Re: Feeling unsafe when on walks

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

I live 2 miles from downtown in a city. We have had the usual amount of car break-ins in the neighborhood, but that has been it...thank the Lord. Once our cars in our lot were egged by 8th graders at the school next door. It was around midnight - they were coming back from a end of school trip. That was frightening but the police came right away. The kids were wearing their school T shirts, so it was obvious they weren't bad guys.

I walk my dog at 5AM in the morning and sometimes at 11PM at night. I stay on the main street with lots of traffic and my side street which is a few houses away from a hospital (and it's security guards!).

When we walk to the park, we stay on the paths and always walk when there are plenty of people around.

I was told by the police to always yell "FIRE." Many people won't respond to "Help, he's hurting me". They said it's because they don't want to get hurt themselves. But FIRE always gets them curious and responding and many will call in an alarm, which send out both the fire and the police responders (at least that's what he told me!).

CrazyDaisy · ‎03-20-2010

Nothing wrong with being aware of your surroundings or taking precautions, yet I have to ask if there is a real danger or are people starting to live in fear due to so much news coverage. Yes some areas may be dangerous and yes things can happen anywhere, yet why are so many living in fear to leave their homes. I often walk the trails at a park. Many years ago some lunatic murdered a woman there. I have a friend who refuses to go there because of that. The park has been there for 40 years and this is the only incident. I avoid dangerous areas but I refuse to avoid places because something may or may not happen. You have a dog with you, pepper spray and you know the area, enjoy your walks don't live in fear of what may happen.

Someday, when scientists discover the center of the Universe....some people will be disappointed it is not them.

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

On 7/3/2014 golfcartrider said:
Just being in public is unsafe. I heard of a woman in a Subway that had a gun put to her head and was robbed right there in the booth.

It is a shame what is happening right here in our country where we no longer feel safe in any environment.

If it makes you feel any better, crime has gone way down since the 70s.

We are a lot safer now.

We just hear about many more crime cases, since the internet has changed communications so profoundly. Even Chicago is much safer than when I studied social work there in the 70s.

mima · ‎03-14-2010

On 7/3/2014 stilltamn8r said:
First of all, you are not being paranoid or weird..you are being realistic- I have ajob which requires me to get into trucks with stangers and drive alone with them, sometimes at night..Any thinking person would know that this is (potentially)dangerous, yet its only been in the past few years that I began to carry pepper spray on my keychain!

I DO know that the more worried you get (in your own head) the LESS enjoyable thes walks will be, until you stop altogether- so try and put your fear in a "box" in your head and try not to open it every time you walk-

You already have a dog, which potential bad guys do not know is friendly even if you DO...you are cautious, but maybe carrying pepper spray might make you feel safer like it does for me- Mine is small and i dont even have to remove it from its "holster" to use it..

Just a thought...

What in the world do you do? I hate to tell you what I was thinking when I read that. LOL

nagrom · ‎07-03-2010

I don't walk alone in the evening or even go shopping. As a city dweller there are many dangers. Two years ago a man who walks around our neighborhood at dusk in summer was attacked by thugs and was seriously injured. We live in a safe neighborhood or so we thought. Then women were mugged and robbed after going grocery shopping. They drove home unknowingly followed by the mugger and attacked when they reached home. Three different had this happen before he was caught. I do have a big dog but after shoulder replacement surgery I simply cannot handle him yet. I walk during the day in our neighborhood.

NoelSeven · ‎03-09-2010

There's always mall walks, too. I've seen flyers up and it doesn't seem like they're just for seniors.

A Thrill Of Hope The Weary World Rejoices

stilltamn8r · ‎03-14-2010

On 7/3/2014 mima said:
On 7/3/2014 stilltamn8r said:
First of all, you are not being paranoid or weird..you are being realistic- I have ajob which requires me to get into trucks with stangers and drive alone with them, sometimes at night..Any thinking person would know that this is (potentially)dangerous, yet its only been in the past few years that I began to carry pepper spray on my keychain!

I DO know that the more worried you get (in your own head) the LESS enjoyable thes walks will be, until you stop altogether- so try and put your fear in a "box" in your head and try not to open it every time you walk-

You already have a dog, which potential bad guys do not know is friendly even if you DO...you are cautious, but maybe carrying pepper spray might make you feel safer like it does for me- Mine is small and i dont even have to remove it from its "holster" to use it..

Just a thought...

What in the world do you do? I hate to tell you what I was thinking when I read that. LOL

LOL! I sell commercial trucks.like utility trucks, cargo vans plumbers trucks,etc....

NoelSeven · ‎03-09-2010

On 7/3/2014 stilltamn8r said:
On 7/3/2014 mima said:

What in the world do you do? I hate to tell you what I was thinking when I read that. LOL

LOL! I sell commercial trucks.like utility trucks, cargo vans plumbers trucks,etc....

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