Preventing Child Molestation and Abuse: My Visit to the Sheriff's Substation
68
We're Broke-Now What?
Bishop can be an interesting place to live...let me illustrate. Well, first of all, everything is okay. I went to the sheriff's substation today voluntarily, not in cuffs or in the back of a squad car. But anyway, this is how the whole thing came to pass...
At the beginning of April of 2009, I was a government employee, determined to hang on to a position with the Department of Commerce that was already obsolete. I was one of the relatively few people across the nation chosen to help begin the work of the 2010 Census. In the spring of this year, then, the Census Bureau hired people to initiate mapping of the neighborhoods for structural and other data. This phase of the census was completed very quickly and the memory of my $15/hr job was only that. I needed to work; we were having a rough time of it with my husband's pay being our only source of income.
 | Amazon Price: $12.23 List Price: $21.95 |
![Episode 1 [HD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61q4ANzgytL._SL75_.jpg) | Amazon Price: $2.99 |
A New Job!
On my very last day of canvassing, I went into the local grocery store to get a drink of water, and while gulping it down, I spotted an ad on the store's bulletin board that caught my eye. On a small slip of paper was some information about a job at a substantial rate of pay. I removed the paper and left for home, called the employer and went to work within the week.
I was to read a table of contents for the writer of magazine articles. This job entailed my going to work at the home of my boss for 2 hours at a time, which I did. This was not a problem, though I am not in the habit of going into a stranger's home for pay. As I said previously, we needed the money and my job with the government had just come to an end. I arrived, ready for work, at the address he gave me and waited for him to find me and show me where he worked and lived
My First Day
His double-wide trailer was nice and I was invited in. I must say that I was not altogether comfortable standing in his living room, but I managed. He asked if I wanted to sit, which I did, choosing a seat near the door. He asked me if I was comfortable and did I need anything? I replied "No, thanks, Don, I'm fine, it's just that I need to ask you, umm, do you mind leaving the door open while I am here?" I grinned sheepishly, meaning every last word. Don smiled as he complied, so the door remained open for the 2 hours I spent working there and I was grateful that I had the courage to even mention it. Don sat in an overstuffed chair near but not uncomfortably near my own. We discussed the job, our families and the weather as people tend to do, then he spoke only of the job itself.
He handed me a couple of sheets of paper with a table of contents on one of these papers. The table had been written by him and he wanted to pay me to read it silently and then report to him whether or not it could be rewritten so as to appeal and not offend a Cosmopolitan Magazine audience. Don had written this table of contents with Playgirl Magazine readers in mind who enjoyed sexually explicit and titillating writing in contrast perhaps to a Cosmo reader who may or may not enjoy such a reading experience. Playgirl had gone out of business recently and from what I understand, Don had been left without his usual audience fare.
Getting Down to Work
I was to rate the table by how easily and seamlessly I thought that Don could translate the language he used to a more mainstream magazine's audience. The language to be "cleaned up" was truly filthy. So. I now understood my job and was ready to get on with it. I checked out my inner comfort level and was not surprised to find it wanting, yet again, we needed the money and I sensed no actual danger. The guy was apparently harmless, at least physically harmless.
And so Don left the room as I read what he had written, ready to rate his words which didn't exactly offend me, I am not a prudish individual, Not at all. So I settled in and began working. After a while I began sensing that something else was going on besides my job. Where had Don gone to wait while I read? Why had he left this room at all? I thought that he had been giving me 'space' but then I wasn't so sure. He was quite prompt when I called to him, "Don?" when I was done. I finished my 2 hours and did not allow myself to think about the job until I was in my truck bound for home. I believe that was a self-protective decision, not to think about it until I was absolutely safe.
Not Worth the Money
Once secure and on my way home, I thought to myself, "Why did he leave the room?" "Why did he choose me?" "Why had he offerred more money to submit to a massage by him?" The questions went on and on. Now, with hindsight fully operational, I am fairly certain that he was 'busy' while he watched me read.
And so, dear reader, the reason I took this trip to see the sheriff was not to report an actual crime. I wanted to report activity that could result in a crime. I conducted my own version of an 'investigation' and found 2 other businesses with these slips pinned up. The Sargeant I spoke to was not happy to be informed that these ads were popping up as fast as they were being taken down. Was Don the only one in Bishop offering these jobs? The slips of paper I had found were all at a level that children could reach with ease. This was my concern. With children having access to these slips, the level of threat reached different and more ominous levels.
I am glad that I did
CommentsLoading...
Actually, dohn121, I did meet him at the trailer park's 'clubhouse' which I neglected to put into my telling of this tale. I did think this out before meeting him, making sure the receptionist could I.D. the guy. She said that he was odd but harmless.
You know, I wonder how many Hubbers have read this then thought, "Jeez what a moron!", leaving no commentary...I don't blame them one bit if that's the case. I am so damned new to this writing biz, obviously I need some lessons in basic story-telling!
But first, I'm off to read your Hub on your grandfather's experiences during the war.
Thanks for leaving some much needed words in such a civilized manner! :o)
Laurel
Lorlie - I certainly don't think you're a "moron" but I'm so relieved nothing bad happened to you! Now, promise me you'll never, ever do anything like this again!
Aqua, thanks for the words of wisdom.
I promise.
No kidding!
You had to be in a real struggle to put yourself in that position, even with all the precautions you took.
I feel for ya and know you learned a good lesson.
Alex
I too am so happy to hear you got out and are safe. Predators can come for anywhere. Thank you for reporting it to the Sheriff's office. I truly understand the need for additional income. I would like to suggest leaving info with someone as to where you go and leave all info you have. I did this on a date from an online site as a precaution. I was fine and it was out in public. One can never be too careful.
Always listen to your inner sense that is telling you something is wrong and get the heck away. Next time you might not be so lucky.
Compromising your safety in this way is not worth a few bucks. I'm glad that you found hubpages instead!
-Trig
You're so right...I'll never do that again!
What a pervert!!!
I know about desperate times and all that BUT YOU COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT!!!!!Good thing you didn't accept anything to drink (who knows what he would have put in it) and I'm glad nothing worst happenened to you.
Franki79-I am grateful for people like you reminding me of danger, I did take some precautions-I told the 'receptionist' at the park that I would be there, and took my own car so that I could get out fast.
Thanks for your comment!
Listen to your gut. It will rarely steer you wrong. Glad you had such well developed instincts at work! Well, I must say this is a most unusual piece of writing, Lorlie!Sometimes our oddest experiences are what give us the best fodder for writing! MM
Thanks, MM, for your input-that was certainly one of the oddest ever!
You did the right thing and were remarkably objective about the whole thing.
I love Bishop-- or at least in my childhood memories of stopping at the bakery for the loaf of bread and maybe breakfast.
We always ended our two weeks vacation by going to Rock Creek where my dad loved to outwit the trout.
... and where I caught the ground squirrel (hub on that somewhre).
That bakery would be Schat's! I am glad that you stopped by and will be looking for that hub on the squirrel.
Yep, that was it.The loaf lasted us through the fishing part of our camping trip.
Gold Country-which part, if you don't mind my asking...
"MY wild pet pocket mouse"-- and another on on wild animal pets. Thanks you brought back some special old memories.
And, again, I'm glad the Sheriff has the info you gave. I live in a small community, and though it seems much safer than the city, it is only safe if the neighbors are a bit "nosy". Ya' done good, I think.
I love living in Bishop-there may not be much to do, but there's also very little trouble!
OK-- not too far (in western terms) from both main western entrances to Yosemite.
Check my hubs and you and probably pinpoint me.
Well, I'd better get to work, then. I just loved the hub on your pet squirrel
Hmm, I'll have to think a bit more on your locale-a mystery! :o)
I'm not going to add anymore to what has already been said on the dangers of it all. But, I too am glad that you are safe. I personally appreciated that you got straight to the point, with very little narrative. I'm not a real writer, but I am an avid reader, and I appreciate your hub, for it's brevity. Keep up the good work.
Great hub....
There are a lot of creeps out there. As soon as it became a job of a "sexual" nature, it was time to hit the door. Did it ever occur to anyone that if this guy was capable of writing his stupid articles with nasty language in the first place, he was also capable of cleaning it up himself???
I am glad you had good sense and took your own car, left the door open, did not accept anything to eat or drink, etc. Be careful, there are plenty of unscrupulous people who will take advantage of your financial need.
Thanks for the words of wisdom, MagicStarER-If I'd been active on HubPages back then, I don't know if I would have risked it; you have all been so supportive.
Chica, you're lucky you got out of there safely! Whew!
You are not kidding, habee, and I now see how stupid the whole endeavor was, no matter how much we needed the money!
Being through and stopping in Bishop,which I have done hundreds of times,I see nothing wrong with living there,but I would rather live on the other side of mountain in Bridgeport.Fishing is great also,up in the mountains,as you will see by reading my hubs on such.
Bridgeport is beautiful. I'll be reading your hubs soon!
Thanks for stopping by,
Laurel
Sweet Sweet Laurel... I'm so GLAD you're okay. And you absolutely did the right thing by going to the local law enforcement! There are so many pervs and jerks out there who prey on people in compromised situations, and money is a great motivater! Keep your chin up, and a real job will turn up for you!
Thanks, Cathi! I'm making quite the mission by finding these little slips of paper all over town and giving them to the management-they're still showing up.
My visit to the station even showed up in the local paper, but that didn't even stop the guy. Yuck!
I'll be working at McDonalds before I fall for something like this again!
Laurel
Lorlie - the hair was standing on the back of my neck - what an uncomfortable position to be in - it is so hard when your trying to get some dollars together that sometimes we are prepared to jump at any opportunity - you done the right thing - I think you have put the word Massage - instead of message - I could be wrong - well done going to the police thats the way it should be done - prevention is better than cure.....Irish
Irish-I do believe I learned that money isn't worth my safety!
Laurel
Laurel, Laurel, Laurel
I am so glad you are alright. I, like Irish, was wondering about the reference to a massage. It was a brief almost after thought about something that would have marked him and the situation as a GET OUT OF THERE MOMENT! Then you did not address it, when Irish commented about it. I was confused. Did he actually offer to pay you more to let him massage you? Geeeeeesssss, Louise! People like that progress and get bolder and bolder as it takes more and more stimulus to….. how should I say it….. get them to where they want to be. It sounds like he had already gotten pretty bold. Letting you know where he lived. The thought of that made me cringe and then that he offered you something to drink (actually you said he asked if you were comfortable and did you need anything. I assume that meant he offered you something to drink) I was so frighten for you. My mind substituted my wife in that situation and I felt so helpless. I am sure your husband had some words of concern once he found out what you had done.
Girl, you seem to learn the hard way. Great service to the people in the area to let the local law enforcement know about him and to write about it for others to read. Maybe you could write a follow-up piece. ONLY BY DOING RESEARCH ABOUT WHAT CONTACT LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS HAD WITH HIM BEFORE AND SINCE. NOT BY HAVING ANYMORE CONTACT WITH HIM YOURSELF.
Are you doing the door to door Census work in April to get information from those that did not send in the card? If so, be more careful and for heaven’s sake, don’t go to Don’s place :~).
Bill
Oh, Bill, you are so right-I do learn the hard way! Even though some people knew I was going there, I still thought money was more important.
No more census for me, and the cops put this in the local newspaper, so hopefully folks won't be snagged like I was.
Thanks for coming by...
this is terrible lorlie, I am so glad you're safe, thank you so much for your congratulatory note on my post at forum, Maita
and I will ask a big favor again, ,,,I am sorry to bother you, hehe, my other account here at HP, was nominated for the health contest--- my other HubPages account name is alexandriaruthk, look at this site to vote, if you vote, you can consider me, http://hubpages.com/topics/health/2155, deadline for voting is until wednesday march 31, 12 pm, Cali time, YEHEY, thank you , means a lot to me, Morning, Maita
Of course I will consider you; you are one of the finest writers here on hubpages! I'm going to take a look now!
Thats wild... Sounds like one hell of an experience!
Romper20
Hey, Romper. Those slips are still around town occasionally, so I guess he's got tremendous balls!
I want to know how much you got paid for this. Reaaalllllly, a two hour job? My-oh-my! You should run not walk away from such offerings in the future.
You're right, SteveoMc! Well, in total, I was paid 30 bucks. Umm, guess that makes me pretty easy, huh? :)
Great to see you.
I had that happen to me too so don't feel too bad. The guy was a real creep! I was young and trusted people back then. No more. Thanks for sharing.
Thank God I was old enough to 'keep cool' about the whole thing. However, at my age, I should have known better-thanks for letting me know I'm not the only one!
He was either a beginner in the sexual offender realm working his way up the ladder to more abhorrent crimes or he was on parole for crimes in his past of sexual nature and was trying to find safe ways to offend without being arrested. You were lucky to be one of his early experiments, I guess?? and even more lucky to have not been one of his later sordid dabbles. Reporting him was a wise choice.~~~MFB III
Thanks, MFB-I'd guess your second option, since I found out much later that one of my friends had fallen for the same thing, by the exact same guy.
I'm glad I did report him, but you know, it's a crap-shoot in this 1-horse town, small town cops and all...it worked in the end, thank God!
These types are cunning snakes. The one I wrote about was arrested yesterday. I am hoping the $100,000 bond keeps him in jail until he is sent to prison. You were fortunate nothing worse happened Laurel.
Yesterday? Thank God. I hope he doesn't have a dime.
Thanks for coming by, Hon.
I see this is an older hub, so I certain you have learned from this and not put yourself in any harms way again by being smoothed talked into a job. I hope this possible predator has been found out and is under custody.
It reeks to me of the start of something bad happening. And as you wrote about these ads being placed often and in the reach of children. Could he possibly be a wolf in sheep clothing waiting to pounce on an innocent female? Scary thought, I hope your husband talked you out of going back again. Peace and hugs
Hey saddlerider-actually I talked myself out of it, he didn't have to say a word. Money? Screw it. We're in even more dire straits in that department right now than we were then, and I wouldn't consider such a thing ever again. I am pretty damned trusting, but this was simply stupid.
I live in a tiny community and haven't seen him around at all since then, and those slips have disappeared. I look for them all over town-which isn't many places!
The thing about the children was exactly why I went-trembling-into that station. EASILY within a child's reach.
Thanks, friend, for coming by.
Ewwwww. And whew! That's as articulate as my mind gets on this matter. Interesting story though, and well-written as always.
Actually, it does remind me of a job that I also took once, for a writer in a double-wide trailer out in the rural woods way up a mountain. The guy was very cranky and odd and totally disorganized. I was to organize all of his files. Something I'm good at... but I wasn't feeling it. Something just felt off to me and I never went back after the first 3 hours of work, and never asked for pay.
That does sound creepy. I don't blame you one bit for never going back-even for your pay. I've never seen this guy since, and this is a very small community.
Funny, you commented on this hub just as I was working on it-inserting photos, etc. My ears should have been burning!
Heheh! No wonder I could feel your presence!
A psychic connection, perhaps, far from the madding crowds!
How much will you charge to come to my house for two hours, Lorlie? Nah...kidden, um...WTF? I've never heard of such a thing, I mean, I've heard of such things but not that particular way of getting that - whatever you want to call it - uh, situation? Job offers pinned on bulletin boards. Why so many in Bishop? I'm trying to think if I've ever been in any similar situations and none come to mind. Well, I'm glad your okay and the weirdos appear to have moved on. But I suppose that's part of the problem: They've moved on to some other unsuspecting town. Why can't they just be normal and...say...get two of them together and just go into coeds rooms and see what happens? Ha, ha. I don't know anybody who did that!
You! I was wondering what was up in the forums when Beth's name was attached to your mug...Shades was also there, hmm, could that be significant??
Anyway, yeah, this was over a year ago, but 'tis all true. And since I wrote this so long ago, I must not have made it clear that those slips were all from the same guy. Sorry about that.
Hey Christoph, my old roomie and I would have had a field day with that creep, but let me assure you it would NOT have been pleasant!
PS: I don't charge anymore, I pay my clients-2 hours? Let's see...we're so broke, I can come up with minimum wage for ya, let me know!
Sure, you can pay me minimum wage, but I'll feel guilty about it. I'm broke too, so we could just freebie each other. Ha, ha! I'm so sure! You're funny, Ms. Hubpages elite!
So are you, Miss Bikini of the year...All those ice floes concern me however-shrinkage must be a concern.
Elite, my arse. Ha, it's fun to have that little 'e' next to my face, but I'm still trudging along in the trenches with all you pedestrians. HAHAHA!!!
Take care, my St. Louis friend.
Wow, lorlie that's some twisted guy! I'm glad you're sixth sense kicked in though before anything else happened. Sorry you had to have an experience like that. Sigh...
I often depend on that 6th sense, wordscribe-and if I truly listen, it never lets me down!
Lorlie . . . I felt chills up and down my spine as I read your story - knew where it was heading and didn't want it to be true. Sure enough it was. Listening to our inner self is hard to do with the pressing needs of money. I've certainly set myself up in these kinds of situations before - sometimes narrowly escaping - other times not. So I'm very skeptical of these scenarios at this point in life. Date rape and work harrassment are realities.
Nicely told and I'm so glad you survived. Luck (or Someone) was with you that day.
You're so right, Peg, we are lucky to get out of these situations alive, unscathed! Or in your case, somewhat affected, am I right?
I think my tendency to trust just about everyone is a huge part of the problem. You think??
Take care now!
Laurel
In my opinion the census detail job would have been better..
Wish I could have continued that job, that's for sure.
Thanks for the visit.
Lorlie - I am so glad you reported it too. I have made a similar report for the same reason. If the guy did anything else his name would be on record. They would have a trail to follow so he couldn't get away with it again.
I am very trusting too - it sucks that you can't be.
It is so disgusting. The whole thing makes me feel ashamed, though I know that's his game. You had the same experience? Oh, Lord, it simply doesn't stop...I must protect my little grandson. Jeeze. Makes me ill.
Too much trust is stupid, I guess. ;(
Yes it is so disturbing. I was at a Barnes and Noble book store and turned around and this guy was just sitting there out in the open - I am not kidding you one bit. I freaked and ran to the front of the store - the guy took off running out. I started to chase him! Then I realized - okay - what am I going to do???? Tackle him? So in my confusion - I ran back into the store! Oh gosh! I made a police report - the store didn't want me to - I don't think they liked the police being there. Not good for sales. But - a couple months later - the guy struck again in a public place. The police came to my work and brought a photo line up. I picked the guy out in two seconds flat. The police told me it was him! So - that is why I say it is hard to do that - but we might have stopped someone like that from progressing. I am being totally honest about this - the next time he did this - he was in an ice cream shop!
So really this particular incident wasn't about me being too trusting - but I have that problem too.
OMG, that's awful. I used to work for B. Dalton, a mini-Barnes and Noble, and press was the LAST thing they wanted. But, come on-THAT? I can't believe they would shun your situation. Corporate America, I suppose, but that really shames the world of commerce. Glad you didn't tackle him! Garrrrooooosss!! ;) They do strike again-it's crazy-the guy I wrote about was posting ads forever in that store, and only one checker cared. Pissed me off.
I know. I know. It makes me shake my head. At the time this happened I was maybe 26 and Laurel was very small - 4 or 5 - I kept thinking OMG! What if she had been with me?! I could have gone my whole life without that you know? But a kid could have been there. It was right in the middle of the day - I think I had gone on my lunch hour.
Those people do repeat those things until someone stops them! They get more brave too and graduate to worse things.
Sleep tight my friend. And you know what they say - it is better to be pissed off than pissed on! LOL
HAHAHA, good night and sweetest of dreams!!!!
Another Laurel in your life.
=^o^=
Wow. That guy was definitely a sicko and was probably going to try gaining your trust and trying to enter into some weird sexual relation with you. You did right by going to the police. Did they ever go check things out? Is he still there and is this activity still going on?
I must tell you. I have read some of your hubs. You are very interesting. You are the kind of person I would love to sit and chat with(at a public place of course). Anyway, I look forward to reading more about you.
Laurel,
You are remarkable, both in writing and in stature. I bet you could write a popular novel and never have to worry about the income. On the other hand, I think your tough enough to handle any situation, however consider taking some marshal arts.
Ronnie
Compliments will get you ANYwhere, Ronnie!!! Bless your heart for giving me such a lift. I'm writing a hub at the moment about a second hip replacement surgery a week from TODAY! I wrote one about the first and am trying to coax my screwed up computer to allow this-it keeps freezing on me...LORD, what a pain.
Anyway, martial arts sound like a good idea...have to think about that after the operation! ;)
Great to see your shadow again-gimme a photo, mister! ;)
Take great care of my friend, okay?
bruzzbuzz-You bet he was a sicko, and I'm lucky I listen to my gut. Hey, I appreciate your reading my stuff-I think I'll go check yours out!
Thanks again for commenting.
Laurei,
If you can heal your hip as well as you can write, you've got it made! Half of the success of any event depends on your faith of medical attendants and your sense of maintaining a healthy mindset; one of your best merits!! Looking forward to hear from you next week.
Ronnie
I HOPE (haha) to survive Wednesday's OR visit. Oh, I'm sure all will go beautifully. Is there such a thing as healthy anxiety? J/K! My gut's twisting sumpin' awful, but I'm hanging out here to keep my mind engaged-also my house has never looked so good!!!!!
Love you, friend.
Wow...you are fortunate you weren't hurt. There is so much creepiness that goes on in this world today. Was it always this bad? Has the internet and over exposure to smut brought out the beast in people? I don't even know how these sick individuals even think up some of their fantasies. As I tell me wife, "Always be aware of your surroundings."
dohn121 Level 3 Commenter 2 years ago
For the first time in my life, I'm sorry that MY name is Dohn (it sounds the same!) My name was giving to me by my aunt who had absolutely no idea at the time that it was also my paternal grandfather's name. I wrote a hub about his recount during the Second World War by the way.
This guy was definitely a sicko. I'm amazed that you guys didn't meet somewhere neutral, like a coffee shop or roadside diner. Well, I'm glad that your safe! Thank you for sharing this.