Campus Emergency: x4911
Phone: 240-895-4911
Fax: 240-895-4438
Crime Prevention Tips
Personal Safety
While driving, lock your doors, roll up your windows, and keep your valuables out of sight.
ALWAYS park in a well-lit area and NEVER pick up strangers.
When walking, NEVER carry large amounts of cash on you and avoid wearing jewelry. ALWAYS walk in groups for your personal safety, or call Public Safety for an escort between dusk and dawn. ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings and those people who are near to you. Walk with confidence, never when upset or distracted. The perfect time for a criminal to strike is when he thinks you're not paying attention.
Before biking or jogging, try to find a friend who would be willing to take on these activities as well. Vary your route, avoid isolated areas, and ALWAYS stay alert (no headphones!).
When entering your hall or townhouse, have your key or card ready as you approach. If you think someone is inside when no one is expected, call Public Safety immediately! Before leaving your townhouse or room, ALWAYS check to make sure all appliances are turned off, all windows are securely shut, and the door is locked behind you. If you are the last to leave your office, be sure to check these things as well.
NEVER give your dorm room combination out to anyone you cannot fully trust.
ALWAYS stay alert when walking or driving on campus and be sure to report any suspicious persons to Public Safety as soon as possible. Take note of what the person was wearing or of the vehicle they were driving. Color of the vehicle plus the tag number and/or what the person is wearing plus hair color and approximate height and weight are extremely helpful factors when trying to locate suspicious persons or vehicles.
Personal Property
Be sure to report lost or stolen property immediately to the Public Safety Office (on-campus x4911) to take the proper report. This will also create a record in case the property is recovered or found: it can be returned to you.
It is very important to secure your vehicle or bicycle when leaving it unattended. NEVER leave your vehicle running, even if you only plan to be "a few minutes." NEVER leave the keys in the vehicle, whether locked or not. If you plan to ride your bicycle, be sure to secure it to a stationary object with a proper bicycle lock. NEVER leave it unlocked where others have easy access to it.
Engrave your personal belongings (computers, bicycles, etc.) with your driver's license number or another number that is unique and just for you. Public Safety also has bicycle registration, so come to the office (with your bike) and we will register it with an engraved number out of sight and keep a record of it for you.
Keep a record of all your personal belongings, with product name, serial numbers, etc. This helps tremendously when reporting items stolen. It will also aid in returning the property to you if found or recovered.
Install an alarm system in your vehicle and engrave property in it with your driver's license number.
NEVER drink and drive. Try to set up a buddy system or a "designated driver" for the evening. Remember that one fun night on the town is not worth risking an accident or being arrested. Drink responsibly!
NEVER use illegal narcotics.
NEVER make false reports. Not only are you breaking the law, you are also beginning a time-consuming process when the officer could be doing other things on campus to protect your personal safety.
