Crime Prevention Tips

Safety is everyone's responsibility. Being aware of your surroundings may prevent you from becoming a victim. Safety doesn't begin and end with Campus Safety. It takes the entire college community (faculty, staff and students) to make our campus a safe and secure place to live, work, study and play. You can help us help you by taking precautions and following a few safety tips.

Use emergency telephones. There are 22 on campus with blue lights or housed in highly visible yellow call boxes. Just push the emergency button.

DO NOT lend your student identification to another person. Persons who get caught with an identification that is not their own may be charged with possession of false identification which may result in 12 months in jail and/or $2500 fine or both.

• Read all timely warning messages from the Office of Campus Safety. These messages communicate important information about your safety.
• Trust your instincts. If a place or situation doesn't feel right it probably isn't. Leave.
• Avoid working or studying alone in a building at night.
• Avoid short cuts in isolated areas at night.
• Don't walk alone after dark. Use the escort service.
• Close doors behind you. Propping doors open invites trespassers.
• Refrain from possession, sale or distribution of dangerous drugs, cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogens, or marijuana, however small the amount.
• Refrain from drinking alcohol if under age 21. It is illegal and subjects the violators to judicial board sanctions or the criminal justice system.
• Be aware of your rights in social and sexual situations. Be willing to say no if a situation becomes uncomfortable.
• Don't leave personal property lying around (book bags, bicycles, articles of clothing).
• Report any suspicious activity or persons to campus safety or an RA immediately. Be prepared to describe the suspicious person: hair color, race, complexion, height, weight, scars, clothing, etc.
• Register your bike and high value items with campus safety.
• Lock your room door, especially before retiring.
• Remember: NO means NO. Unwanted physical contact is a crime.
• Be courteous to campus safety personnel.
• Never prop exterior doors.
• Report trespassers.
• Don't drink and drive.
• Don't park in fire lanes.
• Register your vehicle with campus safety.
• Engrave your valuables.
• Never attach your name and address to keys. If lost or stolen they could lead to theft.
• Keep your room door locked when leaving even for "just a minute" and when sleeping.

Members of the college community, invited guests, and those conducting lawful business on campus may have access to nonresidential buildings. Only students, their invited guests, college employees in performance of their duties, and others authorized specifically by the college are permitted in residential buildings.

Campus safety officers respond to all reported criminal activity occurring on campus. There are 22 emergency telephone locations throughout the campus that are activated by simply pushing the call button. Our communication section is staffed 24 hours a day when the college is in session. Each residence hall is equipped with card access on the main entrance of doors that is changed monitored of the Office of Campus Safety. This helps to control access and provide a secure environment.

Report all crimes, no matter how small, and situations that are disruptive or inherently dangerous to Campus Safety. Report all crimes to the Office of Campus Safety Office at (804) 752-4710 or extension 0.