Crime Prevention Tips

Crime on Campus

The majority of crimes on campus are crimes of opportunity. Items commonly stolen include backpacks, books, and wallets. Increasing awareness by members of the campus community is a major factor in reducing these types of crimes. Your willingness to secure your property and report suspicious activities immediately to the University Police Department will assist us in our endeavors to minimize this type of crime.

On Campus

Never leave your property unattended while on campus.

While You’re Out

If you carry a purse have the strap across your body if it’s long enough, otherwise hold it close to your body and not on your forearm.

If you have a wallet, avoid carrying it in your back pocket. Put it inside your coat or front pocket.

While You’re Out

1.   Don’t flash your personal belongings such as MP3 players. Cell phones, Laptops
2.   For your iPod, wear subtle colored headphones
3.   Keep all personal belongings on your person.
4.   Don’t wear your cell phone on your belt.

Personal Safety Tips

1.   Don’t walk alone at night!
2.   Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Observe people and activities around you. Look confident and purposeful when you walk.
3.   Choose busy, well-light streets and avoid isolated areas, alleys, vacant lots, abandoned buildings and construction sites.
4.   Think about your safety everywhere you go – be alert and don’t assume you are always safe. Avoid situations that could put you in danger.
5.   Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in any situation, then leave.
6.   Be aware that wearing earphones connected to electronic devices while walking can distract you and make you less able to sense potential danger.

Preventing Auto Burglaries

1. Remove high dollar items from vehicle (GPS’s, CD players, purses, wallets,MP3 players, laptops, backpacks, luggage etc) Do not leave your property in plain view.

2.  If your car stereo has a detachable face, take the faceplate with you every time you park your vehicle. 

3.  Lock all doors

4.  Roll up windows

5.  Activate car alarm if you have one.

 

C.A.R.E.

Campus Alliance for a Risk-Free Environment
• A free escort program on campus
• Student security team trained and supervised by UPD
• Available from sunset to midnight - 7 days a week
• UPD Officers are available when C.A.R.E. members are not on duty
• Nighttime on-campus transportation available
• Allow 10-15 minutes for your escort to arrive

Suspicious Activity

Many crimes occur because a citizen sees possible criminal activities and fail to contact the police. Members of the campus community must be aware of their surroundings and develop a sense of what seems out of place or out of the ordinary. It may be something as simple as a suspicious door-to-door sales person attempting to conduct business in campus housing, a vehicle parked on campus late at night, or someone loitering. Please report all suspicious activities immediately to the University Police Department.
Emergency phones are positioned throughout the campus near buildings and in parking lots; calls are free of charge and ring directly to the University Police Department. Use these phones to report anything out of the ordinary such as:
•     A stranger loitering in or around the premises
•     Someone “testing” doorknobs as they walk down a hallway
•     People carrying expensive property out of a building, especially at unusual hours
•     A person calling or screaming for help
•     A person staggering about, appearing intoxicated, disoriented, or in need of medical attention
•     People involved in fist-fights, exhibiting threatening behavior, or verbal abuse
•     Unusual sounds: glass breaking, loud explosions, gunshots, etc.
•     Anyone peering into cars, cruising the lots, tampering with cars
•     Suspicious packages or shopping bags left unattended