How to Be Street Smart

Co-authored by Saul Jaeger, MS

Last Updated: November 7, 2024 References

Being street smart is an important skill to have and a good way to take care of yourself. Research neighborhoods, transport systems, and emergency services in whatever area you find yourself in. Avoid dangerous spots and situations, and stay as alert as possible at all times. Always trust your instincts and err on the side of caution.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Staying Alert

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While it may be enjoyable to listen to music while you walk around, it is best to stay as alert as possible. Not being able to hear your surroundings will make you vulnerable to accidents or attacks. If you absolutely have to listen to music or other audio while you're out, use only one earphone or play it at a very low volume.^{[1]
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Your phone can be incredibly distracting, between social media, games, text messages, phone calls, and viral videos. Put your phone away while you are on the move so that you can keep your head up and concentrate on your surroundings. If you do need to check your phone, stop and look at it quickly to avoid putting yourself at risk for an accident, pickpocketing, or other incident.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department

Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.}

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Learn to recognize potential dangers. Staying alert means noticing things that may cause you harm and avoiding them accordingly. As you travel, look out for potential dangers and keep track of them vigilantly. In particular, steer clear of:^{[3]
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- Parked vans
- Groups or individuals loitering
- Anyone who seems to be disguising their face
If you feel uneasy or uncomfortable in a situation, remove yourself immediately. Regardless of whether or not you have reason to suspect trouble, always trust your gut. If someone's behavior has you on alert, excuse yourself and leave promptly so they do not have a chance to talk you out of it.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department

Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Staying Safe

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Being able to communicate or call for help is an important part of keeping yourself safe. If an expensive smartphone and cellular contract is too much for your budget, opt for a basic "burner" phone that you can carry with you in case of emergencies. If you can, program a list of emergency numbers into your phone for easy access.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department

Expert Interview. 21 February 2020.}
There is safety in numbers, so avoid travelling alone when you can. Ask family members or friends to join you for walks, outings, or to run errands. Having company will likely make the commute more enjoyable, and make you a less likely target for negative attention.^{[6]
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3
Avoid dark and isolated places. It is always best to stick to well-lit, populated streets when you are out. Do not take short cuts through dark alleys or wooded areas, even if it will make your trip much faster. Avoid hanging out in places that will be abandoned after a certain time of day, like schoolyards, parks, and parking garages.^{[7]
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- If you do have to go to dark and isolated places, go with someone else or speak to someone over the phone while you are there.
Whether you are a child or an adult, it is important to be careful when interacting with strangers. Aim to stay at least an arm's length away from someone you do not know and avoid approaching a stranger's car if they call you over. Under no circumstances should you follow a stranger, regardless if they ask for help or claim to know you.^{[8]
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Know the location of close by "safe spots." Take note of nearby police stations, fire stations, or hospitals in case of an emergency. It is also wise to note what businesses in the area are open late, on the off chance that you find yourself in need of help at night. Keep track of what friends live nearby, so that you can go to their homes if you need help.^{[9]
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- Run to these places if you feel threatened or unsafe.
- If you are in imminent danger and there are no "safe spots" in sight, call the police for help.
Never hesitate to make noise and remove yourself from a situation that you feel unsafe in. If you feel threatened, run away as fast as you can towards a police station, hospital, or nearby business for help. Yell as loudly as you can to get the attention of people nearby, which will generally dissuade a potential assailant from pursuing you.^{[10]
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Self-defense classes can be a great workout, but they also teach important skills. Knowing how to defend yourself in dangerous situations will boost your confidence and make you more street savvy. Call your local community center or look online for self-defense classes being taught in your area.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Knowing Your Surroundings

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It is best to travel down streets that you know well and on buses or trains that you are familiar with. Always opt for the route you know to be safe instead of venturing into the unknown. Avoid taking new paths to work, school, or home if you can.
Use Google maps or the GPS on your phone to plot out your journey to a new place before going there. Note the directions for driving, walking, or public transport. Take a screenshot of the directions so that you can refer to them easily later.^{[12]
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Knowing how to get yourself around a city is an important part of being street smart. A good knowledge of bus, subway, and train routes will allow you to get places quickly. It will also help you find an out if you find yourself in a location or situation that you want to escape.
As a general rule, it is always best to stick to your original destination when commuting or travelling. This allows your friends and loved ones to know where you are or where you will be. Stick to your original destination instead of wandering or changing your plans last minute, which can lead to unexpected trouble.^{[13]
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Question

Is being street smart a skill?

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
Saul Jaeger is a Police Officer and Captain of the Mountain View, California Police Department (MVPD). Saul has over 17 years of experience as a patrol officer, field training officer, traffic officer, detective, hostage negotiator, and as the traffic unit’s sergeant and Public Information Officer for the MVPD. At the MVPD, in addition to commanding the Field Operations Division, Saul has also led the Communications Center (dispatch) and the Crisis Negotiation Team. He earned an MS in Emergency Services Management from the California State University, Long Beach in 2008 and a BS in Administration of Justice from the University of Phoenix in 2006. He also earned a Corporate Innovation LEAD Certificate from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 2018.

Saul Jaeger, MS

Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department

Expert Answer

I'd say it's more of a practice, really. It doesn't take talent to be street smart. So long as you're making smart decisions, staying vigilant, and not making yourself a target for crime, you can be street smart.

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Question

What should I do if I think I'm in danger but I can't call 911?

Saul Jaeger, MS
Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department
Saul Jaeger is a Police Officer and Captain of the Mountain View, California Police Department (MVPD). Saul has over 17 years of experience as a patrol officer, field training officer, traffic officer, detective, hostage negotiator, and as the traffic unit’s sergeant and Public Information Officer for the MVPD. At the MVPD, in addition to commanding the Field Operations Division, Saul has also led the Communications Center (dispatch) and the Crisis Negotiation Team. He earned an MS in Emergency Services Management from the California State University, Long Beach in 2008 and a BS in Administration of Justice from the University of Phoenix in 2006. He also earned a Corporate Innovation LEAD Certificate from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business in 2018.

Saul Jaeger, MS

Police Captain, Mountain View Police Department

Expert Answer

Leave whatever situation you're in as soon as possible if you can. Simply getting out of harm's way is a big part of staying safe. If you're sort of stuck wherever you are, text 911! You don't have to call them over the phone anymore, and you can communicate with emergency responders via text.

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Question

Why do some people look arrogant but have a friendly nature?

Community Answer

They probably don't want to have contact with others if they are putting up a front. Also, never judge a book by its cover.

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