Lake Highlands Residents Attend Safety Seminars

More than 100 women attended a personal safety seminar in Lake Highlands on Tuesday night as Dallas police continue to look for a serial rapist targeting the neighborhood.

Three women were sexually assaulted in their homes by an intruder on Feb. 22, March 15 and March 19. Police said DNA evidence links all three assaults to one attacker.

"I came mostly because I found myself really unprepared for the thought of someone possibly attacking me and I think that I am mostly afraid that, if someone did, my fear would paralyze me and so I wanted to feel like I have some strategies to fight back if I needed to," Erin Morgan said.

The seminar was organized by several women who live in the neighborhood who reached out to former Navy SEAL Clint Bruce, another resident who owns local security company Trident Response Group.

"We want to encourage the women who are here tonight that they are not relegated to this victim role, that they actually have the ability to influence their safety and their security," Bruce said.

The most important advice -- be aware of your surroundings and have a safe place to go.

"Being aware of your surroundings is the No. 1 thing," said Trident safety instructor Tamara Shelley. "We have a brain; let's use it that the best tool we've ever been given. And we can use it. Just be alert and aware of what's going on around you, who's around you, what things are going on in your surroundings."

Trident is hosting another safety seminar at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 10110 Shoreview Road from 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

The Lake Highlands Area Improvement Association will present a women's self-defense class at Lake Highlands High School Main Gym from 6 p.m. 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

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