Distracted walking: tips to stay vigilant while out and about

Surveillance video showing a man steal a woman’s wallet outside a Las Cruces Walmart had ABC-7’s New Mexico Mobile Newsroom asking, how easy is it for you to fall victim to a crime?

We’ve all done it. You’re walking along the street holding your wallet, then you pull out your phone and by then, your hands are completely full. You’re distracted and you’re vulnerable to someone who wants to commit a crime .

To prevent this, Las Cruces Police say to be aware of your surroundings at all times , don’t keep both hands full and carry your wallet in your pocket if possible .

On the NMSU campus, ABC-7 saw a lot of students walking with their heads buried in their cell phones. Some had earbuds in listening to music.

“Since I carry a purse, I’ll be walking or we have tailgates and football games, sometimes I’m afraid and I just walk this because I’m afraid someone will reach in the back and get in my purse and I keep checking,” Lauren Stone, an NMSU student, said.

Stone said her parents gave her mace for Christmas as an extra safety precaution.

Other students said their vigilance depends on the time of day.

“During the day not so much, but at night time more often,” said NMSU student Michael Bennett.