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How To Protect Yourself On City Streets
Street crime is on the increase in most large U.S. cities. It
is also becoming more prevalent in small communities. The
following list of "safeguards" will help protect you - and may
even save your life!
1. When leaving home, make sure that all doors and windows are
locked - including the garage door.
2. Watch for loiterers and do not carry large sums of money.
3. If possible, travel with another person. This is especially
true after dark.
4. When carrying a purse, women should have only 3 or 4 one
dollar bills placed inside. Credit cards, currency, driver's
license, keys and jewelry should be carried in a coat or sweater
pocket or concealed on your person to reduce the opportunity of
large losses. If you do carry a purse, don't wrap the strap
around your shoulder, neck or wrist. If your purse is grabbed,
a strong strap will not yield easily and you may be injured.
Some purse-snatch victims have been thrown off balance and
received concussions, broken hips, arms or legs. Don't carry
anything more valuable than you can afford to lose. Always
leave all unnecessary credit cards at home. When you shop and
carry a purse, put it in your shopping bag.
5. At night, travel only well-lighted and well-traveled streets.
Avoid unlighted areas. Walk in the middle of the sidewalk and
never loiter in deserted areas.
6. Never hitchhike or accept rides from strangers.
7. Walk on the side of the street nearest to oncoming traffic.
If accosted by someone in a car, run in the direction opposite
the way the car is headed.
8. Beware of people who approach asking directions; keep a
polite but safe distance.
9. A good suggestion for men is to carry a second wallet
containing a few $1.00 bills and old expired credit cards, which
are normally destroyed or discarded. If confronted at knife or
gunpoint, give the suspect the second wallet and concentrate on
a good physical description to help the police in making the
arrest.
10. Upon returning home, particularly after dark, do not linger
at the entrance of your residence. Make a quick check for mail
or newspapers, and enter immediately. If you feel something is
strange, don't enter but go elsewhere and call for police
assistance.
11. If you feel someone is following you, go to the nearest
occupied residence or building, and ask for assistance.
If you are confronted with a dangerous situation, cry out for
assistance. Yelling "FIRE! FIRE!" instead of "HELP!" will
generally bring faster attention.
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