Ride sharing apps like Uber or Lyft are meant to be a convenient way to get around. But what happens when you’re not comfortable with the person driving you around?
After arresting an Uber driver accused of sexual assault over the weekend, Jupiter Police have released some advice on how to stay safe while using a ride service.
“You’re getting into the car with somebody you don’t know," said Jupiter Police Officer Adam Brown, who has worked in law enforcement for nearly 15 years.
RELATED: Uber driver charged with sexual battery, kidnapping and burglary in Jupiter
Before you take your next ride, Officer Brown advises you to trust your instincts.
“If something doesn’t feel right, don’t get in the vehicle. There’s nothing that says you have to get in that vehicle," he said.
Before you get in the car, check the child locks on the doors.
“This has a decal that explains to you whether or not the lock is engaged, explained Officer Brown, pointing to an image on the inside of the back door of a Ford Taurus. "In this case, when the switch is up, the child lock is engaged, when it’s down, it’s disengaged."
Brown said most cars are generally pretty easy to check for the child lock. If the child lock is engaged, find another ride.
Police also advise to travel in a group -- there’s always safety in numbers.
“If you have to travel alone, let the driver know you’ll be recording the ride," said Brown.
He says drivers shouldn't have a problem if you decide to record the drive using your smartphone, in an event that you feel uncomfortable.
And always try to sit behind the driver, not in the passenger seat. If you are the last of friends to be dropped off and you are sitting in the front, relocate to the back.
“Always take a screen shot of the driver’s identification and photograph of the vehicle that you’re getting into," said Brown. “Let your friend or family member know when you’re planning to leave, when you should arrive home and that you’re going to give them a call when you do arrive home.”
Police also advise to keep your phone readily available to dial 911 if you need to.
"We want people to get home safe and we will always respond when you need help," said Officer Brown.
Carol Messam-Gordon works with sexual assault victims as a program coordinator at the Palm Beach County's Division of Victims Services. The department runs the certified Rape Crisis Center for the county.
She recommends staying on the phone with a friend the entire ride -- anything to deter an attack.
“Let that Uber driver know that you’re talking to someone. Tell your friend, 'I’m getting into the Uber, I’ve just sent you the information of the Uber I’m getting into,' so the driver knows that you’re alert, you’re paying attention," she said.
She says to stay in communication with a loved one or family member. Text them to let them know where you are going and who you are with. Send screenshots of your driver's information from the app.
"Let that Uber driver or cab driver know, or whoever you're with -- I just sent your information to someone. I just sent them your picture. They're alert and they know where I'm going to be,'" Messam-Gordon said. "That's the message that you're sending."
She says no matter what, you always have to keep your guard up.
“We can’t say that we have a label for what the ideal perpetrator is going to look like. If that were the case, then we would all be safe," said Messam-Gordon. "They're watching for the moment, for the time that you're going to be vulnerable. And they're going to prey on that."
There's also an app called UZURV that lets you choose your own driver. Click here to learn more.
Victims Services offers help, support and guidance to victims of sexual assault, domestic abuse and other cases. The Rape Crisis Center offers 24 hour crisis response to hospitals, law enforcement agencies, and crime scenes. Staff also provides support and accompaniment during medical and investigative procedures.
"But we don't want to get to that point. We're hoping that we'll have less victims instead of more victims being assaulted, sometimes by people that they know and sometimes by strangers," said Messam-Gordon. "Unfortunately it happens where sometimes they don't want to report because they are embarrassed, they don't want people knowing what happened to them."
She said victims don't ever need to feel guilty or that they are to blame for the assault.
Keep in mind, all of your trip details are already saved to the phone. You can also share your trip with a friend or family through the Uber app, so they can track it live on their own smartphone.
Uber provided a list of their own safety tips for both riders and drivers. Click the links for more.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, Palm Beach County Victims Services has a 24-hour hotline you can call for help. Just call 866-891-7273.
