Crime Prevention Tips for Departing College Students

[Howard Hartman]

Rockville City Police    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  •  August 7, 2012

Crime Prevention Tips for Departing College Students

As the summer comes to a close, many residents will have children heading off to college. The Rockville City Police Department would like to provide some crime prevention tips for departing college students:

Know how to contact Public Safety or the Police -

• Know the emergency telephone number for your campus Public Safety or Police Department.
• Keep the emergency phone numbers near your phones (Stickers, magnets, etc.)
• Program emergency phone numbers into your cell phone.
• Ensure that you are subscribed to the campus mass notification system on campus.
• Participate in any campus emergency or safety programs being offered (emergency transmitter, whistle, self-defense).

Walking around campus -

• Familiarize yourself with the layout of the campus. Survey areas where classes are held during both the daytime hours when classes are in session and after hours. Check to see that the buildings, walkways, facilities and parking lots are adequately secured and well-lighted.
• During evening hours stick to well-lighted areas. Avoid alleyways or “short cuts” through isolated areas.
• If possible travel in groups and avoid going out alone at night.
• Use the campus shuttle or escort services at night.
• Stay alert to your surroundings and the people around you!
• Do not overload yourself with bags, books, packages and avoid wearing shoes that restrict your movements.
• If you are being followed, change direction and go to the nearest business or home; knock on the door and request that someone call the police.

Keeping safe in residence halls –

• Always lock your door, windows; even when you’re sleeping or just going down the hall.
• Do not allow strangers to enter your room or your complex. Do not open your door unless you can identify the person seeking entry.
• Do not let unknown persons “tailgate” ask who they are visiting and offer to call Public Safety.
• DO NOT PROP ANY EXTERIOR DOORS OPEN TO ALLOW UNESCORTED VISITORS INTO THE RESIDNECE HALL!
• Report lost or stolen residence hall keys immediately to your residence hall staff.
• Report any malfunctioning locks, doors or windows to your residence hall staff.
• DO NOT LEAVE MESSAGES ON YOUR DOOR ABOUT WHEN YOU WILL BE RETURNING TO YOUR ROOM.
• Report any suspicious persons or activities (including solicitors) in or near your residence hall to your residence hall staff, Public Safety or Police.
• Get to your know residence RA, staff.

Things to consider if you are planning to live off-campus –

• Check to see how safe will your commute be to campus (escort service, shuttle service, etc.)
• Does the grounds/buildings have security/police patrol the premises?
• Check the security of the property – is there an intercom system, peepholes installed in door, secured front entrance?
• How often are the locks changed? How secured are the locks, doors and windows?
• Is there adequate parking?
• How well-lighted are the grounds? How is the maintenance of the property?
• Is there adequate fire safety detection and an evacuation system in place?