Personal Safety Tips

• Be aware of your surroundings; stay alert and don’t get distracted.
• Choose well-lit, busy streets/areas and walk with a friend.
• Know where the police station is and what buildings are open late.
• Use body language to communicate that you are calm, confident, and know where you are going.
• Make eye contact with those around you, and walk tall.
• Trust your instincts. Leave if you feel uncomfortable in a setting.
• To escape danger, cross the street, move to a well-lit area, and quickly go to the nearest house or open facility.
• Never prop open exterior doors to residence halls or other buildings.
• Keep room doors locked at all times.
• Carry your keys at all times.
• When walking, walk facing traffic.
• Carry a minimal number of belongings.
• Keep emergency money for telephone calls and/or transportation.
• Have your keys in your hand when approaching your vehicle or residence.
• If you feel you are being followed by someone in a vehicle, change your direction and write down the license plate number.

• You are cautioned against publicizing personal information — your name, picture, hobbies, and other detailed personal information — on websites and other easily accessible sources.
• When you publicize personal information, you open the door for this information to be used by individuals to commit identity theft and/or other predatory crimes.

• Keep your vehicle in good running condition and filled with fuel.
• Plan your route in advance.
• Keep your vehicle doors locked at all times.
• Park in well-lit areas.
• If your vehicle breaks down, raise the hood, use flares, or tie a white cloth to the door handle. 
• Stay inside the vehicle and keep all the doors locked and windows rolled up until help arrives.
• Never pick up strangers.
• Do not stop to help motorists; signal that you will call for help.
• If you are being followed, go to the nearest police or fire station, residence hall, or open facility.
• If no safe areas are near, honk the horn repeatedly and turn on your emergency flashers.

• Don’t resist if the attacker is only after your purse or other valuables.
• Don’t escalate a property crime into a violent confrontation.
• Remain calm and don’t show signs of panic, anger, or confusion.
• Call the police immediately. Identify yourself and your location.
• Try to get a good description of your attacker: age, sex, race, height weight, complexion, type of clothing, body build

The most frequently reported crimes are those involving theft of personal or institutional property. Following are some of the most frequent targets of theft reported to UPD and some security tips to help you protect your property.

• Vehicles
  • Always lock your vehicle and do not leave the keys inside it.
  • Close all windows and make sure the trunk and all doors are secured.
  • Don’t leave your vehicle registration, important identification papers, credit cards, or money inside your vehicle.
  • Keep your vehicle’s tag number, VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), and a complete description of your vehicle in your wallet or a safe place at your residence.
  • If possible, keep valuable items in your trunk.
  • Park in well-lit, busy areas and don’t leave your vehicle in unattended lots for long time frames.
  • Install a security device such as a steering column lock or a cut-off switch that interrupts fuel or ignition systems.
  • Secure your vehicle’s license plate with tamper-proof bolts. 
• Bicycles
  • Park your bicycle in areas with a high volume of pedestrian traffic.
  • Lock your bicycle with a U-shaped lock or case-hardened chain.
  • Engrave your bicycle with an owner identification number.
  • Register your bicycle for free with UPD. A record will be made of the make, model, manufacturer’s serial number, and owner identification number. 
• Computers and Other Office Equipment
  • Lock your room or office every time you leave.
  • Keep records of your equipment that include a description of the equipment along with the make, model, and manufacturer’s serial number.
  • Engrave or apply an owner or departmental identification marking where possible.
  • Secure computers with cable locks or other security devices.
  • Install burglar alarms capable of being monitored by UPD in computer labs, offices, or storage areas that contain large quantities of valuable office or research equipment.
  • Free security surveys are offered by UPD for campus buildings and on-campus residents.
• Textbooks and Thefts from Lockers
  • Write your name or owner identification number on several pages inside your books.
  • Never leave your book bag or books unattended while at the library, dining halls, classrooms, or asleep in lounge areas.
  • Lockers are safe places to store clothes, but they can be broken into.
  • Do not store valuable items in a locker without using a lock.

• Safety, security, and crime prevention are the responsibilities of everyone. The cooperation and involvement of faculty, staff, and students is absolutely essential to having a safe campus. Your safety and security and that of your belongings begins with your own awareness and commitment to the safety of the community. 
• Like any other community, UAFS experiences accidents, injuries, crimes, and other emergencies. To report such incidents, potential criminal actions, or suspicious incidents, UAFS faculty, staff, students, and visitors should notify the UPD at 479-788-7140. An officer will be dispatched to the scene and, if necessary, summon additional emergency assistance.