Be safe on the streets. Americans are scared to walk the streets in front of their homes. Americans are angry because violent criminals are being let back out on the streets so they can kill, rape, or steal again. In america statistics are: one murder every 22 minutes, one rape every 5 minutes, and one robbery every 49 seconds. These numbers are astounding and we need to start to take action against these criminals. Some neighborhoods are setting up crime watch programs which have been a major deterrent to crime in many areas. Don't be afraid to write down license numbers or use your video camera if you see something you feel is wrong.

Individuals are arming themselves with non-lethal personal safety devices such as pepper sprays, stun guns, and personal alarms. These products are cheap and offer excellent protection against an attacker. Pepper sprays (OC-oleoresin capsicum) is an inflammatory agent made up of natural chemicals, a derivative of various hot peppers. When a person is sprayed with OC pepper spray two things happen instantly. First the persons eyes clamp shut. If they do get their eyes open they still can't see because the OC dilates the capallaries and causes temporary blindness. Second an immediate fit of uncontrollable coughing and difficulty breathing. Its like being hit with a flame thrower, instant stoppage. Stun guns are electronic devices that disable an attacker with very high volts of pulsed electric current. When used correctly stun guns are effective in disabling a large man in seconds and putting him on the ground for 30 minutes or more. Stun guns are not actually guns. They have two electrodes that protrude from the end of the device which when pressed against an assailant and the trigger pulled a pulsed current causes muscles to work fast, depleting them of needed blood sugars. The process takes a few seconds and is very painful. Once the attacker is hit with the high voltage the muscles refuse to work and he is disabled. As effective as stun guns are they have one disadvantage. They must be touching the assailant to be effective. This means you (the victim) must be close to the attacker. This is a reason some choose pepper sprays because you can be 6 to 15 feet from your attacker. Despite the one disadvantage of the stun gun many people prefer them because they are more comfortable using a device with such power. Also, the sound of a stun gun being discharged is very intimidating and will sometimes be enough to scare off an attacker. Personal alarms are electronic or aerosol devices that produce an extremely loud, high-pitched sound. The alarm startles an assailant and makes him fearful of attracting attention. This noise is usually enough to stop most street attacks. Electronic alarms are activated by either pulling a pin or pushing a button. They emit an annoying 105 to 130 decibel siren-like sound. Listening to the alarm for more than a few seconds is extremely uncomfortable. The obvious disadvantage of an alarm is it is incapable of disabling an assailant. The point is that the victim armed only with a personal alarm really has no control over the situation. Personal alarms are worthwhile particularly when used with a controlling device like a pepper spray or a stun gun. If the alarm doesn't scare off the attacker then the use of an alternative product will have to be used. In conclusion these products (pepper sprays, stun guns, and personal alarms) allow an individual to have some control over their own life and well being. They enable people to protect themselves and their families in threatening situations. PROTECT YOUR FAMILY AND DEFEND YOURSELF GOD BLESS AND BE SAFE