For newcomers, New York City’s energy, speedy pace and wow cast of characters can be an assault on the senses, so here are a few safety tips to ease you into the NYC saddle.

  • Number one: be constantly aware of everything and everyone around you. When my teen-age niece first visited me, I stressed this constant awareness to her. And apparently she listened, because when we got off the downtown subway and were walking towards the exit, she suddenly whirled around and stared hard at a man behind us — who it turned out had been following us all along and who slunk away under her direct stare. Embarrassing — this street-wise New Yorker hadn’t even noticed the prospective troublemaker.
  • Number two: No eye contact on subways. Loonies are a dime a dozen here and some consider direct looks as aggressive as pulling a weapon. You can look all you want at the fascinating stuff happening all around you — just don’t let any weirdoes catch you doing it. Subways are the speediest way to navigate the city and perfectly safe if a few guidelines are kept in mind. On subways and buses, It’s best not to flash any pricey jewelry or hi-tech gadgets  (I’m talking iPods and iPhones here), items dearly coveted by certain young have-nots determined to be HAVES.
  • Also, no eye contact for panhandlers either. And if you’re approached by a stranger with a scam such as a sob story about desperately needing $20.00 for a ticket home, say sorry and move on. This  scam has been pulled on me by the same guy at least twice near Gramercy Park.
  • I have been out walking late at night alone with nary a problem. Usually I stick to busier main streets and always walk briskly to discourage unwanted contact. Some sections of New York, however, can be unsafe for lone young woman during late night hours. Central Park, an enchanted spot during the day is not a place for young females to wander around after dark.
  • Carrying your purse with a shoulder strap across your chest not only discourages theft, but also has the added benefit of freeing up your hands and arms.
  • For Men, stowing their wallets in their back pockets is a no-no. On the bus I once saw a man shout out to the driver not to discharge any passengers till the culprit who had just stolen his wallet from HIS back pocket was identified.  The bus driver instead elected to open the doors and a young man who had been waiting to get off, galloped down the stairs, flew up the street and disappeared in the crowd, clearly richer thanks to the victim’s cash.
  • Chatting on hand-held phones is verboten if you’re driving in the city. And when making a turn, drivers must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. Although it’s been my experience that many cab drivers will zoom toward crossing pedestrians trying to intimidate THEM into stopping so their cab can fly unimpeded around the corner.  Pedestrians should be aware that having the right of way in the Big Apple, unlike other places, demands a definite degree of alertness when crossing streets.

These safety concerns make up only a tiny percentage of New York City’s exciting, vibrant life. Whether you’re coming to visit or settle down with us, be prepared for a grand time.

Have you personally ever had any problems with safety in New York?

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