Help me develop eyes in the back of my head.

July 30, 2008 7:56 PM

How do I guard myself against purse snatchers? I've lived in the suburbs all my life, and am used to strolling down the sidewalk in oblivion, my purse strung loosely over my shoulder. Now, it looks like I will be moving to either the DC area or San Francisco for my job. For those of you that live in a big city, what tips and tricks do you use to protect your belongings? Are some styles of purses less attractive to thieves than others? Should I use a messenger bag instead? When it's raining/snowing, how do you handle the challenge of protecting yourself from both the elements and purse snatchers?
posted by invisible ink to law & government (35 comments total)

Wear it across your chest like a messenger bag, instead of hanging straight down from a shoulder. Walk assertively and take up space.

I've lived or worked in 4 different "big bad city" environments and have never had a purse snatched off my person in broad daylight.
posted by availablelight at 8:05 PM on July 30, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

I've never had a purse snatched -- never even had it attempted -- in more than 20 years of living in cities as varied as London, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

That said: I usually carry a satchel that's got handles long enough to go over my shoulder, yet go snugly against my side (think of where you'd carry a football). I keep it zipped (well, usually...sometimes I catch myself being a little laissez-faire on this score), with the zipper opening to the front.

But really: just carry your purse firmly, keep it closed, and walk confidently.
posted by scody at 8:10 PM on July 30, 2008

To be honest, I think it's all about attitude. I'm also from the suburbs, but lived in the city during early childhood. I've lived in the city for the last 12 years as an adult without being mugged (knock wood) and I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I feel pretty confident walking around in the city. Partly it's just luck, though too.

What does that mean? I keep my head up all the time. I make eye contact with people. I also always try to keep to the most trafficked, well-lit streets. If I have to walk down a side street after dark, I walk in the street (not on the sidewalk) where the streetlights keep things brighter.

As for the bag, I almost always carry a bag with the strap across my chest. If I have a shoulder purse, I hold onto the strap with my hand and keep it tucked under my arm. You want to look like you know exactly where your bag is and intend to keep it.

Oh and I try to keep a spare twenty in a pocket somewhere, so if I do get mugged, I can at least get a cab home.

You may also want to take a self defense course to develop "street confidence."
posted by lunasol at 8:17 PM on July 30, 2008

I've read it's recommended that you not carry more than you need - i.e. not your passport, not your Social Security Card, not all 20 of your subway tokens. That way if you do get mugged (unlikely), you're not out that much. Just knowing there is not that much irreplaceable in your purse will lighten any angst I think. When I traveled I carried a money belt, tucked into my pants. That worked!
posted by Penelope at 8:23 PM on July 30, 2008

When you are sitting down in a public place, keep your purse in your hands, on your lap or in eye-sight. There are way more purse snoopers than purse snatchers -- it's much easier to get away with theft when nobody's paying attention.
posted by one_bean at 8:27 PM on July 30, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Get a purse that doesn't have any openings that are easy to reach into - a front flap covering up the entrance, or with a zipper for the main compartment where you keep your wallet and phone. It's easier and less obvious in a crowd to sneak a wallet or something out of an open purse than it would be to do the "traditional" type of purse snatching

Wear it across your chest like others have said, or get one that hangs off your shoulder just below your waist. That way you can keep the strap around your shoulder and an arm around the outside of the purse. If you are in a tight crowd, shift the purse to the front so that you can hold it against your tummy. Both of those maneuvers require only one arm, so you are free to do other things with the other arm - like holding umbrellas. Don't put your purse down behind you, or hanging from the back of your chair, in a restaurant. Instead, place it between your feet.

The key is to be aware of your surroundings, which you should be anyway, and to not mark yourself as a "victim" by looking timid and worried about your belongings. Walking assertively and taking up space for yourself like you belong there is definitely good advice - and that goes in general for just living in the city anyway.

I would also agree that I've lived in several large cities both in the U.S. and in Asia. I've spent lots of time in other large cities, including in areas known for crimes, and I've never even had anyone try to take my purse. I would posit that you are just as likely to have someone grab your purse in a strip mall in the suburb as you would be in the city.
posted by gemmy at 8:27 PM on July 30, 2008

I have a mini-messenger of sorts, which I got for the city not because I worried about purse snatcher, but because I like to have my hands free to carrying groceries and whatnot...oh, and it fits my EEE PC perfectly. But I guess it also deter thieves, because it would be a pain to snatch and it is also harder to get things out of it because of the flap. The only caveat with this bag is while it looks nice enough to be a purse, it is not weather proof, but small messengers are wonderful and several companies carry rain-proof ones like Timbuk2.

But the only person I've ever met (and I know lots of people in cities and now live in one myself) who has had a purse snatch is my mom during NYC worst crime era.
posted by melissam at 8:36 PM on July 30, 2008

I HAVE had my pocket picked - in Madrid. I wasn't paying enough attention and was bumped. About 2 steps later I thought to look for my wallet and it was gone. I filed a police report and my wallet (empty) was later returned to me - my debit card and my precious Residency Visa all intact (I had cancelled the debit card). I lost about $10. I was carrying a messenger-type bag at the time and it was slung low across my body. However I was fiddling with it looking for my bus pass when I was bumped. I have also seen gypsy children surround a foreigners patting him/her down to get a wallet. I'm not sure there is much defense against that kind of attack, other than shouting "Police" (preferably in the local language).

It has never happened again and I think I learned my lesson: don't open your big floppy bag in a very crowded area. These days I carry a much smaller bag, with a fold-over flap that fastens down, as recommended above. In a crowded area, I tend to make sure it is way in front of me. Or, if I'm going to the flea market in Madrid (very busy area), I don't carry a purse at all - just some money and a subway pass stuck in a front pocket. I wear pants that have zippers for the front pockets (thank you L.L. Bean) and never worry about it.
posted by daneflute at 8:39 PM on July 30, 2008

Yeah, I agree with everyone else. It's about attitude, but not completely (ie. if you do get mugged, don't blame yourself). I've lived in Chicago, and now in San Francisco. Walk confidently, take up space, try not to look at maps while walking down the street...if I have a purse I try to carry it with the pockets toward my body, or just choose ones with zippers, but I normally just wear a messenger bag. I also carry pepper spray, and taking a self defense class isn't a bad idea. And obviously, keep your purse on your lap when you're on the bus or out in public. Don't be too scared though...lots of times you won't find trouble unless you're looking for it. I've been carfree for three years now - so I've spent lots of time biking, walking, and on public transportation in big ass cities and I've never had anything too scary happen to me. The worse was being sideswiped by a bus when I was riding my bike. :)

Try to enjoy yourself though! Moving (back) to the city was the best thing that ever happened to me! Urban living is fantastic. :)
posted by gleea at 8:41 PM on July 30, 2008

I've had my wallet stolen in Europe, but never my purse. I think the former is a much bigger danger than the latter. I'm usually pretty wary but I let my guard down in a bar, I'm guessing. I second daneflute's advice about being careful to keep your bag closed/not opening your bag in a crowded area.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 8:43 PM on July 30, 2008

and by let my guard down, I mean carelessly opened it and perhaps left it open. I'm not suggesting being constantly paranoid and hyper-vigilant.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 8:45 PM on July 30, 2008

Don't hang your purse on the back of your chair, even in nice restaurants - I have twice seen (or rather, realized afterwards that I had seen) very smooth thefts by people who stop behind you, apparently to put on a coat or briefly put down a shopping bag, and just pick up your purse when they go.
posted by nicwolff at 8:47 PM on July 30, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

Get a wallet with a chain.
posted by dunkadunc at 8:56 PM on July 30, 2008

I've read it's recommended that you not carry more than you need - i.e. not your passport, not your Social Security Card, not all 20 of your subway tokens. That way if you do get mugged (unlikely), you're not out that much.

Second this. You know what? You can't protect yourself all the time, especially in the city (speaking of DC anyways). Odds are very much in your favor, definitely -- most likely nothing will ever happen. But keep your purse on your shoulder, don't flaunt it around, don't walk around wasted alone -- generally, don't be stupid. And you'll be fine. (Or, honestly, in that unlikely chance, you'll get mugged. Pretty much regardless of what you do. So give them your money, be pissed, and move on.)
posted by inigo2 at 8:59 PM on July 30, 2008

When you're sitting somewhere, KEEP YOUR PURSE ON YOUR LAP. no exceptions. If it's on the ground, it can and will get stolen. In general, just never let it out of your sight or grasp. I learned this from my mother who has had her purse stolen twice.
posted by majikstreet at 9:00 PM on July 30, 2008

San Francisco is, on the whole, quite a safe place. I've lived here for 20 years and had no problems. As everyone else has said, the key is to not look like an easy target. Purse strap across body, head up, confident stride, know where you're going, etc.

Paradoxically, if you keep checking around constantly, you'll seem like either a nervous easy victim, or like you're carrying a million dollars and worth mugging. Be aware of your surroundings but don't keep watching your own shadow, just blend into the flow of traffic. There are thousands of other women here who do just fine with basic common sense and a little urban smarts. You will too!

Hey, if you end up in San Francisco, let us know - we love any excuse for a meetup!
posted by Quietgal at 9:06 PM on July 30, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

A few years ago my wife's purse was taken when she was trying on shoes at a major department store on Union Square (SF). Though she's tall, confident and aware, she got out of her seat for a moment to see how the shoes felt...just turned her back...purse gone.
posted by artdrectr at 9:06 PM on July 30, 2008

Thank you everyone, great answers! Please keep 'em coming.

Quietgal- the large number of SF Mefites (not to mention the frequency with which you guys hold meetups) definitely has me leaning more towards SF;-)
posted by invisible ink at 9:17 PM on July 30, 2008

I can't second most of these opinions enough: walk with confidence, know where you're going, be very aware of your surroundings, make eye contact, and keep as few valuable/important things in your purse as possible. I lived in SF for 5 years and have lived in DC for just over 1. Just to be a data point, not only have I not had a pickpocket/mugging/snatching/worse problem, I don't know anyone who has (knock wood).

However, please consider when and where you wear your bag strapped across your chest. If you are in a dark and/or unpopulated area and, heavens forbid, someone is after you and not your bag, this can provide extra leverage to control your movement. It's better to be able to "escape" from the strap quickly than be entangled.
posted by juliplease at 9:20 PM on July 30, 2008

DC sucks. I feel safe in NYC but never felt safe there.

Consider this:

In the United States, Honolulu, Houston and San Francisco were the safest, tied for 40th place with a score of 106.5.

Not surprisingly, the Washington, D.C., score of 85 put our nation's capital at the bottom of the North America list, good for 107th overall. Calgary, Montreal and Ottawa are the continent's safest, tying for 25th with matching scores of113.5.

Consider carrying ID, credit cards, and/or cash in a hidden wallet, separate from your purse.

If you can, keep your keys and your ID separate.

If they get your keys AND your ID, they will know where you live and they will have the keys. Yes, you can get the locks changed, but it will still be nerve-wracking.

If someone really wants your purse, make it easy for them to get it. Don't fight for it.

Good luck and happy moving!
posted by sondrialiac at 10:32 PM on July 30, 2008

Being aware of your surroundings is definitely key. I've traveled frequently enough to big cities, and the only time anyone has ever attempted to steal my purse was on my own (normally very safe) street, in broad daylight, when I was completely not paying attention and had my headphones turned up too loud. I always wear my messenger-type bag across my chest, and was able to hang onto it with a bit of a struggle, but if it had been hanging off my shoulder I would have lost it.
posted by banjo_and_the_pork at 3:44 AM on July 31, 2008

In DC if you're gonna get mugged you're gonna get mugged. Actually you're much more likely to get a rock thrown at your by a gang of 12 year olds than mugged. So it likely won't be a purse snatching (although someone had a purse snatched out of their car recently by a guy asking for directions from the passenger window). However the advice you hear is sound

In DC and other cities, you really need to know which areas are known for trouble, this can be ONE street that's semi-dangerous out of blocks and blocks of safe areas... (EUCLID STREET I'M LOOKING AT YOU), and which streets are inherently safe to walk on. You learn this by asking what routes people take to walk home in certain neighborhoods, and eventually getting to know the city.

Don't worry about it TOO much!
posted by stratastar at 4:40 AM on July 31, 2008

Nthing the 'it's never happened to me!" crowd, but I know someone whose purse was grabbed from between her feet while she was on the metro. She had been sitting near the doors and the thief was able to bolt out before they closed.

So, try to actually hold on to one of the straps (as opposed to just resting it) in your lap.

But yeah, if fashion permits it then a messenger bag would probably be a better option.
posted by amicamentis at 4:58 AM on July 31, 2008

Tuck your purse into a daypack, along with everything else you lug to work/play.
posted by Carol Anne at 5:31 AM on July 31, 2008

I usually carry a small handbag with a long strap, worn across the body, or a bigger handbag with handles long enough to go over my shoulder that I can hug to my body.

If I know I have to travel on foot in London late at night by myself, I will carry in my pocket an ancient cellphone that doesn't work any more and an old wallet containing a few coins to act as a 'dummy' pack to hand over to anyone who might want to mug me, with my real cellphone, Oystercard, keys and money safely concealed on my person. People I know who've been mugged tell me that their attackers have literally taken the money and run, so I'm assuming they wouldn't hang around to go through their loot before realising their haul was pretty worthless. Fortunately, I've never needed to find out.
posted by essexjan at 5:35 AM on July 31, 2008

DC doesn't suck. I lived in and around it for about 3 years, never had a problem. I had my wallet stolen in Chicago one time-- don't put your wallet in your back pocket.

Other than that, what everyone else said. Here's a recent discussion about how acting like you mean business is generally enough.
posted by ibmcginty at 5:36 AM on July 31, 2008

I lived in San Francisco for many years, and never had my purse snatch. I did, however, get my wallet stolen while on a crowded MUNI bus. I've known other people this has happened to, as well. Generally and IME, in San Francisco you don't have to worry about muggings so much as people trying to quietly and discreetly lift your wallet. To forestall this, carry a purse or bag that zips or snaps securely; don't put your wallet in an open bag or your back pocket. Don't leave your purse or bag unattended, even for a moment.

Might I add, I'm a very petite woman and I did stuff like walk from SoMa to my home in the Mission at 2 AM. Unwise, perhaps, but nothing happened to me. A confident stride and an air of knowing where you are and where you're going is a huge help.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 6:07 AM on July 31, 2008

In DC it's easier to avoid the bad parts of town. Stay in Northwest and your safety level will be not so different than in most suburbs. The rest of the city brings its average down, but if you have enough money there's not much reason to go to Northeast or Southeast regularly.

In SF, rich and poor are intermingled almost everywhere. You can walk a few minutes from your $65,000,000 mansion and be in the city's top murder spot. Or get yourself a million dollar condo two blocks from the housing projects. You could move to The Mission, a cultural center for food and night life, but to make it to those hip bars you'll have to dodge homeless people and overlook an active drug market. And let's not forget Nob Hill (aka Snob Hill)--it's OK, but only because (in the words of one resident I knew), "they can't push their shopping carts up the hill".
posted by jewzilla at 6:44 AM on July 31, 2008

All good advice, especially about being aware of what's around you. I think someone mentioned not walking drunk alone or with headphones--I would add talking on your cell phone.
posted by Pax at 7:24 AM on July 31, 2008

Zipper top (best is a flap that buckles over a zipper), shoulder strap, always hang on to your purse no matter what (don't put it between your ankles on the subway, over the back of your chair in a restaurant, on the chair next to you when trying on shoes, or on the sink ledge in the ladies' room when you're washing your hands).

And be prepared. Have photocopies of your credit cards and driver's license in a safe and secure place. Have the contact numbers for your credit card issuers readily accessible (programmed into your cell, even). If, Ceiling Cat forbid, your purse or wallet did get stolen, the thing is to shut down your cards as soon as possible and put a fraud watch on your credit report.

I've had my wallet stolen out of my purse once (dozed off on the subway on one of the few days I was carrying an open-topped bag) and have never had my purse snatched.
posted by Sidhedevil at 8:59 AM on July 31, 2008

I use a little cloth drawstring bag as a purse. The strings are just long enough for me to wrap it around my wrist twice. I've never had an issue walking in DC with it. As others say they do as well, my main security strategy is to walk like I know where I'm going and make eye contact.
posted by frecklefaerie at 9:01 AM on July 31, 2008

The Washington DC Metro webpage has some good advice on safety. See particularly the safe travel tips brochure.
posted by gudrun at 10:48 AM on July 31, 2008

When it's raining/snowing, how do you handle the challenge of protecting yourself from both the elements and purse snatchers?

This is pretty simple if you're wearing a bag with a long strap. In winter, I either:
- put on my coat, button it, then put my handbag on, its long strap across my chest
or
- use a purse that's deep but flat (like a mapcase-style bag), which I can wear under my coat. That means I get dressed except for my coat, put my purse on with its strap across my chest, then put on my coat and button it.

Either way, when I'm living in (or staying in) a large city, I never carry my transit card (or busfare, etc.) with my wallet or in my bag. Anything I'm likely to need while I'm on the street or in the subway is stored elsewhere, usually in a pocket. For example, when I was a smoker, that meant keeping my cigs and lighter in a pocket, not in my handbag.

Incidentally, to deter snatching, pursestraps must be thick enough so they can't be snipped through with scissors or snips. Ideally, the strap is also adjustable so you can keep the purse itself at a level where your hand floats comfortably above it.

That said, as so many others have pointed out, pursesnatching isn't likely to be a problem, while mugging or pickpockets might be. With that in mind, in addition to using a bag with a secured top (ideally, a full zipper, or a zippered pocket inside a clasped top), I now secure my wallet to my purse with a strap or, when I'm bagless, I hook it to my beltloop with a strap. In my small city, this is really to keep me from dropping the darned thing, but it makes my wallet harder to lift, too. More to the point, it makes my wallet visibly harder to lift, so most pickpockets will look for an easier target.

A determined thief or mugger will get your bag or your wallet; the best deterrent you can offer is your own caution, which makes you too much trouble to target.
posted by Elsa at 2:39 PM on July 31, 2008

I lived in both DC and San Francisco. My experience is that you don't really need to worry about this at all unless you're walking around by yourself at night in the tenderloin/anacostia/mission etc. in which case you should stop walking around at night:) Really in thirteen years of city living I've never known anyone in either city to have their purse stolen. So don't worry about it. How to find parking on a saturday night, now that's something to worry about.

Oh and once I left my wallet on a train with cash credit cards etc and you know what? This nice teacher called me and gave it back.
posted by bananafish at 9:46 PM on July 31, 2008

For a crowded location, such as a busy sidewalk, it is hard to protect yourself if your purse is over your shoulder. Make certain it is zipped or snapped closed. There are also some type of loud alarms that you can attach to the purse, the other part in your hand, so that if somebody grabs your purse, it will pull the safety device out and the alarm will immediately screech..and will do so if the thief tries to run with your purse.

The second thing. If you are leaving a store, for example on the way to your vehicle: Be sure and look all around, not centered in on just finding your vehicle. If there is someone sitting hunched down in a car, eye them and just be aware of your surroundings. Thieves look for people who are unsuspecting.

Just be aware at all times. Remember leaving your purse in sight anywhere in your vehicle is a sure bait for thieves.
posted by animarket at 1:12 PM on March 28