ways to increase your personal safety on campus

Here are some suggested ways to increase your personal safety

• Try to have your dorm or car keys handy to allow quick unlock of entry doors, if necessary.
• If you are followed while in your vehicle: drive to a busy, well lighted area. Attract someone's attention and have the police contacted. Best idea:  Keep your cell phone with you when you travel.
• Be careful when talking to someone on the phone that you do not know.
• When using an ATM machine, try to locate one that is in a shopping mall, use one with a drive-up window or is otherwise "well traveled".  Avoid using machines that are isolated.
• Never be afraid to call for help!  If you are concerned, worried, or feel threatened by someone in a public place, always seek out help, even if you shout where everyone can hear.

bicycle theft prevention

Bicycle theft is a recurring problem. Most bicycle thefts however, can be prevented by taking some simple precautions.  You can also substantially increase the chances of recovering your bicycle should it be stolen.

DO:

• Register your bicycle with the TCU Police Department.
• Use a quality, hardened "U" type lock, securing the main (largest) portion of the frame to the front tire.
• Secure the bike to a bicycle rack. (University regulations do not allow bicycles in campus buildings or securing to trees, sign posts, hand railings, etc.)
• Record the bike's make, model, and serial number and keep in a safe place
• Inscribe your driver license number on the frame.
• If your bike is stolen on campus, report the incident to the TCU Police Department as soon as possible.  If this occurs off campus, call the local police.
• Report suspicious persons observed near bicycle racks on campus to TCUPD.

DO NOT:

• Leave your unsecured bicycle unattended "just for a minute."
• Use cable or chain lock.  No matter how large, they are easily defeated with bolt cutters.
• Secure to chain link fencing or other objects significantly weaker in strength than your lock.

when should suspicious behavior be reported to the police?:

The following are examples of suspicious behaviors:

• Person(s) loitering around offices, classrooms, laboratories, etc., that do not appear to be going anywhere specific.
• Person(s) in the parking areas, loitering at or near vehicles that do not appear to be walking toward any particular vehicle or building.
• Person(s) looking into office areas, storage rooms or student areas.  Check with the office/residence hall staff; if the person(s) are unknown to staff personnel, contact the TCUPD for further investigation.

What are suspicious vehicles?

• Vehicles that are slowly moving through parking areas that have vacant parking spaces.
• Vehicles that are occupied by one or more persons parked in outlying parking areas away from the buildings or streets.
• Vehicles that are parked near buildings after campus buildings are closed.

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crime prevention for housing residents

Theft, usually a crime of opportunity, is by far the most common crime in campus housing. Thefts are most often committed by persons you or your roommates allow into your residence.

Burglary (unlawfully entering your residence with the intent to commit a crime), is also a problem but can usually be prevented by taking simple precautions.

DO:

• Leave valuables, particularly jewelry, at home if it is not necessary to have them at your campus residence.
• Keep your door locked even when you’re at home.  Left unlocked, it’s easy for others to enter your residence without your knowledge, particularly if you’re in a back room, if your stereo or television is playing, or if you're asleep.
• Call the TCU Police Department to report suspicious persons on campus.
• Engrave your property with your driver license number.
• Report lost keys to your residence to housing staff immediately.
• Check the area for suspicious persons before walking to or exiting your vehicle.
• Discuss these crime prevention tips with your roommates.
• Report crimes to the police department as soon as possible.

DO NOT:

• Allow strangers to enter your residence hall. Be aware of who enters after you and call police if suspicious.
• Hold large gatherings in your residence.  It is easy for someone to steal small items without being noticed.
• Prop open exterior building doors.  You are jeopardizing the safety of others as well as your own.

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copyright Štcupd 2004. all rights reserved

revised: 10/14/04