Answers to Everyday Questions : How can I stay safe on public transport in New York ?

New York is truly a melting pot with various cultures living in a single amazing city. The city is famous for many good things, but it is also known as home to various dangerous spots. As such, it is important to be aware of your surroundings at all times when visiting New York. If you’re going to ride public transportation in the Big Apple, you should follow these tips to avoid troubles:

1) Be prepared – Before leaving your hotel, make sure you know exactly where you’re going and how you’re going to reach your destination. If you need to ride the train, learn which train you have to get on. It’s not wise to bring a map with you wherever you go, as you would really look like a tourist and attract people that may scam, rob or trick you.

2) Train tips – When you’re riding a train, don’t stand too close to the platform. Avoid riding on empty subway cars; you can wait for another train if necessary. If you’re traveling late at night, always ride on the first car or the closest to the conductor; Avoid the last or end subway cars.

3) Try to camouflage yourself – If you don’t want to be treated as a tourist, you need to act like you’re one of the locals. Avoid wearing flashy items, such as rings, necklace chains and other valuable accessories that could attract thieves.

4) Be alert – When you travel via public transportation, always be alert of your belongings. Make sure your bags, packages and other items are close to you, regardless of whether you’re riding a cab, a bus or the subway.

5) Avoid unsafe areas – New York is not “all” bad; there are just some spots in the city that are high in crime, which contributes to the city’s fame for being a crime-filled city. As such, it is important to know and avoid these unsafe spots, so you could travel or roam around the diversity of New York safely. These areas include the Spanish Harlem in Manhattan, Harlem Bronx, Jamaica Queens and Bedford Stuyvesant town.

If you happen to encounter a robber or other criminals, don’t fight back or go after them as their gangs may just be a few blocks away. The security in New York is very high, so just look around and you’ll find a cop that could help you out. New York is really a safe place to visit, as long as you keep these tips in mind.