stalking article....from like freshman yr

Have you ever felt like someone was watching you? Next time you think theirs eyes on you, take a look around; their may be. 1.4 million Americans are stalked each year. In definition stalking refers to harassing or threatening behavior that is a repeated action that can lead to violence, bodily harm, or fear of harm.
In the small town of St. Marys, Ohio, to most the internet is a necessity to ones social life. Internet chat rooms, message boards, and personal ads online are causing a massive increase of cyber stalking to nearly 1.2 million people each year. Cyber stalking involves the use of the internet or other electronic devices to harass a person. So why do we not take the usage of the internet more seriously.
Desiree Clark, home schooled senior, ranted, “I really think that people on the internet are ridiculous. People don’t know who I am or where I am from and they are trying to force themselves on me through the internet!” The US Department of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control concluded that 8% of women and 2% of men are stalked at some point in their lives. 12% are before the age of 18.
Most people choose small towns to live in, where everyone knows everyone. The neighborhoods are nice and safe… or are they?
The National Center for Victims of Crime concluded that stalking happens more often in small towns than big cities. A small town victim is less likely to report these types of situations for fear of embarrassment, their reputation, and retribution. 77% of victims know their stalkers by past relationships, ex-spouses, or coworkers. 23% of people who do not know their stalkers personally, were randomly chosen as a target.
An MHS senior that remains anonymous, shared a very frightening experience that our town should be aware of. Her story like many others was just a chance meeting. What started out as a simple hello to a random high school boy grew into a six month obsession that not only terrorized her life but also her family’s lives. She told me in much detail how our small town ties were a great help to her stalker. He would gain his knowledge of her everyday life; such as her school schedule, work schedule, and her everyday routine by simply asking the right people enough information without sending up any red flags. Surprise visits to school events or even her work, acting as her close friend to gain personal information about her. Information about many things such as a work schedule can be given out in innocent conversation. He would leave twelve to thirteen phone messages in one hour on her answering machines. He called blocked or private so the police had no trail to follow. This crazed stalker would leave her presents and notes on her car. Her parents were in fear to let her out of the house. This madness all happened right here in St Marys and could happen to anyone. You read it in the papers and watch it on CNN or even in a bad Life Time Movie, whatever the case may be, we should all be aware of what to look for. At time of publication St. Marys Police Department was unable to comment.
High profile cases have made stalking cases more aware to the public. Eyes were opened in 1980 when John Lennon was gunned down and murdered by his stalker. We will never forget in 1981 John Hinckley Jr., the crazed stalker who tried to assassinate President Reagan. California was the first state to pass an Anti- Stalking Law in 1990; other states followed. The laws are interpreted differently from state to state.
There are several ways to deal with a stalker: (1) firmly inform the stalker that if the unwanted behavior persists, you will take action. (2) Inform your family, friends, and co-workers of the situation. (3) Keep a paper trail. (4) Inform authorities.
Take stalking seriously whether it is physical or virtual. Many people believe that nothing bad will happen in St.Marys. But think before jumping to the conclusion that it’ll never happen here or to you.