How to Avoid Getting Mugged in the City

I live in a college city, but it is also a breeding ground for people that like to take advantage of college kids and other "richer-looking" people. I've been mugged once, and this taught me a valuable lesson when walking through the city at night.

Travel in packs

We all know that traveling alone is dangerous in a dark and unknown territory. If you really need to get that bag of Funyons at the local convenience store, bring a friend. Offer him some of your tasty onion rings in return for the company. When you travel with other people in the city, you seem like less of a target, this is common sense. Gangs will even think twice at mugging you, for they worry that one person will get away and call the police.

Keep your money in a secret place

If you need to bring a lot of cash around with you, make sure to put it in a secret place, away from your purse or wallet. If you do happen to get mugged, the robber will take the cash in your wallet, and miss the wad you stashed in your shoe. A friend of mine even has a pair of underwear with pockets. He says it's a necessity in the ghetto.

Stick to the main roads

Whether your walking home from a party or a bar, it is best to take the well-lit, main roads. Muggers will avoid streets that have lots of traffic. It might seem reasonable to cut through the back roads to get home sooner, but this is at the expense of your safety. If you walk down the back roads, you may appear lost, which is exactly what muggers look for.

Camouflage

Your sense of fashion can be the determining factor of whether or not you get mugged. Try not to overdress for the occasion and make sure that you do not have any flashy jewelry, which is a bullseye for muggers. If you know the style of the local gangs, try to fit in by wearing similar clothing. A girl in a dress with a pearl necklace might as well have a spotlight on her as she walks through the city at night. Look on the bright side, you now have a reason to wear those tattered jeans and dirty work boots. You also have an excuse to never make eye contact on the street and to appear angry and in a rush.

Get a ride home

It may seem like a brisk walk from your destination to your home, but all it takes is a minute to get mugged. Always get a ride home if you can, and if your alone, it may be best to hail a cab. You actually may be saving money on the taxi if you can avoid getting mugged.

If you do find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being mugged, it is important that you remain calm and do not put up any resistance. In extreme cases that involve a weapon, it is best to hand over your wallet or purse without saying a word. Most times the mugger will take this as a blessing, and they will be quick to run off and spend your money. You may feel the need to arm yourself with mace or even a knife, but this only creates more problems, for the mugger may panic and do something erratic or unexpected.