Post-Katrina New Orleans has become a lot of things: more stressful, less populated and more dangerous. One only has to watch the evening news to discover that crime is at the forefront of concerns in the metro area. A common misconception is that crime only affects people who are out “looking for no-good.” Not true. A look at the headlines tells a different story. Recently a forty-year-old mother and her teenage son were the victims of an attempted carjacking at a fast-food drive thru in Metairie (the teenage son was able to disarm and shoot the attacker), and most people have heard about the Faubourg Marigny woes: young mothers and musicians gunned down on their front steps.

Despite what we are led to believe about criminal activity, there are steps that can be taken to avoid becoming a victim. Criminals are generally cowards who seek out people who appear weak and unaware of their surroundings. Additionally, criminals almost always use the element of surprise to gain tactical advantage over their prey. The best defense against becoming a victim is to avoid being placed in a position or situation where you would have to defend yourself. Some of the specific ways to do that are: 

• Use your internal alarm. You will usually know when something doesn’t “feel right.”  These feeling are often overridden by a false sense of security and a belief that “it can’t happen to me.” Trust your instincts; if you sense that something is wrong, immediately move towards a more populated area and try to gain the attention of other people.  Dial 9-1-1 in emergencies.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Avoid walking in dark, isolated alleys or parking lots.
• Act and move with confidence. Criminals seek out those who appear meek, timid, and/or unfocused.  Keep your head up while walking; make eye contact with people you see.  Make them aware that YOU know what’s going on and that you are prepared to act.
• Avoid shopping alone if possible. Have your keys in your hand when approaching your vehicle. Once inside your vehicle, enter it and drive from the area immediately.
• When approaching traffic signals, allow sufficient room between your car and the car ahead of you so that you can maneuver around or through dangerous situations.
• Don’t stop to assist stranded motorists. Criminals often use this tactic to get potential victims out of their vehicles and into a compromising situation. Call the police to let them know what you have observed and allow the officers to assist. Remember, things are not always as they appear. In Louisiana, you can dial *LSP (*577) and directly access the Louisiana State Police. 

These are a few of the things you can do to avoid becoming a crime statistic. Enrolling in self-defense courses and teaching children to recognize dangers are also good starting points. The best defense is to avoid compromising or dangerous situations by being confident, aware, and well-informed.

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