SAFE SLOPE'S TIPS ON STAYING SAFE

Attention Neighbors:

Early Wednesday morning (May 23rd), there was an attempted assault on 16th Street (between 4th and 5th Avenues). This incident is part of a larger pattern of violence in our community. Fortunately, neighbors were willing to help.

What you can do to help prevent violence
Intervening shouldn't compromise your safety. If you see or hear harassment, assault, or any other forms of violence happening, remember you have lots of options:

• Ask for help (alert others in the area, call 911)
• Create a distraction by spilling your drink or yelling
• Check in with the victim directly if there are safety concerns

What you can do if you are concerned about your personal safety
While a victim of assault is never at fault, there are a few things anyone can do to reduce their risk:

• Try and be aware of your surroundings
• Try to walk with a friend
• If possible, walk in well lit areas
• Don’t wear headphones while walking or jogging
• If possible, walk in areas where there is a lot of foot traffic or establishments open late at night so you have a safe place to get help
• Avoid passing too close to big bushes, dark doorways, or alleys

What you can do if you don’t feel safe traveling at night
There are services that can help you:

• Safe Slope volunteers offer Safe Walks to women and LGBTQ folks in South Slope, Windsor Terrace, and Sunset Park on Thursdays (8:00pm-1:00am); Fridays and Saturdays (8:00pm-3:00am). Please send us an email (safeslope @ gmail.com), text us (347-709-8852), or leave us a voicemail (347-709-8852) by 6:00pm of the night you need a walk to request a walk. Please go to www.safeslope.org for more details.
• RightRides offers free, safe, late-night rides home citywide to women, LGBTQ and genderqueer individuals on Friday and Saturday nights (midnight-3:00AM). Call(718) 964-7781or (888)215-SAFE (7233).
• Brooklyn Bike Patrol offers walks home to women in many Brooklyn neighborhoods on Sunday-Thursday (8:00pm-midnight) and Friday-Saturday(8:00pm-3:00am). Call 718-744-7592 or email rocket55j @ aol.com or brooklynbikepatrol @ gmail.com.
• visit http://www.safeslope.org for a list of additional resources. Please email Safe Slope (safeslope @ gmail.com ) if you are interested in volunteering with us.

flyer produced by Safe Slope
May 25, 2012

SAFE WALK WILL RESUME NEXT WEEK WITH RESERVATIONS

With fewer reports appearing in the media about sexual attacks on area women and with the arrival of winter, Safe Slope had been receiving fewer calls requesting a Safe Walk home. They temporarily suspended their Safe Walk services from December 20th through January 7th, and next Thursday (January 12th), they'll launch their Safe Walk reservation system. Details will be available soon.

Safe Slope is currently working on organizing more community events, anti-violence advocacy and workshops, and awareness campaigns and "creating opportunities for community members to work together to make our streets and homes safer spaces." If you can help with those programs or with their advocacy programs, e-mail them at safeslope @ gmail.com.

About Safe Slope

"Brooklyn-based Safe Slope formed in August 2011 to provide services and resources to empower and protect the communities of South Slope/Greenwood Heights/Windsor Terrace/Park Slope in the aftermath of multiple assaults and attempted assaults. We want to come together as a community to make our streets safe from violence." Phone number:  (347) 709-8852.