rickel building, room 155b, ext. 7276

Although crime at Texas Christian University is relatively "light" compared to some of the surrounding sections of the city, it is by no means nonexistent on campus. Crime Prevention, and use of the suggestions made below, can contribute to the safety of your environment and to the safety of the campus community as a whole. Please take a few moments of your time to look over the list given below and apply those suggestions with which you feel comfortable. REMEMBER:  the prevention of crime begins with you.

• Moving In - when moving in or out of your residence hall, always keep your car locked and know who is helping you.
• Don't keep a large amount of cash. Use traveler's checks and open a bank account as soon as possible.
• Always keep your checkbook with you. Also, be sure to secure or hide the box(s) of unused checks.
• If checks and/or credit cards are stolen, report the theft to TCUPD and your credit card companies immediately.
• Lock your door whenever you leave your room, regardless of the length of time you plan to be gone. A surprising number of thefts occur while the resident is on the same floor. It only takes a few seconds for someone to enter your room and steal your valuables.
• Lock you room when you are asleep.
• Do not keep money, purses, wallets or jewelry lying out. Keep them out of sight.
• Be mindful of visitors and your residence hall visiting hours. For your safety and the safety of the other residents, report suspicious or unknown persons in your dorm to residence hall staff and/or TCUPD immediately.
• Get acquainted with the other student residents on your floor or in your complex as soon as possible. This will make it possible for you to know who belongs there and who doesn't.
• Do not allow entry into your building or complex to people you do not know. Refer strangers to the hall staff.
• Mark all clothing in a place other than the label with a laundry pencil or needle and thread. When using laundry facilities in your building, if at all possible, do not leave your clothing unattended.
• Report suspicious persons in your hall or building to housing staff and/or TCUPD immediately.
• Do not loan your keys to anyone or have keys duplicated.
• When walking on campus, check for the locations of emergency phones along your route. Familiarize yourself with those emergency phone locations closest to your dorm and the buildings you frequent.
• At night, call for an escort rather than walk alone. Froggie Five-O (Student Escort Services) can respond to your call within minutes. Call 257-7777 when you need an escort.
• Report lost or stolen keys immediately. A lost or stolen key makes your property and that of your roommates vulnerable to theft.
• Place your car keys on a separate ring from your room key. Do not put your name or address on your key rings.
• Do not leave notes on your door announcing no one is at home.
• When leaving for a holiday or vacation, do not pack your car the night before. It only becomes a more attractive target for the thief.
• Do not place decals on your door announcing your name.
• Never prop locked or latched doors. If you find a door propped open, unprop and secure it.
• Report all doors, locks or windows in need of repair to residence hall staff.
• Require identification and authorization from repair or maintenance persons wanting to enter your room.
• Join the campus Operation Identification program. Engrave all valuable items with your driver's license number and keep a record of all valuables, their descriptions and serial numbers.
• Attend the Campus Crime Prevention Residence Hall meetings when presented in your dorm.
• Do not allow door-to-door salespersons to enter your room. Report any soliciting to housing staff or TCUPD immediately.
• If you have a bicycle, secure it when not in use. Buy a good lock and cable or chain. Lock your bicycle to a bicycle rack whenever possible. Record serial and model numbers and the value of your bicycle. Engrave the bicycle with your driver's license number.
• If you have a motor vehicle (car or truck), keep it locked at all times. Avoid leaving property in the vehicle where it can be seen. Engrave the battery, wheel covers, and radio or stereo in your motor vehicle. Park in a well-lighted parking lot or area whenever possible.
• If you receive annoying or obscene phone calls, hang up the phone immediately. Record the time, what was said and any special sounds or characteristics. Notify the hall staff and TCUPD immediately.
• On campus at night, walk only in well-lighted areas. Walk with a friend(s) whenever possible. Don't cut through - the shortest route is not always the safest. Know where the emergency exterior ("blue light") phones are on the route(s) you most often take through campus. If your have to get somewhere on campus after dark and would feel safer with an escort, call 257-7777 and let us (TCUPD) know you need one. Froggie Five-0 (Student Escort Service) or a uniformed patrol officer can assist you.

Crime does not have to be "lived with." Remaining alert to suspicious persons and/or activity on campus and taking those few extra minutes to look over your environment (whether that environment is your dorm room, the passenger compartment of your car, a classroom, or a cafe) can ensure that you do not become a crime victim. For additional information on crime prevention techniques and procedures, call officer Pam Christian at 257-7276. You can also read more about crime prevention in the series, "Hardened Targets" beginning in the August '98 issue of TCU Police "On the Scene", the TCUPD newsletter.

don't be a statistic!

copyright Štcupd 2004. all rights reserved

revised: 01/13/06