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Protect Yourself
On The City Streets
Street Smarts For Woman
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 &
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.
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 suggestions 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.
12. 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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