New York women have teamed up to share dozens of safety tips amid rising crime levels in the city – from how to ensure that you can’t get pushed onto the subway tracks to self defense tools that you should always carry with you.
Back in January, many New Yorkers were shaken up and heartbroken when a woman, named Michelle Alyssa Go, tragically died after she was hit by a train.
Michelle had been shoved onto the tracks while waiting for the R-Q subway in Time Square by a 61-year-old homeless man, named Simon Martial, who was later arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
The incident sent shockwaves across the city, leaving many women scared for their lives and determined to keep themselves safe.
Between Michelle’s horrifying murder and the surging violent crime rates all across much of the city, many TikTokers are now sharing advice on how you can keep yourself protected.
New York women are taking to TikTok to share dozens of safety tips amid rising violent crime levels in the city
Stay safe: Due to the surging violent crime rates all across the city, many TikTokers are now sharing advice on how you can keep yourself protected
Protective tools
One TikToker, named Lipi, went viral last week when she revealed some of the safety items that she always keeps with her – including a necklace which has a button on it that can notify the police if you’re in danger, and a device which makes a loud noise in case you need to draw attention to yourself.
One TikToker, named Lipi (pictured), went viral last week when she revealed some of the safety items that she always keeps with her
‘The city is a little extra scary these days so I’m here, if you’re a woman, to help you stay a little bit safer,’ she began in the clip, which has been viewed more than 190,000 times.
‘For those who don’t know, I was followed in a subway last year. After that happened, I was pretty shaken and I decided to do a couple of things to step up my security.’
Lipi explained that she keeps something called a She’s Birdie Alarm in her purse, which produces a loud siren noise and a flashing strobe-light if needed.
‘You pull it and it makes a really loud noise and it’s supposed to scare off an intruder or draw attention to yourself,’ explained Lipi. ‘I like to have this one especially in the subway.’
Next, she revealed that she always carries a 4Patriots Car Escape Tool – a device that comes with a whistle, car window breaker, and a seat belt cutter.
She wears a necklace which has a button on it that can notify the police (left), and carries a device which makes a loud noise in case you need to draw attention to yourself (right)
The She’s Birdie Alarm (left) produces a loud siren noise and a flashing strobe-light. The invisaWear Smart Necklace (right) can alert your friends of your location or dispatch the police
Lipi also carries a 4Patriots Car Escape Tool – a device that comes with a whistle, car window breaker, and a seat belt cutter (left) – and pepper spray (right)
‘If you ever need to get out really quickly from a car, you can cut your seatbelt,’ said Lipi of the 4Patriots Car Escape Tool
Another TikToker, named Jenny, showed off some of the protective equipment that she keeps attached to her keys
She too has a She’s Birdie Alarm and pepper spray on her at all times, which she keeps attached to her keys
She also carries something she called a ‘shank’ – which is a sharp piece of plastic designed to ‘break windows’ or ‘break someone’s eye out,’ according to Jenny
‘I like to have this one in Ubers. And even if you don’t ride in Ubers a lot it’s just kind of safe to have,’ she said.
‘If you ever need to get out really quickly from a car, you can cut your seatbelt. And then this right here is supposed to be a glass breaker, you can hit the glass and it’s supposed to shatter it. It makes me feel better.’
One of Lisi’s favorite items is the invisaWear Smart Necklace, which is described as a ‘discreet way to send an SOS’ on the company’s website.
One user, named Lara, revealed that she always carries a stainless steel water bottle with her, which – due to the strong material and heavy weight – can also act as a weapon if needed
Lipi added: ‘This is the necklace, and you can press this button right here and essentially it alerts four or five of your friends that you set on your phone of your location immediately, or it will dispatch the police.
‘When I’m clicking this, it means something is absolutely wrong and I need help urgently and I don’t want to reach for my phone. I think this is a really great secret security method.’
Other items that Lipi brings with her includes pepper spray and a portable charger, so that she can always keep her phone charged.
Another TikToker, named Jenny, showed off some of the protective equipment that she carries – including a sharp piece of plastic which can act as a weapon.
‘As a girl that lives in New York City, sometimes I get nervous walking around by myself. But then I remember how equipped I am,’ she said in the clip.
She too has a She’s Birdie Alarm and pepper spray on her at all times, as well as something she called a ‘shank’ – which is a pointy item that attaches to your keychain and is designed to ‘break windows’ or ‘break someone’s eye out,’ according to Jenny.
A different TikToker, named Kaitlyn, revealed that Target.com is now selling pepper spray online – and will ship it directly to your home
It is legal to buy, carry, use, and ship pepper spray to New York, however, you must be at least 18 years old to get it
One user, named Lara, revealed that she always carries a stainless steel water bottle with her, which – due to the strong material and heavy weight – can also act as a weapon if she needs to protect herself.
A different TikToker, named Kaitlyn, revealed that Target.com is now selling pepper spray online – and will ship it directly to your home.
‘NYC girlies, Target delivers pepper spray,’ she wrote in the video, while showing herself ordering some online.
According to WorldPopulationReview.com, it is legal to buy, carry, use, and ship pepper spray to New York, however, you must be at least 18 years old to get it.
Subway Tips
A fourth woman, named Megan, shared how you can always ensure you are riding in the subway car with a conductor.
She explained that there is a black-and-white striped wooden strip that hangs from the ceiling in every subway station, and it lines up with the car that the conductor rides in.
‘You may have heard some scary subway stories either from the news or from your friends in New York City, and one safety tip is to sit in the same car as the subway conductor,’ Megan said in the TikTok, which was watched more than 100,000 times.
A fourth woman, named Megan , shared how you can always ensure you are riding in the subway car with a conductor
She explained that there is a black-and-white striped wooden strip that hangs from the ceiling in every subway station, and it lines up with the car that the conductor rides in
Conductors are required to point at the board to ensure that they stopped the train at the right spot
Another woman, named Jen, reminded her followers to always ‘stay against the wall, don’t stare at your phone, and be aware of your surroundings’ while waiting for a train
‘But how do you know where that car is? If you’re on the platform, look for a zebra board, or a black-and-white striped wood panel on the ceiling, which is meant to line up perfectly with the conductor car as a proper safety precaution.
‘When the train pulls into the station, the conductor is required to point at the board. This shows the conductor has stopped at the right spot.
One user, named Lissa , added in another video that she always waits for the subway at the top of the stairs rather than on the platform, to make sure that no one can push her onto the tracks
‘No subway doors can open without a platform to step on to. If the conductor is lined up with the zebra board, the conductor has stopped at the right spot.
‘So, if you’re riding the subway and want to make sure you’re on the car with the conductor, look for this board.’
According to MTA’s website, ‘The conductor’s indication board is a black and white striped board of wood situated in the middle of the platform and facing the train.
‘When the train is aligned properly, the board is directly in front of the conductor’s window and he knows that it is safe to open the doors.’
Another woman, named Jen, reminded her followers to always ‘stay against the wall, don’t stare at your phone, and be aware of your surroundings’ while waiting for a train on the platform.
One user, named Lissa, added in another video that she always waits for the subway at the top of the stairs rather than on the platform, to make sure that no one can push her onto the tracks.
‘Wait at the top of the stairs until a train comes, then go down and check to see if it’s your train. Back to the wall while waiting, always,’ she wrote.
Uber Advice
One final TikTok video, posted by a woman named Renee, contained some tips for those who feel unsafe during an Uber or Lyft ride.
‘Ladies! This is your sign to always share your location with someone when taking an Uber/Lyft/etc. My Uber started to ask me uncomfortable questions then proceeded to lock his doors,’ she wrote, alongside a clip that showed her driver asking her if she had a boyfriend.
‘I faked a call with my dad and let him know I was coming up now. Be safe. People are so sus.’
Nearly every police precinct in New York City has already seen spikes in crime this year – including five in which the rate has doubled, data from the New York Police Department showed earlier this month.
According to the recently released statistics, 72 of the five boroughs’ 77 precincts saw an increase in crime this year when compared to the same period in 2021, with only three recording a marginal decrease in criminal offenses.
One final TikTok video, posted by a woman named Renee, contained tips for those who feel unsafe during an Uber or Lyft ride – like sharing your location or faking a phone call
Back in January, a woman, named Michelle Alyssa Go (left), tragically died after she was shoved onto the tracks by a 61-year-old homeless man, named Simon Martial (right)
Nearly every police precinct in New York City has already seen spikes in crime this year – including five in which the rate has doubled
New York City is currently experiencing soaring crime rates and an increase in shooting incidents not seen since the mid-2000s
According to the recently released statistics, 72 of the five boroughs’ 77 precincts saw an increase in crime this year when compared to the same period in 2021
Two precincts, including the one covering the city’s scenic Central Park, recorded no change at all – a statistic that may be misleading due to the area’s low crime rate when compared to areas that are actually populated.
Violent crime in general has surged in the city over the past year, with many different factors including increased tensions between the police and public, unemployment rates, soft-on-crime politicians, and bail reform being cited as potential causes.
Robberies have soared by almost 35 per cent when compared to the same period in 2021. Rape has also increased by more than 35 per cent and overall crime in the Big Apple has skyrocketed by 41.65 per cent, according to the data.
Murders, meanwhile, are down 13 per cent at this time over last year, while shootings have increased by a startling 30 per cent.
The Manhattan precinct has seen burglaries skyrocket to 30 so far this year compared to just seven for the same period in 2021 – an increase of more than 400 per cent – while grand larcenies and felony assaults nearly doubled from 15 to 29 and eight to 15, respectively.