A physical disability - impaired vision, hearing, or mobility - doesn't prevent you from being a victim of crime. Common sense actions can reduce your risk.

• Stay alert and tuned in to your surroundings, whether on the street, in an office building or shopping mall, driving, or waiting for bus or subway.

• Send a message that you're calm, confident and know where you're going.

• Be realistic about your limitations. Avoid places or situations that put you at risk.

• Know the neighborhood where you live and work. Check out the locations of police and fire stations, public telephones, hospitals, restaurants, or stores that are open and accessible.

• Avoid establishing predictable activity patterns. Most of us have daily routines, but never varying them may increase your vulnerability to crime.

At Home

• Put good locks on all your doors. Police recommend double-cylinder, deadbolt locks, but make sure you can easily use the locks you install.

• Install peepholes on front and back doors at your eye level. This is especially important if you use a wheelchair.

• Get to know your neighbors. Watchful neighbors who look out for you as well as themselves are a frontline defense against crime.

• If you have difficulty speaking, have a friend record a message (giving your name, address, and type of disability) to use in emergencies. Keep the tape in a recorder next to your phone.

• Call the St. Bernard  Police Department to conduct a free home security survey and to help identify your individual needs at 242-2727.

Out and About

• If possible, go with a friend.

• Stick to well-lighted, well-traveled streets. Avoid shortcuts through vacant lots, wooded areas, parking lots, or alleys.

• Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.

• Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket. If you use a wheelchair, keep your purse or wallet tucked snugly between you and the inside of the chair.

• If you use a knapsack, make sure it is securely shut.

• Always carry your medical information, in case of an emergency.

• Consider installing a cellular phone or citizens band radio in your vehicle.

On Public Transportation

• Use well-lighted, busy stops. Stay near other passengers.

• Stay alert. Don't doze or daydream!

• If someone harasses you, make a loud noise or say "Leave me alone." If that doesn't work, hit the emergency signal on the bus or train.

Don't Let a Con Artist Rip You Off

Many con artists prey on people's desires to find miracle cures for chronic conditions and fatal diseases. To outsmart these con artists, remember these tips:

• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

• Don't let greed or desperation overcome common sense.

• Get a second opinion.

• Be wary of high-pressure tactics, need for quick decisions, demands for cash only, or high yield low-risk investments.

Take a Stand!

• Join, or help organize, a Neighborhood Watch group. Make sure their meetings are accessible to people with disabilities. For example, do they need a sign language interpreter? Can individuals who use walkers, crutches, or wheelchairs enter the meeting place?

• Work with local law enforcement to improve responses to all victims or witnesses of crime. Role-play how people with disabilities can handle threatening situations.

• Work with a rehabilitation center or advocacy groups to offer a presentation to schools and other community organizations on the needs and concerns of individuals with disabilities.