Sexual assault in Seagrove

[lms47]

You are right. And, you are showing up as "ShallowNole".

 

[Here4Good]

I understand protecting the identity of the victim, but don't understand why they didn't release a description of the suspect.

 

[soappedaler]

A number of years ago there was a string of sexual assaults at Sandestin and Dune Aleen. From what I remember Sheriff Johnson did not release a lot of information to the public because they didn't want to scare away tourist. They eventually caught at least one suspect.

A female friend of mine who lived alone got a self defense class together. It was taught by Jimmy Macon who was with the sheriff's office at the time. I took the class and it was great, hope I never get attacked but feel like I have the knowledge and skills to defend or attempt to defend myself. Not sure what Jimmy Macon is up to these days but I'd take a refresher class with him if it was offered.

 

[dunelover]

This scares me! especially the lack of talking about it. I don't know what is appropriate to do in this situation. But, as we are renters who just checked in to Seagrove for the week...it has me on edge. I am glad I turned to Sowal for info on the junegrass free locations and stumbled across this. Although, now that the thread has been moved, i am not sure how many people are going to see it.

The above post by Soappeddler, is bothersome too! I just want information like, did she know him, did he come in through unlocked doors or what. Anyone w/ this info, but afraid to post online please pm me so i can better protect myself and my family. The mother hen in me is uncomfortable in a multfloor house with multiple entrance/exits and thinking about my girls.

 

[seagrovegirl]

I truly believe if the public was in danger there would be enough info to prepare ourselves. It's understandable to be frightened and want more info, I do too, but there is a reason (IMHO) that we are not getting more press on the assault. We have an A+ Sheriffs Dept. and I have faith if we need to know, they would let us know.

Unfortunately things like this happen all over the country and it has been happening here since I moved here in 1972, just like everywhere else. It just doesn't happen here often, thank God. My advise would be to relax but keep your guard up just like you would do anywhere else.

 

[dunelover]

I agree....it is just that i normally don't live in a house with glass doors, no curtains, and neighbors so close. Or without an alarm...that is the part out of my control. Nice to hear that your belief in your Sheriffs Department is strong. For now, i am going to enjoy the beach...but, I won't be going out alone at night.

 

[shellak]

i know people in this area who still keep their doors unlocked. sorry, but this is not the 1950's or '60's. we should all be prudent regarding our safety and not become complacent because we live in this beautiful area. particularly to the women - keep your doors and windows locked, house and car. if you have a security system, use it. be very careful going out alone late in the evening after dark. always be aware of your surroundings. i used to be less careful but after my stint as a prosecutor, i really changed my thinking. criminals look for easy opportunities like open windows or unlocked doors. don't make it easy. no need to become paranoid but be aware.

 

[heartbren]

i know people in this area who still keep their doors unlocked. sorry, but this is not the 1950's or '60's. we should all be prudent regarding our safety and not become complacent because we live in this beautiful area. particularly to the women - keep your doors and windows locked, house and car. if you have a security system, use it. be very careful going out alone late in the evening after dark. always be aware of your surroundings. i used to be less careful but after my stint as a prosecutor, i really changed my thinking. criminals look for easy opportunities like open windows or unlocked doors. don't make it easy. no need to become paranoid but be aware.

I totally agree. Being from New Orleans, I am used to keeping my doors locked. The crime there is terrible since Katrina. You cannot escape from it, but you can move to a place with less crime if your are fortunate enough to be able to do so which is one of these many reasons I moved here. However, I do think it should have been on the news so people can make a choice to be safter and more aware.

 

[WaltonIsOne]

Maybe there would be a way to have a police report information "feed" from the Walton County Sheriff's department to a page here on Sowal that could alert us all about such situations. One realizes that releasing such information can be considered bad PR for the area, but, all of us being ignorant of this information is far worse.

Maybe we could call it the "Sowal Neighborhood Watch".

 

[scooterbug44]

Usually if there is an incident or public notice, it does get posted. There wasn't one in this case.

And I find it ridiculous not to post information because "it might scare tourists" - because even with all of the atypical incidents we've had recently, we still only have a fraction of the crime, sex offenders, violence etc. as the places they are visiting from.

For example, Fulton County has over 1300 registered sex offenders. Walton County has 119.