Personal Safety

Protecting Yourself

Listed below are just a few helpful hints that will help to keep you safe:

  1. Stay alert to your surroundings.
  2. Avoid dark streets. Carry a flashlight with a strong battery.
  3. Avoid secluded areas.
  4. Don't walk alone, if possible. Leave your workplace with other people, and check your vehicle for intruders before climbing inside.
  5. Don't carry large sums of money and don't ever count or show a roll of bills in public.
  6. If you think you are being followed, go to the nearest lighted house or business and call for help.
  7. Keep your car in good mechanical condition to avoid breaking down.
  8. Make sure the gas tank is filled.
  9. Avoid stopping to aid drivers who appear to have car trouble. Instead, report the trouble to the police and let them assist the driver.
  10. Carry a cellular phone so that you can call police for help if needed.

For Women

Women are often targeted as victims. The attacker generally looks for a vulnerable target in a dark or secluded area. Below are just a few recommendations to help you keep safe:

  1. Carry a shrill whistle or other noisemaker;
  2. Never walk alone or in the dark;
  3. Try to take different routes of travel to become unpredictable;
  4. Walk with your purse latched toward you not toward the street;
  5. Be able to describe your purse and its contents in detail;
  6. Remember - don't be paranoid. Just be cautious!

Sexual Assault or Abuse

In the links to follow you will find many useful articles, statistics, facts and references, as well as techniques and strategies.

Date Rape
Acquaintance Rape
Sexual Assault Information Page
Sexual Assault Recovery and Information Page
Parents and Loves Ones of Sexual Abuse and Rape Victims

National Domestic Violence/Abuse Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233)
1-800-787-3224 TDD


Local Websites
Meth Watch | BC D.A.R.E. | Dispatch Center | Columbus Area Alerts | Local Ordinances

Missing Persons
Missing - Exploited Children | Doe Network
Nations Missing Children Organization

Homeland Security
Terrorist Threat Level | U.S. Dept of Homeland Security | Ready AmericaIndiana Alert Network

Other Links
Sex Offender Registry | Indiana Criminal Code Barth. Co. Sheriff's Dept. | ISP| ATF | FBI | DEA

The information on this website is monitored for dated material. If for some reason you stumble upon material that is expired or reflects an event that occurred in the past, please contact the webmaster of the Columbus Police Department. Please contact CPD whenever relying on dated material to ensure it's accurancy.