Teens have reason to be concerned. Large numbers of teens are at risk for crime. In fact, they are twice as likely as adults to be the victims of such violent crimes as rape, assault, and robbery, and they are more likely than adults to be harmed by someone they know. Because of the fear of crime, approximately one in five teens is worried about attending school. And seventy percent of the crimes against teens are committed in locations where teens are known to be—school, playgrounds and parks.
Nevertheless, instead of feeling vulnerable, there are actions an adolescent can take to lessen the chance that he or she will be involved in a crime and to reduce the level of crime in their school and community. Some of the ways to reduce crime require little time. For example, when going out in the evening, it is best to be with a few friends. A single person is at greater risk than someone within a group. Teens should take the time to review their surroundings. If anything appears suspicious, the police should be contacted immediately. In order to make it more difficult to steal, adolescents should lock their bicycles with a hardened U-shape lock. Youth should hold their bag or wallet close to their bodies and not place these items on store counters.
It is not a good idea to jog or walk alone in the early morning or late at night. During those times, streets tend to be quiet. When a teen is jogging or walking, he or she should display an air of confidence. Adolescents should also follow these other safety guidelines:
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Walk on well lit streets
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Stay away from a shortcut through wooded areas, alleys or parking lots
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Do not leave wallets in a jacket that is hanging in a public place
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Always lock the car one is driving to help prevent carjacking
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Use automated teller machines preferably only during the daylight hours
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Teens should have the house keys ready before reaching the entrance of their home
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A teen should not to be the last person to be left alone in a commercial building
The teen driver should check the gasoline gauge periodically in his or her car and not allow the gasoline to run dangerously low. Some people recommend always keeping the gas tank at least ½ full. Youthful drivers should also check the inside of the car prior to entering it in order to see if anyone is hiding in the back seat. In addition, common sense dictates not to park in an isolated location. Teens should avoid, if possible parking in an underground garage if alone. If a teen feels that someone is following him or her in a car, it is best not to drive home. Instead, one should drive to a police or fire station or if that is not possible, one should go to some public place such as a service station or restaurant. Of course, adolescents should not hitchhike, nor pick up hitchhikers.
Teens who utilize public transportation should wait at well-lighted, busy stops and remain alert. If someone is bothersome, the adolescent should separate from him or her and if necessary seek emergency assistance.
Other types of crime prevention require more time and effort. But they do reduce the chances that a teen will be harmed. Youth should learn how to manage the conflicts in their lives without resorting to violence. Everyone is faced with irritations, frustrations, and anger. People argue with their friends and get stuck in traffic jams. One needs to develop means to deal with these problems in non-violent ways. Avoiding the situation may not be an option. When confronting a person about a concern, youth should avoid being confrontational and judgmental. Adolescents should also try not to raise their voices and use derogatory names. In addition, teens should listen to what the other person has to say and then attempt to find a solution that is comfortable for both parties. If these attempts do not work, then involving a third party as a mediator may be helpful. Or a school counselor can be consulted.
Adolescents can join together to form a school crime watch. What is that? It is a student led initiative to improve school safety. Students patrol all public areas inside and outside the school. Any suspicious activity is reported to a teacher, the principal or the person in charge of school security. All reports are anonymous. Students may also establish an advisory board to design additional methods to increase school safety. A student crime watch may go beyond surveillance activities. It can oversee drug and alcohol free parties and sponsor date rape awareness or conflict resolution workshops.
Another method to raise awareness about crime prevention is to organize music, drama or dance performances or visual arts shows that highlight the issue. While adults may assist with the effort, these should be primarily organized and directed by teens. The vast majority of participants should also be teens. Such programs require a significant amount of time and energy, but they enable teens to channel their various talents in a positive and productive way. Further, they bring together people from differing backgrounds and perspectives. Teens who participate in these activities are less likely to get into trouble. Funding sources may be found within the community. These functions are usually very well received.
Related topics:
Anger, delinquency, gambling, hazing, peer pressure, risk-taking
