful!!!

[CScandelle at aol.com]

Hey Guys,
 
After making some phone calls today to several police precincts  (here in 
Brooklyn) local and in NYC. I spoke with a few detectives and  information people 
about reporting incidents and receiving assistance during  assaults \ bashing 
etc.
 
Unfortunately, there is no hotline or special Hate Crimes Dept with  a direct 
1 800 tel no.
 
(Which is something that should be looked into - wouldn't you  agree?)
 
So for now-- what we should be telling our friends, family and fans  is that 
if you or someone you know  are witness to an assault/Hate Crime  here are 
some tips that could help. 
 
Please be sure to pass this info on to as many people as possible -  though 
most of this is "common sense" ...
 
as we now know--- it still needs to be reinforced- remember lives  are at 
stake
 
1.)Get to the nearest telephone and dial 911 immediately.  
 
2.)Give the location of the crime first then give all the details  you can 
remember.
 
 
3.)Try to retain as much information as possible when reporting the  crime 
(this is crucial when submitting evidence for apprehending the  assailants as 
quickly as possible if they manage to leave the   scene before police arrive.)
 
Use language that they can understand - such as "the victim is a  Black Male 
in his ... being attacked by four assailants ....
 
3.)Be sure to include the number of people involved including race,  age 
groups, body types, clothing, vehicle description any information to get the  
police on the trail as quickly as possible. Including what direction the  
assailants went in etc.
 
4.) BE  READY TO TESTIFY AS A WITNESS. This part is also very  important 
sometimes in this crazy world, it takes more than an  unfortunate victim (trust me 
on this I've been through the legal system  with this on a different level 
and it could work against us  if the crime  isn't being caught on tape/film and 
no witnesses step forward)
Our goal with reporting these hideous crimes is to make the most  severe 
charges stick! So please pass this on to everyone you know and make sure  that 
everyone understands that "numbers do count" when police need evidence not  
caught on film.
 
5.) Awareness is key! Keep things fresh as possible by reminding  others to 
pay attention to what is happening. Also if you can take names and  telephone 
numbers of others standing nearby that may have witnessed the  attack. 
 
I'm sorry to say this-- but I didn't feel very reassured after  talking with 
any of these people today. So I feel its really up to each and  everyone of us 
to look after our own! 
 
 
If you see a friend leaving a bar alone late at night or  otherwise... think 
about joining them  for more  safety.

 
SO SPREAD THE WORD!! FEEL FREE TO ADD MORE INFORMATION AND PASS  THIS ON! 
MAYBE WE SHOULD GET FLYERS POSTED UP IN THE STORES, BARS, ETC TO HELP  SEND THE 
MESSAGE ACROSS.
 
BE SAFE BE HAPPY BE YOU!
 
ALL MY LOVE,
 
SCANDELLE