Let neighbors know when you go on a trip so they can watch out for your house or apartment. Return the favor when they go away. Join a Neighborhood Watch group, or ask the police or sheriff's office to help organize one. Volunteer for a block parent program that provides a safe haven for neighborhood children in emergencies. If crime is a problem in your area, consider a citizen patrol - residents who walk, or drive, around the neighborhood and use CB radios to report crime or suspicious activities to law enforcement.
Many patrols also offer escort services.
Out and About Stay alert and tuned into your surrounding. Go out with a friend whenever possible. Try to walk in a confident, relaxed manner. Make brief eye contact with approaching strangers. Trust your instincts.