World-wide our city streets are roamed by criminals. This article is about the opportunistic street criminal. They are those who take advantage of people on the streets who unwittingly or foolishly offer themselves as targets for this type of street criminal.
Next time you are on the streets observe your fellow pedestrians how they make it obvious that there is a bulging wallet in the back pocket, or carry their handbags with the zippers or flaps open or the same handbags nonchalantly thrown loosely over their shoulders. Remember, there are career criminals whose job it is to see this could-not-care attitude of pedestrians and then capitalize on it. But it is the same could-not-care people who will cry foul when mugged or robbed or pick-pocketed – then they will blame the authorities for not ensuring sufficient police on the streets.
It is also our responsibility to look after our own safety. Be like the street criminals – always observant and aware of everything that is going on around us and keeping the following tips in mind:
1. When your wallet, handbag or anything else is grabbed, do not resist. The odds are that you can be injured, even seriously, or that your assailant will become more violent through anger, when he is challenged.
2. Do not advertise that you have a large amount of money on you when drawing cash at an ATM or when paying for goods at a shop. The best is to pay by means of debit cards.
3. Try not to walk alone. Go with a companion and always stay away from deserted places, deserted bus stops, empty parking lots and unlit areas.
4. Be aware of your surroundings and always anticipate the worst. Do not get into an elevator if you do not like the look of a single occupant in the elevator. The same principle applies when you are in the elevator and a suspicious looking person enters on a floor. Without making a scene, get out as if it were your designated floor. When threatened in a moving elevator, do not press the emergency stop. You will be stuck between two floors with a potential attacker – best is to run your hand over the button panel and try to press as many buttons as allowed!
5. Be mentally alert. Visualise yourself in various situations and how you would react and practise this often.
6. Walk against the traffic flow. Should you perceive a threat from an approaching car you can run past it and it will not be possible for the car to speed after you.
7. In today's world it will be wise to invest in a self-defence course.
In conclusion, it takes a thief to catch a thief. Therefore, become as streetwise as the opportunistic street criminal just waiting for you to open your defences!
