Safety On The Streets
- Walk on the part of the sidewalk closest to the street, as far away as possible from shrubs, trees and doorways.
- Stay near other people. Whenever possible, appear to be with a group of people.
- Stay in well lit areas. Avoid short cuts through parks, vacant lots, woods, alleys and other deserted areas. Stay away from public parks at night.
- Be alert to what is around you, listening for footsteps and voices nearby.
- Walk at a steady pace, appear confident and purposeful, holding your head up looking at who or what is around you. An attacker expects a passive victim, so if you walk slowly, with your head down, you will seem vulnerable to an attack.
- Don't display your cash or any other inviting targets like pagers, cell phones, hand-held electronic games, or expensive jewelry and clothing.
- Carry your backpack or purse close to your body and keep it closed. Just carrying a wallet? Put it inside your coat or front pants pocket, not in your back pocket or in your backpack.
- If someone trys to rob you, give up your property - don't give up your life. Report the crime to the police. Try to describe the attacker accurately. Your actions can help prevent others from becoming victims.
- If you think you are being followed, don't go home! Head for the nearest populated and lighted place. Change your pace; if the person changes pace to stay behind you, cross the street, get to lighted areas, draw attention to yourself and seek help. If possible, step into a nearby store or walk to a crowded area such as a bus stop. Yell! Don't Scream! Use wording such as "Help!" "Stop!" "Stay Back!"
- When being followed by a vehicle, quickly turn around and walk in the opposite direction.
- Keep more than an arms distance from vehicles, even if they are only asking for directions.
- NEVER HITCHHIKE! NEVER! Once you are alone in a car with a stranger, you have lost control of the situation.
- Never get into a stranger's vehicle, even if your car breaks down. Stay in your locked vehicle, ask the stranger to call the police for you, or a wrecker service, to come and help you. Try to carry a cell phone for emergencies (used cell phones, when kept charged, can always be used to dial 911, even if you don't have any service). Be aware of your location at all times, so when you do call you can give precise location information.
- Try to avoid going out at night alone. If you are alone, stay away from shopping mall parking lots, convenience store parking lots or grocery store parking lots. If you must go, don't walk in the parking lots alone. Ask for a security guard escort or follow a group of people in.
- When out on the town, ask a friend, or a bar or restaurant employee to walk you to your car.
- Keep your car in good running condition. Make sure there is enough gas to get where you are going & back. Turn the ignition off and take your car keys with you, even if you just have to run inside for one minute. Roll up the windows and lock the car doors.
- When returning to your car, be alert to anyone who may be around or under your car and look inside before getting in. Have your car or house key in your hand before you reach the door.
- Have to work or study late? Make sure there are others in the building and that someone - a supervisor, teacher or Public Safety Officer - will wait with you for your ride, give you a ride to your car or walk you to your car or to the bus.
- Taking Buses - Use well-lighted, busy stops. If you must get off at a little-used stop, try to arrange for a friend or relative to meet you. Stay alert! Don't doze or daydream. Watch who gets off your stop with you. If you feel uneasy, walk to a place where there are other people.
- Know the neighborhoods where you live, go to school, and work. Keep in mind locations of fire stations, police stations, The Public Safety Office, the various Safe Place participants in town, public telephones and ISU's Blue Light Emergency phones.
- When on campus utilize the blue light emergency phones or the campus safety escort (ext. 2515).
Last Modified: 01/30/09 at 02:55:59 PM