If it could happen to Nancy Guthrie, could it happen to us?

It seems like everyone is talking about Nancy Guthrie.

She became “everyone’s mom”.

And his kidnapping has become a problem that we all feel obligated to help solve.

Guthrie was kidnapped from her home in Tucson, Arizona, in the early hours of February 1. Clues about who kidnapped NBC’s “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother have been slowly arriving.

As the days and weeks pass, our collective hearts are heavy with worry.

The mystery gripped the nation, sparking both outrage and terror that a grandmother would be so easily swept away in the night.

“Everyone thinks about her,” said Joe Miller, police chief in Palos Park, a southwest suburb. “My mother-in-law lives a few blocks away. My wife used to check on her once a day. Now she checks on her three to four times a day.”

Everyone, Miller said, “is obsessed with what could have happened to this poor 84-year-old woman.”

While the rest of us can’t do much other than speculate and armchair investigate, local law enforcement is citing this case to remind their residents that now is as good a time as any to review your own safety plan.

Especially if you are of advanced age.

Especially if you live alone.

Personal safety starts with good equipment, Miller said. That means lights, locks, motion sensors, cameras and, yes, even a dog.

“A dog hears much better than many humans,” he said. “And they act as a deterrent to anyone trying to break in.”

If a resident isn’t tech-savvy, Miller said, have an adult son or daughter watch over the technology.

Lockport Village Police Chief John Arizzi agrees. “A subscription to a doorbell camera system – or even a complete home security camera system – is always a worthwhile investment.”

He recommends residents consider an alarm system with a panic button as well as motion-activated lighting.

“I also advise residents to install quality locks with deadbolts and ensure doors are sturdy and secure to keep everyone inside safe,” Arizzi said.

Additionally, he advises people to always keep a charged cell phone nearby in case of emergency.

“We often give this advice to our children, but we also need to make sure our elderly parents and loved ones follow it as well,” he said.

Personal security also requires good software, Miller said. This means practicing good communication skills without oversharing.

Be friendly but not too open, Miller said. Don’t share financial information or travel plans with strangers, he said.

Think about how you present yourself to the world. If you’re all dressed up and walk out of the casino or restaurant alone and get into your high-end car, you could become a target, Miller said.

“Criminals know that elderly people are easy prey,” he said. “All they have to do is follow you home. »

Arizzi said: “One of the greatest qualities of our elderly residents is their kindness and love of conversation. Many grew up in an era before cell phones and social media, when community connections were more personal and open. Unfortunately, criminals are aware of this and may attempt to exploit the trust of individuals who feel isolated or alone.

“It’s important to remain friendly, but never let a stranger into your home and never share too much personal information,” Arizzi said.

He suggests residents build and maintain a trusted network of neighbors, friends and family.

“Keeping others informed about your daily activities can help ensure that if something seems unusual, someone else can recognize the red flag,” he said.

“I also strongly encourage people to trust their instincts,” Arizzi said. “If something goes wrong, there is often a reason. Criminals often try to gain a victim’s trust to facilitate the commission of their crimes, so it is important to remain cautious around unknown individuals.”

In Palos Park, Miller said, residents can participate in the village’s “You Are Not Alone” program. People who register receive regular visits from police officers. The force also controls them after weather events or power outages.

Among the biggest threats, Miller said, are scammers — criminals who try to take your money.

Wherever there are older people, he says, there will be opportunists.

“We’ve had quite a few in the village,” he said. “They target elderly people, but sometimes the victims are afraid to contact the police. They think that this could lead to a loss of autonomy, that they will no longer be able to live alone.”

Many older people are reluctant to report things, Miller said. “But they shouldn’t be. We’re here to protect them.”

Another thing older people may not realize, he said, is how easy it is to get their personal information on the Internet.

“When I first heard about the Guthrie case,” Miller said, “I looked her up. I didn’t know who she was at the time, but within minutes I was able to find out that she was worth about $45 million. That made her family an easy target for someone intent on extorting money.”

Authorities spent nearly two weeks scouring the southern Arizona landscape, sorting through doorbell footage and thinking about what might have happened to the mother of three. They are still trying to identify a person seen tampering with Guthrie’s doorbell camera the night she was abducted.

Miller said the longer the case goes on, the more likely it is that things won’t end well.

A question residents often ask him is, “If this happened to me, would I fight back?” »

While there is no single answer, Miller said, the longer a person goes missing, the less likely they are to be found alive.

“It’s very disturbing that every minute this woman goes missing,” he said. “How long will she be able to support herself?” »

Donna Vickroy is an award-winning journalist, editor and columnist who worked for the Daily Southtown for 38 years. She can be contacted at donnavickroy4@gmail.com.