9781422284117

Personal Property

Words to Understand Epidemic: excessively prevalent Pickpocket: a thief who steals by taking things from people’s clothing or personal baggage

It is possible to protect yourself and your property without be- coming fearful and paranoid. Simply teach yourself to be observant of your surroundings and the people in them and adopt sensible security habits. Prevention is the key. However, should the worst occur, most security experts agree that it is normally safer not to resist violent theft. Your personal safety is more important than your property. This chapter offers a set of simple rules and suggestions to help you protect your property and yourself. Before You Leave Home • Mark your property. • Leave any money that you will not need while you are out safely locked up at home. • Pull your sleeves down to cover any expensive wristwatches, and wear a scarf over gold necklaces, or even consider whether it is worth the risk of wearing them at all.

Commuters and tourists at New York’s Grand Central Station. The hustle and bustle of such places, and the fact that people are distracted, makes them popular with pickpockets.

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