Safety Tips from the Northern Liberties Townwatch

Staying Safe in the City is something we all want to do. Let's face it, crimes happen and we all want to do whatever we can to avoid being a crime statistic! In our message below, Katrina Mansfield from the Northern Liberties Townwatch has some great advice to pass on to us about staying safe no matter what city you live in.

I first spoke to Katrina Mansfield when she called me to find out who owned the security camera outside of my condo building. "Why would any one care about that?" I asked her.

Katrina explained that she volunteered for the Northern Liberties Town Watch. Her task was to get the contact information for the owners of Security Cameras around the neighborhood. Security footage could be used to help catch a criminal should a crime occur. I thought that was a great idea and was grateful for Katrina's involvement in the townwatch group.

As Realtors, we are always asked, "How safe is this neighborhood?". The fact is, in any major city,  we all know that we're going to face possibilities of crime directed at or around us. The more people, the likelier it is that a crime will occur. So even though we live in Northern Liberties and feel safe here, we are always aware that anything could happen. We reached out to Katrina Mansfield for some insider advice that we could share with you.

Hello from  Northern Liberties Townwatch! Whether you decide to become an active member or simply stay informed about crime in the neighborhood, all are welcome! Now for some Tips:

1)  Know that crime DOES happen in Northern Liberties. It CAN happen to you whether you are male, female, walking alone or not. Be hyper aware of your surroundings and the people with whom you come in contact with. Criminals are looking for easy opportunities. Your best defense is to not allow yourself to be an easy target. Walk with confidence and look strangers in the eye. Acknowledge them with a nod. If you are talking on your cell phone, stay aware of who’s around. Criminals prefer the element of surprise, and this tactic shows that you are aware of their presence, and can most likely identify them later.

LISTEN TO YOUR INSTINCTS. If your gut says something is wrong, then something IS wrong.

2)  Don’t be too quick to be sympathetic. Criminals often play on the sympathies of unsuspecting men and women to lure them into dangerous situations. If someone asks for the time, directions, or help in or around their car, be as courteous as possible but keep moving. You can always assist the stranger by making a phone call to police from a safe location, or by finding others to go back and help with you.

LISTEN TO YOUR INSTINCTS. If your gut says something is wrong, then something IS wrong.

3)  If you are the victim of an armed robbery, hand over your stuff! Hopefully, you don’t carry large amounts of cash, you’ve just backed-up all the info from your phone, and your house keys are in your pocket. Another strategy is to throw your purse or wallet in one direction and take off running in the opposite direction while SCREAMING “Call 911!” The thieves will most likely go after the stuff you’ve thrown then pursue you. If they’ve threatened you with a gun, run in a crooked line. A moving target is hard to hit.

Most importantly, call 911 and report any incident to the police. Whether your bike has been stolen, your car has been broken into, or you’ve been robbed, reporting these crimes to police helps create the statistics that will bring more police presence to our neighborhood.

For information and updates about crime in our neighborhood, patrolling, and opportunities to help make our neighborhood safer, become a member of Northern Liberties Townwatch:

• Visit our website townwatch.nlna.org
• You can email questions, concerns, or request to join our google group at townwatch@nlna.org
• Become a friend to our private Facebook page NoLibs Townwatch

Related:

Community Action Center Opens in Northern Liberties