The New York City Police Department recently put out a Crime Prevention Notice aimed at delivery drivers across the city, part of its broader crime prevention and safety tips program. These tips to stay safe while on delivery really just come down to a few easy habits, the kind that make every dash feel a little smoother, whether you're delivering by car, bike, or scooter.
Simple Habits, Real Protection
A lot of this won't be new. The NYPD's tips line up closely with habits experienced Dashers already build into their routine, small adjustments that add up.
Pay attention to what's around you: Skip the headphones in one ear, or turn the volume down, so you can hear and see what's happening on the street.
Keep your phone and cash out of sight when you're not actively using them: A phone sitting on a car seat or a bike handlebar is an easy target.
Pick well-lit, busier streets for pickups and drop-offs when you have a choice: Fewer people around usually means less help if something goes wrong.
Trust your gut: If a block, a building, or a person feels off, it's fine to walk away and let Support know.
Carry less cash: Almost all Dasher earnings are paid electronically, so there's rarely a reason to have much cash on you.
Lock up e-bikes, mopeds, and bicycles anytime you step away from them, even for a minute at a pickup. It only takes a moment for someone to walk off with an unlocked ride. It’s probably also a good idea to take them inside overnight, if possible.
These steps are quick and easy, and they're worth building into your routine whether you're new to dashing or years in.
If you dash by bike or e-bike, DoorDash's bike safety guidance goes further into staying visible on the road and avoiding common hazards, worth a look if biking is your main way of dashing.
If something feels off, Support is available in the app if you'd like to note what happened, and 911 is there for emergencies. The Dasher app also has safety features and resources if you need them.
A Few Extra Habits Worth Building
The NYPD's list covers it well, but here are a few more useful habits worth folding into your routine that can make a real difference if something does go sideways.
Share Your Live Location on Evening or Late-Night Dashes
It takes a few seconds to turn on, and it means someone else knows where you are if you go quiet longer than expected.
Park Where Your Bike or Vehicle Stays in Sight
Being able to glance out and check on it, or just knowing it's in view, cuts down on both theft risk and that nagging feeling of not knowing what's happening outside.
Keep Car Doors Locked and Windows Up Between Stops
It's an easy habit to forget when you're focused on deliveries, but a locked car is one less opening for someone to take advantage of while you're at a store or during a drop-off.
These quick steps are simple once they're routine, and they help you stay a step ahead in situations you can't always predict.
How Dasher Safety Features Back You Up
Beyond the habits above, DoorDash builds a full suite of safety features directly into the app. Here's a quick look at what's available.
Location Sharing: share your real-time location with up to five trusted contacts while you're on a dash.
Emergency Contact: add someone DoorDash can reach on your behalf if you ever go unresponsive during an incident.
Real-Time Safety Alerts: get notified of nearby hazards or emergencies while you're on a dash.
Safety Reporting: report a safety issue and opt out of future orders made through the DoorDash app from that customer, with no impact to your Dasher rating.
SafeChat: in-app messages are screened for abusive language, with the option to report an issue or unassign the delivery.
Porch Light Reminders: customers get a reminder to turn on their outside lights for nighttime drop-offs.
Protecting Your Privacy: your real phone number is masked from customers and merchants on every order.
Severe Weather Protocol: DoorDash adjusts or pauses operations in an area during hurricanes, blizzards, or other extreme weather.
Safety Reassurance Call: connect with a safety agent who can stay on the line with you or alert 911 with your location.
Emergency Assistance Button: silently request emergency help and share your location with responders.
They're all built to work quietly in the background, so you don't have to think about them until you need them.
The Bottom Line
Most dashes go exactly the way they're supposed to: pick up, drop off, on to the next one. The NYPD's guidance doesn't change that; it's a reminder that awareness costs you nothing, especially in unfamiliar areas, after dark, or on a night when a spot just feels different than usual.
The goal isn't to dash on edge. It's to have a routine in place so that if something ever does feel off, you already know what to do next, without having to think it through in the moment.
Open the Dasher app to review the safety features available to you anytime - they're there whether you need them once or never at all.
