It's true that crime is an equal-opportunity offender. No one is immune. But thousands of women each year continue be singled out as the objects of stalkers, sex offenders and worse. Women living in urban environments don't have to consider themselves placed at additional risk because of their environment. Instead, their surroundings can be used to their advantage. If you're selective about which high-rise you choose and take several proactive measures to protect yourself, you'll find that high-rises are probably the safest form of housing available to you in the big city.

Before you move in -- or even sign a lease, for that matter -- request that your locks be changed, and get it in writing. You never know if the previous resident had copies of his or her key made for friends. This will have to be cleared through management, and they'll have to have a copy of your new key.

When you move in, you'll be asked how you want your name to appear in the resident directory posted in the lobby. Don't post your first and last name; that immediately identifies you as a single woman living alone. Instead, list your first initial and last name. One exception to that rule, however: How have the single men chosen to identify themselves? Do they, too, list just their first initials and last names? If so, list yours the same way. If they haven't, an intruder may quickly assume that names listed with first initials are women. The solution is easy: Use your middle initial, too. For example, Jane Ellen Smith would be listed as "J & E Smith." If you don't have a middle name, it's time to invent one for yourself. Apply the same rule to the listing beside your doorbell and your listing in the local phone directory.

Take a look at the mailboxes in the lobby. Are the contents visible through any slots? If so, cover them up with a piece of paper on the inside of the box. Does your apartment have a mail slot on the front door? Do the same thing -- cover it. An intruder can lift up the cover and quickly determine if anyone's at home. If you're planning on being absent for any length of time, ask management or a trusted neighbor to pick up your mail while you're gone.

Once you've moved in, never leave your door unlocked -- even if you're just running down the hall to dump your trash or drop off something at your neighbor's apartment. It only takes seconds for an intruder to enter your apartment. If you ever approach your front door and suspect that it's been tampered with, don't enter your apartment. Head straight for security, and have the apartment thoroughly inspected before you re-enter. Furthermore, have your locks changed while you're at it.

Get to know your neighbors. Know their habits and their schedules, and agree to look out for each other. That includes agreeing to close any outside doors you see propped open and not allowing entry to any strangers waiting outside the building. To protect each other's safety, choose a night of the week during which you'll both do laundry. It's not a good idea to hang out in the laundry room in the evening alone; laundry rooms tend to be located in the basement level of buildings, usually in dark, unprotected areas.

If someone should knock on your door, don't open it without looking through your peephole first. If you don't have one, ask for ID from your visitor. If you're still unsure about the legitimacy of your visitor, call security to help you verify the information. If your visitor doesn't cooperate with your requests, don't give in. Stand your ground, refuse to open the door and tell him or her goodbye. Alert security, management or the police.

When getting on your elevator, check out the inside before you enter. If you see someone whom you don't recognize, and your instincts tell you to wait, by all means, wait for the next elevator. And when you get on the elevator, stand by the emergency button in the event that someone enters the elevator and places you in danger. That's assuming, of course, that you don't manage to exit the elevator first -- don't be afraid to do that if your instincts are telling you to leave the situation.

Finally, when leaving your underground parking garage, remain alert to your surroundings. Don't leave your car if you spot someone suspicious. Drive out of the garage, head to the nearest phone and call security. Never leave valuables in your car within full view. And keep a phone in your car to protect yourself. If you arrive home late at night, don't hesitate to call security to escort you from your car into the building safely.

All of these safety points amount to remaining aware of your surroundings and knowing your neighbors. Rather than promoting a suspicion-filled environment, they help neighbors get to know one another and look out for each other -- one of the biggest advantages of living within close quarters. Taking responsibility for your own safety helps to eliminate the anonymity of big-city living, a scenario which has so often led to security risks in the first place.

Published: November 26, 1999

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

Editor's Note: This article reflects the opinions of Courtney Ronan only and not necessarily the views of this or any other publication, organization or Website owner.