Dan Overy, Professor of the Criminal Justice Program at Lambton College retired in June 2005. As a parting gift to his colleagues, he made comments related to personal safety at a breakfast meeting of Lambton College retirees. Margaret Turner of the Lambton Seniors Association  recorded these. They will be published as a series in this and succeeding issues of the Cardinal.

Seniors are more afraid of violent crime than they have to be. Put your TV and movie entertainment in perspective. It is not dark and scary out in Sarnia Lambton. Remember that crime news stories are featured in the international news market because they are extraordinary in their own local area.

Life, like hockey, is better played if you keep your head up and watch the play. Keep involved and plan out your decisions and activities. Secure your valuables. Videotape your possessions. Secure your home. Maintain adequate insurance. When traveling have someone visit your home regularly.

If car travel appeals to you, get a good car and keep it maintained. Get travel information and plan your itinerary. Forget about night drives or trying to get anywhere in record time. Haste not only makes waste but also creates opportunities for bad experiences. Get a cell phone and carry it with you always. Breakdowns and misadventure can happen to anyone. If you are well prepared, it will be an inconvenience and not a tragedy.

Handymen/Women from the LSA carry identification that signifies that they are LSA-affiliated volunteers. Be sure to ask for their green business type card and their ID badge, so you know you are dealing with a responsible person at your front door. Utility workers will carry similar identification.