Women's Self Defense Tip:

When at the gym, having headphones on, or being on your phone, or acting busy may keep some creepy guys away. But this is the WORST thing you can do to keep yourself safe on the street.

I know a lot of women who use this tactic or boyfriends who tell their girlfriends to stay on their phone with them as they walk home but awareness is your best ally not acting busy. It would be so easy to snatch a purse, mug, or attack someone who can't hear anything, or is looking at something else. You have to be able to hear what's coming, be aware of surroundings, have your hands free to defend, and be able to look at anyone and make them realize, "hey I see you, I can describe you, I can pick you out of a line up." Prevention is the key and why attack you when there are so many other potential victims who voluntarily make themselves unaware and can't pick them out of a line up?

A cop told me how so many muggings happen when people are on their phones or have their headphones on and can't even remember what their attacker looked like because they never saw them, let alone saw them coming. I once had an incident where I was texting and walking, and someone grabbed my cellphone right out of my hand and ran off with it. This is how I ended up with a cheap analog phone and is my constant daily reminder of awareness.

There is actually a street in San Francisco that has made it illegal to be on your phone because of so many muggings.