10 Tips to Keep You Safe!

Issued: January 2007

Please use the following ten tips to help reduce the risk of crime on campus for you and your friends. Crime prevention is a goal that we should all share and ultimately safety on campus is the result of a true partnership between DPS and the community. Our mission to foster a safe and secure environment for the Brown community can only be realized with your help.

If there is anything you do not understand or wish to ask about, please e-mail
Campus_Safety@brown.edu and we will answer as best we can. Remember, we are here to help you!

Tips for General Safety:

TIP NUMBER 1—Know where you’re walking. Being aware of your surroundings is one of the most critical aspects of crime awareness. Walk along well-lit, well-traveled routes. Shortcuts are not always the best option! Report any campus lighting deficiencies to DPS by calling 3-3322.

TIP NUMBER 2—Memorize DPS’s numbers. The emergency line, 4111, and nonemergency line, 3-3322 can be dialed from any campus phone. Promptly report suspicious circumstances to DPS with descriptions of vehicles and subjects (as well as the behavior that raises your concern for safety) by calling 3-3322. Also provide descriptions of suspicious vehicles, direction of travel, location, and time of incident by calling 4111.

TIP NUMBER 3—Protect your dorm! Do not allow anyone you do not know into
your residence hall. Allowing the person behind you to “tailgate” may seem courteous, but this often leads to theft.

Crime Awareness Tips:

TIP NUMBER 4—Don’t let your guard down! Crimes can occur at any time of the day. Risk recognition and risk-avoidance should be practiced when out and about on campus, day or night. The intent of most criminals is to target individuals who appear vulnerable, isolated, and preoccupied. Initiating conversation, such as asking for directions or money, is often a tactic used by criminals to create an opportunity for an assault or robbery.

TIP NUMBER 5--Be aware of who’s around you. Specifically, pay attention to who is approaching you either from the front or the rear. Maintain your personal space, and do not allow anyone to lead you into isolation, or invade that space. Take a step or two back to maintain a comfortable, safe distance if need be. Change your direction of travel if you feel you are being followed, and head to the nearest safe space available (i.e. Library, restaurant, store, etc.) If you are walking alone at night, please know that you are at greater risk for being victimized. Utilize Safewalk or SafeRIDE to navigate across campus, or make plans for friends to accompany you. There is safety in numbers.

Tips on Campus Safety Services:

Blue Light Phones, Safewalk and SafeRIDE:

TIP NUMBER 6—Be aware of blue-light phones. Familiarize yourself with the
locations of the emergency blue-light phones across campus. You may utilize these phones in any emergency situation to prompt a response from Department of Public Safety officials. The emergency number for Police, Medical, and Fire Response is “4111” when dialing from a campus phone.

TIP NUMBER 7—You don’t have to walk alone! Utilize Safewalk and SafeRIDE services during evening hours. Safewalk services operate during the academic semester Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00p.m. – 2:00a.m. SafeRIDE Shuttle and OnCall services operate 7 days a week from 5:00p.m.-3:00a.m. EST., and 7:00p.m.-3a.m. EDT.

Tips to Protect Your Property:

TIP NUMBER 8—Register your items! Register your bicycle and/or laptop with the DPS Crime Prevention Unit’s Operation I.D. Program. Registration drives are offered periodically on campus and within residential halls. Please call 863-1438 to make an appointment or register your bicycle online! It is free.
www.brown.edu/Administration/Public_Safety/programs/bike-registration.html

TIP NUMBER 9—Always keep your valuables secured, no matter where you are. Larcenies of laptops, and other valuable items occur most when left unattended and unsecured in dorm rooms, libraries, and offices.

TIP NUMBER 10—Keep your car safe. If you own a vehicle, be sure to keep those laptops, iPods, cell-phones, and other items out of sight when parking your vehicle. Larcenies from vehicles were one of the highest reported crimes over the past semester.

The Department encourages you to use these tips to make this semester a safe and successful one. Remember to reduce the risk, and maximize your personal safety! For additional safety awareness information and crime updates, please visit our website at: http://www.brown.edu/publicsafety

Excerpted from Brown Department of Public Safety @ http://www.brown.edu/Administration/Public_Safety/Top_10_Safety_Tips_DPSJan07.pdf