Having spent most of my life in New York City, I’ve been blessed with street smarts and cringe each time I see a fellow female Rentonite leaving her purse where it can be snatched in a New York Minute. That’s a millisecond.

The supermarket is fertile ground for purse theft. If you leave your purse in your shopping car and wander down the aisle away from the cart even for a few feet, you’re inviting the thieves to get you. They’re savvy, very fast and are known to work in teams which prey on women who don’t pay attention to their bags.

Restaurants and bars are equal fertile ground. If you need to use the restroom, take your purse with you and keep it close.

Some ladies may argue that their purses are bulky, making it difficult to carry them on their persons while food shopping. I disagree. Leave the big bag at home and carry a small wallet containing only the necessities, such as your license, debit or credit card and insurance cards. It will fit in your pocket and thieves will pass you over as a potential victim.

Thanks, ladies. It saddens me to write this, but crime is increasing and we need to watch out for each other.

Janet Raasch

Renton