What can one do to protect oneself against crime when living in a dangerous neibourhood?

Question

... in terms of protecting the appartment against theft and intrusion and also when walking in the streets (to avoid being mug or sexually assaulted).

Answer 1

other than moving away?
I'd keep to myself,maybe find 1 person whom you can trust with
emergency info. Don't try to fit in & make friends,the more they
know about you - the easier it'd be for them to hurt you.
Keep your eyes & ears open when you're out.Take in your
surroundings.Keep only enough cash on you that's needed for
1 transaction.And don't keep all of your money in 1 spot, hide it
on your body.
Put your door-key on a seperate ring than other keys,& keep
door-key ready as you near your home/apt.
Try not to carry too many items at 1 time,keep your hands free
for defense if needed.
Try not to be seen alone too often.
Learn self-defense.

Answer 2

A third floor apartment (or higher) is safer for a number of reasons. Burglars are lazy and don't like climbing stairs - they'll take the easier targets first.
Put two or three locks on your doors, or ask your landlord for a steel door. Having a dog can give you some peace of mind, as their hearing is so much better than ours. If you're not using a door that allows access from the outside (like a closet door on a poorch), block up that door with cinder blocks or a heavy piece of furniture. You want to make breaking into your place as difficult and time consuming as possible.
Outdoors, criminals usually pick easy victims. If you're female, don't wear high heels or tight dresses or skirts; wear loose clothing and flat heels for easier running. Also, I would go about armed with something: Mace, pepper spray, a knife, a short steel club you can keep in your purse, etc. Even in those places where it is illegal to carry such weapons, the police generally just seize the weapon and don't press charges. I wouldn't distract myself with a cell-phone conversation when passing through a dangerous neighborhood, much less use an I Pod. Keep your eyes and ears open and scan the environment constantly for danger. On the other hand, you also have to project confidence, so that you don't seem like an easy victim.
Travel with a big dog, if you can, or with another person.

Answer 3

I am sorry for what happened in your city and for the suffering of those who were killed or injured. Acts of terror have occurred over and over throughout human history. Sometimes religion is given as an excuse, but that is a case of human beings misusing religion for their own purposes. How does one protect oneself from such barbaric behavior? The best way is to prevent it. I am not sure that a military approach is "the" answer, but it is part of the answer. Much more important is making the people of the world aware of what is going on in other places and developing cultures of caring rather than cultures of confrontation. We all live in this world together, and it has gotten much smaller due to technology, but our perceptions of what that means to us have not kept up.

Answer 4

Put an alarm system in your apartment. Don't flash wealth around
or it would invite trouble. Talk to police and security as much as possible,if criminals see this they will think you are an informant
or police and leave you alone. Most important,stand your ground
and don't be intimidated by thugs because most are fear full of
confident fearless people.

Answer 5

Don't walk outside "dressed to the 9s" unless you have a real reason to. (just look like the average "joe" as much as possible) Walk with confidence. Keep to yourself unless you know the people around you. My mom once told me to walk with your keys between your fingers so you have a weapon if anyone approaches you in a dangerous fashion. (one between each two fingers, pointing outward. If you punch someone like this, you would do some serious damage)

Answer 6

Get a alarm system seek a professional for security- police will give free advice. Take a self defense class. Dead bolts and other security for windows and doors are useful ask your neighbors too.

Answer 7

By moving away.