Crime Prevention – “Safety First, Safety Always”

Crime prevention has been defined as “the anticipation, recognition and appraisal of a crime risk and the
initiation of some action to remove or reduce it.” Crime prevention means using your instinct, commons
sense and action to reduce a criminal’s opportunity. The Department of Public Safety provides proactive
crime prevention programs and safety services to assist members of the campus community in reducing
their risks of becoming a victim of crime.

Plainly speaking, crime prevention is recognizing that a crime risk exists and taking some corrective
action to eliminate or reduce that risk. Crime prevention means risk reduction. A close working
relationship among the crime prevention unit, management, patrol and investigations units, and the
campus community is essential to eliminating crime risk. Reporting suspicious persons and/or activities,
locking unoccupied rooms, securing doors and windows at the end of the day, securing university and
personal property and being aware of your surroundings are all important risk reduction strategies

The three basic rules for personal safety are:

Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.

Give the impression that you are calm, confident and know where you are going.

Trust your instincts. If it doesn't look or feel right, it might not be.

Protect Yourself in Residence Halls:

Lock your door, even if you are only leaving for a minute.

Lock your door when you are sleeping, napping or leaving for an extended period.

Keep your Cardinal Card and room keys secured. Immediately report stolen or missing Cardinal Cards &
keys to Housing Services and Campus Police.

Secure your valuables. Keep money, wallets, jewelry, handbags or other valuables out of sight.

Never admit strangers into your room or hall. When in doubt, request a CUA ID.

Never Prop open exterior doors.

Immediately report suspicious persons or activity to the Campus Police. Report any strangers loitering in
or around resident halls.

Protect Yourself when working or studying after normal business hours:

Never remain alone in isolated or unoccupied areas, including classrooms, libraries and other buildings.
Notify the Campus Police of your location and expected departure time.

Make sure all outside entrance doors are locked.

Keep your area locked. Don't let anyone else in the building.

Call for an escort if necessary.

Protect Yourself On and Off Campus:

Stay alert, confident, and aware of your surroundings. Walk purposefully and make eye contact with
people around you. Trust your instincts.

Avoid alleys, short cuts & vacant lots. Stick to well-lighted, busy streets.

Walk with a companion whenever possible.

Avoid displaying large amounts of cash. Use ATM's during daylight hours only.

If you are being followed, abruptly change directions, stay in a well lighted area, and seek safety in a
public building

Make noise, attract attention to you and the person that is following you.

If on campus, locate the nearest emergency telephone. Off campus, dial "911"

After dark, or when there's concern for your personal safety, call the Campus Police for an escort at 202-
319-5111

Use the campus Shuttle/Loop Bus Service

Know the location of emergency telephones

Social Network Web sites (MySpace, Facebook)

Be aware of what you post on the Internet.

You never know who is looking at your information.

It could be stalkers, future employers, recruiters, family, etc.