Someone earlier said something about not watching the news. I somewhat agree with that but it is a double-edged sword. We hear so many stories on the news, on the internet, facebook, etc. It's hard to remember all these things don't happen in your backyard and easy to believe the entire world has gone bonkers. On the other hand, not watching the news and living oblivious to it all can put one at risk, as well. We need to know what's going on in our areas and with that in mind, I checked the crime reports for my area. In spite of all the bad news, there is relatively little crime in my most immediate area and mainly DUI's, motor vehicle break-ins and shoplifting at the mall.
I guess it's kind of like frugal living. One size does not fit all. You have to pick and choose to some degree by knowing your surroundings, i.e., for some, letting neighbors know of any absence works, for others it won't work. Having a big dog works for some, not for others. Self-defense courses for some, not for others. Home security systems work for some, not for others.
Being aware of your surroundings, sometimes a hard thing to do, is important for everyone. Keeping doors and windows locked we can all do. Keep a cell phone handy. Don't go out to the grocery at midnight like I used to do a few years ago. None of us should open the door without knowing who is on the other side and that includes me opening to allow the dog to peek out. Lock the doors to the car immediately upon entering. In most areas, neighborhood watch groups have been successful, others not. Just a few cautionary measures that can become part of our normal routines can help lower our anxiety, I think.
Helpful hint given to me by a store manager: Use the safety strap - the one used to strap kids into the grocery cart - to strap your purse onto the cart. You still want to keep your purse in your vision, but that will prevent someone from grabbing your purse and running. I do that and don't unstrap until I push the cart to the cart stands. I thought that was a pretty sharp idea.