Open letter to the predator who followed me during my mid-week run | Unpublished
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James OGrady's picture
Ottawa, Ontario
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I am the founder of Unpublished Media Inc., a company I started in 2012. I am also a communications professional and community activist, living in Nepean, Ontario. And, I am a hockey goaltender, political hack and most importantly, an advocate for grassroots, participatory democracy at all levels of government.

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Open letter to the predator who followed me during my mid-week run

December 23, 2015

The following is an open letter written by a woman in Toronto that I know. She was jogging recently in her neighborhood when a man in a car began to follow her. What follows is her open letter to him... 

If you are a woman who runs, or care about one who does, please consider sharing my message below.


I prefer to run alone, but I always run in daylight. I change my route to keep things interesting, but I stay on large roads. I wear earbuds, but I am always vigilant.

I have no idea what you were trying to do, but you weren't very subtle, following me for almost 2K, and doubling back 5 times. I know your license plate, your car colour and make, and even what you look like. I've reported you to the police because I know you will probably do this again to some other female runner out there (possibly in my neighbourhood), and I want police to know about you.

I shouldn't have run in front of your car after you tried to cross my path twice. I should have stopped at least one of the people I saw to ask for a phone. Maybe I was lucky and you were just practicing. Well, now I know better, and so do the police and my city councillor's office. I doubt the police can charge you with anything now, but I believe that they will. I will tell everyone I know to remember to be vigilant and to report anything like this as it could save a life.

While I am still wondering if I really did lose you in the end, or if you just gave up, you won't spoil my holiday, and I thought you should know this.  While I am right now hypersensitive about locking the doors while I am in the house, I know that I am safe.

You probably don't even live in my community, but if you do, be warned. We know about you.

If you can, please get some help for yourself.

Unsigned