STREET SMART & SAFE
A crime can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. It can happen to you.
So you've got to be prepared. You've got to have a plan.
Pay attention to your surroundings. Be alert at all times. Don't impair yourself by
wearing those headsets. Remember, the bad guys pick their victims on a vulnerability
scale and you cannot be the most vulnerable one there.
Look tough! Always walk and carry yourself in a confident manner. Your head
up. The predators are always looking up at other things. The prey looks at the ground.
So if you don't want to be a prey, look like a predator. Remember; it's not how tough
you are, it's how tough you look.
Cross the street if you see a suspicious person or persons walking toward you. If
you sense danger; go to where there are people.
Yell "NO!" if stopped on the street by a stranger for directions or any other reason
and get out of there. No hesitation. "NO!" and you're gone. Remember; if fleeing is an
option, it's always your best option.
Give up your property. If confronted by someone with a weapon who demands
your purse, or wallet, or coat give it up and run. Do not wait around for request
number two. The less time you spend in front of that weapon, the better it is for you.
Yell "FIRE!" if you are in trouble or see someone else in trouble. You have to
attract some attention. And a fire gets everybody's attention.
Carry your purse with the strap across your body, preferably under your coat.
Better yet, use a fanny pack. If you do, you're tougher than the next person and
that's what you want to be.
Carry a money clip with your 'get out of trouble' money two singles wrapped in
a five. If he wants your money, you throw the money clip one way and you go the
other; yelling "FIRE!" Which way do you think the goof is going to go?
Carry a self-defense spray [where legal] with 5% to 10% pepper gas and a range of
at least 6 to 8 feet. Keep it on your key ring and be ready to use it. It's superior
to tear gas and it will stop the bad guy in his tracks. Be sure to keep your distance
from this guy when using it don't let him get close to you.
A personal alarm is a less 'aggressive' alternative to a pepper spray and it
works. All you've got to do is pull the pin and it makes a shrieking noise the only
one who can't ignore it is the goof.
Stranger-Danger Rape. If you are attacked by a stranger, or anyone for that
matter use your pepper gas or trigger your alarm. If that is not possible, do whatever
you need to do to stay alive. If you decide to fight back, you must make your move as
soon as this guy approaches. If he grabs you, peel his thumb away or twist toward
it that's the weakest part of the grip and try to get out of there. If you can't get
away and you fight back the most vulnerable areas are the eyes, throat, groin,
and shins.
Date Rape. If you are on a date, or out with a friend, there may be some
expectation of intimacy. But if he crosses the line, whatever that line is if he wants
to take you someplace, or touch you you say "NO!" And NO means NO! If he kisses you,
reach up there and grab his lower lip with your teeth and bite down until your teeth
meet. You are ending the relationship!
Swivel around on your backside and kick if you get knocked down in an attack.
If he grabs one foot, kick with the other. Your legs are strong, use them to keep him
away from you. And you're yelling "FIRE!" all the time.
If there ever is a line you draw that you're not going to cross, it's this: you must
never allow yourself to be taken into a car, or down an alley what we call a
secondary crime scene for any reason at all.
If he grabs you, come out of your coat or blouse do whatever is necessary to get
away. Even if he's got a gun, you cannot go. It can be a one way trip! Remember
these guys will always lie to get you to do what they want you to do.
You have to help each other! If you see someone in trouble, do something. Yell,
I'm going to call the police," the bad guy doesn't know if you have a phone or if one
is near. If a person is being attacked, grab the victim and pull her away. Do not grab
the goof. The victim will help you, the goof will fight you.
