From the San Diego Police Department:
The San Diego Police Department offers tips for walkers and runners to help prevent becoming a victim of crime.
Follow the four As of self-defense to avoid becoming a target, and if threatened or attacked, what to do. These are ATTITUDE, AWARENESS, ASSESSMENT, and ACTION.
Maintain a confident ATTITUDE.
- Make eye contact with people you pass.
- Speak in a strong assertive voice if someone approaches you in a hostile or suspicious manner.
Be AWARE of your surroundings and who or what is nearby.
- Listen to your intuition. If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t.
- Be wary of strangers who seem overly friendly, ask a lot of questions, or ask for help.
ASSESS the situation and possible threat if you find yourself in an uncomfortable or potentially dangerous situation.
- Consider your options in the event you are threatened, e.g., scream or blow a whistle to attract attention, escape to a safe area, stay and fight, etc.
- Decide what you plan to do and practice your responses so you can recall them in a real situation.
ACT quickly and decisively if you cannot avoid physical actions against an attacker.
- Keep a safe distance from strangers who stop you for directions or conversation.
- Cross the street if you think someone is following you.
- Call 9-1-1 and walk into the nearest open business or other safe place if someone is following you.
- Don’t let someone get close enough to grab you. Watch their hands and feet for indications of hostile intent.
For more information, visit https://www.sandiego.gov/police/services/prevention/tips/street
For related posts, visit https://www.universitycitynews.org/category/neighborhood-watch/
