As you might have noticed, you are not in Williamsburg anymore! The Washington, DC area is a vibrant, diverse city and also may be a completely different environment than you’re used to. The tips below are provided in an effort to help you become more aware of your surroundings in an unfamiliar city.
Basic Street Smarts
- Wherever you are—on the street, in an office building or shopping mall, driving, waiting for a bus or subway—stay alert and tuned in to your surroundings. Listen.
- Send the message that you’re calm, confident, and know where you’re going. Walk confidently, directly, and at a steady pace.
- Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, avoid the person or leave.
- Know the neighborhoods where you live and work.
- Check out the locations of police and fire stations, hospitals, and restaurants, or stores that are open late.
- If possible, don’t walk alone during late-night hours. Walk in groups whenever you can—there is always safety in numbers.
- Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible. Avoid alleys, vacant lots, wooded areas, and other short-cuts or secluded areas. They are usually not well-lit or heavily traveled.
- Always be aware of your surroundings. If you are wearing headphones, don’t turn up the volume so high that you cannot hear outside noises.
- Ignore verbal harassment. Use discretion in acknowledging strangers. Look directly at others and be observant, but keep your distance and keep moving.
- Avoid carrying large sums of cash, or displaying expensive jewelry in public.
Pick-Pocketing
- Men – target areas for pickpockets are back trouser pockets and suit coat/sports jacket pockets, both inside and out. A pickpocket generally avoids front trouser pockets, and especially buttoned or zippered pockets. If you must carry your wallet in an unbuttoned pocket, be sure it holds only what you can afford to lose. Keep large sums of money, credit cards, IDs, in your front pocket or any buttoned or zippered pocket.
- Women – do not carry your wallet in your purse. Conceal it in a buttoned/zippered pocket where it doesn’t show a bulge. Additionally, use a purse that is difficult to open. A purse with a zipper or snaps is best.
- Never pat your pocket to see if your wallet is there; this lets a criminal know the exact location of your valuables.
If Someone Tries to Rob You
- Don’t resist. 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.
- Self defense measures are most effective when applied as preventive steps—avoiding the crime in the first place. These measures include running away, hiding, screaming, and raising an alarm—remember, more people will respond to someone yelling “Fire” than they will to “Help!”