New York City is arguably the busiest and most diverse city in
the world. The cultural offerings and financial opportunity attracts
people from all walks of life and from all the corners of the earth.
Wannabe actors surviving as waiters, financial gurus dominating Wall
Street and felons seeking anonymity are all drawn to the skyscrapers and
the subways that cover the landscape.
I was born and raised in NYC. Central Park was my backyard. Although it has been almost two decades since I left New York, all those years of city life left an indelible impression on me. I still pronounce coffee as caw-fee and I can still use the "f word" as a verb, noun, adverb, and adjective. Although I now live in a small town with a population of 423, the lessons of safe living that I acquired growing up in New York have remained with me.
I was born and raised in NYC. Central Park was my backyard. Although it has been almost two decades since I left New York, all those years of city life left an indelible impression on me. I still pronounce coffee as caw-fee and I can still use the "f word" as a verb, noun, adverb, and adjective. Although I now live in a small town with a population of 423, the lessons of safe living that I acquired growing up in New York have remained with me.
- Don't Wave - New Yorkers don't wave at each other. Unless you know the person, a nod and tight lipped smile is enough acknowledgement of their presence.
- Don't Act Surprised - Especially on the Subway - It doesn't matter what people look like. It makes no difference if they are green skinned, purple haired or nearly naked. They could be singing, talking to themselves or dressed like General MacArthur. Just act unimpressed. Don't gawk, point or heaven forbid - take pictures... unless they give you permission, and if you do, expect to pay them for the privilege of taking their photo.
- Don't Trust Strangers - Even Good Looking Ones - Con men come in all shapes and sizes. The best of them are well dressed and cordial. If something seems even slightly fishy, it probably is. If Mr. Nice (but you never met him before) Guy offers you a ride home in his brand new Mercedes, don't accept. That car may be leased, borrowed or stolen. Remember the saying, appearances are deceiving.
- Don't Fall for the Shell Game - Avoid the sickening feeling of losing your hard earned money to a swindler. No one ever wins. Ever. The ones that seem to win are part of the scam. You might think you can track the ball, but in the hands of a skilled operator, the ball will not be where you think it is. Don't bet your money. You will lose it.
- Be Aware of Your Surroundings - This is good advice anywhere you are, but particularly in a place where there are so many distractions.
- Keep Your Personal Belongings Close - Never set your purse, camera, keys or any other important item down and walk away, even for a moment. By doing so, you make it fair bait for thieves.
- Keep Your Doors Locked - Apartment doors and car doors. Get a deadbolt for your apartment door if there is not one already there. It is worth the investment. Keep your car door locked even when you are driving. It takes very little strength for someone to kick in a door or pull you out of an unlocked vehicle.
- Plan Your Route - Whether you are driving, walking or taking public transportation, map out your trip before you start. The last thing you want to do is wind up in a bad part of town and not know how you got there or how to get out.
- Keep Your Money Separate -Keep your cash separate from the rest of your wallet. If your wallet gets stolen, you still have money. If your money gets lifted, you still have your wallet.
- Be Prepared to Defend Yourself - Stun guns are illegal in New York, but Pepper Spray is not. Get a law enforcement grade pepper spray and carry it wherever you go.
- Finally... Have Fun! - New York City is an exciting place. While random acts of violence do happen, most New Yorkers will quickly come to your aid if you need it. There are things to see and do that you would never experience living in a small town, so enjoy it. Whether your stay in the city is short or permanent, soak in your surroundings. Just be careful and as always, stay safe!
Wendy Megyese is a Deputy Sheriff and a School Resource Officer.
Her passion is educating and empowering law abiding citizens with self
defense tools and techniques so they can be victors and not victims.
Visit her website at http://www.bestlinedefense.com to find the best self defense and survival products for women.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wendy_R_Megyese
No comments:
Post a Comment