Riding safe, staying safe

Personal safety tips

• If you need help assistance while riding on RTA, contact a uniformed RTA employee.
• Most Rapid stations have Emergency Call Boxes that connect directly to the Transit Police Dispatcher.
• If an Emergency Call Box is not available, dial "911" from your cell phone.
• Always be alert and aware of the people around you.
• Walk briskly and confidently to your destination.
• Avoid talking to strangers - especially when you are in isolated areas.
• Women, hold your purse tightly, close to your body.
• Men, keep your wallet in a front pocket, or button your hip pocket.
• If you are the victim of a crime, yell or scream, but do not risk injury by fighting with or chasing your attacker.
• Carry a whistle or noisemaker. If you're in trouble, use it!

Reporting a crime

• If you or a family member become victimized by crime, give a full description of the incident to the police. Include the location, the suspects' physical build, clothing, any weapon seen and direction of flight by the suspect or suspects.
• Become Involved! When you witness suspicious persons or activities, call Transit Police at 216-566-5163, 24 hours a day.
• Or text Transit Police Dispatch using 216-575-EYES (3937). Send SMS, photo or video messages direct to dispatchers to report suspicious or criminal activity.

Waiting for a bus or train

• Be alert and aware of the people around you.
• Wait in well-lit central locations, as near to other passengers as possible.
• Try to avoid isolated bus stops.
• Stand away from the curb until the bus arrives.
• If you see any suspicious activity at a bus or train stop, report it to the bus or train operator. Ask the operator to call Transit Police.
• Stand away from the edge of the platform until the train stops.

On board buses or trains

• During off-peak hours, ride as close to the bus or train operator as possible.
• Stay alert -- and be aware of the people around you.
• If someone bothers you, change seats and tell the operator.
• If you see suspicious activity on an RTA bus or train, ask the operator to contact the Transit Police.
• If you are jostled in a crowd, be aware that pickpockets may targeting you. Pickpockets often work in teams. One member will often cause a distraction or disturbance, like dropping a handful of pennies. Stay alert.

Safety for children

Everyone must take precautions to ensure personal safety, but children face some special problems.

Children should beware if anyone:

• Tries to give them candy or money.
• Asks them to leave the bus or train.
• Asks them to get into a car, for any reason.
• Follows them.
• Attempts to touch them.

Tell children to walk away or move to another seat if someone does any of these things.

Children should learn how to report incidents to authorities. They should be told to immediately tell the operator or a police officer what happened.

Transit Police have a Kid Watch program that will come to your school or organization to help you teach children how to safely ride on RTA.

Auto safety

If you are using an RTA Park-N-Ride lot, keep these precautions in mind:

• Always lock your car and close the windows after entering or leaving your car.
• Have your keys ready and check the back seat before opening the door.
• If you have car trouble in an RTA parking lot, contact the Transit Police. Help will be sent. Do not entrust your life and safety to a stranger.

Thefts from autos

To lessen the possibility of theft from your auto:

• Install anti-theft door lock devices.
• "Keep your junk in your trunk." Never leave valuables or packages in plain view.
• Engrave your driver's license number on CB radios or easily removed tape decks. Record serial numbers.
• Install an intrusion alarm.
• Install a locking gas cap, so a thief cannot siphon your gasoline