Senior safety in focus in wake of Palm Springs home invasion and sexual assault
News of the home invasion and assuault is causing fear and concern for senior citizens here in the desert.
Those reacting include 79-year-old Phyllis Frobish, one of many seniors who live alone.
“It is a concern, it is my age bracket, it is a very serious matter,” said Frobish.
86-year-old Chuck Miller of Yucca Valley says Monday’s incident should serve as a “wake up call”.
“My reaction is seniors hopefully will be more alert and more astute to their surroundings,” said Miller.
The Palm Springs Police Department revealed some details of the crime during a press conference Tuesday.
“Our hearts should go out to the victim of this violent crime, and I’m happy to say we have a suspect in custody,” said Palm Springs Police Captain Mike Kovaleff.
While the seniors who gathered wednesday enjoyed socializing and music, safety was also a topic of conversation.
As part of the effort to help seniors protect themselves, the program director for the Mizell Senior Center says they offer self defense training programs four times a year.
Also reacting to the crime was retired Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy, Johnnie B Woods, who provides personal security training classes for people of all ages in Indio
“It’s sad to hear that this is happening,” said Woods.
Woods offers three recommendations for protecting yourself.
First, maintain personal awareness of who, and what is going on around you.
Also, he says “trust your gut. If it doesn’t feel right, it’s not”.
Finally, be trained on using simple tactics to “hurt those who want to hurt you”.
“The sad part, it would be nice if more people were aware of things they could do to a situation like that,” said Woods.
Ian Murray, the program director at Mizell Senior Center says a date has not yet been set for the next personal safety training session, but anticipates it will happen sometime in the next 90 days.
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