[RP TownTalk] Cat Calls
Sheri Mattes Wake
smattes3 at gmail.com
Tue Jun 16 18:13:08 UTC 2015
Hi All,
I just wanted to say that I appreciate Jonathan's original post on
catcalling and those that supported it. I have had the same harassment
experiences (mostly on Queensbury) and while I do feel that it's a
difficult type of harassment to police, that doesn't mean we should ignore
the issue or that it's not worth talking about.
Bruce.... wow. I am shocked by your insensitive words. Keep in mind this
discussion is happening after 3 recent assaults. The problem with street
harassment/sexual assault in this town is not limited to 1 construction
site. And frankly, I'm not going to walk up to a construction site to
address the issue even if it did happen there. I'm sure the police would
advise against that. And since you haven't had the experience of vocal
street harassment, I'll let you in on a little secret - It's demeaning and
makes the person feel vulnerable. Not flattered, not attractive. I'm sure
90% of the readers realize this. It also happens very quickly. Since you
haven't had these types of experiences, maybe you should pay extra
attention to these emails you seem to think are pointless, to gain a little
perspective. I recall chatting with you when my husband and I first moved
in. You said it was a good thing that younger people were moving to this
town. If you think it's a good thing, than you should also care about what
the young women are facing on our streets. I've had bicyclists and men in
trucks/cars yell, whistle, etc. and slow down to get a real good look, all
within walking distance of my home. I've walked my dog with mace in my
hand, worn bulky clothing on hot days, and avoided walking by myself. You
once commented that you hadn't seen me walking my dog lately. That's
right. You used to see me a lot more when we first moved in, around 5
years ago. That was before I had experienced any of this harassment, that
is difficult and sometimes embarrassing to talk about. And this was way
before these women were assaulted. Sometimes raising awareness and knowing
your neighbors support you is more powerful than leaving a voicemail to a
construction company. Maybe one more person will pay attention if they see
anyone being harassed or in an uncomfortable situation. In reality, we -
you, me and our neighbors, are most likely to be the person that could
provide help or support to someone on our streets being harrassed or
assaulted before the cops would even be called. Knowing that women,
children or men in our community could run to my door and find a safe place
is important. And I hope others would do the same for me. That community
awareness and support is something good that happens from discussions like
this, something that the police and a construction foreman can't do.
On Sun, Jun 14, 2015 at 7:32 PM, Maureen <maureen.farrington at gmail.com>
wrote:
> It's funny, Bruce, because I have been heartened by this thread. Folks are
> offering real solutions to what they are wanting to change, not just
> complaining.
>
> -m
>
> On Jun 14, 2015, at 5:23 PM, "Bruce Wernek" <bruce.wernek at verizon.net>
> wrote:
>
> Mary
>
>
>
> Why don’t you (and Ebbeler) go to the construction company where the
> perpetrators (cat callers) work (I assume it’s on Maryland Ave) and talk to
> the owner. Let him know this is a problem. I’m sure he will have a talk
> with his employees to address it.
>
>
>
> I see a lot of complaining, but no one is doing anything about it. Have
> you ever thought that this is the reason this sort of thing goes on. No
> one cares enough to take any remedial action, even those most affected.
> The Town, the State, and the Federal government cannot solve all of our
> problems. Recall the first three words in the Constitution, “We the
> People”. That includes every one of us in this great nation we call the
> United States. “We the People” are responsible for what goes on in our
> society not the government. It’s up to each and every one of us to do
> our part, in this case, contacting the construction company to address this
> issue.
>
>
>
> This is clearly a problem for you. Why don’t you do something about it.
>
>
>
> Bruce
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* towntalk-bounces at riverdale-park.org [
> mailto:towntalk-bounces at riverdale-park.org
> <towntalk-bounces at riverdale-park.org>] *On Behalf Of *Mary Wheatley
> *Sent:* Sunday, June 14, 2015 8:44 AM
> *To:* towntalk at riverdale-park.org
> *Subject:* Re: [RP TownTalk] Cat Calls
>
>
>
> Re: Mr Wernek's comments on catcalling-
>
>
>
> I understand your perspective on the possible challenges of enforcing
> unwanted, sexual verbal advances. However, your referring to it as a
> "nuisance" for women, and stating you'd like to receive some yourself makes
> me wonder if you're aware that 1 in 4 women will be sexually assaulted in
> their life time. For many women, unwanted sexual advances are not just
> words, but represent real potential threats to their safety (and can we
> imagine why??).
>
>
>
> We should be concerned with the safety of all our citizens. Realistic
> implementation is certainly worth talking about, but it should be done in a
> context of respect that doesn't minimize the very real experience of women,
> either who have been assaulted or who fear becoming a statistic.
>
>
>
> Realistically, how about if there's a place where women are being
> targeted, the police focus on that site? I saw the construction site
> mentioned- is this the Whole Foods area?
>
>
>
> Thank you.
>
>
>
> Mary
>
> On Sunday, June 14, 2015, <towntalk-request at riverdale-park.org> wrote:
>
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>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Sexual Assault on minor at Riverdale Plaza/CVS (Vernon Archer)
> 2. Re: Sexual Assault on minor at Riverdale Plaza/CVS (Vernon Archer)
> 3. Prince George's Gazette R.I.P. (Chris Currie)
> 4. Re: Prince George's Gazette R.I.P. (Sarah Wayland)
> 5. Re: Cat calls (euniverz at aol.com)
> 6. Re: Cat calls (Bruce Wernek)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2015 11:46:18 -0400
> From: Vernon Archer <varcher at gmail.com>
> To: TownTalk <TownTalk at riverdale-park.org>
> Subject: [RP TownTalk] Sexual Assault on minor at Riverdale Plaza/CVS
> Message-ID:
> <CAMgQDE1Yvbg3C-k+CuggnpPf548T_B6M2mgC=
> c9T6oEvWRYn6Q at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Friends and Neighbors,
>
> I want to share the following information from the town and county police
> about a sexual assault on a child that occurred yesterday.:
>
> *The RPPD in cooperation with PGPD is investigating a sexual assault of a
> minor that occurred on June 12, 2015 at the CVS Pharmacy located at 5707
> Riverdale Rd. Riverdale Park, Md. *
>
> *For further information including the description and photograph of the
> person of interest involved in this incident, please visit the RPPD
> Facebook page accessible on the RPPD/Town webpage. *
>
>
>
> *Anyone having information that may assist with this investigation can
> contact Det. Sgt. Garcia of the RPPD at 301-927-4343 <3019274343>. If Sgt.
> Garcia is not available, callers are encourage to leave their contact
> information and Sgt. Garcia will return the call at his earliest possible
> opportunity. David C. Morris Chief of PoliceRiverdale Park, Md. Keeping our
> town safe, clean and beautiful*
>
> --
> Vernon Archer, Mayor
> Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2015 11:53:50 -0400
> From: Vernon Archer <varcher at gmail.com>
> To: TownTalk <TownTalk at riverdale-park.org>
> Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Sexual Assault on minor at Riverdale
> Plaza/CVS
> Message-ID:
> <
> CAMgQDE3_YdOnzWSP1J5SHVWMRiO2P-+dBrLx14z49suwpHfR2w at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Opps, I just checked the Facebook page and spoke to police and as of this
> minute the post is not up, but it should be shortly.
>
> On Sat, Jun 13, 2015 at 11:46 AM, Vernon Archer <varcher at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Friends and Neighbors,
> >
> > I want to share the following information from the town and county police
> > about a sexual assault on a child that occurred yesterday.:
> >
> > *The RPPD in cooperation with PGPD is investigating a sexual assault of a
> > minor that occurred on June 12, 2015 at the CVS Pharmacy located at 5707
> > Riverdale Rd. Riverdale Park, Md. *
> >
> > *For further information including the description and photograph of the
> > person of interest involved in this incident, please visit the RPPD
> > Facebook page accessible on the RPPD/Town webpage. *
> >
> >
> >
> > *Anyone having information that may assist with this investigation can
> > contact Det. Sgt. Garcia of the RPPD at 301-927-4343 <3019274343>. If
> Sgt.
> > Garcia is not available, callers are encourage to leave their contact
> > information and Sgt. Garcia will return the call at his earliest possible
> > opportunity. David C. Morris Chief of PoliceRiverdale Park, Md. Keeping
> our
> > town safe, clean and beautiful*
> >
> > --
> > Vernon Archer, Mayor
> > Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Vernon Archer, Mayor
> Town of Riverdale Park, Maryland
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2015 11:55:03 -0400
> From: Chris Currie <crcurrie at gmail.com>
> To: towntalk <towntalk at riverdale-park.org>
> Subject: [RP TownTalk] Prince George's Gazette R.I.P.
> Message-ID:
> <
> CAHfsXwo03S0uC_Exiam8zqAkD7n0ghNomHPf-7EemYFhoQ8Ciw at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Another local news source bites the dust ...
>
>
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/gazette-papers-in-montgomery-prince-georges-to-close/2015/06/12/1ffc315e-112f-11e5-9726-49d6fa26a8c6_story.html
>
> Chris
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>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2015 12:03:52 -0400
> From: Sarah Wayland <sarah.wayland at gmail.com>
> To: Christopher Currie <crcurrie at gmail.com>
> Cc: towntalk <towntalk at riverdale-park.org>
> Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Prince George's Gazette R.I.P.
> Message-ID:
> <
> CAPUuQYm9zjDkP+PZ2j5zxh17-E7AUHKFUCs6MCdaT7xaFsC_0Q at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> At least we still have the Hyattsville Life & Times! Seriously, I'm very
> grateful to the Hyattsville Life & Times for providing local news coverage
> (and great reporting.)
>
> http://hyattsvillelife.com/
>
> -Sarah
>
>
>
> Sarah Wayland, Ph.D. | www.GuidingExceptionalParents.com
> <http://www.guidingexceptionalparents.com/>
> Supporting students with learning differences & their families
>
> *Summer Weekend Workshops || **First Put On Your Own Oxygen Mask
> <
> http://raisingyourchallengingchild.com/2015July-OxygenMask-RiverdalePark.html
> >
> -
> July 11 || **Raising Your Challenging Child
> <http://raisingyourchallengingchild.com/2015July-RYCC-RiverdalePark.html>
> -
> July 18 & 25*
>
>
> On Sat, Jun 13, 2015 at 11:55 AM, Chris Currie <crcurrie at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Another local news source bites the dust ...
> >
> >
> >
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/gazette-papers-in-montgomery-prince-georges-to-close/2015/06/12/1ffc315e-112f-11e5-9726-49d6fa26a8c6_story.html
> >
> > Chris
> >
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2015 15:25:21 -0400
> From: euniverz at aol.com
> To: towntalk at riverdale-park.org
> Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Cat calls
> Message-ID: <14dee622d7b-1743-44ad at webprd-m58.mail.aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
>
> Hear Hear, Jonathan.
>
> I'll add my two cents to yours.
>
> Adrianne Lefkowitz
> Madison Street
>
>
>
> "Cat calls" are not protected speech.We can and do have rules on the
> current books that make this a municipalinfraction.Section 50-11.3
> (b)(3)Yelling, shouting, etc. - Yelling,shouting, or other similar activity
> that annoys or disturbs the quiet, comfort,or repose of persons in any
> office, dwelling, or anywhere else within theTown;I have yet to see
> enforcement of this, yet I am sure if any female intown is asked she has
> been harassed when walking down the major roads in townthe answer will
> unanimously be 'yes.' Ask that same person what happens if theyleave their
> grass a little long and I bet the answer will be 'a nice bright andshiny
> code violation sticker.'I would love to see the town address thesafety of
> women with equal tenacity as we do those pesky long lawns.Just mytwo
> cents.JWE
>
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2015 07:26:03 -0400
> From: "Bruce Wernek" <bruce.wernek at verizon.net>
> To: <euniverz at aol.com>, <towntalk at riverdale-park.org>
> Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Cat calls
> Message-ID: <005401d0a694$e7fb4880$b7f1d980$@verizon.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> I can't take it anymore.
>
>
>
> What are you proposing, 24/7 surveillance, policeman on every corner,
> devoting police resources to the apprehension of these "criminals",
> clogging
> up the legal system with these types of infractions at the expense of more
> serious crimes, etc? Clearly, this level of effort requires significantly
> more policing and legal resources than currently available.
>
>
>
> Ask yourself these questions.
>
> 1) How can this type of infraction be policed?
>
> 2) What resources will be required for this activity?
>
> 3) Who is going to pay for it?
>
> 4) Is it worth the effort?
>
>
>
> I realize this is an issue and nuisance for women, but I can think of a
> lot
> more important things for our police department to be worried about.
>
>
>
> Frankly, I'd be thrilled if I got a few cat calls.
>
>
>
> Bruce
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: towntalk-bounces at riverdale-park.org
> [mailto:towntalk-bounces at riverdale-park.org] On Behalf Of euniverz at aol.com
> Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2015 3:25 PM
> To: towntalk at riverdale-park.org
> Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Cat calls
>
>
>
> Hear Hear, Jonathan.
>
>
>
> I'll add my two cents to yours.
>
>
>
> Adrianne Lefkowitz
>
> Madison Street
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> "Cat calls" are not protected speech. We can and do have rules on the
> current books that make this a municipal infraction. Section 50-11.3 (b)(3)
> Yelling, shouting, etc. - Yelling, shouting, or other similar activity that
> annoys or disturbs the quiet, comfort, or repose of persons in any office,
> dwelling, or anywhere else within the Town; I have yet to see enforcement
> of
> this, yet I am sure if any female in town is asked she has been harassed
> when walking down the major roads in town the answer will unanimously be
> 'yes.' Ask that same person what happens if they leave their grass a little
> long and I bet the answer will be 'a nice bright and shiny code violation
> sticker.' I would love to see the town address the safety of women with
> equal tenacity as we do those pesky long lawns. Just my two cents. JWE
>
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>
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> *****************************************
>
>
>
> --
> marybirthdoula.wordpress.com
>
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