How to Avoid Being a Victim of Crime

It often seems like the media is a constant stream of news involving crimes carried out upon good, unsuspecting people. This article explains how you can lessen your chances of being a victim to crime.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. One one to protect yourself against criminals is to take precaution in parking lots. When walking to your car at night, have your keys in hand to avoid being a target for crime. This makes for a speedy entry and your key can also be used as a weapon in the case of an attack.

2. When walking alone, stand tall and take strong, confident strides. Do not slouch. Aim to come across as assertive or even aggressive. When you appear physically able, a potential attacker is likely to shy away from you; no need creating violence with someone who can put up a fight.

3. Avoid using cash machines. Even with surveillance cameras, more and more people are experiencing criminal attacks while withdrawing money. Plan ahead and use the main part of your bank for your money exchanges to avoid robbery. If you do have to use a cash machine, choose one inside of a grocery store or other busy public area.

4. Be alert. Always be perceptive of people who are acting suspicious, and remove yourself from situations and areas that make you uneasy. Those are good instances to go with your gut instinct and one of the biggest ways to take a step toward crime prevention.

5. When making a purchase, do not pull all of your money out of your wallet. When you give people an opportunity to see how much cash you are carrying, you make yourself a target for crime.

6. Vary your routines. Switching up your route home, parking spot, or jogging route makes it more difficult for a criminal to mark you.

7. It seems obvious, but never pick someone up in your car. Don't even stop for a stranger who appears to be flagging you down for help. Quickly call and notify the proper authorities (police, 911, towing..) but do not make yourself vulnerable by getting out of the car. Unfortunately, there are people who set traps like this for well intentioned good Samaritans.

8. Always be aware of your surroundings. At night, stay away from alleys, parked vehicles, or trees where someone could hide. Use busy, well lighted streets. Research the crime rate in your area and get a grasp on the neighborhood's crime statistics.

Tips & Warnings

• You don't want to live a paranoid life, but you do want to do everything you can to protect yourself from crime that might be otherwise avoidable.

Resources

• How to Get a Law Enforcement Career

[jull14]

on 6/28/2009 As always a great article with so much information. Excellent steps and very easy to follow, thank you so much for helping us learn everyday more. This is a very good article, thanks

[themadscribe]

on 1/26/2009 Very good! Attitude is really half the battle when it comes to avoiding a confrontation. You should easily look everyone in the eye as you go along, but don't stare, because some of the less mentally stable consider that a challenge.

[hoolihan0519]

on 1/26/2009 All very good ideas. Thanks for the reminders. RCR.