On Feb. 1 in Anchorage, 18-year-old Samantha Koenig was kidnapped and abducted from her work in a coffee stand near Midtown Alaska Club on Tudor Road. This abduction happened around 8 p.m., in a fairly public place, where there was bound to be people near Alaska Club or people driving by on the busy Tudor Road.
The Anchorage police have said little about it. There is a video but they have not released it to the public. Many people are watching this event and are jumping in to help in any way they can. They have donated money; they voluntarily drive around looking for her and are hanging signs and searching throughout the community.
People in Anchorage and beyond are wishing they could do more and are at a loss as to how or why this happened. Just as we prepare for a camping or boating trip, we must also be prepared keep ourselves safe in all situations.
As a father of an 11-month-old daughter and an uncle to seven young nieces who are all growing up in rural Alaska, I have been thinking about what a young person can do to fight back in this type of situation or just be prepared when traveling to larger cities or unfamiliar places. This is what I found:
Have a plan
First try to keep yourself out of dangerous situations. For example, if you're traveling away from home, stay in public places and areas known to be safe. Use the buddy system and travel in pairs. Always let your friends and family know where you are going and when you should be expected home.
Be prepared to resist
Carry mace, use your keys to fight off an attacker, take a self-defense class, or learn some defensive moves from your older siblings.
Run Away
Do whatever you can to get away. Don't look back and don't stop until you're in a safe place. Your chances of surviving are much greater if you don't get in a vehicle with a stranger.
Don't be embarrassed to make a scene -- yell and scream to get the attention of others. Fight like your life depends on it, as it may.
Jason Evans is publisher of The Arctic Sounder, Bristol Bay Times and Dutch Harbor Fisherman. Alaska Dispatch encourages a diversity of opinion and community perspectives. The opinions expressed herein are those of the contributor and are not necessarily endorsed or condoned by Alaska Dispatch. This commentary was originally published in the Bristol Bay Times and is reprinted here with permission.