Crime offenders lurk in the dark waiting for preys. Sad part: You could be one of them. While we cannot predict what will happen at night, there are ways we can lessen the risk.
- Charge your phone. In case of trouble or emergency, you can quickly call for help. Make sure all emergency hot lines are saved in your phone. This should also include who to call if you need someone to pick you up.
- No phone, please. Do not use your phone (call, text, play games, watch something) while walking. This makes you an easy prey for snatchers.
- Inform family. Before leaving the office or class, make it a habit to send a message to your family that you are on your way home and the expected time you will arrive. When you don’t arrive as expected, they are alerted.
- No shortcuts. Follow a familiar, well-lit route populated with people. Walking or traveling at night, especially when alone, isn’t the time to take new routes or shortcuts.
- Numbers game. There is safety in numbers. If possible, walk or travel with a friend or in a group. This makes attackers think twice before doing any offense.
- Someone waiting. Have someone (father, brother, friend) wait for you at a place where people converge or meet to walk you home.
- Buy a whistle. Hang it around your neck before walking or traveling along dark areas. Troublemakers hate commotion and confrontation. A simple whistle is often the easiest way to chase them off.
- Carry a flashlight. Hang a small flashlight on your bag for easy access. Avoid using your phone to light up your path. Cell phones are hot items for snatchers.
- Ready your keys. Even before you get to your gate, or door, or car park, carry your keys in your hand to allow quick entry.
- Invest in a pepper spray. Make sure you know how to use it properly. Practice in a safe place to learn how far away you can hit your attacker. Pepper sprays can incapacitate an attacker – and even you, if you don’t know how to use it to your advantage.
- Trust your instinct. If your first instinct is to run, then run as fast as you can to a safe place where there are people around. Most often than not, first instinct (or first spirit as I call it) can do you good.
- Make noise. When you are face to face with an attacker, do everything – yell, scream, shout, make a scene — to attract attention. Yell “Help, I’m being attacked!” is better than just screaming. Make sure though that the attacker is not armed or he might hurt you. Call the police and report the incident.13) Don’t panic. Being calm makes you assess the situation and think of a way out. If your assailant only wants your cell phone, jewelry, and money, it is safe to just give these things to him. Remember, it is your life that is put on the line. Materials things can be recovered. But if you sense they want to inflict harm, run as fast as you can and call for help. Report the incident to law enforcement.
Law enforcers say crimes prosper because victims fail to report the incident to the proper authorities. Nothing the authorities can do to lessen, if not eradicate, crimes if the citizenry is not cooperative and diligent enough in pursuit of peace and order in the community. Authorities can only do so much. It is with the cooperation of the citizenry that law and order may be achieved.
