swatspyder
Regular Member
imported post
How Streetwise Are You?
Do you:
• Stuff your backpack or purse with cash, keys, pager, cell phones, credit cards, checkbooks – and then leave it wide open at school or work, near your desk, or on the floor?
• Pay attention to your surroundings or do you think about school or your friends when walking, driving, or riding the subway or bus?
• Think it's a waste of time to use your locker for valuables or to lock your car when you'll be back in a few minutes?
• Walk or jog by yourself early in the morning or late at night when the streets are quiet and deserted?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you need to change a few habits. Even if you answered "no" and made a perfect score, read on. Spend a few minutes now to prevent trouble later.
Keeping Street Sense in Mind
• Stay alert and tuned into your surroundings wherever you are – at school or the mall, on the street, waiting for a bus or subway, or driving.
• Send the message that you're calm, confident, and know where you're going.
• Don't accept rides or gifts from someone you don't know well and trust – that includes people you've met on the Internet.
• Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, avoid the person or situation and leave as soon as possible.
• Know the neighborhoods where you live, go to school, and work. Keep in mind locations of fire and police stations and public telephones. Remember which stores and restaurants stay open late.
Strolling-Day and Night
• Try to walk places with your friends rather than alone.
• Stick to well-lighted, well-traveled streets. Avoid shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots, or alleys.
• Take the safest route to and from schools, stores, or your friends' houses. Know where to go for help if you need it.
• Don't display your cash or any other inviting targets like pagers, cell phones, hand-held electronic games, or expensive jewelry and clothing.
• Carry your backpack or purse close to your body and keep it closed. Just carrying a wallet? Put it inside your coat or front pants pocket, not in your back pocket or in your backpack.
• Have your car or house key in your hand before you reach the door.
• If you think someone is following you, switch directions or cross the street. If they're still there, move quickly toward an open store or restaurant or a lighted house. Don't be afraid to yell for help.
• Have to work late? Make sure there are others in the building and that someone – a supervisor or security guard – will wait with you for your ride or walk you to your car or bus or train stop.
• Be alert in the neighborhood. Call police or tell an adult about anything you see that seems suspicious.
Cruising
• Keep your car in good running condition: Make sure there's enough gas to get where you're going and back.
• Turn the ignition off and take your car keys with you, even if you just have to run inside for one minute.
• Roll up the windows and lock car doors, even if you're coming right back. Check inside and out before getting in.
• Avoid parking in isolated areas. If you are uncomfortable, ask a security guard or store staff to watch you or escort you to your car.
• Drive to the nearest gas station, open business or other well-lighted, crowded area to get help if you think you are being followed. Don't head home.
• Don't pick up hitchhikers. Don't hitchhike.
• Use your cellular phone, if you have one, to call the police if you are being followed or you've seen an accident. Otherwise, stay off your cellular phone while you are driving.
Taking Buses and Subways
• Use well-lighted, busy stops. If you must get off at a little-used stop, try to arrange for a friend or an adult to meet you.
• Stay alert! Don't doze or daydream.
• Say, "leave me alone" loudly if someone hassles you. Don't be embarrassed.
• Watch who gets off your stop with you. If you feel uneasy, walk directly to a place where there are other people.
If Someone Tries to Rob You
• 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.
http://www.ci.university-place.wa.us/PoliceServices/Safetytips.pdf
-----------------------------------------------------
They should have added at the top of the section in red, "If you value your life and your property, instead of handing it over, take action. If you feel at that moment that your life is threatened, remove your firearm from its holster and take aim (You do own and carry a firearm... Right?). Now you can report to 911 dispatchers that the person you have at gunpoint on the ground is ready to be picked up and hauled off, instead of trying to remember what the person looked like, and waiting endlessly for the person to be found. Oh and by the way, at the end of the encounter, you won't have to call your credit card companies, a locksmith to replace the locks on your house, your bank, cell phone company, wait for 2 hours at the DOL, buy a new iPod, buy a new cell phone because you didn't have insurance on it, and go purchase new keys for your car."
How Streetwise Are You?
Do you:
• Stuff your backpack or purse with cash, keys, pager, cell phones, credit cards, checkbooks – and then leave it wide open at school or work, near your desk, or on the floor?
• Pay attention to your surroundings or do you think about school or your friends when walking, driving, or riding the subway or bus?
• Think it's a waste of time to use your locker for valuables or to lock your car when you'll be back in a few minutes?
• Walk or jog by yourself early in the morning or late at night when the streets are quiet and deserted?
If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, you need to change a few habits. Even if you answered "no" and made a perfect score, read on. Spend a few minutes now to prevent trouble later.
Keeping Street Sense in Mind
• Stay alert and tuned into your surroundings wherever you are – at school or the mall, on the street, waiting for a bus or subway, or driving.
• Send the message that you're calm, confident, and know where you're going.
• Don't accept rides or gifts from someone you don't know well and trust – that includes people you've met on the Internet.
• Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy, avoid the person or situation and leave as soon as possible.
• Know the neighborhoods where you live, go to school, and work. Keep in mind locations of fire and police stations and public telephones. Remember which stores and restaurants stay open late.
Strolling-Day and Night
• Try to walk places with your friends rather than alone.
• Stick to well-lighted, well-traveled streets. Avoid shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots, or alleys.
• Take the safest route to and from schools, stores, or your friends' houses. Know where to go for help if you need it.
• Don't display your cash or any other inviting targets like pagers, cell phones, hand-held electronic games, or expensive jewelry and clothing.
• Carry your backpack or purse close to your body and keep it closed. Just carrying a wallet? Put it inside your coat or front pants pocket, not in your back pocket or in your backpack.
• Have your car or house key in your hand before you reach the door.
• If you think someone is following you, switch directions or cross the street. If they're still there, move quickly toward an open store or restaurant or a lighted house. Don't be afraid to yell for help.
• Have to work late? Make sure there are others in the building and that someone – a supervisor or security guard – will wait with you for your ride or walk you to your car or bus or train stop.
• Be alert in the neighborhood. Call police or tell an adult about anything you see that seems suspicious.
Cruising
• Keep your car in good running condition: Make sure there's enough gas to get where you're going and back.
• Turn the ignition off and take your car keys with you, even if you just have to run inside for one minute.
• Roll up the windows and lock car doors, even if you're coming right back. Check inside and out before getting in.
• Avoid parking in isolated areas. If you are uncomfortable, ask a security guard or store staff to watch you or escort you to your car.
• Drive to the nearest gas station, open business or other well-lighted, crowded area to get help if you think you are being followed. Don't head home.
• Don't pick up hitchhikers. Don't hitchhike.
• Use your cellular phone, if you have one, to call the police if you are being followed or you've seen an accident. Otherwise, stay off your cellular phone while you are driving.
Taking Buses and Subways
• Use well-lighted, busy stops. If you must get off at a little-used stop, try to arrange for a friend or an adult to meet you.
• Stay alert! Don't doze or daydream.
• Say, "leave me alone" loudly if someone hassles you. Don't be embarrassed.
• Watch who gets off your stop with you. If you feel uneasy, walk directly to a place where there are other people.
If Someone Tries to Rob You
• 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.
http://www.ci.university-place.wa.us/PoliceServices/Safetytips.pdf
-----------------------------------------------------
They should have added at the top of the section in red, "If you value your life and your property, instead of handing it over, take action. If you feel at that moment that your life is threatened, remove your firearm from its holster and take aim (You do own and carry a firearm... Right?). Now you can report to 911 dispatchers that the person you have at gunpoint on the ground is ready to be picked up and hauled off, instead of trying to remember what the person looked like, and waiting endlessly for the person to be found. Oh and by the way, at the end of the encounter, you won't have to call your credit card companies, a locksmith to replace the locks on your house, your bank, cell phone company, wait for 2 hours at the DOL, buy a new iPod, buy a new cell phone because you didn't have insurance on it, and go purchase new keys for your car."