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Safety Tips
Sexual Assault
The People
- Never walk or jog alone at night. If you do, go with at least one other person or in groups
- Should you find yourself walking alone at night, avoid secluded or dimly lit areas
- Stay away from wooded areas or locations where shrubs or buildings might provide cover for assailants
- If you feel you are being followed:
- Yell or scream and move toward a public, well-lit area
- Or try to reach a Campus Emergency Phone (blue or yellow emergency phones)
- Be alert to your surroundings for possible safety concerns, whether you’re in your place of residence or moving about the campus or city
- Always trust your instincts
Residence Halls
- Suspicious Persons/Activities
- Call VUPD immediately
- Always report information to your RA and RLC
- Lock your room
- Always keep your room locked when unattended, alone or sleeping
- Report immediately to your RA and RLC if your room key is lost or stolen
- Never leave your keys lying around unattended
- Unsecured exterior doors
- Never prop open exterior doors to residence halls
- Take it upon yourself to close any exterior doors found open
- Never allow unescorted visitors in the residence hall.
- Always be familiar with your surroundings
- Always trust your instincts
Off-Campus Housing
- Keep your house or apartment locked (including doors and windows) when unattended, alone or sleeping
- Always report any suspicious persons or activities to your local police department
- If your apartment key is lost or stolen, report the loss immediately to the property owner and report the incident to your local police department
- When entering your apartment at night, have keys readily available
- Always be familiar with your surroundings
- Always trust your instincts
Personal Property
- Photograph and keep a list of your valuables, being sure to include make, model and serial numbers
- Mark your personal property and valuables with a permanent identifiable marking
- Contact VUPD for information on how to permanently mark your valuables
- Help protect the property of others and of the University
- Report any damage and/or all suspicious activity to the VUPD
Vehicles
- Keep your vehicle locked at all times
- Keep doors locked when travelling
- When walking to your vehicle at night, have your keys ready and in your hand
- Always check the interior, including the back seat, before getting into your car
- Do not park your automobile in secluded or dimly lit areas
- Do not keep valuables in plain sight in your vehicle
- Never offer rides to strangers or hitchhikers
- Always be familiar with your surroundings
- Always trust your instincts
Bicycles
- Keep your bicycle securely chained and locked when not in use
- VUPD can advise you on recommended types of locks that are considered most secure
- Do not park or store your bicycle in unsafe or dimly lit areas
- Register, engrave or permanently mark your bicycle with an identifying number
- Record the bike’s serial number
- Take a photo of your bicycle and keep with your records