Your Path to Personal Safety
Whenever you are walking or jogging, remember
these personal safety tips:
-
Have someone accompany you if at
all possible.
-
Let someone know where you will be
and when you expect to return.
-
If you plan to go jogging, let
someone know the path you intend to take and when you plan to leave and
return.
-
Know where you can run for help.
Remember, no coins are required to dial the 911 emergency number from
pay telephones.
-
Avoid walking too closely to bushes
or areas with any kind of tall overgrowth.
-
Avoid the temptation to daydream or
otherwise become distracted. Know what's going on around you.
-
Be alert to any sudden approach by
a stranger.
-
Whenever walking on a highway, road
or street, always walk facing traffic. You should do this even when
there are sidewalks, since it makes it more difficult for someone to
drive up behind you without being noticed.
-
Do not wear an IPOD or other
headphone.
If You Are Attacked
Noise may be your most immediate defense. Noise
will attract attention and make your location known. Others may come to
your aid. Noise may foil an assailant, causing the would-be attacker to
flee.
You can scream loudly if attacked. However,
whistles are useful devices to attract attention, as are pocket air horns.
Whatever device you choose for your personal safety, it should be carried
so that it is readily accessible in an emergency.
Removing yourself from the area by running in the
direction of the nearest available help may be your best defense if it is
possible to do so. An assailant is not likely to want to engage in a
pursuit which could increase the possibility of detection or apprehension.
When You Should Call the Police
Whenever you observe suspicious events, even
though you may not be the only person observing them, call the police.
Never think that the next person will do what you should do. The police
department would rather get numerous calls on the same event than none at
all. Often citizens fail to call because they are not sure if what they
see or hear is suspicious. If you are in doubt, call the police
immediately. Don't wait to talk it over with friends or neighbors.
Valuable police response time is lost this way. Call the police at
703-691-2131 for non-emergencies and 911 for emergencies.
Don't be concerned about "bothering" your police
department because you won't be. Don't dwell on any possible embarrassment
you might feel if your call about a suspicious person or event should
prove to be unfounded. Think instead of what could have happened had you
not called. You, your loved ones, friends or neighbors could become the
victims of a criminal act.
