Followup: Safety Tips For Walking at Night

Following the recent attacks on women walking alone at night in Charlestown, the Boston Police Department issued the following safety tips.

• Always be aware of your surroundings--especially at night. When parking, walking or returning to your car, remain in well-lit and populated areas.  Wear sneakers for extra mobility.
• Be watchful – who is out there and what is going on.  Keep your head up. Make quick eye contact with those around you and be observant of passing vehicles.  Do not become distracted by talking on a cell phone or listening to an IPOD/Walkman.
• Avoid walking alone late at night.  Attempt to walk with people that you are familiar with. 
• If you think that someone is following you, switch direction or cross the street. Walk towards an open store, restaurant or lighted house.
• Keep a whistle within reach. If you feel threatened, use the whistle to signal to residents that you need assistance. Yelling ‘fire, help and/or rape, as you are being assaulted, also alerts people to assist you. 
• Hold your car keys in your hand to use as a weapon against an attacker.
• Call your future destination to let them know that you are on your way and that they can expect you at a certain time so that they may look out for you upon your arrival.
• Show that you are in control – walk with confidence.  Be assertive – do not let anyone violate your space. Trust your instincts. Accept the fact that you are a potential victim dispelling the illusion, "IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME."
• Believe that if an unarmed attacker confronts you, you may be able to scare, distract, or even incapacitate the person enough to escape.
• If you are assaulted and/or robbed, attempt to get the best description of the suspect, direction of flight of the suspect and also try to remember the actions including verbal remarks taken by the suspect during the assault.  When the police arrive, this information will be helpful to apprehend the suspect.
• Consider applying for an F.I.D. card through the Boston Police Department Licensing Unit to carry pepper spray.