Don't look up or look lost. The most important way to keep your belongings safe is to look like a New Yorker. New Yorkers generally do not stare for prolonged amounts of time at skyscrapers. Instead, keep your eyes forward and focused in front of you. This way, you can stay with the flow of foot traffic and use your peripheral vision to look for anyone suspicious.
Use caution when parking your car on the street. There are very few neighborhoods in Manhattan you can feel absolutely safe parking your car in. To play it safe, park in a garage. It will be expensive, but the peace of mind is worth it.
Keep your wits about you when watching street performers. Pickpockets and robbers scope out large crowds of people, so if you are watching a street performance or show, be sure to hold your hand firmly on your purse or bag. Don't keep money or other belongings in your back pocket. Believe it or not, this is the easiest way for pickpockets to grab your cash. A purse or bag with a strong buckle will be the best option. Backpacks are also not recommended because they can be easily unzipped from behind.
If you're traveling in New York alone in the dark, carry pepper spray or hold the sharp end of a key between your fingers. Although you will hopefully never have to use the key as a weapon, it can be a good deterrent to getting robbed or mugged in the first place. If robbers see you carrying a sharp piece of metal, they will be more likely to leave you alone.
Be sure you know where you are. In Manhattan, most areas are pretty safe during the day, but in the other boroughs, such as Brooklyn and Queens, a neighborhood can change from good to bad in a matter of blocks. Make sure you know where you are and how to get out of a bad neighborhood if necessary. If you stay away from trouble, chances are, it will stay away from you. Always carry a very small pocket map. They make a map the size of a business card that is very handy. Do not pull out a full-sized map on the street. This is a signal to robbers that you're lost and also that you're distracted.
