DE PERE (NBC 26) — Warm sunshine and clear blue skies often invite people outdoors to walk, jog, hike or bike. Law enforcement has tips to make sure people get back home safely at the end of the day.
Megan Young walked with her sister, Julia, along the De Pere River Walk & Wildlife Viewing Piere Wednesday. They were two of dozens of people out and about enjoying the beautiful day.
"With someone I feel safe," Young said. "I don't think I'd ever walk by myself, just with everything going on in the world."
The sisters take their own precautions to stay safe while walking.
"We just make sure to keep close to each other, keep our phones on us. I've got my keys and pepper spray if anything were to happen," Young said.
These are some of the tips Capt. Jody Lemmens, Brown County Sheriff's Office, recommends for people as they enjoy the outdoors. She said walking with a buddy and being aware of surroundings is key. She said people should trust their instincts and report things that seems suspicious.
"If there's somebody approaching you and you're not quite feeling comfortable about it, faking that you're on a phone call with somebody is sometimes enough of a deterrent, because they now know that there might be somebody who is an audible witness to what might be going on," Lemmens said. "Don't be afraid to turn around and be like, 'Oh I forgot something.' Change direction. Kind of test the people that are in your environment. Do they also turn and follow you? Now you need to be a little bit more cautious."
While pepper spray or mace may work for some, Lemmens cautions personal safety items can be taken and used against you.
Although the recent assault reported along the East River Trail in De Pere serves as a safety reminder, Lemmens said they don't want people to feel paranoid to the point they can't get outdoors.
- Police investigating assault along the East River Trail in De Pere
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"We live in a relatively safe community. We want people to get out and enjoy themselves, but of course, we always want people to take that first line of responsibility to keep themselves safe as well," Lemmens said.
If people plan to walk alone, Lemmens said it's important to let someone know where they're going, the route they want to take, and anticipated arrival time. She said people can increase visibility with reflective gear or by carrying a flashlight.
