Be Safe when Walking at Night: Tips to Keep You Out of Harms Way

I write now as a reaction to some disturbing news I received about a friend and co-worker last week. He was attacked by two gang members with baseball bats outside of the Logan Square Blue Line station in Chicago. These people didn't just take his wallet, they nearly beat him into a coma. He is still in the hospital, but thankfully out of the ICU. He was walking home at night, alone, through an area missed by street lamps. I spoke with him yesterday and he admitted that there were a few things he could have done to better protect himself.

This article is by no means attempting to scare people into locking themselves up in their houses at night or instill fear in the population of Chicago. These words serve merely as advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of senseless violence. There are few precious actions that can get you home safe and sound, and they are as follows:

1.) When leaving the train station, take off your headphones and listen to your environment. This is one of the simplest actions you can take to defend yourself. When you're rocking out to music blasting through your headphones, you will never hear someone come up behind you. Walking home in your own little world will put you at risk. If you appear aware of your surroundings, you are much less likely to be picked as a victim of a crime.

2.) Walk and Talk. If you are connected to someone on your cell phone you can tell them to alert the police if you sound like you are in distress or get disconnected. Talking on your cell phone draws attention to yourself, in a good way. If other people can hear you talk, they can certainly hear you call for help.