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Crime Prevention Tips

Personal Safety

  • Use safe, direct, and well-lit routes
  • Stay alert to your surroundings—don’t “tune out” by using your phone, iPod or other electronic devices
  • When walking, look confident and purposeful
  • Walk with a friend if possible—particularly at night
  • Carry your keys and money in a pocket, not in a purse or backpack
  • If you are being followed, go to where there are people and call 911

Valuables and Property

  • Never leave items unattended. Laptop computers and backpacks are easy targets for campus thieves. Stolen items are rarely returned, and most thieves are not arrested
  • Record your valuable property information
  • Contact your Resident Assistant or the Safety and Security Office for a engraver. Permanent markers are available at local stores
  • Keep doors and windows locked. Do not ever prop open exterior doors— doing so compromises the safety of everyone in your building
  • Don’t leave valuables in your car. If you must, put them in your trunk before you arrive at your destination
  • Mark your valuables, stereo, computer, bicycle, book bag, CD’s with an engraver or permanent marker. Use your drivers license or state ID number, DO NOT use your Social Security card because it can not be easily traced by local authorities

Identity Theft

  • Make a photo copy of the first two pages of your passport, credit cards and other important papers in your wallet, make a list of the model and serial numbers of your property, this will assist you in the event these items are lost
  • If your state ID, drivers license or insurance card has your social security number on the ID,  ask the controlling authority if the number can be changed. Do not  carry your social security card with you store it in a safe place, and memorize your number
  • Prevent identity theft. Shred documents that contain personal identifying features such as bank accounts or social security numbers

Obscene or Harassing Phone Calls

Your telephone is for your use and service and is under your control. Always use your phone on your own terms. If a caller refuses to speak, uses obscene language, asks inappropriate questions, or makes you feel uncomfortable at any time, hang up; you are not obligated to speak to anyone. Harassing callers are trying to elicit a response from you; do not give them what they want. Keep calm and hang up immediately.

Keep calm and hang up immediately

  • Do not slam the receiver down.
  • Do not try to figure out who is calling or analyze the caller.
  • Do not engage the caller in a conversation or humor them by giving your opinion, making comments or feel you have to justify anything the caller may be complaining about or saying.
  • Do not discuss the calls with anyone except for authorities.
  • Do not give out any personal information, including phone number.

Do you feel threatened?

Notify Security at 651-696-6555 immediately to file an incident report.

Forward harassing voice mail message to 6686

If the caller leaves a message, forward the message to the Associate Director of Public Safety’s voice mail:

  1. While listening to, or shortly after the end of the message, press 7 3
  2. Enter the mailbox 6686, followed by #; press # again
  3. Record a message for Security that includes your name, phone number, date and time the call was left in your mailbox. Press 5 when ready to record; press # when finished speaking
  4. Press 7 9 to complete the forward.
  5. The original message will stay in your mailbox until you delete it by pressing 7 6.

Safety in Residence Halls

  • Always lock your door; 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 individuals “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 residence hall (pizza delivery, friends, etc.).
  • Report lost or stolen residence hall keys immediately to your residence hall staff.
  • Report any malfunctioning locks, doors or windows to your residence life staff.
  • Do not leave your keys lying around in your room when you are not in the room.
  • Do not leave messages on your door about when you will be returning to your room.
  • Tell a roommate or friend if you are planning to be away overnight or for a few days.
  • Report any suspicious persons or activities (including solicitors) in or near your residence hall to your residence hall staff, Public Safety or Police.
  • Secure your valuables and engrave expensive items with identifying information.
  • Always lock your doors and windows at night, especially if you reside on the first or second floors.
  • Do not leave your identification, keys, wallets, checkbooks, or other valuables in open view.
  • Get to know your RA, residence life staff and neighbors.