Civic Coffee Recap: Safety

On June 12, Age Friendly Seattle and Seattle Public Library collaborated with the Seattle Police Department to host their monthly Civic Coffee hour at Asian Counseling and Referral Services in South Seattle. Joe Elenbaas, East Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator, and Matthew Brown, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator, led an informative presentation about personal safety, 911 response, and staying protected in your community.

Street Safety

Brown began by discussing some key street safety tips. The first is to be aware of yourself and your surroundings. Brown encourages everyone to become more familiar with their most frequently used routes, whether it’s walking, driving, or taking the bus. Familiarize yourself with these routes by paying attention to landmarks or businesses along the route. When walking along the side of the road, face traffic so you can see the cars and the drivers can see you. When walking alone, walk in the middle of the sidewalk and stay away from doorways or cars that could open unexpectedly.

Elenbaas shared more safety tips for walking. Carry bags with cross-body straps, instead of letting them hang off one shoulder, unsecured. He also recommends wearing shoes that allow for quick movements, such as running, while going out at night or on longer walks. If you think someone is following you, cross the street if possible. Call 911 if you can confirm that you are indeed being followed. Ultimately, if you feel like you are in danger, be as loud as possible when asking for help. Elenbaas suggests having a personal alarm that allows users to quickly activate. Loud sounds can bring attention to yourself when in danger. He recommends an alarm over a weapon for personal safety.

Safety on Public Transportation

Brown transitioned into discussing tips for staying safe on public transportation. While waiting for the bus or the Link light rail, he recommends standing against a wall or column so no one can sneak up behind you. Additionally, if you are carrying any valuables with you on public transportation, it is important to keep them out of sight and secured in a bag. Furthermore, if someone is making you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, alert the bus driver or light rail security. In cases where you may not be able to get someone’s attention, Elenbaas recommends you call 911, rather than the security numbers posted on the bus or light rail.

Walking Tips

Elenbaas notes that it is important to bring your cell phone with you when you leave the house in case of emergencies. However, he advised keeping it in your pocket or bag rather than holding it in your hand. “It’s valuable. You wouldn’t walk down the street with $200 in your hand, right?” When using earbuds, it’s safer to keep one earbud out so you can stay aware of your surroundings. As a final tip, he cautioned against carrying large amounts of cash, but if you must, be especially aware of your surroundings.

Reporting a Crime

When calling 911, Elenbaas and Brown stressed two major points. First, call as soon as possible, then be as clear as possible when describing the emergency. They advise everyone to call 911 when feeling unsafe. If it is not safe to call, get to somewhere safe first, then call 911.

You can also report a crime after the fact at https://spdonlinereporting.seattle.gov/. For non-emergency crime activities, call the non-emergency line at (206) 625-5011.

If you are more comfortable speaking a language other than English, SPD has translation services for calling 911. To utilize these services, the first word you should say when you call 911 is the language you would like to speak in, and they will get a translator for you.

SPD also provides services for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or blind. If you need these services, let the operator know immediately, and they will connect you to the appropriate assistance. Additionally, if you’re in a situation where it’s unsafe to speak, you can text 911 to share your location and share details about the emergency.

Elenbaas recommended that everyone signs up for Smart 911. With this service, you can set up a free profile to share personal information such as addresses, preferred language, cell phone number, and more. This information will be shared with the operator if you need to call 911, helping them to better assist and communicate with you.

Age Friendly Seattle and the Seattle Public Library thank Joe Elenbaas and Matthew Brown for their helpful insights on personal safety, 911 response, and staying protected in the community. They are also appreciative of Asian Referral and Counseling Services for partnering in this Civic Coffee event.