As a student pursuing a master's in publications design, I've spent many long nights at UB. I always leave by 11pm because I'm terrified that my car will be locked inside the parking garage, leaving me with no other option than curling up on a concrete bench in Pearlstone Park (has anyone else heard that it is called Crack Park?) for the night.
Since I work at the BSO, I already pay for a monthly pass to park in the Meyerhoff garage, so I just leave my car there and walk to and from UB. While this is convenient, I always end up walking alone back to the garage, late at night, in the dark, on the streets of Baltimore, passed dark alleys, etc. I've heard of cars getting broken into, people getting mugged, and as of late, people getting the crap beat out of them by high school aged kids at this Mt. Vernon club. Besides the fact that I'm a 5ft tall female (and without saying a weight, let's just say that if I was stuck in a hurricane, I would be airborne), I'm also extremely paranoid and easily frightened. So how do I manage the 10-minute walk (five if I walk really fast) back to the garage? You might not want to know. But for anyone else out there as paranoid as I am, here is your single ladies (or dudes) survival guide:
1. Don't carry mace, a knife, a samurai sword, etc. If you fumble with it, the attacker will just take it and use it against you.
2. Grip your car key in between your pointer and middle fingers. So you can punch out the attackers eyes, of course.
3. If you're uneasy about the person you are about to pass on the street, growl and/or talk loudly to yourself. No one wants to bother a someone who is arguing with themselves.
4. Talk on your cell phone. It's usually too late to actually call someone, so just pretend someone is on the other line and you've got a great story to tell. No one will try to get you if they think you can scream for help to whoever is on the phone.
5. Hold your book bag by the arm strap like its a sack of potatoes and get ready to swing.
Do I take my own advice? I stand by #1; I resort to #2 if I'm not holding something heavy; I've done #3 twice (the last time the guy was another student and I think I scared him); I always do #4; I'd be stupid not to do #5.
Is this overload? Maybe. Am I super paranoid? Definitely. But there's no harm in it. I'm just risking embarrassment in the name of safety.
What do you do to stay safe when walking back to your car?
Oh yeah, this is my first post--hope you've enjoyed it. Find out more about me here.
Friday, September 25, 2009
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8 comments:
Hi Sarah,
Welcome to the Blog. Its funny you made this your topic today. I had class last night and I parked in the Meyerhoff garage too. As I was walking back it was late and I pulled out my minature army swiss knife which probably would not hurt a child but I was thinking the whole time what if? It can get scary at night when your a woman and walking alone. These are def. some really good tips. I cant wait to hear more.
Laura Jordan
good blog. I have safety concerns too. I'm on campuys one day a week. Out at 8 so i'm able to take the shuttle tot he garage luckily. #2 is a good one. lots of safety advocates tell you that one. #3...ummm....you might get some people talking to you instead of ignoring you !! They may think they had found a friend !
#4 canbe good and bad. The news showed those cameras on the city streets and how the lady was completely distracted by a man following her for over a block cause she was on the phone. luckily police were already on it and dispatched others to the area fairly quick. But the attacker found a dark spot inthe block and made his moved to attack.
I can remember working at harbor Park Movies in the 90's and going to Coppin. I ould call me friend and let her know I was leaving, told her which way I was walking and would call when I both got on the bus and was ready to get off. That way she developed a time pattern to know if I wasn't calling at a certain time or at the dorm by a certain time to start worrying and she'd at least have an idea of where to look for my body !!!
But this is good. Look forward to reading more from you.
All of these suggestions may give you the illusion of feeling safer but the reality is that if I want to do something to you, I will. See you tonight ladies....
Hi Sarah,
Great post. I think there are lots of ladies (and some gentlemen perhaps) who worry about their safety when walking to the garages on campus. My boyfriend actually insists I talk to him on my cell the whole way just to make sure I'm okay. The fact is, it's Baltimore. The other is, no where is truly safe. But I loved the tips you gave and I personally stand by #2 and #5. Thanks!
PS- To the creepy whoever who posted the comment above mine. I dare you to try and come after me. Only cowards make threats.
Fantastic post!
I do the keys-through-the-fingers thing but not just with the car key. If you can, get some sort of fairly substantial keyring and hook everything on to that. You can then stick your car key through the gap between index and middle, your Club Lock key between middle and ring, and your apartment key between ring and pinky, with whatever other keys you have sticking out of your fist. It's the single ladies' version of brass knuckles.
Also, if you carry a shoulder bag, hold on to the straps of it tightly when you hear someone walking up behind you; if you do the cell phone thing, describe your surroundings loudly to the mythical person on the other end, because otherwise potential muggers may assume you're ttly lost in the conversation and will come up behind you; and walk with your head high and as little sign of fear as possible in your face.
When I have to walk around unpleasant parts of the city alone at night I do the keys thing and I also use this default facial expression that says: I'm not frightened of you and I am all kinds of not in the mood to be mugged, raped, or murdered.
To take the paranoia a step further though--if you are seriously afraid, before you set out, take your license and credit cards out of your wallet and put them in a pocket (same with your phone and keys). If someone does snatch your purse, at least he or she won't be able to do much with it.
....that said, I've lived on the edge of one of the thriving crack districts in the city since 2004 and in that time have had no major issues with crime or assault except my catalytic converter being stolen once.
Anyway, best of luck and I love reading your writing!
I do #2-5. I could use an elbow and knee or kick the person in the crotch and if I miss, I'd scream at the top of my lungs. I doubt screaming works if ever, sometimes I don't see anyone coming to rescue me. I probably walk a little faster than usual unless that draws attention. I heard the cell phone is a good weapon to throw it hard at the person's face. Excellent points, Liz!!
You can also take the shuttle bus or ask for an escort. It's better to be safe.
There's a woman's self-defense program: http://www.ubalt.edu/template.cfm?page=2125. It's only $15 for UB students.
I think they teach ways to be safe, not just ways to kick butt. ;)
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