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Personal Safety Tips

Your personal safety does not have to be left up to chance. Though you can not eliminate all possibility of becoming a victim, there are steps you can take to reduce the odds. An attacker looks for essentially three things when picking a victim:

  • Vulnerability
  • Accessibility
  • Availability

Practicing the following personal safety tips as you go about your daily activities may make you less attractive to a would be criminal.

  • BE ALERT!! Know who is near you and what activities going on around you.
  • Walk with authority, look ahead and scan your surroundings.
  • Do not walk in poorly lit areas.
  • Avoid standing at a bus stop alone, especially at night.
  • If approached by someone in a car, change your direction and enter a crowded store or business.
  • Carry a cell phone and some type of safety device (i.e.: flashlight, whistle, pepper spray and etc) when walking at night.
  • Be alert to someone who asks for directions and/or continues to engage you in conversation.
  • Obey all of the robber's orders. Keep all communication with the robber short and simple. Don't argue!
  • Be identification conscious. Observe your attacker's personal appearance, type of weapon used, and type of vehicle so you can accurately describe them to police.
  • Immediately report the incident to the police and do not hang up until the police arrive.

Transportation Safety Tips

Don't allow someone to remove your valuables from the inside of your vehicle.

Please consider the following tips to prevent you from becoming a victim.

  • Always lock your doors and roll up your windows.
  • Never leave valuable items in your vehicle.
  • Store packages in the trunk of your vehicle while shopping.
  • Remove items such as telephones, ipods, purses, briefcase, backpack, cash and even loose change each time you leave your vehicle.
  • Park in well lit areas at night.
  • Park vehicle in the driveway rather than the street.
  • Consider a car alarm for added protection.
  • Call 911 if you see any suspicious activity.

ENCOURAGE YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS TO KEEP VALUABLES OUT OF THEIR VEHICLES AT HOME, WORK OR WHILE RUNNING ERRANDS.

Information provided by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.