Campus Safety Tips

You are responsible for your own safety. Work to keep your surroundings safe and secure. Remove the opportunity for criminals to commit crimes. Defeat the criminal before the crime is committed. Take the necessary steps to avoid being a victim. These tips are here to help prevent crimes against persons and property. This site gives tips on both. The following information is to assist you in this effort.

Bicycle Theft

Occasionally, the U.N.O. Police Department receives complaints of bicycles being stolen from students,faculty, staff and guests while on campus. Here are steps you can take to deter bicycle theft, and if it does occur, to help in the possible recovery of your bicycle.

1. Lock your bicycle. If at all possible, lock your bicycle at a well lighted area. Always secure your lock through the frame as well as both wheels. Do not merely lock your bicycle to itself, but to something solid. Bicycle racks have been placed at several locations about the campus. Also make sure that your lock is up to the task. Bike thieves often check out bike racks looking for "bargains", the best bike with the cheapest lock.
2. Register your bicycle. This can be done at the New Orleans Police Department's Headquarters located at 715 So. Broad St. Their Bicycle Division's telephone number is (504) 658-5503. If your bicycle is registered, then stolen and recovered, the police will know you are the owner and can return the bike to you.
3. Record the serial number of your bicycle. If your bicycle is stolen, report the theft to the police and give them the serial number. With the proper serial number, police can identify the owner and if the bicycle is recovered it can be returned.

Text Book Thefts

Periodically, U.N.O. students have been targets for thieves who steal text books in order to sell them back. They may also be in search of other valuables students leave in their book bags. Here are some steps you can take to prevent this.

1. Always put your name in your book. This will also be very helpful if your book is misplaced.
2. Avoid leaving your books unattended, including in the library and in dining halls.
3. Be aware of the scam: If a stranger approaches you and asks you to do him/her a favor and sell this book back to the bookstore or Chimes Bookstore or he/she forgot their I.D. and would pay you in return, then you could be selling stolen books. You could be charged with possession of stolen property. If approached, get a description and call University Police immediately.

Protecting Your Vehicle

Vehicles in parking lots always present a target for thieves. Here are some steps you can take to diminish the chance that your car will be broken into or stolen.

Lock your car whenever it is unattended, both on and off campus.

1. Do not leave expensive property, such as CD cases, purses, radar detectors, cellular phones, computers and portable stereos in plain view in your car. Lock them in your trunk or take them into your residence. Cover up conspicuous stereo equipment. Remember that thieves target after market stereo equipment, not factory installed equipment.
2. If you have expensive stereo equipment in your car, consider investing in a car alarm. If you have a car alarm, turn it on.
3. Record the brand, model numbers and serial numbers of all electronic equipment installed in your car. In the event of theft, give this information to the police. If the equipment is recovered, it can be returned to you. Also engrave your driver's license number on your equipment.
4. If you live off campus, make every attempt to park your car off the street,if possible. If not, park in a well lighted area.
5. Residents of Bienville Hall should park their cars at the Residential Parking Area, not the Engineering Parking Area. This practice will minimize the criminals target areas and provide your Police Department with a more focused area of patrol,in an effort to protect your property.
6. Engrave your Vehicle Identification Number (found on your registration or under the windshield on the driver's side) on the doors, windows, fenders and trunk lid of your car. This will prevent theft, because the thief will need to replace these parts before selling the car.
7. Use a steering wheel lock when the car is parked. While these devices can be defeated, a thief may decide it's not worth the effort.

Protecting Your Residence

You can take several steps to protect the belongings that you have in your residence. If you live in a residence hall, these steps are as follows:

1. The majority of thefts that occur in dorm rooms and apartments happen when the residents are not in but the door is unlocked. Lock the door to your room whenever you leave, even if it's just for a few minutes. Also lock your door when you will be showering or sleeping. If you live on the ground floor, lock your windows. If you discover that your door or window does not lock, leave a maintenance request to have it repaired.
2. Don't leave exterior doors or inner lobby doors propped open when they should be closed. If you find one open, close it.
3. Record the serial numbers of valuable objects you have in your room. Engrave such objects with your driver's license number.
4. Do not leave jewelry, credit cards or cash in unlocked desks or cabinets.
5. Mark clothes with a laundry pen or needle and thread in a spot other than the label.
6. Do not allow people you don't know well in your room.

If you see a suspicious person, notify Campus Police immediately, by calling 3-6666 (280-6666). Be prepared to give a description of the person, and tell where you last saw the person and the direction he or she was headed if applicable.If you live off campus, take the following steps to protect your valuables:

1. Lock the doors and windows to your residence whenever you are away and when you are in your residence and may not hear someone enter, such as when you are sleeping. If you have a sliding glass door, secure it further by placing a length of wood in the track on the floor to stop it from opening.
2. If your doors do not already have one, talk to your landlord about getting a deadbolt.
3. Do not leave valuables and expensive equipment in plain view from the outside.
4. If possible, get a dog. If this is not possible, make it appear as if you have a dog. Get a large dog bowl and a large dog chain and keep it in plain view.
5. When you are away from your residence, leave your interior lights on. Use a timer if you will be gone for more than one day.
6. If there is a Neighborhood Watch in your area, join it. This organization will be able to keep you up to date on criminal activity in your area.
7. If you will be gone for several days, inform a neighbor you can trust. Stop delivery of your mail and newspaper. Use light timers in several rooms.
8. Record the serial numbers of your valuables. Engrave your valuables with your driver's license number.
9. If you have an answering machine, don't leave a message that indicates you are away from home. Simply state that you are unavailable.
10. Use outside lights at each entrance to your residence. Make sure the lights are turned off during the day.
11. If you see a suspicious person, notify the local police. You can reach the police by calling 911. Be prepared to give a description of the person, and tell where you last saw the person and the direction he or she was headed at the time.
12. If you do arrive home to find that your residence has been broken into, DO NOT ENTER, but go to a public phone or a neighbor's house to notify police. 

Crime Against a Person

Unfortunately, criminals do not always target property, but target people instead. Make sure you take these steps to try to prevent these types of crimes from happening to you. Protecting Yourself In Your Home

1. Keep your doors locked, even when you are in your residence. Do not allow anyone in until you know who that person is. If the person claims to be dorm maintenance or a utility worker, verify that by asking for identification. People who have legitimate reasons to be there will not balk at this.
2. If you have an answering machine, don't put your names on your recording. Also, if you and your roommates are female, consider having a male friend leave your out going message on your machine.
3. If you are receiving threatening or obscene phone calls, contact Campus Police or if you live off campus, contact your local police.
4. If you notice a person attempting to gain entry to your residence or attempting to look into your residence, call Campus Police at 3-6666. If you live off campus, dial 911. Be prepared to give a description of the person, and where you last saw them and the direction he or she was headed at the time.

Protecting Yourself in Your Car

Park in well lighted areas, busy areas. Avoid dark secluded areas.

1. Always lock your car, even if you are in it at the time.
2. As you approach your car, be aware of other people around. If you see someone loitering near your car, do not go to it; instead, walk to an area where there are other people.
3. Have your car keys ready. Make sure you don't have to stand by your car fumbling for your keys.
4. Before you enter your car, make sure that no intruder is in the car waiting for you.
5. If you see another motorist on the road, do not stop to help. Drive to the nearest phone and notify the police.
6. While driving, keep valuables out of sight, and not on the seat next to you.
7. Consider getting a cellular phone so you can call for assistance in an emergency.
8. If you are stranded in your car, do not accept help from anyone. If someone offers help, stay in your car and ask him for help to call the police. Do not accept help from the police unless they are in uniform and driving a marked patrol car.
9. If your car is carjacked, give the carjacker your car. Your life and health are worth more than the car.

Protecting Yourself When You Are Out

Don't carry a lot of cash. Women should carry money somewhere other than their purses. Men should carry their wallets in an inside coat pocket or in a front pants pocket.

1. Don't be flashy. Expensive clothes and jewelry can make you a target for thieves.
2. Avoid shortcuts through dark, secluded areas. Stay where other people are around. Avoid areas where thieves may be hiding.
3. Do not walk alone. If you are on campus you can call for an escort between dusk and dawn by dialing "3-6666" from any campus phone. If you jog, do not jog alone.
4. Walk with confidence. Thieves are more likely to single out those who appear hesitant or unsure of themselves.
5. When walking to your house or car, have your keys ready so you will spend as little time as possible in the open.
6. If you are being harassed, loudly say "Leave me alone!" If that doesn't stop the harassment, continue to attract people's attention and head towards a store or another place where other people are around.
7. If you are confronted, give up your valuables. Nothing is as important as your life.
8. Try to stay out of arm's reach of the attacker. Don't let the attacker move you into an alley or car. Your best defense if the attacker persists is to scream and run.
9. Consider purchasing a personal alarm or pepper spray for defensive purposes.
10. Look into self defense classes. The University Police offers a self defense course entitled Rape Aggression Defense (RAD). Other classes may be available throughout the community.

Protecting Yourself Against Sexual Assault

If you are being victimized by a person who is attempting to sexually assault you, take the following steps to stop the assault from progressing. Remember that the goal is survival.

1. Stall for time. Figure out your options. Each situation is different. Decide if you will fight, try to talk your way out of the assault, scream, or, if necessary for your survival, submit.
2. If you fight, hit hard and fast. Target the eyes and groin.
3. Try to dissuade the attacker from continuing. Tell him you have a sexually transmitted disease, tell him you are menstruating, urinate, vomit, or do anything to discourage the attacker.

Protecting Yourself Against Stalking

In recent years society has become more aware of the dangers of stalking. Stalking, under Louisiana law, is repeated harassment that could or does cause the victim to feel intimidated, threatened, or frightened. While it is difficult to prevent stalking from occurring, you can take steps to prevent it from continuing.

1. If you are a victim of stalking, report this to Campus Police or local police department, even if you do not know if you will be filing charges.
2. Gather information to help your case, such as taped recordings of threatening phone calls, license plate state and number, description of vehicle, a personal description, and a detailed listing of any contacts the stalker makes with you.
3. Follow up in court. Take out an anti-stalking order at your local circuit court, and/or file a civil lawsuit against the stalker for damages resulting from the stalker's behavior.
4. If the stalking continues after the anti-stalking order has been sent, contact the police. No method of crime prevention is granted to work 100% of the time. However, in taking these steps, you are removing the opportunity from would be criminals, and you will be less likely to be victimized. Be smart. Learn these steps, and make them a habit in your life.

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