It’s that time of year again- everyone is heading back to school! Since we know that no college campus is immune to crime, whether minor or serious, it is best to have a couple of tips on how to minimize becoming a victim of a crime while on campus. New students on campus who are looking forward to the coming year should also be aware of how important it is to also take some simple precautions when walking or driving around campus. Here are 10 tips to ensure you have a safe and successful year:
Use the buddy system- Whether walking to the dorms, another building, or the parking lot try to avoid situations where you are walking alone, especially at night. If possible, walk with a classmate or friend and try to stay on areas of the campus that are well-lit, heavily populated and patrolled. Always carry a functioning cell phone in case you need to make a call for help.
Be aware- As in any case, you should always be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention to what is going on around you and be extra careful when approaching vehicles that appear to be out of the ordinary or that make you uncomfortable. Make sure to quickly check in and around your vehicle before getting into it while in parking lots.
Know where help is- Be sure to know where the campus police office is and how to get there should you ever need to visit the office. Also, have the number of the campus police office handy or on your cell phone so that they may be reached easily. If placed in a situation that makes you uncomfortable or scared, do not hesitate to call the campus police and ask for an escort or help when you need it.
Be prepared- Be prepared when walking around campus- have your hands free and your keys ready. It is a good idea to carry some sort of mace or pepper spray in case you come across someone who is threatening your safety. If you are worried about attacks on campus, looking into purchasing a stun gun or taser might make you feel more at ease.
Keep valuables at home- When parking on campus, it is best to avoid keeping valuables in your car that you wouldn’t like stolen. Keep books, jewelry, money, clothes and other personal items that may be of value out of your car in case it is broken into or stolen. Having anything that appears to be valuable in plain view could also be inviting break-ins.
Stay safe if you have car trouble- If you find that you are having some sort of car trouble, it is best to stay in your car with your doors locked, especially at night, and turn on your emergency flashers. Call someone for help or contact the campus police and ask them to wait with you while you wait for help. Be careful if strangers ask to help you and only accept help from someone you know or trust.
Let someone know where you are- You should always let someone you trust know where you will be and around what time you expect to return. Letting a roommate, classmate, friend, or family member know this type of information can help if something doesn’t seem right or add up. Try to keep that person updated if possible to prevent them from worrying if you are not where you are supposed to be.
Don’t be too trusting- Be wary of strangers who ask you for help, directions, or to borrow your cell phone. It is probably best to be polite and keep a safe distance, or you can try to assess the situation to the best of your ability. That isn’t to say not to help people, but use your best judgment when talking to strangers or people you don’t know very well.
Don’t be afraid to yell for help- If you feel you are being followed or targeted, call the campus police for help. If the situation worsens and you feel you are in danger, do anything to draw attention to yourself and scare the attacker away. Run, yell, scream, cry- make a scene, it is the best way to deter someone who is trying to harm or rob you.
Report suspicious activity- Should you come across a person or group of people that appear to be doing some questionable, report it to campus police. Do not confront the group or draw attention to yourself, simply contact the campus police or operator and give them as much information as possible about the person/people while keeping a safe distance.
