My friend in college and I used to have a system where we’d call each other when we left work. I worked at a mall and it wasn’t too long after Dru Sjodin had been kidnapped at that mall in North Dakota. My roommates didn’t always know where I was, so I’d call my friend and be like “just so you know, I’m leaving Southdale now, I’ll text you when I get home” etc. It made us both feel better.

I think it’s smart that you and your friends have a system. That’s important.

There isn’t much crime in my little town — we have less than 50K people — but whenever it happens, I’m there to cover it. And that makes me hyper-aware of my surroundings because I’ve been to those crime scenes. And that freaks me out a little.

But, I still walk with my head up, constantly looking around me. I keep the iPod off after dark, and will go out of my way to avoid walking close to people (this is of course easier in Detroit than Chicago since there’s not many people out!)

I’ve also heard that if you feel someone is following you, you should stop, turn around, and look at them…instead of speeding up your walk. Then they know that you’ve seen them and may be less inclined to approach you because you could give the cops a description :-) I think it also shows confidence instead of weakness.

We used to always go to the bathroom or wherever in pairs or a group and watch each other’s drinks.

My main tactic is to buy my own drinks, I always watch my drink, and I don’t seperate from my friends. I know a number of people who’ve been drugged, so it’s all defensive drinking about- and if you want to just go totally wild, we do it with friends at our place.

PS. Hi. I miss your posts. They always elicit a lot of thought!

If I’m alone at night, I try to keep my cell handy in case I need to make a call. I also always take my keys out of my purse before I get outside and walk with the key clamped in my fist, with the long part sticking out. You never know when you may need to jab a potential attacker’s eye out!

I’d get pepper spray. I used to have it, and it helped make me feel a little safer when I was out alone.

StL has crime everywhere. Over the summer there was a rash of break-ins in my parents neighborhood, mostly in cars that were parked in driveways/street rather than being in a garage. I’ve just learned to keep my head, glance around me often, and be as prepared as possible. Not foolproof but I feel better about it!

I honestly wouldn’t have guessed most things happen between 9-10pm each night, though. How odd!?