* Never text while walking, your attention needs to be on your surroundings and alert to anyone following you.
* When walking, stay close to the street and away from thick bushes, dark doorways, alleys and access doors to vans. Watch for cars driving slowly behind or just in front of you. They may be waiting to grab you off the street. Try to go into a lighted building with people, or evade them in some other way, if possible.
* Avoid threatening situations altogether. If you see a person or persons around that look threatening cross to the other side of the street or go into a public place. Remember, do not ever look scared. Stay confident, walk with a sense of purpose, and keep to yourself.
* Women should always carry their purse over the shoulder and close to the body. If carrying a large amount of cash or valuables, hide it someplace under your clothes. Men should carry their cash in a money clip in their front pants pocket.
* Thieves cruise parking lots of shopping centers, day care centers, parks and beaches looking for cars to burglarize. They often target cars of women who leave their purses, cell phones, purchases, and other valuables in the vehicles. Lock these items in the trunk of the car.
* Copy down serial numbers on any electronics to make recovery easier.
* Never keep your Social Security card in a purse or wallet.
* Take as little with you as necessary when making routine trips to the store, beach, park, school or other places.
* If you can, park inside your garage instead of in the driveway. Use garage door opener so you do not have to get out of the car to open the door. When closing the garage door stay in the car with the car doors locked, engine running and watch the rear view mirrors for someone sneaking in behind you. If you do see someone, open the garage door and back out ASAP. Call 911 ASAP.
* Always walk alertly, with a purpose and look comfortable with your surroundings, whether or not you are familiar with the area. Do not show fear.
* When defending yourself, strike above the collar bone, face and neck, or below the waist, groin knees, shin and top of foot and toes. Do so with force, stepping into the attacker. Do not try to run while he is still on the attack un less you have a good chance to escape.
* Spend a few dollars to learn how to defend yourself. DVD’s are available showing simple things to do when someone means you harm. One physical assault occurs every 7 seconds – The National Center for Victims of Crime, Washington, DC