In the Community Safety While Exercising

By Brian Hartman, #866 Scottsdale Police Department Crime Prevention Officer Via Linda District

Hopefully, we are all sticking to our New Year’s Resolutions that we made a couple months ago…you know…the one where we promised ourselves to work out multiple times per week and eat healthy. If this is you…Great Job and keep it up. If you are like me and have not been keeping up with your fitness resolution(s), do not despair. There is still time to get back on track.

Regardless of your present fitness status, there are numerous ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle to include: Working out at local gyms, walking/jogging around the neighborhood, cycling, and hiking on one of our many trails. Whatever your preferred activity may be, please keep the following tips in mind when it comes to personal safety:

Hiking Trail Safety:

1. Lock your vehicle: Vehicle burglars will often simply walk through the trailhead parking lots randomly checking door handles to see if they are locked.

2. Leave valuables at home: Criminals are well-aware that hikers leave their valuables inside the vehicle while they are hiking. Consider using a backpack or fanny-pack to keep items such as cash, cell phone, and identification.

3. Watch out for each other: Be aware of your surroundings as you walk to and from the parking lot. Preventing a crime is a community endeavor so immediately report suspicious individuals to the Scottsdale PD as soon as safely possible.

Fitness Center Safety:

1. Lock your vehicle: Vehicle burglars will often simply walk through the gym parking lots randomly checking door handles to see if they are locked.

2. Leave valuables at home: Criminals are well aware that gym patrons leave their valuables inside the vehicle while they are working out.

3. Watch out for each other: Be aware of your surroundings as you walk to and from the parking lot. Immediately report all suspicious activity to the Scottsdale PD. Also report the activity to the fitness center employees.

***As you have read, fitness centers and trailheads have very similar theft prevention guides. This is due to the fact that criminals are aware that the parking lots of those locations offer the best chance for them to take advantage of citizens leaving their valuable belongings inside their vehicles for an extended period of time.

Cycling Safety:

1. Always wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet.

2. Ride on the right-hand side of the road.

3. Always ride in the same direction as traffic.

4. Use a bike path if available.

5. If you are riding with others, ride single-file, not side-by-side.

6. Obey all traffic signs.

7. Stop your bike at street corners.

8. Wear light/bright colors and reflective gear when riding at night.

9. Watch out for motorists turning in front of you.

Walking/Jogging Safety:

1. Face on-coming traffic.

2. Cross the street at designated crosswalks.

3. Obey traffic signals.

4. Watch for turning vehicles. Make sure the driver sees you.

5. Walk/Jog on the sidewalk or multi-use path.

6. Wear bright clothing and consider carrying a flashlight if walking/jogging at night.

7. Walk/jog with a friend whenever possible.

8. Walk/jog in familiar areas but try to vary your routes.

9. Avoid walking/jogging in secluded areas.