Whether you’re out for a leisurely stroll or getting from A to B - everyone has the right to feel safe as they walk around the neighborhood.
Below are our top 7 tips to keep you safe while walking:
1) When possible, with near or with others
2) Be aware of your surroundings and do not text or talk on a cell phone or listen to music while walking; doing so makes you a target for those with criminal intentions
3) Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible and look for routes to run if you do feel threatened
4) Walk confidently, with a purpose, and at a steady pace - walk against the flow of traffic
5) Make eye contact with people when walking.
6) If you carry a purse or a bag, hold it securely between your arm and body, or better still, make sure it has a strap that you can put over your body
7) Keep your house or car keys ready and have them out as you approach your home or car.
Remember, always call 9–1–1 first. When you call 911, state your location, the address where you are, the closest intersection, and the city/town, followed by the reason for calling, and then describe the behavior of concern you are witnessing.
Finally, remember that a person’s behavior makes them suspicious, not what they look like. Check out Nextdoor guidelines for identifying and communicating about suspicious behavior — -> https://help.nextdoor.com/s/article/How-to-communicate-a-crime?language=en_US
If you have other tips, share them below in the comments, and kindly repost this message to your neighbors on Nextdoor by clicking the "Share" button/arrow below and then "Repost in newsfeed."
