Boston Police District A-1 offers the following safety tips to be aware of:

• Always be aware of your surroundings—especially at night. When parking, walking or returning to your vehicle, remain in well-lit and populated areas. 
• Be watchful. Observe who is out there and what is going on. Keep your head up. Make quick eye contact with those around you and be observant of passing vehicles. Do not become distracted by talking on a cell phone or listening to an IPOD/Walkman.
• Show that you are in control—walk with confidence. Be assertive—do not let anyone violate your space. Trust your instincts. Accept the fact that you are a potential victim dispelling the illusion, "It will never happen to me."
• Avoid walking alone late at night. Attempt to walk with people that you are familiar with. 
• If you think that someone is following you, switch direction or cross the street. Walk towards an open store, restaurant or lighted house.
• Shout for help. If you are being assaulted, yell "fire," "help," "police" and/or "rape." This will alert people to assist you. Keep a whistle in your possession. If you feel threatened, use the whistle to signal to residents that you need assistance.
• Use what you have. Hold your car keys in your hand to use as a weapon against an attacker.
• Make noise. Believe that if an unarmed attacker confronts you, you may be able to scare, distract, or even incapacitate the person enough to escape. Avoid being controlled. Continue to yell, dodge and push away from your attacker.
• Get a description. If you are assaulted and/or robbed, attempt to get the best description of the suspect, direction of flight of the suspect and also try to remember the actions including verbal remarks taken by the suspect during the assault.  When the police arrive, this information will be helpful to apprehend the suspect.
• Call ahead. Call your future destination to let them know that you are on your way. They will expectyou to arrive at a certain time. They might then look out for you upon your arrival.
• Consider carrying pepper spray. Consider applying for an FID card through the Boston Police Department Licensing Unit to carry pepper spray. To apply for a license to carry pepper spray, contact the BPD Licensing Unit at 617-343-4425.

To report a suspicious person or an emergency, call 9-1-1.  

For more information, contact the District A-1 Community Service at 617-343-4627