# can You Really Reduce Your Chances of Being a Crime Victim?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-really-reduce-your-chances-of-being-a-crime-victim/725799>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 21, 2015, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-really-reduce-your-chances-of-being-a-crime-victim/725799 "2015-07-21T17:35:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\
**Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-really-reduce-your-chances-of-being-a-crime-victim/725799/21 "2015-07-23T09:45:13Z")

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> [@syncrolecyne](#):
>
> I know from walking in places like Mexico City, that when I walk as if I know exactly where I am going, and especially if I acknowledge passerby (for instance, to shopkeepers, or to elderly people who usually appreciate a greeting), I am not bothered. I think the latter is especially important as anything that creates the impression “people around here know him/her, I can’t mess with this person like I can with a tourist.” But if I start fumbling about my pockets or I start thinking about work rather than paying attention to people around me, the street hustlers and panhandlers start to pop up. I think this is not just advice for staying safe, but also avoiding looking like an easy mark.

Huh - that’s pretty much the opposite of the New York method, which is walk fast, look forward, and never make eye contact with anyone. If the street hustlers or panhandlers show up, so what? You don’t see them, you can’t hear them. They don’t exist.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\
**Post date:** [July 23, 2015, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-really-reduce-your-chances-of-being-a-crime-victim/725799/22 "2015-07-23T09:51:06Z")

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Besides that, I’ve found that the best way to avoid crime is not to associate with criminals. Don’t work with them, don’t hang out with them, don’t befriend them, and for God’s sake, never owe them anything. Just don’t show up on their radar. If they do, sooner or later they’ll mark you as a target.

I acknowledge the fact that not everyone has this luxury.

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