5 Tenets for Personal Safety
- Be alert and aware– If a situation, person, or group makes you feel uncomfortable, move in the direction of other people. Avoid distractions when out later at night, or at any time others are not around. Listening to music or using your phone diminishes your awareness of people or vehicles around you. Use of substances such as alcohol or drugs can impair your ability to react safely to situations you may encounter.
- Display confidence - Walk with purpose, scan the area around you and make casual eye contact with others to display confidence. This reduces your chances of being targeted by criminals. Be mindful, however, not to try to “stare down” anyone.
- Avoid confrontation - if you encounter someone displaying aggression or who appears eager for confrontation, move away immediately and contact the police.
- Trust your instincts - If you have an intuitive feeling something is unsafe, act to reduce your risk. Many people suppress these feelings out of concern they may offend someone. If you feel unsafe, move away or ask for assistance. Call Police immediately about any suspicious or aggressive activity. Your call could help prevent someone else from becoming a victim.
- Know how to call 911 – Become comfortable with the to call or message and 911. Setup Emergency SOS on your smartphone and learn how to use it. Emergency SOS allows you to press a sequence of buttons on your phone to call 911 without having to look at your phone.